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Medical Laboratory Scientist - Microbiologist

SSM Health · WI · Full time

Posted Aug 27, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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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 a quality control result was out of range. What did you do?

What they are checking: Whether they stop and fix the problem before reporting any patient results.

Tell me about a time you caught an error before it reached a patient.

What they are checking: Whether they double-check results and labels as a habit.

How do you keep your skills current as identification methods like MALDI-TOF change?

What they are checking: Whether they keep learning in a field where tools change often.

This job is 32 hours with every third weekend. How does that work for you?

What they are checking: Whether they can commit to weekend rotation the lab needs.

What would you do

A provider calls asking why results are taking so long. How do you respond?

What they are checking: Whether they can explain culture timing clearly and share preliminary results that help.

A specimen arrives unlabeled. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they follow rejection policy rather than guessing, since a wrong label could harm a patient.

About the work

Walk me through how you work up a urine culture from plating to final report.

What they are checking: Whether they know plating, colony counts, identification and when growth is significant.

You see an unusual antimicrobial resistance pattern on a susceptibility test. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they recognize possible MDROs like CRE or MRSA and confirm, report and alert infection prevention.

A blood culture flags positive overnight. What are your next steps?

What they are checking: Whether they know Gram stain, critical call to the provider and timing, since sepsis treatment depends on it.

How do you decide whether growth on a plate is a pathogen or contamination?

What they are checking: Whether they use specimen source, organism and amount to make sound calls that guide treatment.

What safety steps do you follow when you suspect an organism like a select agent?

What they are checking: Whether they know biosafety rules and when to stop work and refer to the state lab.

Practice this interview out loud.

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

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The full job description

As published by SSM Health.

