You should really prepare for your interview for the job of clinical laboratory technician if you want to get it. You can show off the specific skills and knowledge you need to do important tests that help doctors diagnose, treat, and prevent disease during the interview.
With the right preparation, you can confidently answer even the toughest interview questions and land the clinical laboratory technician job. This comprehensive guide covers the most common interview questions asked for lab tech roles along with sample answers to help you ace the interview
Why Interviews Matter for Clinical Lab Techs
The interview allows you to expand on and prove the qualifications briefly highlighted in your resume It gives the interviewer a chance to assess both your hard and soft skills to determine if you are the right fit for the role and their organization,
During a lab tech interview, expect in-depth questions aimed at evaluating your:
- Knowledge of laboratory processes, techniques, and equipment
- Attention to detail and organizational skills
- Ability to follow protocols precisely
- Communication skills and ability to work in a team
- Problem-solving abilities and response in emergencies
Thorough preparation and practice for likely questions is key for a successful lab tech interview. It demonstrates your interest in the role and professionalism.
30 Common Clinical Lab Technician Interview Questions and Answers
Here are the top 30 interview questions frequently asked for clinical lab tech roles along with examples of strong responses:
1. What characteristics and skills do you have that make you a qualified lab technician?
This is your chance to sell yourself. Highlight your most relevant hard and soft skills. Emphasize attention to detail, organization, communication abilities, and aptitude for learning new technologies.
Example: With my science degree and hands-on lab experience, I have developed excellent pipetting and microtomy skills along with proficiency in analytical equipment operation. Soft skills like organization, critical thinking, and effective communication allow me to precisely follow protocols, troubleshoot issues, and work well in a team. I enjoy continuously expanding my lab skills and remain dedicated to producing accurate, quality results.
2. What type of lab work and equipment are you familiar with handling?
Demonstrate your hands-on experience and comfort level with the specific tools and techniques required for the lab tech role. Refer to the job description for guidance.
Example: Throughout my biotechnology degree and previous lab assistant roles, I gained experience with chromatographic techniques like HPLC and GC. I am adept at microscope use, spectrophotometry, sterile culture, and automated sample analysis. I am highly familiar with standard lab equipment like microtomes, centrifuges, and pipettes. Given proper training, I can quickly learn to operate any new lab equipment.
3. How do you ensure your workspace doesn’t become contaminated?
Maintaining sterile conditions is critical in a lab. Discuss your understanding of contamination risks and the safety steps you take to prevent errors and hazards.
Example: I understand the risks of contamination due to improper handling or compromised equipment and take measures to diligently avoid these issues. I wipe down all work surfaces before and after use, properly sterilize equipment, discard contaminated materials immediately, and adhere to aseptic techniques when culturing samples. I also make it a habit to organize tools to prevent clutter and contamination.
4. How do you ensure quality control when carrying out laboratory tests and procedures?
Quality control is essential to produce accurate, reliable results. Share how you actively incorporate quality control steps into your work and confirm testing validity.
Example: I incorporate quality control at multiple stages. I confirm equipment calibration before use and run controls/standards alongside samples. I repeat anomalous results to check for errors. I follow SOPs precisely and document any deviations. I use statistical QC charts to monitor testing validity day-to-day. I also participate in proficiency testing programs to evaluate my performance against industry benchmarks.
5. What precautions and safety procedures do you follow when working in a laboratory?
Lab safety is paramount. Demonstrate your understanding of protocols and your diligence in protecting yourself and others from hazards.
Example: I complete all required safety trainings and regularly review lab safety protocols to ensure I follow PPE requirements, chemical handling procedures, biohazard containment, and emergency response measures. I operate equipment only after receiving proper training. I report defective equipment immediately and keep my workspace free of clutter. I never hesitate to consult the safety officer if I have any doubts.
6. How would you handle a situation where results of your testing did not make sense?
Your response shows your systematic approach to investigating errors and problem-solving abilities.
Example: Firstly, I would repeat the test to rule out technician error on my part. If the outcome remains anomalous, I would check if the equipment is functioning correctly, then review documentation for any deviations in the procedure. My next step would be discussing the results with my supervisor to determine if other factors could be impacting results. I would recommend re-collecting samples if necessary.
