20 Brigham and Women’s Hospital Interview Questions and Answers

When you go to an interview at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience in the medical field, your knowledge of hospital procedures, and your ability to work with patients. You may also be asked questions about your ability to work in a team environment and your ability to handle stress.

Brigham and Women’s Hospital Interview Process

The interview process at Brigham and Women’s Hospital can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one in-person interview. For some positions, like Research Assistants, you may have to interview with multiple people. The interview process can take up to a month to complete.

1. Why do you want to work at Brigham and Women’s Hospital?

This question is an opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the position and the hospital. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific aspect of Brigham and Women’s Hospital that you are excited about or what drew you to apply in the first place.

Example: “I am passionate about working with patients who have cancer because I believe everyone deserves access to quality healthcare. In my last role as a nurse, I worked with many patients who had cancer, and I found that I was able to make a real difference in their lives by providing them with compassionate care. I would love to continue doing this work at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.”

2. What is your experience with research as it relates to the position?

Brigham and Women’s Hospital is a research-based facility, so it’s important that the candidate has experience with research. This question allows you to show your knowledge of the position and how you can contribute to the hospital’s mission.

Example: “I have been working as a nurse for five years now, but I’ve always had an interest in research. In my last role, I worked closely with one of the doctors on his research project. He was looking into ways to reduce patient stress during their stay at the hospital. We found that patients who listened to classical music while they were being treated experienced less anxiety than those who didn’t listen to music. The doctor published our findings in a medical journal.”

3. Describe a time that you had to prioritize multiple tasks, how did you decide which should come first?

This question can help an interviewer understand how you manage your time and prioritize tasks. Use examples from previous work experiences to describe how you managed multiple projects or assignments at once, and explain the steps you took to ensure that all of your responsibilities were completed on time.

Example: “At my last job, I had two managers who gave me different deadlines for completing a project. One manager wanted the project done by the end of the week while the other wanted it finished within the next month. I decided to complete the shorter deadline first so that I could then focus on the larger task without worrying about meeting another deadline.”

4. Tell us about a project or accomplishment that you consider to be the most significant in your career.

This question is a great way to learn more about the applicant’s career and how they view their own work. It can also help you determine if the applicant would be a good fit for your organization, as it gives you an idea of what they value in their professional life.

Example: “I consider my most significant accomplishment to be when I was working at my previous hospital. We were short-staffed on nurses one night, so I volunteered to stay late to cover some shifts. While I was there, I noticed that we had run out of supplies, which meant that patients weren’t getting the care they needed. So, I called around to other hospitals to see if they had any extra supplies we could borrow. Luckily, another hospital had just gotten a new shipment, so they sent us enough supplies to last until our next delivery.”

5. Do you have any experience working with patients who are terminally ill?

This question can help interviewers determine if you have experience working with patients who are experiencing a difficult time in their lives. If you do, they may want to know how you handled the situation and what skills you used to support your patient.

Example: “I worked as a nurse at a community hospital for three years where I cared for terminally ill patients. One of my favorite parts of that job was getting to know each patient and their families. It was important to me to get to know them so I could provide the best care possible. I would spend extra time talking to them about their symptoms and answering any questions they had.”

6. How would you handle upsetting news for a patient?

This question can help interviewers assess your ability to handle difficult situations. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation and how you helped the patient through it.

Example: “When I was working in my previous hospital, I had a patient who came into the emergency room with severe abdominal pain. After examining her, I found that she was pregnant and experiencing contractions. She was only six months along, so we needed to deliver the baby immediately. The mother was understandably upset, but I explained everything to her and assured her that we would do everything we could to ensure both her and the baby’s health. We delivered the baby successfully, and the mother recovered well.”

7. Have you ever dealt with an angry family member of a patient? How did you deal with them?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle difficult situations and your ability to remain calm under pressure. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation where you had to deal with an angry family member or friend of a patient and the steps you took to resolve the issue.

Example: “I have worked in healthcare for many years now, so I’ve encountered my fair share of upset family members and friends. In one instance, I was working as a nurse on a pediatric floor when a young boy fell off his bike and scraped up his knee. His mother became very upset because she thought he needed stitches, but after examining him we determined that he didn’t need any medical attention. I calmly explained our reasoning to her and assured her that he would be fine.”

8. How well do you think you will fit into our team environment?

Brigham and Women’s Hospital is a large medical center that offers many different career opportunities. The interviewer wants to know if you have the personality traits necessary to fit into their team environment. Show them your interpersonal skills by describing how you work well with others.

Example: “I am very personable, which makes me great at working in teams. I enjoy collaborating with my colleagues and helping them solve problems. In fact, I find it rewarding when I can help someone else learn something new or overcome an obstacle. I think Brigham and Women’s Hospital would be a great place for me because of its collaborative culture.”

9. When was the last time you were upset at work, what happened and how did you deal with it?

This question is a behavioral one, which means the interviewer wants to know how you’ve reacted in a challenging situation in the past. This can help them determine if you’re likely to react similarly in their workplace.

Example: “I was working with a patient who had been experiencing symptoms for several months and I couldn’t figure out what was wrong. It was frustrating because I knew there were answers but we just weren’t finding them. Finally, I took a step back and asked my team members for their opinions on what could be causing the issue. One of them suggested that it might be an underlying condition, so we ordered some additional tests and found that this was indeed the case.”

10. Research assistants must be able to communicate complex information clearly. Can you give me an example of when you did this in the past?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you can communicate effectively with others. When answering this question, it’s important to provide a specific example of when you had to explain complex information and how you did so successfully.

