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Medical Technologist Interview Questions

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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

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Whether you are preparing to interview a candidate or applying for a job, review our list of top Medical Technologist interview questions and answers.

  1. What types of medical equipment do you have experience with? See answer
  2. Which tools do you use to document your work? See answer
  3. Which procedures do you use to perform tests? See answer
  4. How do you ensure that your laboratory is always clean and following regulations? See answer
  5. What is your favourite part about being a medical technologist? See answer
  6. What is the most stressful thing about clinical rotation? See answer
  7. How do you prioritize patients when you have several that require a lot of your time? See answer
  8. What is your ultimate career goal? See answer
  9. How do you contribute to a positive company culture? See answer
  10. Did your supervisor ever ask you to be in charge of a big project? How did that experience go? See answer
  11. Have you ever deviated from lab protocol? See answer
  12. How did your education prepare you for this field? See answer
  13. What do you do when your patient doesn’t want to perform a procedure? 
  14. How do you stay up to date with the newest research and technology? 
  15. How do you handle situations when the emergency room is full and your analyzer isn’t working?
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Hire your next Medical Technologist today.

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Hire your next Medical Technologist today.

Post a job
Our mission

Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines

15 Medical Technologist Interview Questions and Answers

What types of medical equipment do you have experience with?

You can ask candidates this question to assess whether or not they have knowledge of the tools used in this field. The candidate's answer should tell you exactly what knowledge and experience they have. Here is what to look for in a good answer:

  • Shows knowledge of equipment and tools
  • Demonstrates level of experience in the medical field
  • Demonstrates troubleshooting skills

Example:

"The most common pieces of equipment I've used are autoclaves and centrifuges. I have about five years worth of experience with these pieces of equipment, and I've completed certifications that involved taking them apart and putting them back together again. Because of this, I know all of the ins and outs of the equipment I use."

Which tools do you use to document your work?

This question provides you with information on the candidate's technological experience. The ideal candidate will have experience with several different types of medical software. Here is what to look for in a good answer:

  • Experience with listing software
  • Explains the functioning of devices and technology 
  • Demonstrates knowledge of HIPAA

Example:

"For the past four years, I've used ClinSys software. I've worked on both mobile devices and desktops to complete patient entries."

Which procedures do you use to perform tests?

The answer to this question will help you understand whether the medical technologist fits in with your team properly. If a candidate already understands how to perform common procedures and tests, it will save time in on-the-job training and make it easier for the candidate to adapt to your job position. Here is what to look for in a good answer:

  • Demonstrates comfort with new routines
  • Describes how skills relate to patient procedures
  • Shows knowledge of procedures and tests

Example:

"Some of the most common procedures I perform are phlebotomy, blood pressure, oximetry, and tests to check a patient's weight and overall health. If there are any additional skills you'd like me to have, I'm more than willing to learn."

What do you do when your patient doesn't want to perform a procedure? 

Every medical technologist experiences times when a patient doesn't want to go through with a procedure. This question evaluates how a candidate performs when put under pressure. Here is what to look for in a good answer:

  • Demonstrates ability to remain calm under pressure
  • Shows willingness to repeat information
  • Shows willingness to ask their supervisor for help

Example:

"When a patient is refusing care, it's usually for a reason. When this happens, I do my best to get to the root of the problem and to discuss the patient's insecurities with them. I repeat their concerns back to them to make sure I have all the information necessary. If they still refuse the procedure, I can't force them to do it."

How do you stay up to date with the newest research and technology? 

This field is always changing, which is why candidates need to be open to changing with it. The right candidate will demonstrate a willingness to improve their skills and knowledge. Here is what to look for in a good answer:

  • Demonstrates recognition of the importance of innovation
  • Explains how education has been continued
  • Provides a list of programs they've attended

Example:

"I regularly attend conferences at the university I graduated from. I also signed up for their weekly newsletter, which sends me regular announcements about innovations in medical technology."

How do you ensure that your laboratory is always clean and following regulations?

This question is necessary to identify how the candidate can contribute to the team's commitment to cleanliness. The ideal candidate will have a clear idea of how to maintain safety regulations and cleanliness. Here is what to look for in a good answer:

  • Demonstrate a clear process for how to maintain inventory 
  • Demonstrate the ability to maintain cleanliness of tools
  • Shows interest in a clean laboratory

Example:

"I'm committed to maintaining a clean lab because my patents' lives are at risk if I don't. I sanitize everything before and after my shift. I also ensure that everything is kept in their respective storage locations when I'm done using equipment."

What is your favourite part about being a medical technologist?

