Please describe your experience with laboratory equipment maintenance and troubleshooting.
The specific tasks of a medical laboratory technician can vary greatly depending on the laboratory they're based in and the types of scientific work that is carried out there. Generally, though, a medical lab tech will conduct the routine tasks required within the laboratory while ensuring all work is carried out in strict accordance with both internal protocols and external regulations. Some tasks may include operating and maintaining standard laboratory equipment such as centrifuges, titrators, pipetting machines, and pH meters, cleaning lab equipment and keeping it in serviceable condition, and routine maintenance and calibration of laboratory equipment.
Most laboratories will expect their laboratory technicians to troubleshoot issues with the laboratory equipment if it is within their scope of training. However, there may be times when a qualified technician must be called to make routine repairs and troubleshoot equipment problems above the medical lab technician's scope.
The interviewer is interested in your experience maintaining and troubleshooting laboratory equipment to assess your skill level and determine what training you might require if hired. Describe your experience with laboratory equipment maintenance and troubleshooting while highlighting your critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
"I have almost three years of experience maintaining and troubleshooting laboratory equipment, such as compound microscopes and automated cell counters. The brands of microscopes I am most familiar with are Swift and Motic, and the cell counters I have used include Cellaca MX and Thermo Fisher. Following my last company's operating procedures, I would clean my equipment before and after each use using the appropriate cleaning products for each piece of equipment, as recommended by the manufacturer. I would inspect each piece of equipment at the beginning of my shift and calibrate the equipment every three months. If there were an issue with a piece of equipment, I would read the troubleshooting guidelines in the equipment manual and call a technician if needed."
"During my medical laboratory technician training, I became well-versed in maintaining and troubleshooting lab equipment. One of my responsibilities included ensuring that all the equipment in the lab was functioning correctly by performing regular cleaning, calibration, and prompt troubleshooting of any issues that arose. One of the main issues I was taught related to electrical issues. Many labs have electrical overload issues, so proper overload protection needs to be followed.
While I am still developing my skills, I can diagnose and resolve equipment issues pretty quickly, thanks to an excellent instructor who taught me the most common troubleshooting tricks. I have already encountered various equipment problems, such as power supply issues, malfunctioning components, and software problems, and I am confident I can handle most problems I will come across. If I cannot effectively troubleshoot an issue, I will ask for help from one of my superiors or senior technicians."
"Sure, I would be happy to. I have over ten years of experience working in the laboratory setting and was most recently in charge of overseeing equipment maintenance and training new hires on maintaining and troubleshooting the lab equipment. I updated an old checklist used daily at the start and end of the shift that walked employees through inspecting and maintaining their equipment. This list included reading the equipment manual before the first use, training on the equipment, cleaning after use, inspecting frequently, calibrating regularly, and logging the usage. I also developed a toolkit for minor repairs but stressed the importance of calling a qualified technician when needed. I have worked with many different types of manufacturers, including Fisher, Motic, Omano, and Meiji Techno, and feel confident maintaining and troubleshooting any piece of equipment I am working with."
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