It's more than a career, it's a calling WI-SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital - Madison Worker Type: Regular Job Highlights: Department: Laboratory - Microbiology Schedule: 40 hours per week on the evening shift Location: St. Mary's Hospital - Madison Job Summary: Under general direction interprets and reports test results. Performs routine and complex technical laboratory analyses using established procedures and protocols. Performs chemical, microscopic, and bacteriologic tests to obtain data for use in diagnosis and treatment of patients. Job Responsibilities and Requirements: PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES • Responsible for identifying and isolating infectious disease-causing organisms Performs a full range of laboratory tests from simple blood tests to more complex tests. • Recognize unusual antimicrobial susceptibility results and troubleshoot the issue. • Responsible for conducting examinations on specimens collected from patients for bacterial, viral, protozoan and fungal infections. • Isolate and make cultures of bacteria or other microorganisms in prescribed media, controlling moisture, aeration, temperature, and nutrition. • Responsible for receiving and analyzing laboratory specimens and reporting results in a timely manner in accordance with Laboratory Policies and Procedures. • Examines physiological, morphological, and cultural characteristics, using a microscope, to identify and classify microorganisms in human specimens. • Responsible for independently performing, interpreting, and correlating related tests to assist physicians in diagnosis and treatment. • Interprets test reports and communicates findings to physicians. • Escalates unusual, critical or abnormal results. • Operates complex electronic equipment, computers and precision instruments. • Performs and evaluates quality control procedures. • Maintains accuracy of equipment and reagents by performing established preventive maintenance procedures. • Assists providers in choosing appropriate lab test. • Evaluates new testing methods. • Operates, maintains, calibrates and troubleshoots instruments. • Assists with the proper storage of hazardous materials. • Maintains competencies and continuing education to keep informed of new developments in field. • Assists in the proficiency testing program in the lab. • Works in a constant state of alertness and safe manner. • Performs other duties as assigned. EDUCATION • Bachelor's degree or equivalent years of experience and education EXPERIENCE • No experience required PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS • Frequent lifting/carrying and pushing/pulling objects weighing 0-25 lbs. • Frequent sitting, standing, walking, reaching and repetitive foot/leg and hand/arm movements. • Frequent use of vision and depth perception for distances near (20 inches or less) and far (20 feet or more) and to identify and distinguish colors. • Frequent use of hearing and speech to share information through oral communication. Ability to hear alarms, malfunctioning machinery, etc. • Frequent keyboard use/data entry. • Occasional bending, stooping, kneeling, squatting, twisting and gripping. • Occasional lifting/carrying and pushing/pulling objects weighing 25-50 lbs. • Rare climbing. REQUIRED PROFESSIONAL LICENSE AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS State of Work Location: Illinois • Clinical Chemist - California Department of Public Health • Or • Clinical Chemist Scientist - California Department of Public Health • Or • Clinical Hematologist Scientist - California Department of Public Health • Or • Clinical Laboratory Personnel - Florida Department of Health • Or • Clinical Laboratory Practitioners - West Virginia Department of Health • Or • Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Generalist) - California Department of Public Health • Or • Clinical Laboratory Specialist - ND Board of Clinical Laboratory Practice • Or • Clinical Laboratory Specialist - State of Hawaii, Department of Health • Or • Clinical Microbiologist - California Department of Public Health • Or • Clinical Microbiologist Scientist - California Department of Public Health • Or • CLS – Clinical Laboratory Scientist License - Montana Department of Labor & Industry • Or • CLS – Clinical Laboratory Scientist - New York State Education Department • Or • CLS – Clinical Laboratory Specialist License - Montana Department of Labor & Industry • Or • CLS - Generalist - Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners • Or • CLS - Specialist - Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners • Or • CLS - Technician - Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners • Or • Laboratory Personnel - TN Department of Health • Or • Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Medical Lab Personnel - Department of Health and Human Services Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH) • Or • Medical Lab Scientist (MLS) - American Medical Technologists (AMT) • Or • Medical Technologist (MT)/Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) - ND Board of Clinical Laboratory Practice • Or • Medical Technologist (MT) - American Association for Bioanalysts (AAB) • Or • Medical Technologist (MT) - American Medical Technologists (AMT) • Or • Medical Technologist (MT) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Medical Technologist - State of Hawaii, Department of Health • Or • Microbiology Technologist (M) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Molecular Biology Technologist (MB) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Specialist in Blood Banking (SBB) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Specialist in Chemistry (SC) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Specialist in Cytology (SCT) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Specialist in Cytometry (SCYM) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Specialist in Microbiology (SM) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Specialist in Molecular Biology (SMB) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) State of Work Location: Missouri • Blood Bank Technologist (BB) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Chemistry Technologist (C) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Clinical Chemist - California Department of Public Health • Or • Clinical Chemist Scientist - California Department of Public Health • Or • Clinical Hematologist Scientist - California Department of Public Health • Or • Clinical Laboratory Personnel - Florida Department of Health • Or • Clinical Laboratory Practitioners - West Virginia Department of Health • Or • Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Generalist) - California Department of Public Health • Or • Clinical Laboratory Specialist - ND Board of Clinical Laboratory Practice • Or • Clinical Laboratory Specialist - State of Hawaii, Department of Health • Or • Clinical Laboratory Technician (CLT) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Clinical Laboratory Technician - New York State Education Department • Or • Clinical Microbiologist - California Department of Public Health • Or • Clinical Microbiologist Scientist - California Department of Public Health • Or • CLS – Clinical Laboratory Scientist License - Montana Department of Labor & Industry • Or • CLS – Clinical Laboratory Scientist - New York State Education Department • Or • CLS – Clinical Laboratory Specialist License - Montana Department of Labor & Industry • Or • CLS – Clinical Laboratory Technician License - Montana Department of Labor & Industry • Or • CLS - Generalist - Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners • Or • CLS - Specialist - Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners • Or • CLS - Technician - Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners • Or • Cytogenetics Technologist (CG) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Hematology Technologist (H) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Laboratory Personnel - TN Department of Health • Or • Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT)/Clinical Laboratory Technician (CLT) - ND Board of Clinical Laboratory Practice • Or • Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) - American Association for Bioanalysts (AAB) • Or • Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) - American