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Summary. The position of medical technologist is highly technical and specialized, but that doesn't mean that every question will relate directly to that. Many common interview questions for medical technologists are the same as for other jobs. Know what you’re looking for in both a job and a candidate, respectively.
Key Takeaways:
Interviewees need to be prepared both in terms of their own knowledge as well as knowing about the organization they're applying for and the skills and attributes they’re looking for in the position.
Interviewers should make sure to ask medical technologists behavioral interview questions, as well as expertise-based interview questions, and education-based interview questions.
As a Candidate:
There are a few things that every candidate should do before an interview to prepare. They include:
Reread the job description. Look for the requirements and skills that they highlight on it. Do your best to mention those in your interview responses (where applicable, of course).
Consider what questions you want to ask. Candidates shouldn’t be the only ones being asked questions – make sure to show interest in the organization and the job.
Double-check your own resume. The interviewer is likely to ask questions directly related to it. Of course, you should be familiar with everything on it, but you don’t want to be caught off guard if they ask about something specific.
As an Interviewer:
Interviewers require even more preparation as they’re the ones running the interview. Remember that you are in a position of power and do your best to make the candidate comfortable. Here are a few tips to prepare:
Read the candidate’s resume and cover letter (if there is one) again. You want to be sure that you know what skills the candidate is bringing to the table.
Refresh yourself on the job description. Many interviewers hire for several different positions, so you may forget the exact details or requirements for this exact job.
Check over your prepared questions. Consider how many questions you think there’ll be time for and prioritize those. But remind yourself to be flexible – sometimes, letting the candidate talk can show you more about them than any set of questions.
Here are some example interview questions for a medical technologist. This section even includes sample answers to help show the sort of answer that most interviewers are looking for.
Tell me about yourself
This is a common interview question to assess personality and cultural fit. It can be tied to how interested the candidate is in the profession and how long they’re likely to stay at any job. As a candidate, it’s best to emphasize your passion for the field as well as your deep interest in it.
Example Answer:
My uncle was a physician, so I’ve had an interest in medicine my entire life. I started my career off in hospitality as I worked on my degree. I was really excited to land a job as a lab tech at ABC Hospital, but due to their financial situation, there wasn’t much chance for advancement. I learned a lot from the two years I was there, and I want to make use of it.
I've always been extremely detail-oriented, and some people even complain I’m a little bit obsessed with following every procedure to the letter. Outside of work, I love to draw, and I have two cats that I adore.
Why should we hire you?
Asking why you should hire a candidate is another personality question. Interviewers want to make sure that the person they’re interviewing is really interested in the position, reads the job description, and is able to produce a good – but not too scripted – response.
Example Answer:
I’ve been interested in medicine ever since I was a child. I want to be able to help both patients and doctors so ABC Hospital can provide the best care. I’ve always been highly detail oriented, and I read the directions on everything.
I also have three years of experience in medical technology, allowing me to step right into the position. I’ve always done my best to maintain a friendly and collegial relationship with my coworkers and get results back as fast as I can while still prioritizing accuracy.
Why do you want to work here?
This is another way to test that that candidate has a thorough understanding of the job description, as well as some familiarity with the organization. Answers that relate both to the position and the organization are going to be the best way to pique an interviewer’s interest.
Example Answer:
It’s always been my ambition to work in a major hospital. As the second largest hospital in the state, it’ll allow me access to equipment and expertise that I wouldn't be able to find elsewhere. I’ll also be able to use my knowledge to help a wider variety of people with a wider array of problems. This will allow me to expand my knowledge and abilities.
I’m also hoping for opportunities to advance my career. While I enjoyed my time at Medical Clinic and learned a lot, their small size and limited budget made it difficult for me to push myself in the way that I wanted to. I’m excited by the prospect of working at a larger organization and being able to drill down and learn as much as I can.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Looking ahead to the future is another way to learn more about a candidate’s personality. It allows an interviewer to find out if the candidate is ambitious or has no real plans of staying with the organization or in their particular field.
Example Answer:
I’m hoping to be working here. This hospital has tremendous resources and many different departments that can allow me to expand my knowledge into different types of testing, lab work, and equipment. I want to work my way up to being a lab manager, but I figure that in five years, I expect I’ll be a medical technologist lead.
