Find out what abilities and attributes recruiters seek in a drug safety associate (DSA), what questions you may receive, and how you should respond.
To keep the public safe, DSAs oversee the quality and performance of all drugs on the market. Checking for potential hazards. Noting the benefits of new and existing medications.
To get a drug safety associate job, you’ll undergo an interview. Where you’ll need to know how to answer the most common interview questions. We’ve compiled a collection of DSA interview questions and answers for you to use as a reference.
Are you familiar with the various laboratory equipment used to conduct drug and pharmaceutical product testing?
These are some questions interviewers might ask a drug safety associate during an interview. Express your knowledge of laboratory equipment. Along with usage. While testing drugs, chemicals, and other pharmaceutical products.
You could say that from testing drugs and products, you are familiar with a wide range of laboratory equipment. As a DSA, it was part of your job to check and maintain all the lab equipment. Along with adhering to all federal laws when running tests.
What attributes does a DSA need?
Interviewers ask this question to ensure that you possess the right qualifications for the position. Someone who can work well in a team is being sought. When answering, consider what your previous employers valued in you. Then include those in your response.
A brilliant answer could also include how you believe a drug safety associate should be well-organized and meticulous in their work. Keep track of client information. Have a good grasp of interpersonal and verbal skills. While reporting all communication concerns and questions to coworkers and managers.
What steps would you take if you discovered an error in your work?
Interviewers use this question often. As it can shine a light on how you handle difficulties and mistakes. So, your answer needs to highlight your ability to solve problems and learn from mistakes, along with your dedication to producing high-quality work.
Your answer could include how you discovered a mistake in your work. Worked to figure it out and how you’d fix any future mistake right away. Or you should ask the person who caused the problem to fix it. If it can’t be determined who made the mistake, you should document it. Making it a point to communicate any issues or concerns with colleagues.
What are your thoughts on drug safety testing involving animals?
This question lets the interviewer know if you’ve worked in regulated environments before. It also helps them understand if they have any objections to the use of animals in scientific research. Your boss may ask how you would handle it if you were working for them.
A great way to answer this question could be to say that using an animal for testing is not something you’re used to. That when the FDA required drug testing on mice and rats in your previous position, you treated the animals well, making sure they were safe during testing procedures. However, you feel the use of animals in drug testing is unnecessary and believe there are better alternatives.
Share a time you explained a complicated scientific concept to a non-scientific audience.
Using this question, the interviewer will gauge your ability to simplify complex information. Use examples from prior roles. Such as when you need to explain complex scientific concepts to non-specialists.
Working with scientists to develop new drug safety protocols was a part of your previous job. You meet once a week to keep each other up to date on the project and discuss drug side effects and how to test for them. Some scientists were very technical in their explanations of the testing procedures. So, you asked them if they could use less technical language so that everyone could follow along.
With drug safety, what would you change if you had the power to do so, and why?
This question is ideal to gauge your critical thinking and knowledge of the drug-safety process. Your response should highlight that you are aware of the current system but also have ideas for improving it.
You could share that you feel it is time for the FDA to approve new drugs faster. That you believe there are ways to speed up the process without sacrificing quality. While making sure these medications are safe for consumers. Having more FDA resources or streamlining their approval process, for example, could be beneficial.
What would you do if you discovered an error in a drug trial?
In the pharmaceutical industry, drug trials are a common occurrence. So, employers want to know that you can follow directions. By answering this question well, you can show that you’re meticulous and willing to take charge if necessary.
Your answer should be that you would first make sure you understood the error. You should then notify your supervisor or manager so that they can fix the problem before the patient takes their medication. Next, call the patient if they can’t fix it on time for their scheduled dose and reschedule their appointment if necessary.
How well do you cope with high levels of stress and pressure?
Your ability to work under pressure will be in question when asked this by potential employers. They want to see if you can handle a busy work environment. Tell them by recalling a high-pressure situation you’ve been in before and how you handled it.
You could say that, as a former employee of a large corporation, you know how to deal with deadlines. That in your previous position. You were in charge of new drug tests before being available to the general population. It was common for you to be working on multiple projects at the same time. In meeting the due date for all of your assignments, you developed good time management skills.
Conclusion
Using these tips will be a great help in gaining your future drug safety associate’s job.