Medical Technologists (AMT) • Or • Medical Laboratory Technician - California Department of Public Health • Or • Medical Laboratory Technician - State of Hawaii, Department of Health • Or • Medical Lab Personnel - Department of Health and Human Services Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH) • Or • Medical Lab Scientist (MLS) - American Medical Technologists (AMT) • Or • Medical Technologist (MT)/Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) - ND Board of Clinical Laboratory Practice • Or • Medical Technologist (MT) - American Association for Bioanalysts (AAB) • Or • Medical Technologist (MT) - American Medical Technologists (AMT) • Or • Medical Technologist (MT) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Medical Technologist - State of Hawaii, Department of Health • Or • Microbiology Technologist (M) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Molecular Biology Technologist (MB) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Specialist in Blood Banking (SBB) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Specialist in Chemistry (SC) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Specialist in Cytology (SCT) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Specialist in Cytometry (SCYM) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Specialist in Microbiology (SM) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Specialist in Molecular Biology (SMB) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) State of Work Location: Oklahoma • Clinical Chemist - California Department of Public Health • Or • Clinical Chemist Scientist - California Department of Public Health • Or • Clinical Hematologist Scientist - California Department of Public Health • Or • Clinical Laboratory Personnel - Florida Department of Health • Or • Clinical Laboratory Practitioners - West Virginia Department of Health • Or • Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Generalist) - California Department of Public Health • Or • Clinical Laboratory Specialist - ND Board of Clinical Laboratory Practice • Or • Clinical Laboratory Specialist - State of Hawaii, Department of Health • Or • Clinical Microbiologist - California Department of Public Health • Or • Clinical Microbiologist Scientist - California Department of Public Health • Or • CLS – Clinical Laboratory Scientist License - Montana Department of Labor & Industry • Or • CLS – Clinical Laboratory Scientist - New York State Education Department • Or • CLS – Clinical Laboratory Specialist License - Montana Department of Labor & Industry • Or • CLS - Generalist - Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners • Or • CLS - Specialist - Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners • Or • CLS - Technician - Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners • Or • Laboratory Personnel - TN Department of Health • Or • Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Medical Lab Personnel - Department of Health and Human Services Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH) • Or • Medical Lab Scientist (MLS) - American Medical Technologists (AMT) • Or • Medical Technologist (MT)/Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) - ND Board of Clinical Laboratory Practice • Or • Medical Technologist (MT) - American Association for Bioanalysts (AAB) • Or • Medical Technologist (MT) - American Medical Technologists (AMT) • Or • Medical Technologist (MT) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Medical Technologist - State of Hawaii, Department of Health • Or • Microbiology Technologist (M) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Molecular Biology Technologist (MB) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Specialist in Blood Banking (SBB) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Specialist in Chemistry (SC) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Specialist in Cytology (SCT) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Specialist in Cytometry (SCYM) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Specialist in Microbiology (SM) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Specialist in Molecular Biology (SMB) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)) State of Work Location: Oklahoma • Blood Bank Technologist (BB) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Chemistry Technologist (C) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Clinical Chemist - California Department of Public Health • Or • Clinical Chemist Scientist - California Department of Public Health • Or • Clinical Hematologist Scientist - California Department of Public Health • Or • Clinical Laboratory Personnel - Florida Department of Health • Or • Clinical Laboratory Practitioners - West Virginia Department of Health • Or • Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Generalist) - California Department of Public Health • Or • Clinical Laboratory Specialist - ND Board of Clinical Laboratory Practice • Or • Clinical Laboratory Specialist - State of Hawaii, Department of Health • Or • Clinical Laboratory Technician (CLT) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Clinical Laboratory Technician - New York State Education Department • Or • Clinical Microbiologist - California Department of Public Health • Or • Clinical Microbiologist Scientist - California Department of Public Health • Or • CLS – Clinical Laboratory Scientist License - Montana Department of Labor & Industry • Or • CLS – Clinical Laboratory Scientist - New York State Education Department • Or • CLS – Clinical Laboratory Specialist License - Montana Department of Labor & Industry • Or • CLS – Clinical Laboratory Technician License - Montana Department of Labor & Industry • Or • CLS - Generalist - Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners • Or • CLS - Specialist - Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners • Or • CLS - Technician - Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners • Or • Cytogenetics Technologist (CG) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Hematology Technologist (H) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Laboratory Personnel - TN Department of Health • Or • Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT)/Clinical Laboratory Technician (CLT) - ND Board of Clinical Laboratory Practice • Or • Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) - American Association for Bioanalysts (AAB) • Or • Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) - American Medical Technologists (AMT) • Or • Medical Laboratory Technician - California Department of Public Health • Or • Medical Laboratory Technician - State of Hawaii, Department of Health • Or • Medical Lab Personnel - Department of Health and Human Services Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH) • Or • Medical Lab Scientist (MLS) - American Medical Technologists (AMT) • Or • Medical Technologist (MT)/Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) - ND Board of Clinical Laboratory Practice • Or • Medical Technologist (MT) - American Association for Bioanalysts (AAB) • Or • Medical Technologist (MT) - American Medical Technologists (AMT) • Or • Medical Technologist (MT) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Medical Technologist - State of Hawaii, Department of Health • Or • Microbiology Technologist (M) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Molecular Biology Technologist (MB) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Specialist in Blood Banking (SBB) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Specialist in Chemistry (SC) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Specialist in Cytology (SCT) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Specialist in Cytometry (SCYM) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Specialist in Microbiology (SM) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Specialist in Molecular Biology (SMB) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Work Shift: Evening Shift (United States of America) Job Type: Employee Department: 3405000007 Lab - Microbiology Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40 SSM Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. SSM Health provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Click here to learn more.

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