What do you do if a patient doesn't want to undergo a procedure?
A question of this sort is a test of people skills as well as an understanding of medical ethics. Due to the position, an interviewee would understand better than most the importance of medical testing and why it’s advantageous for patients to opt for them.
Example Answer:
People don’t generally refuse tests for no reason. So what I’d do is try to find out why they don’t want this test done. Is it a fear of it being painful? That they might get a frightening diagnosis? Or is it just a matter of not understanding why it’s necessary?
Of course, if even after my explanations, they still don’t want the procedure, that’s their right. I can’t force them, and patients deserve their autonomy.
What are the duties and responsibilities of a medical technologist to the patient?
Medical ethics and expectations are a very important part of any medical career. The interviewer is going to want to make sure that the candidate has an understanding of their job expectations and how that relates to patient care.
Example Answer:
Medical technicians are responsible for lab work. That means that my responsibility to patients is making sure that I properly follow all procedures and ensure accurate test results.
Labeling specimens is also essential so that patients don’t get the wrong diagnosis. Not only is that a violation of privacy, but it can also lead to improper or delayed treatments.
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Employers want to know that their employees are self-aware, as well as what they excel at and what they struggle with. The majority of good interviewees are going to answer their weaknesses with something that could also be a strength.
Example Answer:
I’ve always been very good at following instructions and directions. I tend to double-check the instructions and procedures before I start, just to make sure that I don’t make a mistake.
As for weaknesses, I can be a bit too rigid. I tend to follow procedures to the letter and find it troubling when others don’t do the same.
What inspired you to pursue a career in medical technology?
Generally speaking, employers want to know that their employees will be in for the long haul. If the candidate has a long-term interest in the field, that’s a good sign that they’ll likely maintain that interest. It’s also an icebreaker question – most people became interested in their careers when they were young.
Example Answer:
Medicine has always been a field that captured my interest. My uncle was a physician, so I learned about it at a young age. But I realized I was much more interested in the technological side of the field rather than dealing with patients. So being a medical technologist just seemed like the best career for me.
What are the seven principles of healthcare ethics?
There are different ethical principles in healthcare, though they often boil down to the same general ideas. This particular one is focused on mid-level ethics. Asking a question like this shows that the candidate has knowledge of medical ethics and takes the requirements seriously.
Example Answer:
The seven ethical principles are non-maleficence, beneficence, health maximization, efficiency, respect for autonomy, justice, and proportionality.
How do you stay up to date with the latest medical discoveries and technology?
Medicine and technology are both constantly evolving fields. That means that a major part of a medical technologist's job is to keep up with medical and technological advancements. The interviewer is going to want to make sure the interviewee is prioritizing that.
Example Answer:
I primarily keep myself informed via trade journals. I have subscriptions to Clinical Laboratory News and The Journal of Applied Laboratory Medicine. I also keep up with medical news and attend conferences when I get the opportunity to do so.
Name an anticoagulant available in liquid form
As a medical professional, a medical technologist needs to be familiar with different drugs and toxins. Different labs will have different specialties, which means that being familiar with different drugs that may show up in blood or tissue samples can be imperative.
Example Answer:
Heparin.
What do you think are the qualities that a medical technologist needs to be successful?
In this case, the interviewer is interested in how you see the position. What are the skills that allow you to be successful as a medical technologist?
Example Answer:
I think that it’s imperative to be extremely detail oriented. Proper handling of samples, chemicals, and test equipment is the only way to ensure that the results are accurate. It’s important to remember that there are real people waiting on the results of the tests and that they deserve to get timely and accurate information.
So, it’s important to be detail-oriented, knowledgeable, follow procedures, and have respect for the patients.
Under what circumstances would a doctor request a troponin test?
This is another test of medical knowledge. When being asked specific questions related to knowledge about the job, the interviewer is making sure that the interviewee actually has the knowledge and expertise that they put on their resume.
Example Answer:
A doctor would request a troponin test If they think that the patient is having a heart attack or has heart damage. Troponin shows up in the blood if the heart is damaged.
How do you maintain motivation in your work?
Everyone has days when they don’t want to be at work. Employers want to know that potential employees are able to keep themselves motivated and involved in their careers, even when it’s difficult. Generally, they want a skill or point of view that meshes well with the nature of the job in question.
