Common Healthcare Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

Preparing to answer interview questions for healthcare positions can help you stand out among other applicants. Employers choose their interview questions for specific reasons, and your answers show them your skills, abilities and dedication to your career. 

Reviewing a list of common questions allows you to reflect on your education, acquired skills and field experience to prepare answers in advance. The more you prepare, the more relaxed and confident you will feel during the interview.

Common Medical Interview Questions and Answers

Giving knowledgeable, insightful answers to healthcare interview questions can increase your chances of obtaining a position. The questions you face may vary based on the specific job you apply for. For example, some medical assistant interview questions may differ slightly from anesthesia technician questions. However, most employers ask variations of interview questions that will gauge your character, personality and dedication.

Healthcare can be a competitive field, but the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects healthcare occupation employment to grow 13% between 2021 and 2031. Interview preparation can help you stand out and start your career. Practice answering the following common healthcare interview questions and prompts to prepare for your next interview.

1. Tell Us About Yourself

 

Most interviewers begin with a conversation starter, prompting you to describe your educational and career background. This open-ended question is an excellent opportunity to highlight your accomplishments, list the degrees you have earned and explain your specific experience. 

Mention internships, jobs and any degree or certificate programs you’ve completed that qualify you for the position. You should focus on the parts of your background that contributed most to your acquired skills and passion for healthcare. 

2. What Do You Consider Your Greatest Strength?

You probably have several strengths that qualify you for a healthcare position. However, a creative answer to this question is essential for impressing a potential employer. 

Avoid discussing common strengths such as punctuality and organizational skills — employers expect all employees to possess these skills. Instead, focus on specific skills related to the position you are interviewing for. For example, you could emphasize your bedside manner or ability to solve problems quickly.

3. What Do You Consider Your Greatest Weakness?

Everyone has weaknesses. An interviewer who asks this question wants to determine how well you handle your weaknesses and plan to grow. Answering this question honestly displays your sincerity and self-awareness. 

Explain a weakness related to the healthcare field, then describe what you do to combat it and how you plan to improve in that area. 

4. What Made You Want to Enter the Healthcare Field?

Asking you what made you pursue a career in healthcare helps interviewers understand your dedication. Describe your passion for the field and mention any significant life moments that inspired you. When an interviewer asks this question, you should also express enthusiasm and interest in healthcare research and advancement. An interest in the industry’s advancement shows that you are motivated to help the company grow and improve.

5. Why Do You Want to Work Here?

An employer asking why you want to work for them is your opportunity to impress them with knowledge about their company. Research the company thoroughly before your interview, taking note of any specific goals or ideals they strive for. Be ready to discuss what you respect about the company and how your particular skills can benefit it.

6. Why Did You Leave Your Previous Position?

The reason you left your previous position can indicate whether you will be the right fit for the job you are applying for. You may have left to seek higher pay, a more positive work environment, a different schedule, a lighter workload or a more rewarding career. 

Explaining why you left a position and what you are looking for helps an employer determine if they can meet your needs and if you can meet their expectations. Make sure to frame your answer positively. For example, if you left a job because you're seeking a higher salary, you could explain that you learned new skills and are looking to move up in your position.

7. How Do You View the Healthcare Field’s Future?

The organization you’re interviewing for likely has specific healthcare initiatives. They may be to improve patient care and outcomes, advance medical technology and research or achieve a different goal. An interviewer might ask how you view the future of healthcare as a way to gauge how well you can contribute to the company’s goals.

Your answer can focus on industry challenges and how you would like to help solve them or on industry innovations and your passion for helping them advance. Display your industry and community knowledge by discussing recent studies or current events that have impacted healthcare. You can then express your interest in potential developments, trends and studies that may move the industry forward. It’s also important to describe how you plan to contribute to healthcare improvement in that area.

8. How Do You Remain Informed About Healthcare Advancements?

 

Describing how you keep up with healthcare advancements shows how knowledgeable and aware you are of the field you’re entering. Healthcare technology and practices change often, and providers must grow with the industry’s advancements. Discussing healthcare industry issues and developments shows an employer that you can evolve in your career and adapt to changes effectively. Mention the healthcare news websites, blogs and organizations that you follow regularly.

9. How Would You Communicate Sensitive or Upsetting News to Patients and Their Families?

Working in the healthcare field may require you to communicate upsetting news to patients or their family members. One of the most common hospital interview questions is how you would react in this situation. An employer wants to know that you can handle these conversations professionally and compassionately. 

You can tell the interviewer about a time you delivered upsetting news in the past and explain how you communicated the news in a way that respected the patient’s grief. Explain that you would share the news in terms that are easy to understand and give the patient time to ask questions. 

10. How Would You Approach an Interaction With a Challenging Patient?

Healthcare employers want to hire individuals who can handle challenging situations professionally. If an interviewer asks how you would approach a challenging patient or interaction, explain how you would express empathy, understanding and mutual respect. Describe how you would connect with the patient, listen to them attentively, seek to understand their concerns, express compassion and meet their needs. 

11. How Have You Interacted With a Challenging Patient in the Past?

An interviewer may also ask how you have handled challenging patients in the past to evaluate your bedside manner. Before your interview, reflect on a previous experience that challenged you and how you met the patient’s needs and reacted professionally. 

