Top interview questions to expect

1. Tell me about a time you had to deal with a difficult patient or family member.
2. Describe a situation where you had to prioritize multiple tasks and how you managed to stay organized.
3. Give me an example of a time when you had to use your problem-solving skills to resolve an issue.
4. Tell me about a time when you had to work as part of a team to achieve a common goal.
5. Describe a situation where you had to overcome a challenge or obstacle in your work.
6. Give me an example of a time when you had to use your communication skills to resolve a conflict.
7. Tell me about a time when you had to go above and beyond to help a patient or their family.

Answering interview questions with STAR structure

The STAR framework is a commonly used method for answering behavioral interview questions. It stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. Here’s how you can use it:

* Situation: Briefly describe the situation or context in which the event took place.
* Task: Explain the task or challenge you were faced with.
* Action: Describe the specific actions you took to address the situation or complete the task.
* Result: Discuss the outcome or result of your actions, highlighting any positive impact or resolution.

Using the STAR framework helps you provide structured and comprehensive answers that emphasize your skills, abilities, and achievements.

Sample answers to above interview questions

1. Tell me about a time you had to deal with a difficult patient or family member.

Example Answer:

Situation: I was working as a Health Information Technician at a busy hospital when I encountered a patient who was very anxious and upset about their diagnosis.

Task: My task was to gather the patient’s medical information and explain their treatment plan.

Action: I took the time to listen to the patient’s concerns and explain their condition in a clear and compassionate manner. I also offered to answer any questions they had and provided them with resources to help them cope with their diagnosis.

Result: The patient eventually calmed down and was able to understand their treatment plan. They expressed their gratitude for my patience and empathy.

* This answer is strong because it demonstrates the candidate’s ability to remain calm and professional under pressure, as well as their strong communication and empathy skills. It also highlights the candidate’s ability to provide patients with the information and support they need.

2. Describe a situation where you had to prioritize multiple tasks and how you managed to stay organized.

Example Answer:

Situation: I was working on a project that required me to gather and analyze a large amount of data. I also had several other tasks that needed to be completed by the end of the week.

Task: My task was to prioritize the tasks and manage my time effectively to ensure that all deadlines were met.

Action: I created a to-do list and organized the tasks in order of importance and urgency. I also broke down the larger tasks into smaller, more manageable steps. I then set aside specific times each day to work on each task, making sure to take breaks to avoid burnout.

Result: I was able to complete all of the tasks on time and to a high standard. My manager praised me for my organizational skills and ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.

*This answer is strong because it demonstrates the candidate’s ability to prioritize tasks, manage their time effectively, and work independently. It also highlights the candidate’s ability to handle stress and meet deadlines.

3. Give me an example of a time when you had to use your problem-solving skills to resolve an issue.

Example Answer:

Situation: A patient’s medical records were accidentally deleted from our system.

Task: My task was to find a way to recover the records and ensure that the patient’s care was not compromised.

Action: I worked with the IT department to recover the records from a backup server. I also contacted the patient’s previous healthcare providers to obtain copies of their medical history.

Result: I was able to recover the patient’s records and ensure that their care was not interrupted. The patient and their family were very grateful for my efforts.

*This answer is strong because it demonstrates the candidate’s ability to remain calm under pressure, think critically, and solve problems effectively. It also highlights the candidate’s ability to work with others and communicate effectively.

4. Tell me about a time when you had to work as part of a team to achieve a common goal.

Example Answer:

Situation: I was part of a team that was tasked with implementing a new electronic health record (EHR) system at our hospital.

Task: My task was to work with the other team members to ensure that the EHR system was implemented successfully.

Action: I communicated regularly with the other team members to coordinate our efforts. I also provided training and support to the hospital staff on how to use the new system.

Result: The EHR system was implemented successfully and on time. The hospital staff was able to use the system effectively to improve patient care.

*This answer is strong because it demonstrates the candidate’s ability to work as part of a team, communicate effectively, and contribute to the achievement of a common goal. It also highlights the candidate’s ability to learn new things and adapt to change.

5. Describe a situation where you had to overcome a challenge or obstacle in your work.

Example Answer:

Situation: I was working on a project that was very complex and time-consuming. I also had several other projects that needed to be completed at the same time.

Task: My task was to find a way to overcome the challenges and complete all of the projects on time.

Action: I broke down the complex project into smaller, more manageable tasks. I also asked for help from my colleagues and worked extra hours to make sure that all of the projects were completed on time.

Result: I was able to overcome the challenges and complete all of the projects on time and to a high standard. My manager praised me for my perseverance and dedication.

*This answer is strong because it demonstrates the candidate’s ability to overcome challenges, manage their time effectively, and work independently. It also highlights the candidate’s ability to ask for help when needed.

6. Give me an example of a time when you had to use your communication skills to resolve a conflict.

Example Answer:

Situation: A patient was upset because they were not receiving the care they felt they needed.

Task: My task was to communicate with the patient and resolve the conflict.

Action: I listened to the patient’s concerns and explained their treatment plan in a clear and compassionate manner. I also offered to answer any questions they had and provided them with resources to help them cope with their illness.

Result: The patient eventually calmed down and was able to understand their treatment plan. They expressed their gratitude for my patience and empathy.

*This answer is strong because it demonstrates the candidate’s ability to communicate effectively, listen to others, and resolve conflicts. It also highlights the candidate’s ability to empathize with patients and their families.

7. Tell me about a time when you had to go above and beyond to help a patient or their family.

Example Answer:

Situation: A patient was very sick and their family was very worried.

Task: My task was to provide the patient and their family with the support and care they needed.

Action: I spent extra time with the patient and their family, answering their questions and providing them with emotional support. I also worked with the other healthcare providers to ensure that the patient was receiving the best possible care.

Result: The patient eventually recovered and the family was very grateful for my help. They sent me a thank-you card and expressed their appreciation for my compassion and dedication.

*This answer is strong because it demonstrates the candidate’s ability to go above and beyond to help patients and their families. It also highlights the candidate’s ability to provide compassionate care and support.