Molecular Technologist I (Extractions)
Posted Sep 29, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 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 proficiency testing you took part in. Why does it matter?
What they are checking: Understanding that proficiency testing proves the lab's results can be trusted under CLIA and CAP.
Tell me about a mistake you made in the lab. How did you handle it?
What they are checking: Honesty and quick reporting of errors, which is essential in clinical testing.
What would you do
A run fails quality control metrics. How do you work out whether it was the sample, the library or the instrument?
What they are checking: Systematic troubleshooting in a high complexity lab where reruns cost time for patients.
You notice a step in the SOP does not match how the team actually does it. What do you do?
What they are checking: Whether they follow the SOP and raise the gap properly rather than quietly doing their own thing.
How do you keep up with daily instrument maintenance while also meeting turnaround times?
What they are checking: Discipline to do maintenance even when busy, since skipped maintenance causes failed runs.
About the work
Walk me through a next-generation sequencing workflow you have run, from extracted nucleic acid to a sequencing run.
What they are checking: Hands-on NGS experience and understanding of library prep, quantification and loading steps.
How do you prevent contamination in a molecular lab?
What they are checking: Real habits around decontamination, workflow direction and controls, which NGS results depend on.
What does it mean to phase in a new lot of reagents, and what would you check?
What they are checking: Familiarity with lot qualification so new reagents do not quietly change results.
How do you document your work so someone could trace exactly what happened to a sample?
What they are checking: Good documentation practice that supports traceability and inspections.
What do you know about the requirements of working in a high complexity CLIA lab?
What they are checking: Awareness of regulatory expectations for personnel, records and quality in clinical testing.
Practice this interview out loud.
Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Tempus AI 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 loudThe full job description
As published by Tempus AI.