17 Lab Technologist Interview Questions and Answers

Lab technologists play an important role in modern medicine by helping to diagnose and treat diseases. They collect and analyze blood and tissue samples to help doctors make informed decisions about a patient’s health.

If you want to work in a lab, you’ll need to be prepared to answer lab technologist interview questions. In this guide, we’ll provide you with sample questions and answers that will help you stand out in your interview.

Are you certified as a clinical laboratory technologist?

Employers may ask this question to see if you have the necessary certifications for the job. If you are certified, they might want to know which certification you hold and how long you’ve held it. They might also want to know what steps you took to become certified. If you aren’t certified, they might want to know why not.

Example: “I am currently certified as a clinical laboratory technologist through the American Society of Clinical Pathology. I earned my certification in 2016 after completing an accredited program at a community college. I passed all three parts of the certification exam on my first try.”

What are the most common types of tests you perform in the lab?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience in a lab setting. You can answer this question by naming several common tests you perform and briefly describing what each test measures.

Example: “The most common types of tests I perform are urinalysis, blood testing and urine culture. Urine culture is used to detect bacteria or other organisms that may be causing an infection. Blood testing is used to measure different components of the blood like red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Urinalysis is performed to check for signs of kidney disease, diabetes or urinary tract infections.”

How do you handle the emotional stress of working with patients and their samples?

Lab technologists often work with patients and their samples, which can be emotionally challenging. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the emotional intelligence needed for this role. In your answer, share how you stay calm in high-pressure situations. Share a specific example of a time when you helped someone else through an emotional situation.

Example: “I am very empathetic, so I understand that working with patients is difficult. When I first started my career as a lab tech, I worked with a patient who was waiting for test results. She was visibly upset, but she asked me questions about the process and what to expect. I answered her questions calmly and reassured her that we would get her results back quickly. By talking to her, I made her feel more comfortable and less anxious.”

What is your process for handling and disposing of hazardous materials in the lab?

The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your knowledge of safety protocols in the lab. Use examples from your experience that show how you follow proper procedures for handling hazardous materials and disposing of them safely.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for identifying and labeling all hazardous materials in the lab. Then, I disposed of these materials according to federal regulations. For example, when we had a container of radioactive material, I would store it in a lead-lined box until I could transport it to an offsite facility where they dispose of radioactive waste. This process is important because if someone were to come into contact with the radioactive material, they could be exposed to dangerous levels of radiation.”

Provide an example of a time you had to troubleshoot a problem with a test and explain your solution.

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to think critically. When answering, try to describe a situation where you used critical thinking to solve a problem in the lab.

Example: “In my previous role as a phlebotomist, I had to troubleshoot an issue with a test that required me to use math calculations to determine the patient’s blood type. The test was supposed to be able to do all of these calculations automatically, but it wasn’t working properly. After speaking with my supervisor, we determined that there was a bug in the software. We then worked together to find a solution by manually entering the data into the system.”

If a test result was outside of the normal range, what would you do?

This question can help interviewers understand how you would respond to a challenging situation. You can answer this question by describing the steps you would take to solve the problem and ensure accurate results.

Example: “If I received a test result that was outside of the normal range, I would first check my calculations for any errors. If there were no mistakes in my math, I would repeat the test with new samples. If the second test also came back as an abnormal result, I would contact the doctor who ordered the test to discuss what happened. They may have additional information about why the test result is different than expected.”

What would you do if you were working on a sample and you noticed something unusual?

This question can help interviewers understand how you respond to challenges in the workplace. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation and what steps you took to resolve it.

Example: “When I was working as a lab technologist at my previous job, we had a sample that came back with an unusual result. The patient’s blood test showed they were pregnant when they weren’t supposed to be. We double-checked our results and found that there was no mistake. After talking with the doctor, we decided to do another blood test to confirm the results. Sure enough, the second test confirmed that the patient wasn’t pregnant.”

How well do you pay attention to detail when performing tests?

Attention to detail is an important skill for lab technologists because they must perform tests accurately. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the ability to pay attention to small details and ensure your results are correct. When answering, explain that you understand how important it is to be accurate when performing tests. Explain that you take pride in your work and will do everything possible to ensure accuracy.

Example: “I am very good at paying attention to detail. I know that even the smallest mistake can lead to inaccurate results. In my previous role as a lab technician, I was responsible for testing blood samples for various diseases. If I made a mistake, it could mean misdiagnosing someone or not knowing if they had a disease. I took great care to ensure I performed each test correctly so I wouldn’t make any mistakes.”

Do you have experience working with a team of other lab technicians?

