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Biological Aide - Career Profile |
Career OverviewA biological aide can work in several different aspects of a research project or within a state or government agency to help with the collection of date, interpretation or results, monitoring of tests, set up of equipment or even the analysis of organic compounds or results. The biological aide often acts as an assistant to a scientist, biologist or zoologist that is working with a variety of animals or environmental research projects.
Biological aides are people that enjoy working in a variety of settings, have a good understanding of animals, living organisms, chemistry and scientific procedures and protocols. Biological aides can also be required to compile data and be able to present this data in easy to interpret formats such as charts, graphs and even written format.
Biological aides need to have good interpersonal skills as they will often be the liaison between the researcher and the rest of the team and can even have management positions within the research team or research facility. Research facilities may also use biological aides in researching new drugs, chemicals and even food additives.
One of the most appealing aspects of a career as a biological aide is the opportunity to work both indoors and outdoors, depending on the research being completed. These is usually a relatively flexible schedule on many projects so biological aides are often not required to complete standard nine to five jobs.
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Career RequirementsEach setting or organization will have slightly different requirements for a biological aide. Basically most organizations will require an Associates degree in one of the life science fields with preference often given to biology, organic chemistry, zoology or animal science.
In addition the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS) offers certification in various fields for biological aides. The American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS) offers many training options for those interested in careers as biological aides although none of the courses are required.
There is an increasing trend for certification from one of the above mentioned Clinical Laboratory Science groups. As biological aide jobs become more encompassing the field will likely move towards more standard certification and credentialing on a non-voluntary basis.
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Job OutlookFor those candidates that have more than the basic educational requirements the opportunity for employment is very good. Associate and Bachelors level training is a must for most of the researched based jobs whereas a Master’s level may be required for the pharmaceutical industry or for private sector employment.
As the need for biotechnology in both medicine and extended care increases the demand for experienced and certified or accredited biological aides is expected to increase. This increase will not be as extreme as some of the other medical research fields but the US Department of Labor predicts a steady increase over the next 10-15 years in the demand for trained biological aides.
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Career TrackOnce a biological aide has experience working in a laboratory, agency or research facility there are several options for movement within the field. Many biological aides choose career paths that lead them into management of laboratory facilities, data collection and analysis, specializations within the field in one area of expertise, or even acting as project coordinators or developers.
Biological aides with excellent communication skills often choose the management oriented career path or begin to work with researchers on providing information to the public and other stakeholders.
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CompensationFor a biological technician, which is a fully certified or credentialed biological aide the average salary is approximately $15.00 per hours. Specialized biological aides may make about the same amount per hour whereas less specialized biological aides or those without experience will usually make between $9.00 and $11.00 per hour.
Biological aides that choose to enter a management position can expect to earn between $28,000 and $42,000 per year depending on the type of facility that they are employed by. The pharmaceutical companies are often the highest paying of the ranges and the government agencies are the lowest. The stability of employment, medical benefits and retirement programs with government facilities often are considered to be compensation for the lower salaries.
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