Example Answer:
I remember how important what I do is. Lab testing is a vital tool for diagnosis and treatment, both for doctors and their patients. Keeping myself motivated is just a matter of reminding myself what might happen if I’m. Best case, I might get unhelpful results. Worse case, someone could be irreparably harmed.
Why do you think you’re most suited for the role?
Interviewers want to know how much candidates know about the position and why they believe they’d be a good fit for it. This is an opportunity for the candidate to pitch themselves and their skills.
Example Answer:
I think I’m suited for this role because I’ve always wanted to work at a large hospital and push myself to learn more and get better at my career. I’m dedicated, and I want to continue to advance my career, so I’m going to work hard and put in extra effort. I’ve always been precise and careful, as well as respectful of the patients.
I also have three years of experience, which is more than the two the position asks for. I’ve always gotten along well with my coworkers. And I relish meeting new challenges.
How do you work with a doctor who’s impatient when tests take a long time?
Working with coworkers is still an important skill, even if the majority of a medical technologist's time is spent in the lab. Doctors and nurses rely on the results of medical lab work, as do patients, so sometimes feelings can run high. The interviewer will want to know how a candidate might react to such a situation.
Example Answer:
I’ve heard that doctors have a reputation for being difficult, but I haven’t found it to be the case. Doctors are people. If they’re getting impatient, I figure that there’s a reason. I’d do my best to assure them that I’m doing the test as accurately and quickly as I can.
I’ll likely check to see if there’s a reason that the test may need to be pushed up. Of course, that’s not always possible – some tests take a set amount of time, and I may have other rush tests I have to perform. But I try to be accommodating without compromising my work product.
What steps do you take to protect yourself and your coworkers?
Working in a lab is going to require being around blood, tissue, and other bodily fluid samples. Samples may also be infected, either with an STI or with other bacteria or viruses. That means that proper handling and safety are paramount.
Example Answer:
I’ve found the best thing I can do to keep myself and my coworkers safe is to follow proper handling procedures. That has to do with how samples are stored, labeled, and transported. I also make sure to wear protective equipment whenever I’m in the lab.
Another important way to stay safe is to not hurry. Being deliberate, aware, and focused makes accidents much less likely to occur.
What’s the aspect you find most rewarding as a medical technologist?
While a career is a paycheck, employers are hoping to hire people who view it as more than that. If the candidate finds the career rewarding and worthwhile, they’re much more likely to stay with it and to put their heart into their work, not to mention the fact that it’s better for people’s well-being to find their work rewarding.
Example Answer:
I’ve always found helping others rewarding. While I don’t often interact with patients directly, I know that I’m helping them by making sure that they get the right diagnosis. I also help doctors and nurses by getting them the information they need in order to do their jobs properly.
In documenting your work, what types of medical software or technology have you used?
Software is a major part of medicine. It’s used for data management, processing, recordkeeping, and a lot more. While they are timesavers, each has its own quirks and learning curve. Interviewers will like to know that the candidate has experience with the system they use, or at least a similar one.
Example Answer:
I’ve primarily worked with CliniSys, so I know that system well. However, at a previous job, we used LabLogic. I’d have to brush up on the changes since then, but I’ve used it before, and I’m sure that the basics haven’t changed much.
What are some common pipette handling errors?
Pipettes are a common tool that medical technologists will use. Showing that you know how to handle one properly – or rather, how not to handle one – can show expertise. Tying this into other desirable traits, such as mentioning that some people hurry too much but you aim to always be precise, can also make you seem more attractive.
Example Answer:
The primary error I see in people handling pipettes is rushing. It’s easy to get complacent, as they’re used all the time, but that ends up sacrificing accuracy. It can also mean that they skip the step of prewetting the tips or making sure they’re completely sterilized.
Here are some additional questions to ask in a medical technologist interview.
What do you think sets medical technology apart from other allied health professions?
How do you deal with a contaminated tissue sample?
Describe your experience of conducting a chemical analysis of body fluids
Share a time that you learned how to successfully use a new piece of equipment
Describe your daily routine at work
What’s the biggest challenge you foresee in this role?
Was there a time that you failed? What did you learn from it?
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
If you could choose, do you prefer to work independently or as part of a team?
What’s your opinion on getting emotionally involved with patients?