1. Can you tell us about your experience working in a laboratory setting, particularly in a microbiology or virology context? Can you tell us about your experience working in a laboratory setting, particularly in a microbiology or virology context?
2. What specific tasks or roles have you previously held that directly relate to this position? What specific tasks or roles have you previously held that directly relate to this position?
3. How familiar are you with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in a laboratory environment? Can you provide an example of how you have followed SOPs in your previous roles? How familiar are you with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in a laboratory environment? Can you provide an example of how you have followed SOPs in your previous roles?
4. What techniques and equipment are you most experienced with in a laboratory, particularly in virology or related fields? What techniques and equipment are you most experienced with in a laboratory, particularly in virology or related fields?
5. Can you explain the importance of quality control in a laboratory setting and how you have contributed to ensuring quality standards in your previous work? Can you explain the importance of quality control in a laboratory setting and how you have contributed to ensuring quality standards in your previous work?
6. How do you handle the storage and disposal of biological specimens? Can you discuss any regulations or guidelines you’ve had to follow? How do you handle the storage and disposal of biological specimens? Can you discuss any regulations or guidelines you’ve had to follow?
7. This role involves providing clerical support to Biomedical Scientists. Can you describe your experience with lab administration, including data entry, sample tracking, and record-keeping? This role involves providing clerical support to Biomedical Scientists. Can you describe your experience with lab administration, including data entry, sample tracking, and record-keeping?
8. How do you prioritise your tasks when faced with multiple deadlines or a high volume of samples to process? How do you prioritise your tasks when faced with multiple deadlines or a high volume of samples to process?
9. Can you discuss any experience you have with laboratory information management systems (LIMS) or other laboratory software? Can you discuss any experience you have with laboratory information management systems (LIMS) or other laboratory software?
10. Working as part of a team is crucial in this role. Can you provide an example of how you have effectively collaborated with colleagues in a laboratory setting? Working as part of a team is crucial in this role. Can you provide an example of how you have effectively collaborated with colleagues in a laboratory setting?
11. How do you communicate complex technical information to non-specialists or other team members who may not have a scientific background? How do you communicate complex technical information to non-specialists or other team members who may not have a scientific background?
12. Describe a time when there was a miscommunication within a team. How did you deal with it and what was the outcome? Describe a time when there was a miscommunication within a team. How did you deal with it and what was the outcome?
13. Laboratories can be high-pressure environments. Can you share an experience where you had to adapt quickly to a new situation or unexpected challenge? Laboratories can be high-pressure environments. Can you share an experience where you had to adapt quickly to a new situation or unexpected challenge?
14. Describe a problem you encountered in the lab and how you went about solving it. Describe a problem you encountered in the lab and how you went about solving it.
15. What strategies do you use to stay organised and manage your time effectively in a busy laboratory environment? What strategies do you use to stay organised and manage your time effectively in a busy laboratory environment?
16. How do you stay updated with the latest advancements and best practices in laboratory medicine, especially in the field of virology? How do you stay updated with the latest advancements and best practices in laboratory medicine, especially in the field of virology?
17. What are your career aspirations in the field of laboratory science, and how do you see this role contributing to your professional development? What are your career aspirations in the field of laboratory science, and how do you see this role contributing to your professional development?
18. Are you willing to participate in further training or certification related to your role as a Medical Laboratory Assistant? Are you willing to participate in further training or certification related to your role as a Medical Laboratory Assistant?
19. What attracts you to work for the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, and what do you know about our values and mission? What attracts you to work for the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, and what do you know about our values and mission?
You can answer as many of these questions as you want.
Good luck!