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What does a Quality Assurance Technician do?

Eric Tallberg
Eric Tallberg

A quality assurance (QA) technician reviews products and services to make sure they meet certain standards of quality. In many companies, the quality assurance/quality control (QC) lab or department is a focal point of the corporate mission and administration. Because of the importance of quality, this technician must often be highly educated and experienced in the particular manufacturing methods and products he or she deals with.

Quality assurance is accomplished by a variety of methods depending upon the product or service to be assessed. Such methods include, among many other things, taste-testing, visual and physical inspection, micrometer measurements, liquid level measurements, viscometer testing and, in the case of service providers, listening in on or being present at sales presentations and customer interaction. The quality assurance technician, often assuming the role of quality control, not only performs individual checks and/or tests on various products and services, but is also responsible for maintaining the long-term continuity of production and service quality.

A QA technician reviews products and services to ensure standards.
A QA technician reviews products and services to ensure standards.

Attention to paperwork, computer data, and any other necessary documentation is vital in affirming and raising quality standards over the long term. In addition to helping respond to customer queries, such documentation provides production personnel a measurable quality goal to efficiently sustain and, hopefully, exceed. It is essential that production people are aware of the quality standards expected of them. Therefore, another function of quality assurance personnel is the education of production personnel regarding changes in quality standards and procedures. A QA technician, especially in the field of manufacturing, ought to be familiar with all of the various safety procedures and manufacturing methods in his or her work environment. He or she must also stay current with trends and changes that might affect the quality of the products or services he or she is responsible for.

Taste testing is one method to ensure quality.
Taste testing is one method to ensure quality.

Testing and inspection are also required on various products and methods so that a manufacturer will remain in compliance with the multitude of safety and environmental regulations. In the US, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and various other federal and state regulatory agencies have all instituted rules and regulations governing manufacturing practices and products. In large measure, it is the responsibility of the quality assurance department to maintain compliance with these regulations.

Manufacturing facilities often employ quality assurance technicians.
Manufacturing facilities often employ quality assurance technicians.

Responsibility for reporting lapses in or serious breaches of quality standards to the proper supervisory personnel is an important step in controlling and assuring the maintenance of expected quality levels. Failure to do so would result in continuation of lapsed practices and the eventual failure of the business.

Discussion Comments

anon316661

I work as a QA technician for the foremost aluminum company, and it is hard work. If our metal fails, the planes, cars, trains, and space shuttles fail. Thus the quality of our product influences millions of lives globally. Be happy to know though that our high standards are strict and that our metal is the best in the world- quality guaranteed.

anon284551

What kind of math should I review if I am applying to be a quality tech position in a rum distillery?

anon217570

Yeah, well 15 years in the field. You'd best have a "fudge bag" handy, and while you're at it, it probably wouldn't be a bad idea to be able to run a large number of process equipment.

if you don't understand what the "guys on the floor" are working with, being a "perfectionist" will lead you to one thing: a quick trip out the door!

You need balance!

dented

Getting a job in the field can depend on the position. Many inspections are based on a "pass fail" system, in which it can be done with a high school diploma and on-the-job training.

Higher levels of inspection may require certifications in the field, and increasingly, a strong aptitude in computer equipment. Math skills and analytical ability are a must.

Check out the Occupational Outlook Handbook for a complete overview of the field.

Astralwolf

How do you get a job in this? I've heard really great things about this kind of job, and I'm pretty much a perfectionist, so I think that I'd be a good fid. Right now I'm working in administrative assisting, does anybody know how I could transfer from that into QA?

TheCloser

I worked with someone that used to have a job as a quality assurance technician. She described it as being a "pressure cooker" with the constant need to have everything perfect. It's great work for someone who is detail-oriented and a perfection freak, though.

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    • A QA technician reviews products and services to ensure standards.
      By: Lisa F. Young
      A QA technician reviews products and services to ensure standards.
    • Taste testing is one method to ensure quality.
      By: contrastwerkstatt
      Taste testing is one method to ensure quality.
    • Manufacturing facilities often employ quality assurance technicians.
      By: Lisa F. Young
      Manufacturing facilities often employ quality assurance technicians.
    • Quality assurance technicians may troubleshoot computer software.
      By: a4stockphotos
      Quality assurance technicians may troubleshoot computer software.
    • Quality assurance is accomplished by a variety of methods, including customer interaction.
      By: Adam Gregor
      Quality assurance is accomplished by a variety of methods, including customer interaction.