What Do Quality Control Analysts Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Quality Control Analysts conduct tests to determine quality of raw materials, bulk intermediate and finished products. May conduct stability sample tests. They also conduct routine and non-routine analyses of in-process materials, raw materials, environmental samples, finished goods, or stability samples.

Other tasks include:

• Interpret test results, compare them to established specifications and control limits, and make recommendations on appropriateness of data for release.
• Perform visual inspections of finished products.
• Compile laboratory test data and perform appropriate analyses.
• Complete documentation needed to support testing procedures, including data capture forms, equipment logbooks, or inventory forms.
• Calibrate, validate, or maintain laboratory equipment.
• Participate in out-of-specification and failure investigations and recommend corrective actions.

We asked Quality Control Analysts how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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69% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 65% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Quality Control Analysts ensure that lab cleanliness and safety standards are maintained. They calibrate, validate, or maintain laboratory equipment.

A typical day for a Quality Control Analyst will also include:

• Complete documentation needed to support testing procedures, including data capture forms, equipment logbooks, or inventory forms.
• Identify quality problems and recommend solutions.
• Conduct routine and non-routine analyses of in-process materials, raw materials, environmental samples, finished goods, or stability samples.
• Monitor testing procedures to ensure that all tests are performed according to established item specifications, standard test methods, or protocols.
• Serve as a technical liaison between quality control and other departments, vendors, or contractors.

We asked some Quality Control Analysts a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	72% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	76% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	83% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	14% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	8% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	42% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Quality Control Analysts also review data from contract laboratories to ensure accuracy and regulatory compliance. They may also identify and troubleshoot equipment problems.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Quality Control Analysts Investigate or report questionable test results. They might also Coordinate testing with contract laboratories and vendors.

In addition, they Write technical reports or documentation, such as deviation reports, testing protocols, and trend analyses.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Participate in out-of-specification and failure investigations and recommend corrective actions.

To some Quality Control Analysts, it is also their responsibility to Compile laboratory test data and perform appropriate analyses.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Quality Control Analyst, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas..

They also like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/ooh/production/quality-control-inspectors.htm

http://asq.org/index.aspx

http://www.isa.org/

http://www.qualityassuranceassociation.org/