This question identifies what a candidate considers to be a good part of their job. It also provides you with an idea of which tasks to assign the candidate, depending on their priorities. Here is what to look for in a good answer:

  • Demonstrates enthusiasm about position
  • Discusses hard and soft skills
  • Commitment to patient care

Example:

"My favourite part of being a medical technologist is interacting with my clients. I love watching my clients recover and come out of the hospital looking like completely different people."

What is the most stressful thing about clinical rotation?

Medical technologists will encounter obstacles during their career. This will tell you which tasks to avoid giving the candidate should you decide to hire them. Here is what to look for in a good answer:

  • Shows appreciation for high-paced environment
  • Demonstrates knowledge of overall responsibilities of medical technologists
  • Understands the pros and cons of the profession

Example:

"The most stressful thing about this profession is the fast-paced environment. That being said, I've always been great at prioritizing. I make checklists and to-do lists and prioritize my clients based on the complexity of their cases. From there, I go through the cases that don't take as much time, and I save more complex cases for later. Because of my time management skills, I'm able to handle the fast-paced environment with ease."

How do you prioritize patients when you have several that require a lot of your time?

Medical technologists are likely to occasionally have some patients who require more extensive procedures or need more than one procedure. It's essential, then, that the candidate knows how to navigate demanding patients. Here is what to look for in a good answer:

  • Demonstrates strategy for prioritizing patients
  • Installs boundaries with patients
  • Maintains a respectful relationship with patients

Example:

"There are times when I have patients who need more help or who demand more time. When I'm first assigned to the patient, I'm clear about what my role is, and I do my best to set boundaries if I find the patient requests me to work outside the scope of my responsibilities."

How do you handle situations when the emergency room is full and your analyzer isn't working?

The ideal candidate will need to know how to manage a fast-paced environment. They also need to have a backup plan when technology fails them. Here is what to look for in a good answer:

  • Demonstrates ability to remain calm 
  • Demonstrates ability to prioritize
  • Balances patients' needs while managing technological failure

Example

Example:

"The first thing to do is prioritize. I inform the medical team in the emergency room that results will take longer than normal because I have to troubleshoot my equipment. Once that's done, I work on solving the problem, and if it's out of my scope of experience, I contact the tech team."

What is your ultimate career goal?

Knowing the answer to this question is important for determining whether the candidate is looking for a long-term position in your company. Here is what to look for in a good answer:

  • States long-term goals 
  • Demonstrates knowledge of open job position 
  • Demonstrates interest in working for the company over time

Example:

"My ultimate goal is to move up in this company to a higher-level role. I do really well in management positions and enjoy taking on additional responsibilities. In every job I have, I try to take on more responsibilities to help my supervisors."

How do you contribute to a positive company culture?

You need to make sure that a potential candidate will fit in with your team. The company culture candidates come from will tell you a lot about them as team members. Here is what to look for in a good answer:

  • Demonstrates knowledge of what makes a good company culture
  • Shows awareness of the open job position's company culture
  • Explains previous company cultures

Example:

"My previous company culture was very light-hearted, and everyone got alone well. Upper management frequently invested in team-building activities, and I contributed to this by suggesting new activities, demonstrating a positive attitude, and always being respectful."

Did your supervisor ever ask you to be in charge of a big project? How did that experience go?

This question determines how the candidate handles additional responsibility. It also tells you whether you can trust them to take on responsibilities beyond the scope of their role. Here is what to look for in a good answer:

  • Shoes willingness to take on additional responsibilities
  • Demonstrates enthusiasm and dedication toward their role
  • Demonstrates interpersonal skills

Example:

"In my previous employment, I was put in charge of managing the daily responsibilities and tasks of my coworkers. I was the one who assigned tasks and created schedules. Moreover, I ensured that we all upheld the values of the organization we worked for. I loved every moment of it."

Have you ever deviated from lab protocol?

This question determines how dedicated the medical technologist is to upholding lab protocol. This will inform you about whether they're up to date with current procedures. Here is what to look for in a good answer:

  • Understands lab protocol
  • Demonstrates prioritization of lab protocol
  • Demonstrates ability to make quick decisions

Example:

"I've been presented with opportunities to deviate from protocol. In my studies, for example, I had colleagues who would copy data from other students rather than perform experiments themselves. I believe deviating from protocol puts my patients at risk, and I avoid doing this at all costs."

How did your education prepare you for this field?

This question helps you to understand what the candidate's school experience was like. It also provides you with more insight into the candidate's theoretical knowledge and practical application. Here is what to look for in a good answer:

  • Demonstrates theoretical knowledge
  • Shows application of practical skills 
  • Explains experience as a medical technologist

Example:

"My education helped me by introducing me to theoretical and medical concepts. It also prepared me for software and tools that I now use every day. That being said, my education didn't prepare me for the interpersonal aspect of this field. Communicating with patients is one of my favourite things about being a medical technologist."

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