20 Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Interview Questions and Answers

When you go for a job interview, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions. However, if you’re interviewing for a position at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, you may encounter some questions that are specific to the company.

To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of some common Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia interview questions, along with sample answers. With these questions and answers in mind, you’ll be ready to take on anything the interviewer throws your way.

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Interview Process

The interview process at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) can vary depending on the position you are applying for. Generally, the process begins with an online application, followed by a phone screening with a recruiter. If you are selected to move forward in the process, you will be scheduled for one or more in-person interviews with relevant faculty and staff. In some cases, you may also be asked to complete a coding assessment or other skills test. Overall, the interview process is typically smooth and efficient, with good communication from CHOP throughout.

1. Why do you want to work at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia?

This question is an opportunity to show your interest in the hospital and its mission. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific program or service that you admire.

Example: “I want to work at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia because I have always admired this institution for its commitment to providing excellent care to children from all backgrounds. In my last position as a pediatric nurse, I saw firsthand how much The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia does to help families who are struggling financially. I would love to continue working with such a compassionate team.”

2. What is your philosophy when it comes to communication with patients and their families?

The interviewer will want to know how you approach communicating with patients and their families. This is an important part of the job, as it can help you build trust and rapport with your patients and their loved ones.

Example: “I believe that communication is key when working with patients and their families. I always make sure to explain procedures clearly and answer any questions they may have. If a family member or friend wants to be present during a procedure or treatment, I welcome them. I also encourage parents to ask me questions about their child’s care at any time.”

3. Describe a time where you had to make an ethical decision in the workplace, how did you handle it?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your decision-making process and how you handle challenging situations. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation in which you had to make an ethical choice and the steps you took to ensure that you made the right decision for yourself and your employer.

Example: “In my previous role as a pediatric nurse, I was caring for a young patient who was experiencing some behavioral issues. The child’s parents were not present during their hospital stay, so I was responsible for making sure they received proper care. During one of our visits, the child became upset and started throwing things around the room. I knew that if I called security, the child would likely be removed from the hospital until their parents arrived. Instead, I decided to try calming them down myself by talking with them and playing games. Eventually, we were able to get through the incident without calling security.”

4. What are some of your strengths?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you would fit in with their team. When answering, it can be helpful to think of a few specific examples that relate to the job description or what you learned from the job listing.

Example: “I am an excellent communicator who is always willing to help others. I have experience working as a receptionist at my current job, where I answer phones and greet patients and visitors. I also work well under pressure, which comes with being a receptionist. For example, when there are multiple people waiting for service, I make sure to give each person individual attention while still remaining efficient.”

5. Can you tell me about a time that you worked on a project that didn’t go as planned? How did you handle it?

This question can help an interviewer understand how you respond to challenges and whether you’re able to learn from your mistakes. When answering this question, it can be helpful to discuss a time when you faced a challenge but were still able to achieve the desired results.

Example: “When I was working as a pediatric nurse at a local hospital, we had a patient who needed surgery on their leg. The surgeon scheduled for that day called in sick, so another doctor took over the procedure. Unfortunately, during the operation, the new doctor accidentally cut off the child’s arm instead of their leg. Luckily, they were able to reattach the arm after the surgery. However, I learned that if something like this happens again, I should always ask for clarification about which limb needs to be operated on.”

6. What would you do if a patient was unresponsive?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your critical thinking skills and how you would respond in an emergency situation. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to ensure the patient’s safety and well-being.

Example: “If I noticed that a child was unresponsive, I would first check their breathing and pulse. If they were not breathing or had no pulse, I would immediately call for help and begin CPR. I would also ask another nurse to call 911 so we could get additional medical support as soon as possible.”

7. Tell us why you became a nurse?

This question is a great way to show your passion for the field and how you can benefit the hospital. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight what inspired you to become a nurse and why you enjoy working with children.

Example: “I became a nurse because I wanted to help others in need. Ever since I was young, I’ve always loved helping people, especially those who are sick or injured. Working as a pediatric nurse allows me to care for some of the most vulnerable patients while also providing them with comfort and support.”

8. In what ways do you think healthcare has changed over the last 10 years?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your knowledge of the healthcare industry and how you’ve adapted to changes in technology, medical advancements or other factors that have influenced the field. Use examples from your experience to explain how you’ve learned new skills or techniques to adapt to these changes.

Example: “In my previous role as a pediatric nurse practitioner, I saw many advances in technology that helped me provide better care for children. For example, when I first started working at the hospital, we didn’t have access to digital patient records. Now, all of our information is stored digitally, which makes it easier to share with doctors and specialists who are treating patients.”

9. If you were organizing a fundraiser for CHOP, what methods would you use to engage the community?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your fundraising skills and how you might contribute to the success of their organization. In your answer, try to highlight your communication and organizational skills as well as your creativity in planning events.

Example: “I would start by researching what types of fundraisers have been successful at other hospitals. I’d also reach out to local businesses for donations or discounts on services they offer. For example, if a hospital needed new computers, I would contact computer companies and see if they could donate some equipment or give us a discount on purchasing new ones.”

10. Describe a research question you might be interested in investigating.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your interests and how you might contribute to the research department at their hospital. To answer, think of a topic that is relevant to children’s health care and describe why it interests you.