Example: “In my last position as a research assistant, I was tasked with explaining the results of our study to the lead researcher. The study involved several different variables, which made it difficult to understand for some people. However, I prepared by reviewing the data thoroughly and practicing my presentation until I felt comfortable enough to clearly convey the findings.”

11. We value teamwork here at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, can you tell me about a time where you had to collaborate with others on a project?

Brigham and Women’s Hospital wants to know that you can work well with others. This question is a great way for them to learn more about your teamwork skills, so be sure to give an example of when you worked well with others on a project or task.

Example: “At my previous job, I had the opportunity to work with a team of nurses who were all working in different areas of the hospital. We would meet once a week to discuss our patients and how we could help each other out. For instance, if one nurse was short-staffed, another nurse might be able to cover their shift. It was a great experience because it taught me how important teamwork is.”

12. The hospital is a fast paced environment, do you think you could thrive in this type of environment?

Brigham and Women’s Hospital is a fast-paced environment, so the interviewer may ask this question to see if you can handle working in an intense setting. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention your ability to multitask or prioritize tasks.

Example: “I think I would thrive in Brigham and Women’s Hospital because of my ability to multitask and manage many projects at once. In my previous role as a nurse, I often had several patients that required my attention at the same time. I am used to prioritizing tasks and making sure all of my patients receive the care they need.”

13. In order to be successful as a postdoctoral fellow, one needs to keep up with current trends in their field. What tools do you use to stay informed?

This question can help an interviewer understand your commitment to professional development and how you plan to continue learning throughout your career. Consider mentioning a few resources that have helped you in the past, or mention any new tools you’ve recently discovered.

Example: “I use several different websites and apps to stay informed about current research and developments in my field. I subscribe to newsletters from major medical journals and organizations like the American Medical Association. I also use social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook to follow experts in their respective fields. I find these sites are great for staying up-to-date on recent news and discoveries.”

14. At Brigham and Women’s Hospital, we focus on providing high quality care. Can you describe a situation where you provided exceptional customer service?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you value the quality of care you provide patients. Use examples from your experience where you went above and beyond for a patient or their family.

Example: “I once had a patient who was very nervous about her upcoming surgery. She asked me many questions, which I answered as best as I could. When she still seemed anxious after our conversation, I offered to meet with her husband so he could ask any remaining questions he had. He appreciated my willingness to help him understand his wife’s procedure.”

15. As a medical assistant, you need to be comfortable talking with people who may not speak English fluently. How would you feel about this?

Brigham and Women’s Hospital is a large medical center that serves many patients who speak English as a second language. The interviewer wants to make sure you are comfortable communicating with these patients, especially if they have limited or no English skills.

Example: “I am fluent in Spanish, so I would be able to communicate with most of the patients at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. If someone doesn’t speak English, I always try my best to find someone who can translate for them. For example, when I worked at a hospital in Miami, we had a lot of Spanish-speaking patients. We hired bilingual staff members to help us communicate with our patients.”

16. Our registered nurses often work independently. Do you prefer working alone or with a team?

This question helps the interviewer determine if you are a good fit for their organization. It also allows them to understand your personality and how it might affect your work style. When answering this question, consider what type of environment you would be most comfortable in. Explain why that environment is best for you.

Example: “I prefer working with a team because I find it more motivating than working alone. However, I am confident enough in my abilities to work independently when necessary. In fact, I enjoy having time to myself to reflect on patients’ progress.”

17. Registered nurses need to be efficient and organized. What strategies do you use to ensure you’re getting all of your duties done?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your work ethic and how you plan out your day. Your answer should include an example of how you prioritize tasks, manage time and stay organized.

Example: “I use my planner to keep track of all of my assignments for each shift. I also use my phone calendar to set reminders so that I don’t forget any important dates or events. For instance, I have a recurring reminder on my phone every Monday morning at 8 am to check my schedule for the week.”

18. We strive to provide a safe and healthy environment for our patients and employees. How important is safety to you?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your commitment to safety and how you would fit in with the team. To answer, consider what steps you take to ensure a safe environment for patients and employees.

Example: “I believe that patient and employee safety is one of the most important aspects of my job. I always make sure to follow all hospital policies and procedures when caring for patients. For example, if I notice something unsafe or out of compliance, I will report it immediately so we can address it as soon as possible. In addition, I am always willing to help others improve their own safety practices.”

19. If a patient has questions that you don’t know the answer to, how would you respond?

This question can help interviewers determine how you would respond to a challenging situation. It’s important to show that you’re willing to learn and develop new skills, especially if the position requires you to work with patients who have complex medical needs.

Example: “If I don’t know the answer to a patient’s question, I will do my best to find out as much information as possible. If it’s after hours or I’m unable to reach another doctor, I’ll explain this to the patient and offer them an alternative solution until I can get more information.”

20. We believe that compassion is very important for nurses. Can you give an example of a time when you showed compassion to someone else?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have a caring personality and are willing to help others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a specific example from your past where you helped someone else in some way.

Example: “I believe that compassion is one of the most important qualities for a nurse to have. In my last position as a registered nurse at St. Mary’s Hospital, I had a patient who was very anxious about her upcoming surgery. She asked me if I could stay with her during her procedure so she wouldn’t feel alone. I agreed to do so, and when the time came for her surgery, I stayed by her side until she fell asleep. After the surgery, she thanked me profusely for staying with her and said it made her feel much more comfortable.”