Mastering the Senior Medical Technologist Interview: Key Questions and Answers

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. The interviewer is likely to ask questions that are 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 thing.

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 job applicant’s resume and cover letter (if they have 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 a lot of interviewers hire for more than one job, you might forget the specifics or requirements for this job.
• Check over your prepared questions. Think about how many questions you think there will be time for and put them in order of importance. Always be open to change, though. Letting the candidate talk can sometimes tell you more about them than any questions.

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 having money problems, 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. People say I’m a bit obsessed with following every step to the letter because I’ve always been very careful to pay attention to the little things. I love to draw when I’m not at work, and I have two cats that I adore.
• How come we should hire you? Another personality question is why you should hire someone. 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. From the time I was a child, I’ve been interested in medicine. I want to be able to help staff and patients at ABC Hospital so they can give the best care possible. I’ve always paid close attention to the little things, and I follow the directions for everything. I have three years of experience in medical technology as well, so I can start right away. I’ve always tried to keep a friendly and professional relationship 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 related to both the job and the company. Answer: Working in a big hospital has always been my dream. 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. I will also be able to help more people with a wider range of problems thanks to what I have 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 just wants to get ahead and doesn’t really want 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.
• As a doctor, 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 is their fear? Is it pain? Is it a 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. The interviewer will want to know if the candidate knows what is expected of them on the job and how that links 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. I’ve always been very good at following directions and instructions. 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. Example Answer: I’ve always been interested in fields related to medicine. I learned about medicine early on because my uncle was a doctor. Though I found that I was more interested in the tech side of the job than in working with patients, 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 requirements seriously. Good question. 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 medical and technological discoveries? Both types of fields 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’ve signed up to receive Clinical Laboratory News and The Journal of Applied Laboratory Medicine. Also, I keep up with medical news and go to conferences when I can for work.
• 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.
• What do you believe are the most important skills for a medical technologist to have? The interviewer wants to know how you feel about 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. The only way to be sure of correct results is to handle samples, chemicals, and test equipment 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. The interviewer is making sure that the person actually has the skills and knowledge that they put on their resume by asking specific questions about what they know about the job. 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. When hiring people, companies want to know that they can stay motivated and interested in their jobs 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 for diagnosis and treatment. 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. I’m committed and want to keep moving up in my career, so 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. Both patients and doctors depend on the results of medical lab work, which can make feelings run high at times. The interviewer will want to know how the candidate would handle this kind of situation. Example Answer: I’ve heard that doctors can be hard to get along 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. Oh, of course that’s not always possible. Some tests have set times, and I may have to do other tests quickly. But I do my best to be flexible without letting that affect the quality of my work.
• When you work in a lab, you will be around blood, tissue, and other bodily fluid samples. What do you do to keep yourself and your coworkers safe? 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 enjoys their job, they’ll be more likely to stay with it and put their all into it. Plus, it’s good for everyone to enjoy their job. 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 is get doctors and nurses the information they need to do their jobs right.
• 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. They save time, but each has its own quirks and way of doing things that you need to learn. 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. I need to look over what’s changed since then, but I’ve used it before, so I’m pretty sure the basics haven’t changed much.
• Why do people make these mistakes when they use pipettes? Pipettes are a tool that medical technologists often use. Some people think it’s smart to show that they know how to handle one correctly—or more accurately, 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 pre-wet the tips or make sure they’re completely germ-free.

Medical Technologist Interview

FAQ

What are your strengths as a medical technologist?

What is the job of a senior medical technologist?

How do I get a medical technologist job?

To get this role, however, you must apply for the job and pass an interview. Interview questions with sample answers can help candidates looking for this position to prepare well for the interview. In this article, we provide medical technologist interview questions and sample answers.

What skills should a medical technologist have?

The medical technologist’s communication and problem-solving skills should also be highlighted in their answer to this question. The ideal candidate will be able to handle the patient’s concerns and will also know when to get a supervisor. What to look for in an answer:

What are medical technologist interview questions?

Medical technologist interview questions help employers understand the skills and qualities that a candidate is looking for this position possesses. Through multiple interview question-and-answer sessions, recruiters can choose the best candidates for the job.

How do I prepare for a medical technologist interview?

Below are the most commonly asked question and answers that will help you navigate a medical technologist interview exceptionally. Here are eight items that a Medical Technologist can focus on while preparing for a job interview, including both general and technical aspects: Ensure necessary educational qualifications and certifications.