Phlebotomists work in a variety of healthcare facilities drawing blood from patients via venipuncture, labelling and preparing blood samples for diagnostic samples. In California, most employers look for candidates with a Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT I) certification. If you’ve already earned your CPT-I certificate and you’re applying to phlebotomy jobs, you’re probably anticipating what questions you’ll hear in the interview. Let’s look at the most common questions you might be asked in your interview.
Why Did You Become a Phlebotomist?
The interviewer is trying to find out why you chose to enter this field, and what your motivations are for becoming a phlebotomist. Keep your answer focused on helping patients (diagnostic testing, providing professional compassionate care, helping people have a good experience).
Describe Your Training and Education?
Their question is trying to find out where you got phlebotomy training and what certifications you have earned. Most employers will look for a CPT-I certification.
How Much Practical Experience Do You Have?
If you only have the training in phlebotomy school, then be honest about that. Let them know if you have any work experience in phlebotomy at clinics, hospitals, or medical offices, that will be a data point the interviewer writes down.
How Do You Ensure Accuracy and Safety in Blood Draws?
What the hiring manager is looking for is that you follow all safety protocols, double check the identity of the patient, and label the blood samples promptly and correctly so accuracy is maintained.
How Do You Handle Difficult Situations?
The interviewer wants to see that you can keep a cool head under pressure. The emphasis should always be on retaining a professional demeanor, showing empathy and compassion, listening carefully to the patient or staff, and coming to a reasonable resolution calmly. For example: if you have trouble finding a vein at first, you would remain calm, gently explain to the patient the situation and working to find the vein so the blood draw can commence without issue.
Interested in enrolling at Campus?
Our admissions advisors can answer your questions.
What Are Your Short-Term / Long Term Career Goals?
Your answer here shouldn’t be too long, keep it professional. The interviewer wants to make sure you are going to be committed to the job and won’t be job hopping anytime soon. You may also ask them at the end of the interview if there is room for career growth. It’s okay to show some ambition in your long term career goals.
Can You Describe a Time You Improved a Process?
This question is to find out if you are a problem solver and a team player. For example, if you found inefficiencies in labelling blood samples at your last clinic and found a way to make it more organized, accurate, and efficient, describe the suggestions you made to the team. If they ask this question, you should have some sort of answer, so if you have to reference another job that is not in healthcare, that is quite acceptable.
How Do You Handle Equipment and Supplies in the Workplace?
The hiring manager wants to see if you can follow safety and sanitation protocols correctly, and to make sure that you’ve been trained properly. You should be checking equipment regularly to make sure everything is sterile and that equipment is fully stocked.
What Makes You The Right Fit For This Position?
This is a chance to express how you are a team player, your people skills, and how you follow procedure in a medical office setting. They are checking your enthusiasm for the job, your professionalism, and your confidence in your competency.
Have You Ever Had a Time Where a Patient Had Anxiety? How Did You Deal With It?
Many people have an aversion to needles, and the phlebotomist is there to offer clear reassuring communication to the patient. Your job is to set their mind at ease, maintain a calm professional demeanor, and stay in control of the situation. Explain to the patient exactly what the process is and show empathy and compassion to alleviate their anxiety.
Did You Ever Have Trouble Finding a Vein? How Did You Proceed?
This is a situation every phlebotomist will encounter, probably several times per year. The interviewer wants to hear how you deal with difficult to find veins. Do you follow the standard procedures for raising the vein enough to draw blood.
If You Have Two Donors That Finish at the Same Time, How Do You Handle It?
There is a protocol for handling blood and plasma donors that finish at the same time. Everyone wants to be checked out, and the phlebotomist should attend each patient in a professional, orderly manner.
How Would You Deal With an Angry Patient?
The interviewer wants to know how you handle stressful situations and defusing an agitated patient. People often get angry when they feel their needs are not being heard and addressed. It’s important to always remain calm and listen to patient concerns, and smoothing out the conflict.
Why Do You Want to Work at This Facility?
The hiring manager will want to find out if you are truly passionate about working at that company. It’s a good idea to research the organization beforehand and find out about their mission and company culture. If you can communicate that you prioritize the health of the patients and you believe that the organization does the same, that will be helpful.
Start Your Phlebotomy Career with Campus Sacramento
If you’re excited to start a career in phlebotomy, Campus Sacramento has a Phlebotomy training program to help you earn your CPT-I certification. We also offer a Medical Assisting and Phlebotomy training program to help you earn certification as a MA and earn your CPT-I. For more information on start dates, classes schedules, tuition, class length, and financial aid, contact our friendly Admissions team or call 888-675-2460.