If you are interviewing for an entry-level position and lack previous job experience, you can use an experience from an internship you completed. You could also mention a situation you observed while learning and describe how you would handle the situation differently. 

12. Explain How You Have Handled Conflict With a Team Member in the Past

Employers want to ensure their employees can work well as a team. You can describe how you have handled a conflict with a co-worker in the past to showcase your problem-solving and teamwork skills. You can also explain how you might handle a similar situation better in the future to demonstrate your growth in this area.

13. How Do You Handle Mistakes?

Everyone makes mistakes. An employer wants to know how well you recognize and rectify personal errors. You can use a past mistake as an example or explain in detail how you would approach a mistake in the future. Express that you address mistakes before they cause larger challenges and take action to prevent yourself from repeating the mistake.

14. How Do You Receive Feedback?

Feedback is necessary for growth and improvement and is essential in any career field. As a healthcare professional, you will receive feedback in person and on surveys from co-workers, supervisors, patients and their families. 

Explain how you use negative feedback to improve your skills. This question is an excellent opportunity to show how you used negative feedback in the past. Describe the feedback you received and the steps you took to improve the care you provide. You should also mention to the interviewer that you welcome feedback and view it as a tool for growth.

15. What Type of Care Do Elderly Patients Need?

Patients of various demographics often require different care, so an employer might ask how you would alter your care approach for an elderly patient. You can mention that you might give them extra time to ask questions, respect their desire to maintain independence and provide them with time and connection to combat loneliness.

16. How Would You Alter Your Care Approach for a Pediatric Patient?

Pediatric patients also require special care. When caring for a child, you may need to explain procedures to both the young patient and their parents or guardians. The ability to explain tests and procedures in a way a child can understand is essential. 

Explain how you would communicate information to children to ease their anxieties. For example, you might explain an I.V. to a child by saying, “We are going to give you some medicine to help you feel better.” Having some key phrases ready shows the interviewer you are prepared to care for patients of all ages.

17. How Would You Handle a Situation if a Patient Withholds Important Information?

Explaining how you would approach a patient withholding information shows an employer how well you can analyze patient needs. Describe a past situation when you needed to gather more information than a client disclosed. 

You may have taken extra steps to reassure the patient and make them feel comfortable sharing information, asked a family member to leave the room or asked additional questions. If you haven’t encountered this situation yet, describe how you would handle a similar situation in the future.

18. How Would You Reassure a Patient Who Feels Nervous About a Test or Procedure?

Helping patients feel comfortable and easing their fears is a crucial part of bedside manner. Tests and medical procedures can be unsettling or scary for patients, and an employer will want to hire professionals who can reassure patients. 

If an interviewer asks this question, tell them how you would explain the procedure in more detail if the patient desires more information, answer any questions they have and help them practice some relaxation techniques. 

19. Tell Us About a Time You Exceeded a Patient’s Expectations

Interviewers might ask you to describe a time you applied extra effort when delivering patient care. Taking extra time to ensure your patients receive the care they need shows that you prioritize compassion and empathy. Tell the interviewer about a time you provided extra care for a patient and describe how it impacted the patient positively. This information expresses your dedication to your responsibilities.

20. Describe Your Career Goals

While employers like to see that you are goal-oriented, they also look for employees they expect will remain with the company. Show enthusiasm and explain that your short-term goal is to obtain a position with the company. You can then mention your long-term plan with the company. For example, you might express your desire to move up to new positions or help the company advance in research or patient care.

21. Why Are You the Right Person for This Position?

When an interviewer asks why they should hire you for a position, it’s an excellent opportunity to highlight your skills, qualities, dedication and flexibility. Emphasize your skills that apply directly to the company and the position you’re applying for to show the employer why you’re the best choice. 

Questions to Ask in a Healthcare Interview

Asking questions at the end of an interview shows the interviewer that you are interested in the organization and dedicated to meeting their needs. Ask at least a few of the following questions after an interview:

• Can you describe the company’s culture?
• What type of professional development opportunities do you offer?
• What are your expectations for this position?
• How do you promote a healthy work-life balance?
• Do you provide opportunities to educate aspiring healthcare professionals or help the community?
• Does your organization offer opportunities for employees to participate in medical studies and research?
• Where do you see the company in five years, and how would this position help me achieve my goals?

How to Make a Positive Impression

Practicing clinical questions for an interview is the best way to prepare for an interview, but you can also impress a potential employer with the following tips:

• Dress appropriately and arrive early.
• Bring additional copies of your resume and cover letter. 
• Review the job description and company website before arriving.
• Offer a firm handshake and be enthusiastic.
• Maintain good eye contact.
• Send a thank-you email following the interview.

Learn More About Healthcare Careers

 

Starting or advancing your healthcare career is exciting, and proper preparation can help you impress potential employers. AIMS Education College of Health Sciences offers degree and certificate programs for various healthcare careers. AIMS students can take advantage of helpful career development services to practice interview skills, prepare resumes, learn career networking strategies and master job search techniques.

Visit the AIMS blog to learn more about the healthcare field and how you can advance your career. Browse our healthcare degree and certificate programs to choose the best program for you. You can also register for a virtual info session to discover all that AIMS has to offer.