17 Medication Technician Interview Questions and Answers

Working as a medication technician can be a fulfilling and important job in the medical field. Medication technicians are responsible for a variety of important tasks, such as preparing and administering medication, recording patient information, and maintaining medication records.

If you’re looking for a job as a medication technician, it’s important to be prepared for the interview. In this guide, we’ll provide you with a list of common medication technician interview questions and answers. We’ll also provide tips on how to dress for the interview, what to bring, and how to make a great impression.

Are you certified as a medication technician?

Employers may ask this question to determine if you have the necessary certification for the position. If you are not certified, they may want to know when you plan on taking the exam and becoming certified. You can answer honestly about your certification status and explain what steps you’re taking to become certified as a medication technician.

Example: “I am not yet certified as a medication technician. I’m currently enrolled in an online course that will prepare me for the certification exam. Once I pass the exam, I’ll be able to apply for my certification with the National Association of Medication Technicians.”

What are some of the most important skills for a medication technician to have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills necessary to succeed in this role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few of your strongest skills and how they relate to the job.

Example: “The most important skill for a medication technician is accuracy. This is because we are responsible for administering medications that patients rely on to manage their health. Another important skill is communication. We work with many different healthcare professionals who need information from us about our patient’s medications. I am also highly organized, which helps me keep track of all the medications my patients take.”

How would you handle a situation where a patient refuses to take their medication?

This question can help interviewers assess your interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with patients. Your answer should include a specific example of how you helped a patient take their medication, as well as the positive outcome of that interaction.

Example: “In my previous role, I had a patient who refused to take his medication because he didn’t like the taste. After speaking with him about it, I found out that he was taking a liquid form of the medication and wanted to know if there were any other options. I spoke with our pharmacist, who informed me that we could change the flavor of the medication by adding flavoring to the liquid. The patient was happy with this solution and took his medication regularly.”

What is your process for documenting the administration of each medication?

The interviewer may ask you this question to understand how you follow the organization and documentation procedures required by your employer. Your answer should include a step-by-step process for documenting each medication administration, including who you document it for, when you administer it and what type of information you record in your notes.

Example: “I first write down the patient’s name and room number on my notepad before I begin administering their medications. Then, I check the time that I administered the medication to ensure that I am recording accurate times. After administering the medication, I record the date, time and dosage of the medication as well as any side effects or reactions the patient had.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to help a doctor or nurse administer a medication to a patient.

This question can help interviewers understand how you work with others and your communication skills. Use examples from your experience where you helped a doctor or nurse administer medication to a patient, but also when you worked independently on administering medications.

Example: “In my previous role as a medication technician, I often assisted doctors and nurses in giving patients their medications. One time, I was helping a physician give a patient his daily dose of insulin. The patient had been experiencing low blood sugar levels for the past few days, so we decided to increase his dosage. After checking the patient’s records, I told the doctor that he should increase the dosage by 10 units per day. He agreed and increased the dosage accordingly.”

If a patient experienced an adverse reaction to a medication you administered, how would you handle it?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your ability to handle challenging situations. In your answer, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation in which you helped resolve an adverse reaction and the steps you took to ensure the patient’s safety.

Example: “In my previous role as a medication technician, I once administered a medication that caused a patient to experience nausea. After administering the medication, I checked on the patient every 15 minutes until they fell asleep. When the patient woke up feeling nauseous, I offered them crackers and water and monitored their condition for any changes. The patient was able to fall back asleep without further incident.”

What would you do if you noticed that a doctor’s medication supply was low?

This question can help interviewers understand how you would handle a situation that could arise in your role as a medication technician. In your answer, try to show the interviewer that you are proactive and willing to take on challenges.

Example: “If I noticed that a doctor’s supply was low, I would contact them immediately to let them know so they could order more before it ran out. If there wasn’t enough time for the doctor to reorder supplies, I would work with other technicians to find an alternative until the doctor could restock their supply.”

How well can you follow written instructions?

This question can help interviewers determine your ability to follow written instructions and protocols. You can answer this question by describing a time when you followed written instructions or procedures to complete an important task.

Example: “In my previous role as a medication technician, I was responsible for following the doctor’s orders for each patient. This included administering medications at specific times of the day and ensuring that patients took their pills with food or water. To ensure that I didn’t miss any steps in the process, I would write down all of the instructions before administering the medication so I could refer back to them if needed.”

Do you have experience preparing IVs?

This question can help interviewers understand your experience with a specific skill that’s important for the role. If you have relevant experience, share what you did and how it helped patients. If you don’t have direct experience, consider sharing an example of when you had to learn something new quickly.

