Competency

Summary

Chemical
Technology
Table of Contents

Overview ................................................................................................................................................................ 3

Certification Application Guidelines .................................................................................................................... 3

Role Descriptions for Chemical Technology ...................................................................................................... 4

Competency Summary for Chemical Technology .............................................................................................. 4

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TECHNOLOGY PROFESSIONALS OF ALBERTA, 2024

ASET holds full copyright to the materials printed herein.

Any distribution, copying or sale of these materials is contrary to law.

Competency Summary – Chemical Technology | Last updated: August 2024 2

Overview

All applicants seeking registration with ASET as a Certified Technician or Certified Engineering Technologist must demonstrate
competency in their discipline of applied science, information, or engineering technology.

Competency is a combination of knowledge and skills underlying safe and competent performance in a discipline. The Competency
Summary is designed to allow you to describe your work experience in a detailed format for review by the ASET Board of
Examiners.

For each discipline, two entry-level competency profiles are developed – one for technicians (C.Tech.) and one for technologists
(C.E.T.). Each competency profile consists of six broad competencies that outline knowledge and performance expectations for
entry-level professionals in the discipline. Four competencies are specific to the discipline and two are common to all disciplines.

Discipline-specific competencies for technologists and technicians include Technical Analysis, Technical Design or Implementation,
Technical Evaluation, and Project Coordination. The competencies that apply to all disciplines are Professional Accountability and
Communication.

There are several assumptions underlying ASET’s entry-level competency profiles:

1. The scope of the competency profile is a discipline, not a job. It is recognized that within each discipline, there are multiple
areas of specialization. The competency profile is intended to reflect the common knowledge and skills across the areas.
2. The entry-level competency profile applies to all technicians or technologists in a discipline in Alberta, regardless of their
employer, specific job duties, and location.
3. The entry-level competency profile will serve as a foundation for objective assessment of technicians or technologists in
Alberta.

The competency summary combines these two competency profiles into common, technician-specific and technologist-specific
level indicators.

Certification Application Guidelines

All applicants for Certified Technician or Certified Engineering Technologist must complete a competency summary logbook to
describe your technical work experience in relation to six key competency indicators for entry-level practice.

The competency summary portion of the application must be prepared and submitted by typing responses directly into your online
competency summary logbook. Applicants must carefully review the instructions provided in the application portal. Failure to follow
these instructions will result in application delays and may result in the Board of Examiners rejecting the application because of lack
of demonstrated competency.

The validation of your competency summary online logbook is completed through an online form by references and the review of
the competency summary logbook is completed by subject matter experts within the discipline. Please refer to the ASET website
for the most-up-to-date information regarding the application process.

Competency Summary – Chemical Technology | Last updated: August 2024 3

Role Descriptions for Chemical Technology
Working under supervision, entry-level Chemical Technicians conduct chemical laboratory analysis and synthesis and perform
quality control and quality assurance on raw materials, intermediates, products, processes, and waste in accordance with safety
standards.

Entry-level Chemical Technologists conduct chemical laboratory analysis and synthesis, perform quality control and quality
assurance on raw materials, intermediates, products, processes, and waste to confirm that regulatory standards and technical
specifications are met. They may also sell chemicals, chemical laboratory instruments, and services.

Competency Summary for Chemical Technology

Competency Name:

Technical Analysis

Competency Definition:

Apply knowledge of chemical technology to collection and preservation of samples, performance of data analyses, and
documentation of results.

Number Competency Indicator Description

Common Indicators
1.01 Implement sampling procedures to collect representative samples.
1.02 Analyze samples using chromatographic techniques.
1.03 Perform standardized ASTM tests to examine the volatility, physical, and chemical properties of petroleum
samples.
1.04 Follow chemical laboratory safety protocols.

Technician-Specific Indicators
1.05 Prepare chemical solutions for analysis (e.g., 15% HCl).
1.06 Perform chemical analyses to determine physical properties (e.g., titrimetric and gravimetric analyses).
1.07 Keep detailed and accurate records of data analyses.

Technologist-Specific Indicators

1.08 Implement sampling procedures to collect representative samples.

1.09 Perform wet chemical analyses (e.g., titrimetric and gravimetric analyses)
1.10 Perform physical property analyses.
1.11 Define the principles of molecular spectroscopy (e.g., FTIR, UV-Vis, and NMR).
1.12 Apply analytical techniques to identify known and unknown organic and inorganic compounds.
1.13 Analyze samples using atomic spectroscopy techniques (e.g., flame, electro-thermal, and atomic emission).
1.14 Perform hazard identification.
1.15 Write laboratory reports to document test results.
1.16 Interpret laboratory results.
1.17 Apply technical procedures to data analysis (e.g., calibration and titration).
1.18 Prepare standard solutions for general laboratory use.

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 Competency Name:

Technical Implementation

Competency Definition:

Operate, maintain, calibrate, and troubleshoot general laboratory equipment.