7. Tell me about a time you had to pay close attention to detail in order to avoid making a mistake at work. What was the situation?
Share an example that provides evidence of your diligence, attention to detail, and ability to avoid costly errors.
Example: When following a molecular testing protocol, it is essential thatPrepare each solution carefully, double check measurements and dilutions. Once, I caught that a colleague had prepared the wrong concentration of primer which could have invalidated all the sample results. My attention to detail avoided this costly mistake.
8. How do you stay organized while handling multiple tasks or projects? Share a specific example.
Strong organizational skills are vital in the lab. Provide a specific example of your methods for efficiency even when juggling many tasks, samples, or experiments.
Example: When handling multiple sample preparations and aliquots, I always label everything clearly and create detailed spreadsheets to track specimens coming in and out of storage. I also make task checklists and schedule my experiments chronologically in a planner to keep everything organized. This system has helped me efficiently handle 15+ concurrent samples while effectively prioritizing urgent tasks.
9. Describe a time when you successfully collaborated with colleagues in your lab. What made you an effective team member?
Highlight ‘soft’ skills like communication, collaboration, patience, and work ethic. Share how you build relationships and contribute positively.
Example: During one complex series of experiments, I partnered with molecular technicians to optimize and validate our new COVID testing process. I encouraged collaboration by maintaining patience, listening to all perspectives, communicating steps clearly, and actively offering assistance when needed. Our shared commitment to the team enabled us to successfully implement a technique improving test accuracy.
10. Tell me about a time you had to rapidly change priorities or manage multiple demands. How did you handle it?
Lab techs often juggle competing tasks. Discuss your flexibility and time management skills.
Example: When I was running PCR for an experiment, a set of time-sensitive patient samples arrived unexpectedly. I quickly made the patient samples the priority without compromising my work. I rapidly prepped aliquots and delivered them to the assigned analyzer before returning to complete my previous PCRs, keeping my supervisor apprised of the change. This demonstrates how I adapt and multitask without losing quality.
11. Have you handled any laboratory equipment malfunctions or failures before? How did you address the situation?
Problems with complex lab equipment are inevitable. Share how attentive monitoring, critical thinking, and proper reporting helps you respond appropriately.
Example: When our ELISA plate reader began displaying consistently erratic absorbance readings, I started investigating immediately. After confirming it was not user error, I alerted my supervisor so the equipment could be taken offline, repaired and recalibrated. I suggested running controls through similar equipment in another lab to verify and continue working in the meantime.
12. How do you keep your knowledge of laboratory techniques and technologies up-to-date?
Lifelong learning is key in this rapidly changing field. Demonstrate your commitment to staying current through continuing education, reading, courses, etc.
Example: I make learning and developing new laboratory skills an ongoing priority. I regularly read scientific journals and newsletters to stay updated on the latest advances, techniques, and technologies used in the field. I also take advantage of webinars and online courses to expand my existing knowledge base and supplement my on-the-job experience.
13. Why are you interested in becoming a clinical laboratory technician?
Share your motivations and passions for the role. Convey your enthusiasm and commitment to the field.
Example: I find the detailed analytical work and problem-solving involved in lab testing fascinating. I am deeply committed to advancing scientific understanding and medical care through accurate laboratory results. I thrive in methodical technical work and continue striving to expand my abilities. I want to apply my skills to provide answers that improve patient diagnosis and outcomes.
14. What do you find rewarding and challenging about working in a clinical diagnostic laboratory?
Discuss aspects of the role you find meaningful along with the difficulties. Show you understand the reality of the work.
Example: The opportunity to directly impact patient care by providing data to diagnose medical conditions is extremely rewarding. I also appreciate the methodical, detail-oriented nature of lab work. The fast-pace
1 Explain what is laboratory centrifuges?
Laboratory Centrifuge is primarily used for testing liquids and substances for clinical trial samples. This device uses the centrifugal force to separate the liquids from the main sample or mixture.
What are the common errors done by technician while handling pipette?
- Failure to pre-wet the pipette tip
- Disregarding temperature – temperature equilibrated
- Tip wiping over and again
- Choosing wrong pipetting mode
- Working too quickly
- Pipetting at a wrong angle
- Using wrong pipette tips
