20 CHOC Children’s Interview Questions and Answers

CHOC Children’s is a not-for-profit pediatric health care organization dedicated to advancing the health and well-being of children. CHOC provides a wide range of medical, dental, behavioral health, and support services to more than 280,000 children each year.

If you’re interested in working for CHOC Children’s, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience working with children, your knowledge of pediatric health care, and your ability to work in a fast-paced environment. To help you prepare, we’ve gathered a list of sample CHOC Children’s interview questions and answers.

CHOC Children’s Interview Process

The interview process at CHOC Children’s is fairly short and concise. Candidates are typically asked simple questions about their experience in the field, as well as their project management and consulting experience. Additionally, candidates may be asked about their experience working with children. The interview process usually lasts no more than 30 minutes.

1. What is your experience with pediatric patients?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your experience working with children. If you have worked in pediatrics before, share some of your favorite moments and what made them special. If this is your first time working with pediatric patients, explain that you are excited to work with kids and eager to learn more about their needs.

Example: “I’ve been working as a nurse at a local hospital for three years now, and I love my job because I get to meet so many different people every day. One of my favorite parts of my job is getting to work with pediatric patients. I love seeing their faces light up when they see me or one of my colleagues. It’s always fun to hear their stories and find out how much they enjoy being there.”

2. Tell me about a time when you had to work in a team environment and there was conflict, how did you handle it?

Working in a team environment is an important part of being a nurse, especially when working with children. Employers ask this question to make sure you can work well with others and resolve conflict. When answering this question, it’s important to show that you are able to communicate effectively and solve problems together as a team.

Example: “When I was working at my previous hospital, there were two nurses who didn’t get along very well. They would often argue about how they should care for the patients. One day, one of them came to me upset because she felt like the other nurse wasn’t doing her job properly. I talked to the other nurse about the situation and we decided to meet up after our shifts to discuss things further. We realized that we both cared deeply about the kids we worked with and wanted what was best for them. After talking, we found a way to compromise so everyone could be happy.”

3. Do you have any certifications or licenses that are relevant to this position?

Employers may ask this question to learn about your commitment to continuing education and professional development. If you have certifications or licenses that are relevant to the position, be sure to mention them in your answer.

Example: “I am a certified pediatric nurse practitioner through the American Academy of Pediatric Nurses. This certification allows me to work with children who have complex medical needs. I also hold my registered nurse license from the state of California.”

4. How would you respond if a patient’s parent was upset with the care their child received?

As a pediatric nurse, you may encounter parents who are upset with the care their child received. The interviewer wants to know how you would respond in this situation and if you have any experience handling similar situations. Use your answer to highlight your communication skills and ability to diffuse tense situations.

Example: “I understand that it can be upsetting when a parent feels like their child’s care was inadequate. In my previous role as a pediatric nurse, I encountered several of these situations. My first step is always to listen to what the parent has to say without interrupting them. This helps me better understand their concerns and find out more information about the situation. Then, I try to explain our hospital’s policies on patient care and reassure the parent that we take quality care seriously.”

5. Why do you want to work at CHOC Children’s?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your passion for working with children. When answering this question, it can be helpful to share a personal story or experience that relates to why you want to work at CHOC Children’s.

Example: “I have always had a passion for helping others and I knew from an early age that I wanted to work in healthcare. After volunteering at my local hospital as a teenager, I realized how much I enjoyed working with children. I decided to pursue a career in pediatrics because I love seeing kids overcome their challenges and grow into happy, healthy adults. Working at CHOC Children’s would allow me to use my skills and knowledge to help children who are facing difficult situations.”

6. Describe a time where you were able to help someone achieve a goal they thought was impossible.

This question is a great way to show your leadership skills and ability to motivate others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a time you helped someone overcome an obstacle or achieve something they thought was impossible.

Example: “When I worked as a camp counselor at my local YMCA, one of the kids in my group had always wanted to learn how to swim but didn’t have anyone to teach him. He told me he thought it would be impossible for him to ever learn how to swim because his parents were too busy to take him to lessons. I talked with our aquatic director about the situation and she agreed to work with him after hours so that he could get extra help learning how to swim.”

7. Give us an example of a time when you worked independently on a project.

Working independently is an important skill for healthcare professionals. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the ability to work on your own and complete tasks without much supervision. When answering, try to think of a time when you worked on a project that was challenging but also rewarding.

Example: “In my last role as a pediatric nurse, I had to care for 20 children at once. It was quite a challenge, but it was also very rewarding because I got to see all of them get better. One child in particular was having trouble breathing, so I had to act quickly. After administering oxygen and checking her vitals, I determined she had a cold. She recovered within 24 hours.”

8. How do you think you will fit into our culture?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you think you will fit into the team. They want to know if you have any unique skills or experiences that can help you succeed in their organization. In your answer, try to highlight a few of your personal traits that you think will make you a good fit for the hospital.

Example: “I am very compassionate and empathetic, which I believe are important qualities for working with children. I also love being active and playing games, so I think I would enjoy spending time with the kids here. I’m always up for a game of hide-and-seek or tag.”

9. What is one thing you would like to change about the healthcare industry?

This question is a great way to show your passion for the healthcare industry and how you can make it better. When answering this question, think about what you would change if you were in charge of the entire healthcare system. You can also talk about something specific that you would like to see changed at CHOC Children’s Hospital.

Example: “I would love to see more funding for research into pediatric illnesses. I know there are many children who need help but don’t have access to treatment because their illness isn’t common enough to attract funding. If I was in charge of the healthcare industry, I would work hard to find ways to fund these types of treatments.”

10. Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced setting?

CHOC Children’s is a fast-paced environment, and the interviewer wants to make sure you’re comfortable with that. If you have experience working in a similar setting, share your thoughts on how it helped you develop skills for this role.

Example: “I’ve worked at several hospitals throughout my career, and I’m used to working in a fast-paced environment. In fact, I enjoy it because it helps me stay focused and get work done quickly. At my last hospital, we had a lot of patients come through our emergency room, so I learned how to prioritize tasks and delegate responsibilities to other team members.”

11. In what ways can we improve the quality of care for children in this area?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the community and how you can help improve it. When answering this question, make sure to highlight any specific challenges that children in the area may face and how you would address them.

Example: “I have noticed that there are not many resources for parents who want to learn more about healthy eating habits. I think if CHOC Children’s offered cooking classes or nutrition seminars, it could be beneficial for both parents and their children. This would also give families an opportunity to connect with one another and build stronger communities.”

12. What is your experience with handling medical records?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your experience with handling confidential information. This is an important skill for a medical assistant, as you will often handle sensitive patient information. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention how you handled records in the past and what steps you took to ensure their security.

Example: “In my previous role, I was responsible for organizing all of the patient’s medical records. I used a secure filing system that only allowed me access to the files. I also kept the files in locked cabinets when they were not being accessed by authorized personnel. I understand the importance of keeping patient information private, so I always take precautions to protect confidential data.”

13. Can you tell me about a time when you worked with a difficult client/patient?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle challenging situations. It’s important to show that you’re willing to work with all types of people and remain positive in your interactions.

Example: “I once worked with a patient who was very upset about their diagnosis. They were quite vocal about it, which made it difficult for me to calm them down. I took a step back and listened to what they had to say without interrupting. Once they finished speaking, I explained why we needed to treat their condition and assured them that everything would be okay. After our conversation, they calmed down and agreed to follow my treatment plan.”

14. Have you ever been involved in a situation where you needed to be discreet?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle confidentiality and privacy. Describe a situation where you needed to be discreet in your previous role, and explain what steps you took to ensure that information was kept private.

Example: “In my last position as a pediatric nurse, I worked with a child who had been diagnosed with cancer. The parents were very protective of their son’s privacy, so we made sure to keep all conversations about his care confidential. We also used code words when discussing his treatment plan to make sure other patients and families didn’t overhear our conversations.”

15. What qualities do you look for when hiring new employees?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have similar values to those of CHOC Children’s. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a few specific qualities that are important to you and how they relate to the job description.

Example: “I look for employees who are compassionate, patient and empathetic. These traits are essential in working with children because I believe they’re what make our hospital so special. For example, when I was interviewing for my current role as a pediatric nurse, I asked the hiring manager about their philosophy on care. They told me that they wanted to hire people who were willing to go above and beyond for patients and their families. This made me feel like we shared the same values, which is why I decided to apply.”

16. Explain to me a time where you had to prioritize tasks.

This question can help the interviewer determine how you prioritize your tasks and if you have experience with prioritizing. Use examples from previous work experiences to explain how you organized your time and what helped you stay on track.

Example: “In my last role, I had a lot of responsibilities that required me to manage my time well. One day, I was working on an assignment for one class when I received a call about another task. I quickly put aside my current project so I could focus on the new task. After I completed the second task, I returned to my original assignment.”

17. If hired, how long do you plan on staying with CHOC Children’s?

Employers ask this question to make sure you’re committed to the role and that it’s a long-term career opportunity. They want someone who is willing to stay with the organization for several years, so they can get the most out of your experience and training. When answering this question, be honest about how long you plan on staying at CHOC Children’s. Explain why you feel this way, such as if you love working there or if you see yourself growing in your position.

Example: “I would like to stay here for many years because I really enjoy working with children. I have always wanted to work in pediatrics, and I think I could grow into a great nurse over time. I am excited to learn from my colleagues and develop my skills.”

18. Which shift are you available to work?

Employers ask this question to make sure you are available for the hours they need. They also want to know if you have any scheduling preferences or limitations. Before your interview, review the job description and determine which shifts are open. Choose one that fits with your availability and discuss any other factors that may affect your ability to work a particular shift.

Example: “I am available to work all of the current shifts at CHOC Children’s Hospital. I prefer working days because I find it easier to balance my schoolwork when I’m not working nights. However, I would be happy to work nights if needed.”

19. How would you describe your leadership style?

As a nurse, you may be asked to lead or assist in the management of other staff members. Your leadership style can impact your ability to work with others and manage projects effectively. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe how you would like to lead others and what skills you have that make you an effective leader.

Example: “I believe my leadership style is collaborative. I enjoy working with others to find solutions to problems and support one another through challenging situations. I also think I am quite empathetic when leading others, as I try to understand everyone’s perspective before making decisions. This helps me create plans that benefit everyone involved.”

20. Describe your experience with scheduling appointments and managing calendars.

Scheduling appointments and managing calendars are two important skills for a medical assistant. The interviewer wants to know how you would handle these tasks in their facility. Use examples from your previous experience to highlight your organizational skills, attention to detail and ability to work under pressure.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for scheduling all of the pediatrician’s appointments. This included confirming patient availability, finding available times and booking appointments. I also had to manage the doctor’s calendar, which involved updating it with any changes or cancellations. I used an online scheduling system that made both processes easier. However, if there were no open slots, I would have to reschedule patients who wanted to see the doctor.”