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This position has closed. Abbott removed this listing from their careers page on Oct 5, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

Clinical Laboratory Scientist I - 2nd Shift

Abbott · Madison, WI · $20.50–$41.00 an hour · Full time

Posted Aug 31, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 4, 2026

Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you caught an error in a specimen or result that someone else had missed.

What they are checking: Whether they notice small inconsistencies and speak up, since one missed label can send the wrong result to a patient.

Tell me about a time you had to follow a procedure you thought could be done better.

What they are checking: Whether they follow the current SOP while raising improvements through the right channel instead of quietly changing steps.

How do you handle the pace of a high-volume lab without letting accuracy slip?

What they are checking: Whether they have real habits for staying careful under volume pressure rather than just claiming to be detail oriented.

Why do you want to do clinical lab work for a cancer screening lab specifically?

What they are checking: Whether they connect the bench work to patient outcomes, which keeps people careful on the hundredth sample of the day.

What would you do

An instrument throws an error halfway through a run and you have a queue of samples waiting. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they troubleshoot in a logical order, protect the samples already in process, and know when to escalate.

A coworker skips a required step in the procedure to catch up on the backlog. What would you do?

What they are checking: Whether they will address a compliance shortcut with a peer, which protects patients and the lab's certification.

About the work

Walk me through what you do when a quality control run on a moderate or high complexity assay comes back out of range at the start of your shift.

What they are checking: Whether they stop and investigate before releasing patient results, which is the line between a safe lab and a risky one.

How do you decide whether a specimen is acceptable to test or needs to be rejected?

What they are checking: Their grasp of pre-analytical rules like stability, labeling and volume, and whether they follow the SOP over convenience.

What does documentation look like for you on a normal day, and why does it matter so much in a CLIA lab?

What they are checking: Whether they see documentation as part of the test itself, because an undocumented step did not happen in an audit.

What experience do you have with molecular testing, PCR, or automated liquid handlers?

What they are checking: How quickly they can get productive on the platforms a cancer diagnostics lab relies on.

How do you approach routine maintenance on lab equipment when it feels like it is taking time away from testing?

What they are checking: Whether they understand preventive maintenance prevents failed runs and lost specimens later.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Abbott from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by Abbott.

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 115,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries. JOB DESCRIPTION: Position Overview The Clinical Laboratory Scientist I performs laboratory analysis on clinical specimens using established laboratory procedures within the assigned department/laboratory. The Clinical Laboratory Scientist I duties will include, but are not limited to, processing of specimens, performance of moderate and highly complex analytical testing, establishing, performing, and documenting quality assurance, quality control, equipment maintenance, and accurately documenting all work performed under the direction of the Laboratory Medical Director. As a Clinical Laboratory Scientist I, you will recognize and resolve problems using good laboratory practices. Shift: Tues - Fri, 2p-1130p Essential Duties (include but are not limited): • Perform moderate and highly complex laboratory tests, procedures, and analyses according to the laboratory’s standard operating procedures. • Perform, review, and document laboratory quality control procedures. • Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory equipment. • Prepare reagents required for laboratory testing. • Identify and troubleshoot basic problems that adversely affect test performance and/or laboratory operations. • Achieve and maintain competency on laboratory tasks. • Assist with mentoring new laboratory personnel on current and new procedures, as needed. • Maintain sufficient inventory of laboratory supplies for daily operations. • Participate in testing and validation of new laboratory equipment and procedures, as needed. • Maintain stringent standards for quality, identifying any issues which might adversely impact the quality of test results and/or employee safety, and communicating these to the appropriate management representatives as necessary for resolution. • Manage daily test processing needs along with project needs in a high quality, efficient and effective manner. • Communicate effectively with ability to maintain open communication with internal employees, managers, and customers, as needed. • Participate in quality assurance and inspection preparation activities. • Integrate and apply feedback in a professional manner. • Participate in continuing education and staff meetings. Responsible for own professional development. • Meet productivity and TAT expectations. • Work as part of a team. • Be flexible with tasks and schedules. • Excellent attention to detail. • Effective written and verbal communication skills. • Uphold company mission and values through accountability, innovation, integrity, quality, and teamwork. • Demonstrate adaptability by embracing changes in the laboratory with a positive attitude. • Support and comply with the company’s Quality Management System policies and procedures. • Maintain regular and reliable attendance. • Act with an inclusive mindset. • Work a designated schedule. • Ability to work overtime, as needed. • Ability to lift up to 40 pounds for approximately 25% of a typical working day. • Ability to work seated for approximately 50% of a typical working day. Ability to work standing for approximately 50% of a typical working day. • Ability to work on a mobile device, tablet, or in front of a computer screen and/or perform typing for approximately 75% of a typical working day. • Ability to perform technical work up to 95% of a typical working day and administrative work up to 5% of a typical working day. • Ability to grasp with both hands; pinch with thumb and forefinger; turn with hand/arm; reach above shoulder height. • Ability to use various types of laboratory equipment and perform repetitive motions. • Ability to comply with any applicable personal protective equipment requirements. • Comply with safety and hazard regulations as outlined in the clinical laboratory safety manual. • Ability to use near vision to view samples at close range. • May be exposed to hazardous materials, tissue specimens, blood or blood products and instruments with moving parts, lasers, heating and freezing elements, and high-speed centrifugation. • Observe principles of data security and patient confidentiality. Maintain ethical standards in the performance of testing and in interactions with patients, co-workers, and other health care professionals. • Travel between sites may be required. Minimum Qualifications • Associate degree in a laboratory science (chemical or biological science) or medical laboratory technology from an accredited institution or equivalent laboratory training and experience as defined: • 60 semester hours or equivalent from an accredited institution that, at a minimum, includes either 24 semester hours of medical laboratory technology courses, OR 24 semester hours of science courses that include six semester hours of chemistry, six semester hours of biology, and 12 semester hours of chemistry, biology, or medical laboratory technology in any combination. • Authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship. • Demonstrated ability to perform the Essential Duties of the position with or without accommodation. • Professional working knowledge of local, state, and federal laboratory regulations. Preferred Qualifications • Bachelor's degree in a chemical, biological or clinical laboratory science or medical technology from an accredited institution. • For degrees not in those listed above: 90 semester hours which must include 16 semester hours in chemistry (6 of which must be in inorganic chemistry); 16 semester hours in biology courses; and 3 semester hours of math. • Experience in molecular biology techniques and principles. The base pay for this position is $20.50 – $41.00/hour In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted. JOB FAMILY: Operations Quality DIVISION: ONCO Cancer Diagnostics LOCATION: United States > Madison : 650 Forward Dr ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS: WORK SHIFT: Standard TRAVEL: Not specified MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE: No SIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES: Continuous standing for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8 hour day), Continuous walking for prolonged periods (more than 2 hours at a time in an 8 hour day) Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities/Women/Individuals with Disabilities/Protected Veterans. EEO is the Law link - English: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_English.pdf EEO is the Law link - Espanol: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_Spanish.pdf

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