Example: “I’ve never prepared IVs myself, but I do know how to read instructions on how to do so. In my previous position, one of our technicians was out sick, and we were short-staffed. The doctor asked me if I could prepare some IV bags because they needed them right away. I looked at the directions and figured out how to do it. It took me longer than usual, but I got through it.”

When administering medications to children, how do you keep them calm and distracted?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your experience working with children. As a medication technician, you may often administer medications to children who are in pain or experiencing side effects from their treatment. Your answer should demonstrate that you have the skills and patience to work with children.

Example: “I find that using distraction techniques can be very effective when administering medications to children. For example, I might sing songs or tell them stories while giving them their medicine. This helps keep them calm and distracted so they don’t notice me putting the pills into their mouth. It also makes the process more enjoyable for both of us.”

We want to improve our compliance with HIPAA standards. How would you handle a situation where a patient accidentally left their medication cart unlocked?

HIPAA compliance is a major part of the role, and employers want to make sure you understand how important it is. They may ask this question to see if you know what HIPAA stands for and how to handle situations that involve it. In your answer, explain why HIPAA is so important and give an example of how you would handle this situation.

Example: “HIPAA is very important because it protects patient privacy. I have seen instances where patients leave their medication carts unlocked, which can lead to someone else taking their medications or reading their medical records. If I saw a patient doing this, I would politely remind them about the importance of keeping their cart locked. If they still left it unlocked after my reminder, I would report it to my supervisor.”

Describe your process for confirming that a patient’s name matches their prescription before administering a medication.

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you have a process for confirming the accuracy of patient information. You can describe how you use technology and other resources to confirm this information before administering medication.

Example: “I always check the name on the prescription against the patient’s identification, such as their driver’s license or insurance card. I also make sure that the date of birth matches what is listed on the prescription. If there are any discrepancies between these three pieces of information, I will contact the doctor to verify the order. This ensures that I am not administering the wrong medication to the wrong patient.”

What makes you stand out from other medication technicians?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your skills and abilities as a medication technician. They want to know what makes you unique from other candidates, so they can decide if you’re the right fit for their team. When answering this question, think of two or three things that make you stand out. These could be specific skills or experiences that show how you would excel in this role.

Example: “I have extensive experience working with patients who are on multiple medications. I also have excellent time management skills, which is important when administering medications throughout the day. Finally, I am passionate about helping others, which motivates me to do my best work.”

Which medication administration method do you prefer and why?

This question helps the interviewer determine your experience level and preferences. It also shows them how you might fit in with their team. When answering this question, be honest about your preferred method but also explain why it’s beneficial to use that method.

Example: “I prefer oral medication administration because I find it’s the most efficient way to get patients their medications quickly. In my last role, we had a patient who needed several medications throughout the day. We implemented an oral medication schedule where they took one pill at breakfast, lunch and dinner. This helped us ensure they were getting all of their medications on time.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of patient safety?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you understand how important patient safety is and what steps you take to ensure it. When answering this question, consider discussing a time when you helped improve or maintain patient safety in your previous role.

Example: “I believe the most important aspect of patient safety is ensuring that medications are administered correctly. I always make sure to double-check all my work before administering medication to patients. In my last position, I was responsible for checking the accuracy of every dose of medication given to patients. One day, I noticed that one of our nurses had accidentally administered two doses of a certain medication to a patient. I immediately notified the nurse so she could administer the correct dosage.”

How often do you think a patient should take their medication?

This question can help the interviewer determine your knowledge of medication administration. It also helps them understand how you might interact with patients and their families to ensure they take their medications as prescribed. In your answer, try to show that you know when it’s important for a patient to take their medication on time and what factors may affect this schedule.

Example: “I think it’s very important for patients to take their medication at the same time every day. This allows their bodies to get used to the routine and makes it easier for them to remember to take their pills. If I notice a patient has trouble remembering to take their medication, I’ll talk to them about ways we can make taking their pills more convenient. For example, if they have trouble getting up in the morning, I might suggest setting an alarm so they can take their pill before breakfast.”

There is a new medication on the market that a doctor wants to try a patient on. What is your process for researching the medication and administering it?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the medical field and how you apply it. When answering this question, make sure to include all steps in the process so that the interviewer can see your attention to detail.

Example: “I would first research the medication online to find out more about its side effects and what patients have experienced while taking it. I would also check with my supervisor or other technicians to see if they had any experience administering the drug. If not, I would ask the doctor for more information on the patient’s current medications and symptoms to help me decide whether the new medication was right for them.”