Prepare for Your Senior Medical Technologist Interview: 10 Essential Questions to Expect

20 Medical Technologist Interview Questions and Answers

Here are some example interview questions for a medical technologist. There are even sample answers in this section to help you see what kind of answer most interviewers want to see.

• “Tell me about yourself.” This is a common interview question used to find out about personality and cultural fit. One reason could be that the person is interested in the job and plans to stay at the job for a long time. It’s best for you as a candidate to stress how much you love and are interested in the field. Example Answer: I’ve always been interested in medicine because my uncle was a doctor. Before I got my degree, I worked in hospitality while I was in school. I was thrilled to get a job as a lab tech at ABC Hospital, but because they were thin on cash, there weren’t many chances for me to move up. I learned a lot in my two years there, and I want to use what I learned. I’ve always paid a lot of attention to detail, and some people even say I’m a bit obsessed with doing everything exactly right. I like to draw when I’m not at work, and I adore my two cats.
• A personality question that asks why you should hire someone is “Why should we hire you?” Interviewers want to know that the person they’re talking to is interested in the job, has read the job description, and can come up with a good answer that isn’t too scripted. Since I was a kid, I’ve been interested in medicine. I want to be able to help staff and patients so ABC Hospital can give the best care. I’ve always paid close attention to the little things, and I follow the directions for everything. I’ve also worked in medical technology for three years, so I can jump right into the job. I’ve always tried to keep things friendly and professional with my coworkers and get work done as quickly as possible while still putting accuracy first.
• What makes you want to work here? This is another way to see if the candidate fully understands the job description and knows something about the company. The best way to get an interviewer’s attention is to give answers that are relevant to both the job and the company. Reason: Working in a big hospital has always been my dream job. It’s the second-biggest hospital in the state, so I’ll be able to get equipment and help that I wouldn’t be able to get anywhere else. More people with more problems will be able to get help from me because of what I’ve learned. This will allow me to expand my knowledge and abilities. I’m also hoping for opportunities to advance my career. I learned a lot and had fun at Medical Clinic, but their small size and tight budget made it hard for me to push myself the way I wanted to. It makes me happy to think about working for a bigger company and being able to learn as much as I can.
• The candidate’s answer to the question “Where do you see yourself in five years?” is another way to learn more about their personality. The interviewer can tell if the candidate is ambitious or if they have no real plans to stay with the company or in their field. Example Answer: I’m hoping to be working here. There are a lot of great resources and departments at this hospital that can help me learn more about different kinds of tests, lab work, and tools. I want to become a lab manager, but I think I’ll be a medical technologist lead in five years.
• What do you do if a patient doesn’t want to go through with a procedure? This kind of question tests both your people skills and your knowledge of medical ethics. Because of the job, the person being interviewed would know more than most about how important medical tests are and why it’s best for patients to choose them. Example Answer: People don’t generally refuse tests for no reason. I would try to find out why they don’t want this test to be done. What makes them afraid? Is it the pain? The scary diagnosis? Or is it just that they don’t understand why it’s necessary? Of course, they have the right to refuse the procedure even after I explain it to them. I can’t force them, and patients deserve their autonomy.
• What does a medical technologist have to do for the patient? Medical ethics and standards are very important for anyone who works in the medical field. They will want to make sure that the candidate knows what is expected of them on the job and how that relates to patient care. Example Answer: Medical technicians are responsible for lab work. That means it is my duty to patients to make sure I follow all the steps correctly and get correct test results. It is also important to label specimens so that patients don’t get the wrong diagnosis. That’s not only an invasion of privacy, but it can also cause treatments to be wrong or take too long.
• What are your strengths and weaknesses? Employers want to know that their workers know what they’re good at and what they need help with. Most people who do well in interviews will answer about their weaknesses in a way that could also be a strength. An example answer: I’ve always been very good at doing what I’m told. I often read through the steps and instructions twice before I begin, just to be sure I don’t mess up. As for weaknesses, I can be a bit too rigid. When other people don’t follow the rules, it bothers me because I like to do things the right way.
• What made you want to become a medical technologist? Generally, employers want to know that their workers will be there for the long haul. That the candidate has been interested in the field for a long time is a good sign that they will likely stay interested. It’s also a good way to break the ice, since most people became interested in their jobs when they were young. Medical science has always been something that interested me. I learned about medicine early on because my uncle was a doctor. I found that I was more interested in the tech side of the field than in working with patients, though. So I thought that becoming a medical technologist would be the best job for me.
• What are the seven codes of ethics in healthcare? There are different codes of ethics in healthcare, but they all come down to the same main ideas. This particular one is focused on mid-level ethics. This kind of question shows that the applicant knows about medical ethics and takes the job requirements seriously. To give you an example, the seven ethical principles are: not doing harm, helping others, maximizing health, being efficient, respecting autonomy, justice, and proportionality.
• How do you stay up to date on the newest things in medicine and technology? Both are fields that are always changing. In other words, a big part of a medical technologist’s job is to stay up to date on changes in medicine and technology. The interviewer will want to know if the person being interviewed is putting that first. Example Answer: I primarily keep myself informed via trade journals. I get Clinical Laboratory News and The Journal of Applied Laboratory Medicine every month. Like many people, I also read medical news and go to conferences when I can.
• Name an anticoagulant that comes in liquid form. As a medical worker, a medical technologist needs to know about many drugs and poisons. As each lab has its own specialties, it can be very important to know about the different drugs that can be found in blood or tissue samples. Example Answer: Heparin.
