Interview for Assistant Technical Officer (ATO) - Automated Chemistry - Discover Great Care Jobs and Jobs In Care Today

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Assistant Technical Officer (ATO) - Automated Chemistry • Plymouth
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Thank you for your interest in the position of Assistant Technical Officer (ATO) - Automated Chemistry in Plymouth with University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust.

This is a video practice interview and we use your computer's webcam & microphone device's camera phone's camera to record your answers.

We record your answers one at a time. The whole thing should take you less than five minutes.

Interview Progress What to expect Continue below

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First, we'll enable your camera & microphone and then ask you to record a short introduction about yourself, about 30 seconds long, to make sure your camera is working ok.

Then, we'll ask you to answer one or more questions of your choice from the list below:

1. Can you describe your experience with automated chemistry analysers, specifically in the context of maintenance and troubleshooting? Can you describe your experience with automated chemistry analysers, specifically in the context of maintenance and troubleshooting?

2. What Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are you familiar with in a laboratory environment, and how do you ensure compliance with them? What Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are you familiar with in a laboratory environment, and how do you ensure compliance with them?

3. How would you approach the preparation and analysis of patient samples? What steps do you take to ensure accuracy and reliability? How would you approach the preparation and analysis of patient samples? What steps do you take to ensure accuracy and reliability?

4. Describe any experience you have with reagent management and stock checks. How do you ensure that stock levels are maintained effectively? Describe any experience you have with reagent management and stock checks. How do you ensure that stock levels are maintained effectively?

5. In the event of a malfunction with an analyser, what steps would you take to troubleshoot the issue before consulting senior staff? In the event of a malfunction with an analyser, what steps would you take to troubleshoot the issue before consulting senior staff?

6. This role involves working closely with various team members. How do you ensure effective collaboration in a busy laboratory environment? This role involves working closely with various team members. How do you ensure effective collaboration in a busy laboratory environment?

7. Can you provide an example of a time when you had to assist senior staff in training new team members? What approach did you take to facilitate their learning? Can you provide an example of a time when you had to assist senior staff in training new team members? What approach did you take to facilitate their learning?

8. How do you handle communication with colleagues when there is a discrepancy in sample data or patient identification? How do you handle communication with colleagues when there is a discrepancy in sample data or patient identification?

9. Describe a scenario where you worked interdepartmentally to resolve an issue. What was your role, and what was the outcome? Describe a scenario where you worked interdepartmentally to resolve an issue. What was your role, and what was the outcome?

10. How do you prioritise tasks when dealing with a high volume of samples? Can you provide an example? How do you prioritise tasks when dealing with a high volume of samples? Can you provide an example?

11. Explain your understanding of the importance of a clean and organised work environment in the laboratory. Explain your understanding of the importance of a clean and organised work environment in the laboratory.

12. How do you handle the pressure of a 24/7 rota system, especially during busy periods? What strategies do you use to manage your workload? How do you handle the pressure of a 24/7 rota system, especially during busy periods? What strategies do you use to manage your workload?

13. What steps would you take if you encountered a sample that did not meet the required standards for analysis? What steps would you take if you encountered a sample that did not meet the required standards for analysis?

14. Describe your experience dealing with clinical trials and the specific procedures you follow when handling samples derived from those trials. Describe your experience dealing with clinical trials and the specific procedures you follow when handling samples derived from those trials.

15. How would you respond if you identified non-compliance with laboratory policies or procedures? How would you respond if you identified non-compliance with laboratory policies or procedures?

16. What motivated you to apply for the Assistant Technical Officer position at University Hospitals Plymouth? What motivated you to apply for the Assistant Technical Officer position at University Hospitals Plymouth?

17. Where do you see yourself in five years, and how does this position align with your career goals? Where do you see yourself in five years, and how does this position align with your career goals?

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1. Can you describe your experience with automated chemistry analysers, specifically in the context of maintenance and troubleshooting?

queUGytC Technical and Procedural Questions

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Interview Summary
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Role: Assistant Technical Officer (ATO) - Automated Chemistry in Plymouth

Interviewed on Saturday 29 March 2025 at 09:32.

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{"interviewQueryText":"What are some good interview questions in British English for the job description below?\n\n-------------------------------------------\n\nAssistant Technical Officer (ATO) - Automated Chemistry with University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust in Plymouth\n\n The post holder will work together with senior staff and support staff in all sections of the laboratory to produce a timely, high quality, accurate and cost effective services. The post holder will support the timely processing of patient samples serving all those patients attending PHNT, PCTs representing 100 General Practices and specialist assays referred to us from other Trusts within the Peninsula. Going forward as UHP Pathology department works to deliver its vision then there will be an expectation of interdepartmental working across various Pathology departments. ***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.*** To assist with the operation of the Automated Track and HbA1c analysers in the Biochemistry section. Including maintenance, troubleshooting and patient sample analysis. To partake in Automated Chemistry stock checks and reagent management. To replenish consumables in the Automated Chemistry Section To follow Standard Operating Procedures relating to each section/area. To be available for the 24/7 rota and EWD/Weekend rota in Reception/Automation. To prepare biological material collected from patients, including blood samples for analysis and analyse these following a Standard Operating Procedures. To assist Reception as and when required with the receipt of samples, sample preparation, requestdata entry and to make and receive telephone calls from other healthcare staff. About us - To carry out all morning maintenance on analysers/track.- Process samples according to the most recent SOP in each section.- Ensure all areas are tidy and clean.- Keep all documents associated with each section up to date (Checklists and Q-Pulse).- Working together with colleagues, ensure the reception area delivers a timely processing of samples and test requests by assisting when necessary.- To perform Work File Enquiries in each section and collecting any outstanding samples for analysis.- Ensure senior staff, are made aware when stock levels are low.- To use office equipment including computers, printers, fax machines and photocopiers.- To use the laboratory IT system to input results of tests and to deal with enquiries for results, and to use the Trust PIMS system in order to look up patient details.- To operate complex laboratory analysers in order to carry out investigations- Will assist senior staff in the training of new staff.- Assist in the receipt, processing and storage of all samples derived from clinical trials including those for which the department derives income.- Remove samples and request forms from their plastic bags whilst checking the data on the sample matches that on the request form.- To bring to the attention of senior staff all rejected samples due to inadequate patient ID or incorrect sample type for the test requested, or to contact the necessary persons, in accordance with the SOP for the area, to resolve any non-compliance with policy. "}