Question Overview: Phlebotomists are often in situations where they must be flexible and adapt to changing circumstances. For instance, they might be asked to draw blood from a patient who is in a wheelchair, or they might be asked to draw blood from a newborn. Candidates should be able to explain how they handled these situations and what they learned from them.
Sample Answer: I was asked to draw blood from a patient who was in a wheelchair. I had never done that before, but I listened carefully during training and was able to get the job done.
Question Overview: Phlebotomists are responsible for a lot of tasks, so it's important to know what your candidate's strengths and weaknesses are. For instance, if they're not great at handling stress, you might want to consider hiring someone else. Candidates should be able to explain their strengths and weaknesses in a way that makes sense for the job.
Sample Answer: I'm a hard worker, but I'm not very good at handling stress. I've been working on improving my time management skills so that I can better handle stressful situations.
Question Overview: It's important for phlebotomists to be able to handle multiple donors at once. They need to know how to prioritize and handle different situations. For instance, if one donor is in a lot of pain, the phlebotomist should know how to handle the situation. They should also be able to handle a situation where two donors finish up at the same time.
Sample Answer: I've been a phlebotomist at donation centers and hospitals, working with a range of ages. At a plasma center, I worked with centrifuge machines, too.
Question Overview: Phlebotomists may have different availability requirements, depending on the type of job they're applying for. For instance, a phlebotomist working in a hospital may have to work weekends and holidays, while a phlebotomist working in a donation center may only need to work during business hours. A candidate should be able to tell you when they're available and what their availability requirements are.
Sample Answer: I'm available during the week from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. I'm also available on weekends.
Question Overview: Phlebotomy is a growing field, and there are many reasons that people choose to pursue it as a career. Candidates should be able to explain their motivation for entering the field. For instance, some people may have a family member who is a phlebotomist, and they may have had positive experiences with them. Others may have been drawn to the job because of the variety of work environments or the opportunity to work with a diverse range of people.
Sample Answer: I've been a phlebotomist at donation centers and hospitals, working with a range of ages. At a plasma center, I worked with centrifuge machines, too.
Question Overview: A phlebotomist is an entry-level position, so they should have a strong desire to learn and grow. They should also have a good attitude and be willing to work hard. A candidate should be able to work well with other people, and they should be able to follow instructions.
Sample Answer: I want my manager to be available when I have questions, and I want them to help me develop my skills.
Question Overview: This question is designed to see how your candidate handles mistakes. They should be able to talk about a mistake they made and how they learned from it. It's important that they don't make excuses or blame others. They should also be able to explain what they did to correct the mistake.
Sample Answer: I had a patient who was very upset about a hematoma that formed after a blood draw. I didn't realize that the cuff was still on, and I didn't remove it before removing the needle. I apologized and explained what I did wrong, and I made sure to follow up with the patient to make sure they were okay.
Question Overview: Phlebotomists have to work with a variety of people, and they may encounter difficult situations. They should be able to explain how they handled a difficult situation, and they should be able to explain how they would handle it in the future.
Sample Answer: I've had patients who were very nervous about having their blood drawn, but I was able to talk them through it. I've also had patients who were angry about having to wait for their blood draw. I try to be patient and listen to what they have to say.
Question Overview: Phlebotomists are responsible for dealing with a variety of situations, and they should be prepared for anything. They should be able to handle a situation in which a patient has an adverse reaction to the blood draw. They should also be able to handle a situation in which a patient is uncooperative or disruptive. Candidates should be able to describe how they handled the situation and what they learned from it.
Sample Answer: I had a patient who was very upset about having blood drawn. I was able to calm her down by explaining what I was doing and why.
Question Overview: This is a great question to ask a phlebotomist candidate because it gives them the opportunity to sell themselves. They should be able to explain why they're the best candidate for the job. This is also a good opportunity for them to explain any gaps in their resume or employment history.
Sample Answer: I'm a hard worker who has experience with patients of all ages. I'm looking for a long-term position where I can grow and learn.
Question Overview: A triangle is a common shape used to label blood and plasma samples. It's important that your phlebotomist has a good understanding of how to draw the shape accurately.
Sample Answer: I can draw a triangle with accuracy, and I know that it's important for labeling samples.
Question Overview: A high temperature can be a sign of infection, so it's important for phlebotomists to know how to handle it. They should know that they should take the patient's temperature and report it to the medical staff. They should also be aware of the symptoms of infection and be able to explain them to the medical staff.
Sample Answer: I would take the patient's temperature and report it to the medical staff. I'd also explain what a high temperature is and what the symptoms are.
Question Overview: Phlebotomists work in teams, so it's important to know how your candidate interacts with others. A candidate who is a team player will be more likely to work well with your staff.
Sample Answer: My coworkers would say that I am a hard worker and that I am always willing to help out.
Question Overview: This is a classic interview question, but it's important to remember that you're not just looking for strengths. You're also looking for weaknesses that can be improved upon. For instance, if your candidate says they're a perfectionist, you might ask them how that can be a weakness. If they say they're too hard on themselves, you might ask them how they can improve on that.
Sample Answer: I'm a perfectionist, so I'm always striving to do better. I'm working on being less hard on myself and more patient with my coworkers.
Question Overview: Phlebotomists need to know how to determine which tube is full. This is a simple question that can be asked in an interview to see if the candidate has a basic understanding of the process. The answer should include the fact that they will use a ruler to measure the tube and that they will use a marker to mark the tube when it's full.
Sample Answer: I'll use a ruler to measure the tube and mark it with a marker when it's full.
Question Overview: Phlebotomists are responsible for following company policies and procedures. They should be aware of the policies and procedures in place at your facility, and they should be willing to follow them. If they see a coworker not following them, they should report it to their supervisor.
Sample Answer: I would report it to my supervisor immediately.
Question Overview: Phlebotomists work in a team environment, and they must be able to work well with others. They must be able to communicate effectively and resolve conflicts. This question is designed to assess your candidate's ability to work with others, and it can also reveal their personality.
Sample Answer: I had a coworker who was always late and didn't complete her work. I tried talking to her about it, but she didn't change her behavior. I spoke to our supervisor about it, and she was able to help the situation.
Question Overview: A phlebotomist should be able to handle a crying child in a professional manner. They should be able to comfort the child and explain the process to them. They should also be able to explain why the child is receiving treatment.
Sample Answer: I would try to distract the child with a toy or a book. I would also try to explain what was going on and why it was necessary.
Question Overview: Phlebotomists work under the supervision of a nurse or other medical professional. They must be able to work with others and take direction, but they should also be able to speak up when they feel that a patient's needs are not being met. A candidate's answer to this question should show that they can follow instructions, but also that they can speak up when they feel that a patient is not being treated properly.
Sample Answer: I was working with a new supervisor who was very strict about the way we handled patients. I thought she was being too harsh and I spoke up about it.
Question Overview: Phlebotomists are often required to work weekends and holidays. If you're hiring a phlebotomist for a hospital, you may need to hire someone who is available to work on the weekends. If you're hiring a phlebotomist for a donation center, you may need someone who is available to work on the weekends and holidays.
Sample Answer: I'm available to work every day of the week, including weekends and holidays.