Working as a lab technician can be a very solitary job, but it’s important to have the ability to work well with others. Employers ask this question to make sure you’re able to collaborate and communicate effectively with your coworkers. When answering this question, try to mention one or two specific examples of when you worked well with others in a team setting.

Example: “In my previous position, I was part of a small team that included myself, another lab technician and a supervisor. We all had different roles within our department, but we also collaborated on projects together. For example, if I needed help with an experiment, I would ask my coworker for assistance. Likewise, they would do the same for me. Our supervisor also encouraged us to share ideas and feedback with each other.”

When communicating test results to a physician, what is your process for ensuring you provide an accurate and thorough report?

Lab technologists often work with physicians to interpret test results and provide information about a patient’s health. Interviewers may ask this question to understand how you communicate important information in an efficient manner. In your answer, describe the steps you take to ensure you are clear and concise when communicating with a physician.

Example: “I always make sure that I thoroughly read through all of my notes before meeting with a physician. This helps me remember any details or questions I have about the test results so I can address them during our conversation. When speaking with a physician, I also try to be as clear and concise as possible when explaining the results. I use analogies and examples to help explain complex medical terms.”

We want to improve our turnaround time for test results. What would you do to streamline the testing process?

Lab technologists are often responsible for streamlining the testing process to ensure accurate results in a timely manner. Employers ask this question to see if you have any ideas on how to improve their lab’s efficiency and turnaround time. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to make improvements.

Example: “I think one of the best ways we can improve our turnaround time is by implementing an electronic medical record system. This will allow us to enter patient information once and then use it throughout the entire testing process. It also allows us to access test results more quickly because we don’t have to re-enter all of that data each time. Another way we could improve turnaround time is by hiring more staff so we aren’t as overworked.”

Describe your process for handling and storing samples.

This question can help interviewers understand your attention to detail and how you handle samples. Use examples from previous work experience to describe the process you use for handling samples, including how you label them and store them in a safe environment.

Example: “I always make sure to properly label all samples before storing them in a secure location. I also ensure that my storage area is free of contaminants so that it’s safe for future testing. In my last role, we had a system where each sample was stored in its own box with a barcode on the outside. This allowed us to easily locate any sample when needed.”

What makes you an ideal candidate for this lab technician position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their team. Before your interview, make a list of all the skills and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for this position. Try to focus on what makes you unique from other candidates rather than listing generic skills like communication or organization.

Example: “I am passionate about science and medicine, which is why I chose to pursue a career in lab technology. Throughout my education, I have learned many techniques for analyzing samples and performing experiments. My experience working with different types of equipment has also taught me how to troubleshoot problems when they arise. These skills make me an excellent fit for this role.”

Which computer programs do you most frequently use in the lab?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your computer skills and how you use them in the lab. You can answer this question by naming a few programs that you regularly use, such as data management software or image editing software.

Example: “In my previous role, I used several different types of software for various tasks. For example, I used Microsoft Access for managing patient records and Excel for creating graphs and charts from data. I also used Photoshop for editing images and Illustrator for creating diagrams.”

What do you think is the most important part of being a lab technician?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your personality and how you view the role of a lab technician. When answering this question, it can be helpful to focus on one or two specific skills that are important in the job and explain why they’re important.

Example: “I think the most important part of being a lab technician is having excellent attention to detail. Lab work is very precise, so I believe it’s essential to have someone who can follow directions carefully and make sure all their work is accurate. Another important skill is communication. In my experience, labs often have many people working together, so it’s important to be able to communicate effectively with others.”

How often do you perform quality checks on your work?

This question can help interviewers understand how much attention you pay to detail and the quality of your work. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific time when you noticed an error in your work and fixed it before presenting your results to your supervisor or client.

Example: “I perform quality checks on my work throughout the entire process. I find that this helps me catch errors as soon as they happen so I can fix them right away. In my last role, I was working with a team to develop a new drug for cancer patients. We were all checking our work frequently, which helped us notice a mistake I made early on. I was able to correct my mistake before we presented our findings to the company.”

There is a discrepancy between your test results and another technician’s test results. What do you do?

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and ability to work with others. Your answer should include a specific example of how you would handle this situation, including the steps you would take to resolve it.

Example: “I once worked on a project where another lab technician was testing for a different disease than I was. We both used the same equipment and followed the same protocols, so we were surprised when our results didn’t match. After discussing the discrepancy with my supervisor, we decided to retest using new samples. The second test confirmed that the first result was incorrect. It turned out that the other technician had misread one of the slides. This experience taught me the importance of double-checking all of my work before submitting final reports.”