Laboratory directors have a great deal of responsibility in their
positions within an organization. Dylan Bednarz, a Chemical Engineering
student in his senior year at the New Jersey Institute of Technology has
seen first- hand the type of work that goes into ensuring a lab is run
smoothly. After participating in research and development projects at
his university he plans to continue his education in pharmaceutical
engineering and will see a great deal of lab work throughout his career.
A highly qualified laboratory director has little trouble
securing employment. With some of the more obvious tasks of overseeing
operations and supervising staff comes the inherent risks involved if
there are dangerous substances or complex tasks often associated with
groundbreaking research. The burden is only higher in these
circumstances, and having a qualified director can make all the
difference in the research and development that takes place in the lab.
These
directors must adhere to government regulations as well as maintain
budgets and meet research goals within the company. Maintaining
confidentiality is also a concern, including patient confidentiality and
quality control. These workers are often highly trained and valuable
assets to the organizations in which they are employed. These directors
are most often expected to be a medical doctor or hold a Ph.D. The
qualifications are often dependent on the type of lab and the work that
will be performed under their supervision. Many new laboratory directors
are promoted from within as the current directors leave their
positions. This ensures director has adequate knowledge of the lab and
they are often required to have a minimum of three years of lab work
experience.
Besides the daily operations, the director is often in
charge of staffing. Hiring the right candidates for positions in which
he or she will oversee is an important aspect of the job as those in the
lab should be highly knowledgeable and trustworthy themselves. Finding
the right employees for these positions can become imperative when
background checks may be required and hazardous materials may be
involved in the research process.
For those like Dylan Bednarz
who have experience working in labs, having a qualified director is a
well-known advantage. As a student, he is one of many who enjoy learning
from these highly educated individuals and who benefit from proper
direction and skill. As Bednarz enters the master's program at NJIT in
Pharmaceutical Engineering he has become more aware of the importance of
competent staff when conducting research and development projects. As
many pharmaceutical endeavors can be costly and time-consuming, having a
properly staffed lab is essential for success and safety. Limiting
liabilities and optimizing time, finances, and resources are all added
benefits of a properly trained director and the positive impact he or
she may have on the work conducted in the lab.
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