Example: “I have always been interested in learning more about the effects of nutrition on childhood development. I would love to study how different diets affect child growth and development. For example, I read an article recently about how veganism can help treat autism. I would like to investigate whether there are any other benefits to raising children as vegans.”

11. Do you have experience working with children?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience working with children and how you interact with them. If you have no direct experience, you can talk about any indirect experiences you’ve had in the past.

Example: “I don’t have direct experience working with children, but I do have a lot of experience working with patients who are young adults. In my last position as a nurse, I worked on a pediatric floor where we also cared for adolescents. This helped me develop skills that I use when caring for younger patients today.”

12. Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential future colleagues. It’s also an opportunity for you to share your career goals and aspirations with the interviewer. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of what you want to achieve in your career and how working at CHOP could help you get there.

Example: “I see myself as a pediatrician who specializes in treating children with rare diseases. I would love to work here at CHOP because I know that you have some of the best doctors and researchers in the world. If I were to work here, I would feel confident that I am doing everything I can to provide my patients with the best care possible.”

13. What’s one thing you’re passionate about that isn’t related to nursing/research?

This question is designed to give the interviewer insight into your personality and interests. It’s important to be honest about what you’re passionate about, but it can also be helpful to think of something that relates to nursing or research if you don’t have a passion outside of work.

Example: “I’m passionate about animals, especially dogs. I volunteer at my local animal shelter once a week where I walk dogs and play with them. I’ve found this activity to be very relaxing and rewarding as well as beneficial for my career because it allows me to practice my communication skills with the dogs.”

14. Have you ever been in a situation where you disagreed with another employee or manager? How did you handle it?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle conflict and whether you’re able to work well with others. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific example of when you disagreed with someone but were able to resolve the situation in a positive way.

Example: “I once had an issue with one of my coworkers who was constantly late for our shifts. I tried talking to them about it first, but they didn’t seem to care or take me seriously. Eventually, I spoke to their manager, and we came up with a solution where they would have to pay back some of their salary if they were late again.”

15. We pride ourselves on being able to provide excellent care for our patients. When does good care stop being enough?

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you handle difficult situations. They want to know that you can make tough decisions and prioritize the needs of patients, families and staff members. In your answer, explain what factors you would consider when making a decision about whether or not to continue providing care for a patient.

Example: “I believe that good care is always enough. However, there are times when I might have to decide if continuing to provide care is in the best interest of the patient. For example, if a child was being abused by their parents, I would need to evaluate the situation and determine if it’s safe for them to remain at our hospital. If they were in danger, I would call the authorities immediately.”

16. As a researcher, what qualities do you look for when choosing collaborators?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your interpersonal skills and how you collaborate with others. To answer, think of a time when you chose a colleague for a project or task. Explain what qualities you looked for in the person and why those were important.

Example: “When choosing collaborators, I look for people who are highly motivated and have excellent communication skills. Collaborators should be able to work well together and communicate clearly so that everyone understands their role and responsibilities. In my last position, I worked on a research team where we all had different strengths and interests. We chose our teammates based on these individual strengths and preferences.”

17. What is something you learned from a previous job that you can apply here?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your skills and how you’ve grown as an employee. When answering this question, it can be helpful to highlight a skill or quality that helped you succeed in previous roles.

Example: “At my last job, I learned how important it is to work well with others. My team was very close, and we all worked together to achieve our goals. We also had weekly meetings where we discussed what we were working on and any challenges we faced. This experience taught me how valuable teamwork is when performing my job duties.”

18. Many of our patients come from lower income households. What steps do you take to ensure they understand everything going on with their care?

The interviewer may want to know how you plan to help patients and their families understand the medical jargon that is often used in hospitals. Show them your communication skills by explaining how you would explain procedures, treatments and diagnoses to children and their parents or guardians.

Example: “I always make sure to speak slowly and clearly when talking with patients and their families. I also try to use analogies and metaphors to help them better understand what’s going on. For example, if a child has an infection, I might say that it’s like having a cold. This helps put things into perspective for them and can ease some of their fears.”

19. Tell me about a time where you had to communicate bad news to a patient.

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your communication skills and how you handle difficult situations. When answering this question, it can be helpful to focus on the positive outcome of the situation or how you helped the patient through the process.

Example: “When I was working as an ER nurse, I had to tell a young boy that his father had passed away in a car accident. The boy’s mother was out of town at the time, so I made sure he had someone with him while we waited for her to arrive. He cried a lot, but I stayed by his side until his mother arrived. She thanked me for being there for her son and helping them both get through such a tough time.”

20. Are there any other reasons we should consider hiring you?

This question is a way for the interviewer to learn more about your personality and see if you have any other skills or experiences that would make you an excellent candidate. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something unique about yourself that might help you succeed in this role.

Example: “I am passionate about working with children because I know how important it is to find a career that makes you happy. In my previous position as a pediatric nurse, I was able to work with a child who had cancer. She was nervous about her chemotherapy treatments, so I brought in some toys and books to distract her from the pain. After she started feeling better, she told me that she wanted to become a doctor when she grew up. Hearing stories like that remind me why I love my job.”