• So, what do you think are the most important skills for a medical technologist to have? The interviewer wants to know how you see the job. What skills do you need to be a good medical technologist? Example Answer: I believe it’s very important to pay close attention to details. To make sure the results are correct, samples, chemicals, and test equipment must be handled in the right way. Remember that real people are waiting for the test results and that they deserve to get correct and timely information. So, it’s important to pay attention to details, know what you’re doing, follow the rules, and respect the patients.
• When would a doctor ask for a troponin test? This is another test of your medical knowledge. When the interviewer asks specific questions about the job, they are making sure that the person interviewing really does have the skills and knowledge that they listed on their resume. If a doctor thinks that a patient is having a heart attack or has heart damage, they would ask for a troponin test. If the heart is hurt, troponin shows up in the blood.
• How do you keep yourself going at work? Everyone has days when they don’t want to be there. Employers want to know that job candidates can stay interested in and motivated in their work, even when things get tough. Most of the time, they want someone with skills or an opinion that are a good fit for the job. Example Answer: I remember how important what I do is. Lab tests are very important for both doctors and their patients to use to diagnose and treat illnesses. To keep myself going, I just have to think about what could go wrong if I don’t. Best case, I might get unhelpful results. Worse case, someone could be irreparably harmed.
• Interviewers want to know how much candidates know about the job and why they think they’d be a good fit for it. This is the candidate’s chance to talk about themselves and their skills. I think I’m a good fit for this job because I’ve always wanted to work at a big hospital and push myself to learn more and get better at my job. Because I’m dedicated and want to keep moving up in my career, I’m going to work hard and put in extra effort. As a doctor, I’ve always been exact, careful, and kind to my patients. I also have three years of experience, which is more than the two years needed for the job. I’ve always gotten along well with my coworkers. And I relish meeting new challenges.
• How do you deal with a doctor who gets impatient when tests take a long time? Even though medical technologists spend most of their time in the lab, they still need to be able to work with other people. Patients, doctors, and nurses all depend on the results of medical lab work, which can make people angry at times. The interviewer will want to know how the candidate would handle this kind of situation. Answer Example: I’ve heard that doctors can be hard to deal with, but I haven’t found that to be true. Doctors are people. If they’re getting impatient, I figure that there’s a reason. To reassure them, I’d do my best to do the test as quickly and correctly as I can. I’ll probably see if there’s a reason why the test might need to be moved up. Of course, that’s not always possible—some tests have set times, and I might have to do other tests quickly. But I do my best to be flexible without letting that affect the quality of my work.
• What do you do to keep yourself and your coworkers safe? If you work in a lab, you will be around samples of blood, tissue, and other bodily fluids. Different types of bacteria or viruses, as well as an STI, may also be present in samples. That means that proper handling and safety are paramount. Answer: I’ve learned that following the right handling steps is the safest thing I can do for myself and my coworkers. That has to do with how samples are kept, marked, and moved. Also, whenever I’m in the lab, I make sure to wear safety gear. Another important way to stay safe is to not hurry. Accidents are much less likely to happen when people are careful, aware, and focused.
• What do you enjoy most about your job as a medical technologist? Employers want to hire people who see their job as more than just a way to make money. If the candidate thinks the job is worthwhile and rewarding, they’ll be more likely to stick with it and put their all into it. Plus, it’s good for people all around to think their work is worthwhile. Example Answer: I’ve always found helping others rewarding. Even though I don’t talk to patients very often, I know I’m helping them by making sure they get the right diagnosis. Another thing I do to help doctors and nurses is get them the information they need to do their jobs well.
• When you kept track of your work, what kinds of medical software or tech did you use? Software is a big part of medicine. It’s used to store records, process data, manage data, and a lot more. Each one saves time, but it has its own quirks and way of being used. People who are interviewing will want to know if the candidate has worked with their system or one like it before. Answer Example: I’ve mostly worked with CliniSys, so I know it well. However, at a previous job, we used LabLogic. If you ask me, I don’t know what’s changed since then because I’ve used it before. The basics haven’t changed much, though.
• Pipettes are a tool that medical technologists often use. What are some common mistakes that people make when they handle them? There is a way to show that you are knowledgeable: show that you know how to handle one correctly, or rather, how not to handle one. Adding other good qualities to this, like saying that some people are in a hurry while you always try to be on time, can also make you look more attractive. Example Answer: People who use pipettes most often make the mistake of being in a hurry. Since they’re used all the time, it’s easy to get lazy, but that makes them less accurate. It could also mean that they don’t wet the tips first or make sure they are completely germ-free.

How to Prepare for a Medical Technologist Interview

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 at the list of skills and requirements that they put on it. Try to bring those up in your interview answers (if they apply, of course).
• Consider what questions you want to ask. Candidates shouldn’t be the only ones asked questions; show that you’re interested in the company and the job.
• Double-check your own resume. It’s likely that the interviewer will ask questions directly about it. Even though you should know everything on it, you don’t want to be caught off guard if they ask you about a certain subject.

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 resume and cover letter (if there is one) one more time. You need to be sure you understand what skills the applicant brings to the table.
• Refresh yourself on the job description. Since many interviewers hire for more than one job, you might forget the specifics or requirements for this job.
• Check over your prepared questions. Plan out which questions will be most important based on how much time you think you’ll have. Always be open to change, though. Letting the candidate talk can sometimes tell you more about them than any questions.

MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST INTERVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (How to Pass a Medical Technologist Interview)

FAQ

What does a senior medical technologist do?

What are your strengths as a medical technologist?

Why should I hire you as a medical technologist?

Where do you see yourself in 5 years as a medical technologist?