Number Competency Indicator Description

Common Indicators
2.01 Operate general laboratory equipment and instruments to perform chemical analysis and synthesis.
2.02 Maintain and calibrate general laboratory equipment and instruments.

Technician-Specific Indicators
2.03 Identify malfunctioning general laboratory equipment (e.g., chromatographic, spectroscopic, and
electrochemical analytical instruments).
Technologist-Specific Indicators

2.04 Troubleshoot general laboratory equipment (e.g., chromatographic, spectroscopic, and electrochemical
analytical instruments).

Competency Name:

Technical Evaluation

Competency Definition:

Technicians: Follow chemical laboratory processes and procedures to ensure that quality control and quality assurance
standards and specifications are being met.

Technologists: Evaluate chemical laboratory processes and procedures to ensure that quality control and quality
assurance standards and technical specifications are being met.

Number Competency Indicator Description

Common Indicators
3.01 Conduct laboratory safety inspections.
3.02 Comply with established quality control and quality assurance procedures.
3.03 Assess analytical results using control charts.
3.04 Verify the validity of test results (e.g., repeatability, adherence to standards).
3.05 Assess the accuracy and precision of statistical data.
3.06 Generate and maintain records (e.g., logbooks).

Technologist-Specific Indicators

3.07 Verify that general laboratory equipment, test samples, and test procedures are in compliance with
applicable standards.

Competency Summary – Chemical Technology | Last updated: August 2024 5

 Competency Name:

Project Coordination

Competency Definition:

Assist in the management of projects to ensure high quality of deliverables, client satisfaction, and adherence to
schedules or budgets.

Number Competency Indicator Description

Common Indicators
4.01 Maintain project documents (e.g., progress reports).
4.02 Explain the value of workplace safety legislation.
4.03 Comply with workplace safety legislation.

Technician-Specific Indicators
4.04 Provide input into decisions regarding quality, cost, strength and quantity of required materials.
4.05 Establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal clients.
4.06 Prioritize own work activities to ensure that project objectives are met on time.

Technologist-Specific Indicators

4.07 Assist in determining materials required for a project, their cost and specifications.
4.08 Assist in the preparation of cost estimates for projects.
4.09 Quantify work that is completed to-date.
4.10 Establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external clients.
4.11 Prioritize own work activities to ensure that project objectives are met on time and on budget.

Competency Name:

Professional Accountability

Competency Definition:

Act in accordance with the provincial professional association’s code of ethics, recognize possible social, cultural, and
environmental effects of professional activities, and accept responsibility for own actions and professional development.

Number Competency Indicator Description

Common Indicators
5.01 Adhere to federal and provincial legislation pertinent to one's practice (e.g., Engineering and Geoscience
Professions Act and provincial regulations).
5.02 Hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public and the protection of the environment.
5.03 Accept responsibility for professional assignments only when qualified by training and experience.
5.04 Provide an opinion on a professional subject only when it is founded upon adequate knowledge and honest
conviction.
5.05 Act with integrity towards clients or employers, maintain confidentiality and avoid a conflict of interest but,
where such conflict arises, fully disclose the circumstances without delay to the
employer or client.
5.06 Uphold the principle of appropriate and adequate compensation for the performance of their work.
5.07 Keep informed to maintain proficiency and competence, to advance the body of knowledge within their
discipline and further opportunities for the professional development of their associates.
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 5.08 Conduct themselves with fairness, honesty, courtesy and good faith toward clients, colleagues, and others,
give credit where it is due and accept, as well as give, honest and fair professional comment.
5.09 Present clearly to employers and clients the possible consequences if professional decisions
or judgments are overruled or disregarded.
5.10 Report to the appropriate agencies any hazardous, illegal, or unethical professional decisions or practices
by other members, or others.
5.11 Promote public knowledge and appreciation of applied science, information and engineering technology
and protect the Association from misrepresentation and misunderstanding.

Competency Name:

Communication

Competency Definition:

Listen effectively to others and express oneself clearly and concisely using the language and media appropriate to the
purpose of communication and target audience.

Number Competency Indicator Description

Common Indicators
6.01 Use active listening skills when communicating with others.
6.02 Listen to seek understanding.
6.03 Re-state the information to confirm own understanding of what has been said.
6.04 Clearly communicate expectations to others.
6.05 Communicate complex information in a language that is easily understood by the general public.
6.06 Seek input from others on own work or ideas.
6.07 Use data and examples to support own ideas and conclusions.
6.08 Respect cross-cultural differences when communicating with others.
6.09 Select communication media (e.g., phone, email, in-person meeting) appropriate to the situation.
6.10 Use appropriate non-verbal communication.
6.11 Present one’s ideas to others clearly and using appropriate language.
6.12 Record work activities and outcomes (i.e., test data) accurately and at the required level of detail.
6.13 Prepare clear and concise technical documents using appropriate language.

Competency Summary – Chemical Technology | Last updated: August 2024 7