6 real-life lab assistant interview questions
A lab assistant in healthcare plays a crucial role in supporting the laboratory's daily operations, ensuring safety compliance, and assisting in various laboratory procedures.
These lab assistant interview questions are directly sourced from real hiring managers and they are ready to use.
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6 good lab assistant interview questions
- Do you have prior lab experience? How many years of experience? In what field?
- Do you have experience working with toxic/dangerous chemicals and proper safety precautions?
- Do you know how to use a centrifuge?
- Do you know how to run a gel?
- Do you know how to read a D.O.T. label?
- Do you know the process of disposing chemicals and other used equipment?
Here are 6 real-life interview questions with sample answers to help you identify the best candidates for this role.
1. Do you have prior lab experience? How many years of experience? In what field?
This question assesses the candidate’s background and experience in laboratory settings, helping determine their suitability for the role.
Sample answer
“Yes, I bring a solid six years of laboratory experience to this role. My background primarily includes clinical laboratory work, where I’ve conducted a wide range of tests and analyses, including blood chemistry, microbiology, and hematology. My experience also extends to maintaining lab equipment and ensuring quality control procedures.”
2. Do you have experience working with toxic/dangerous chemicals and proper safety precautions?
This question evaluates the candidate’s knowledge of safety protocols and their ability to handle hazardous substances safely.
Sample answer
“Absolutely, safety is paramount in laboratory settings. I have extensive experience handling a variety of hazardous chemicals, including carcinogens and flammable substances. I consistently adhere to safety protocols, such as wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), using fume hoods, and following disposal guidelines to ensure a safe working environment.”
3. Do you know how to use a centrifuge?
This question assesses the candidate’s familiarity with laboratory equipment commonly used for separating substances based on density.
Sample answer
“Yes, I’m highly proficient in operating centrifuges. During my previous roles, I’ve used them for tasks like separating blood components for analysis. I’m well-versed in the setup, calibration, and maintenance of different types of centrifuges to achieve precise results.”
4. Do you know how to run a gel?
This question evaluates the candidate’s knowledge of gel electrophoresis, a common technique used in molecular biology and biochemistry.
Sample answer
“Certainly, I have practical experience in running gels for molecular biology applications. This includes preparing agarose or polyacrylamide gels, loading samples, setting up electrophoresis, and interpreting gel results. I’ve used this technique for DNA and protein analysis.”
5. Do you know how to read a D.O.T. label?
This question gauges the candidate’s familiarity with Department of Transportation (D.O.T.) labels for hazardous materials transportation.
Sample answer
“Yes, I’m familiar with D.O.T. labels and their significance in the safe transportation of hazardous materials. I understand the color-coded system and the essential information conveyed by these labels, which aids in identifying potential risks and handling protocols.”
6. Do you know the process of disposing chemicals and other used equipment?
This question examines the candidate’s understanding of proper disposal procedures for laboratory chemicals and equipment, emphasizing safety and environmental compliance.
Sample answer
“Certainly, I’m well-versed in the proper disposal procedures for various chemicals and laboratory equipment. I strictly follow regulatory guidelines, ensuring that hazardous materials are segregated, labeled, and disposed of in compliance with environmental regulations. I prioritize safety and environmental stewardship in all disposal processes.”
What does a good Lab Assistant candidate look like?
An ideal candidate for a lab assistant role in healthcare should possess relevant lab experience, a strong commitment to safety protocols, proficiency in using laboratory equipment, and a clear understanding of hazardous material handling. They should also be detail-oriented, organized, and able to adapt to evolving laboratory procedures and technologies.
Red flags
Red flags for a lab assistant candidate may include a lack of relevant lab experience, inadequate knowledge of safety precautions, an inability to operate common lab equipment, or unfamiliarity with disposal protocols for hazardous materials.