20 Cleveland Clinic Interview Questions and Answers

Cleveland Clinic is a world-renowned medical center that is known for its clinical and hospital care, research, and education. If you are interviewing for a position at Cleveland Clinic, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience, skills, and qualifications. In this article, we will provide you with some sample Cleveland Clinic interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your upcoming interview.

Cleveland Clinic Interview Process

The interview process at Cleveland Clinic is generally quick and easy. However, depending on the position you are applying for, the length of the process may vary. For example, Registered Nurses typically go through a recorded interview followed by a zoom interview with the Hiring Manager and then a zoom interview with the team. Systems Analysts may have up to five rounds of interviews. Patient Transporters usually only have one in-person interview.

Nurse Practitioners report that the interview process is somewhat lengthy, with six virtual interviews spread out over two weeks. However, they also note that the process is well coordinated by the recruiter. Licensed Practical Nurses report that the first part of their interview process is an online video interview. Financial Analysts note that the interview process is mostly focused on finance-related questions.

Overall, most applicants report a positive experience with the interview process at Cleveland Clinic.

1. What is your experience with patient care?

Cleveland Clinic is a large medical center that offers many different services to patients. Your answer should show the interviewer your experience with patient care and how you can contribute to the clinic’s mission of providing excellent healthcare to all people, regardless of their ability to pay.

Example: “I have worked in emergency rooms for five years now, where I’ve seen firsthand how important it is to provide quality care to everyone who needs it. In my last position, we had a lot of uninsured patients, so I volunteered at a free clinic on weekends to help those patients get the care they needed.”

2. Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced environment?

Cleveland Clinic is a fast-paced environment, and the interviewer wants to make sure you’re comfortable with that. This question also helps them determine if your personality fits in well with their team.

Example: “I thrive in fast-paced environments because I’m used to working under pressure. In my last role, we had a lot of patients come through our ER at once, so I learned how to prioritize tasks and work quickly. I think this skill would help me succeed here.”

3. Do you have any experience using an electronic medical record system?

Cleveland Clinic uses an electronic medical record system, and the interviewer may want to know if you have experience using one. If you do, share your experience with the interviewer. If you don’t, explain that you are willing to learn how to use it.

Example: “I’ve used an electronic medical record system in my previous job as a nurse practitioner at a small clinic. I found it helpful because it allowed me to access patient information quickly and easily. It also helped me keep track of important details about each patient’s care.”

4. Provide an example of when you had to manage multiple patients at the same time.

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to multitask and prioritize patients’ needs. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation where you had multiple patients who required different levels of care or attention.

Example: “In my last position as a nurse practitioner, I often saw two or more patients at the same time. One day, for example, I was seeing one patient in the clinic while also monitoring another patient’s vital signs remotely via telemetry. This allowed me to monitor their condition without having to leave the first patient unattended.”

5. If hired, what would be your approach to caring for patients?

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit medical center that combines clinical and hospital care with research and education. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your approach to patient care, as well as how you would fit into the organization’s culture. To answer this question, think about what motivates you to provide excellent care to patients.

Example: “I am passionate about providing compassionate care to my patients. I believe that every person deserves quality healthcare regardless of their ability to pay for it. As such, I always make sure to spend plenty of time with each patient so they feel comfortable and understood. I also encourage them to ask questions and voice any concerns they have.”

6. How do you think you will measure success during your first 6 months of work?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you have a plan for success and how you will achieve it. Your answer should include specific goals, such as increasing patient satisfaction or reducing wait times.

Example: “I think my first 6 months of work will be successful if I can increase the number of patients who leave our clinic with a positive experience. To do this, I would implement customer service training for all staff members and create a system where we can track and respond to patient feedback.”

7. Tell me about a time where you were required to make decisions quickly.

This question can help interviewers understand how you make decisions and whether or not you have experience making quick, important choices. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of a time when your decision-making skills helped you achieve success in your previous role.

Example: “In my last position as a nurse, I was working with a patient who had experienced a stroke. The patient’s condition was deteriorating quickly, so I called for the doctor on duty to come into the room immediately. The doctor arrived within minutes and we were able to stabilize the patient until they could receive further treatment.”

8. Describe a situation where you had to put aside personal feelings and concentrate on helping patients.

This question is a good way to assess your ability to work with others and maintain professionalism. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation where you had to put aside personal feelings in order to help patients or coworkers.

Example: “I once worked with a colleague who was very critical of my work. I found myself getting defensive when he would make comments about the quality of my work. However, I knew that if I wanted to advance in my career, I needed to learn from his feedback. So, I started asking him questions about what he liked and disliked about my work. He began to offer more constructive criticism, which helped me improve as a nurse.”

9. Why are you interested in this position at Cleveland Clinic?

This question is an opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the role and why you are a good fit. When answering this question, it can be helpful to refer back to the job description or any other research you did on Cleveland Clinic before your interview.

Example: “I am interested in this position at Cleveland Clinic because I have always admired the organization’s mission of providing quality care while also conducting groundbreaking research. As someone who has worked as a nurse for five years now, I know how important it is to provide excellent patient care while also learning new ways to improve our processes. I think my experience working with patients would make me a great addition to the team here.”

10. In which areas do you feel most confident?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you have the skills and experience necessary for this role. When answering, it can be helpful to list two or three of your strongest areas and explain why they are important in this position.

Example: “I feel most confident when working with patients who need help managing their chronic illnesses. I’ve worked as a nurse practitioner for five years now, and I’ve seen firsthand how much my patients appreciate having someone to talk to about their conditions. It’s rewarding to know that I’m helping them manage their health so they can live their lives.”

11. When was the last time you worked as part of a team? How did it go?

The Cleveland Clinic is a large medical center that offers many different services. They want to make sure you can work well with others and are willing to take on challenging tasks. Your answer should show your ability to collaborate with others, communicate effectively and solve problems together as a team.

Example: “I worked as part of a team at my previous job where I was the only nurse in the pediatric unit. The hospital had budget cuts so they couldn’t hire more nurses. It was difficult working alone but I learned how to delegate responsibilities to other members of the staff. For example, I would ask doctors for advice when I didn’t know what to do. Then I would assign tasks to other nurses based on their strengths.”

12. Do you have any experience handling blood samples?

Cleveland Clinic is a large medical center that offers many different services. Some of these include cancer treatment, heart care and orthopedics. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have any experience working with blood samples in the past. If you do not, they may also want to know how comfortable you would be doing so at their facility. In your answer, try to show that you are willing to learn new skills or techniques as needed.

Example: “I have never worked with blood samples before, but I am very open to learning more about it. I understand that Cleveland Clinic has some of the best doctors and nurses in the country, so I would love to learn from them.”

13. What do you enjoy most about being a nurse?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer your passion for nursing. When answering, it can be helpful to include a specific example of a time you helped someone or something that made you feel good about being a nurse.

Example: “I love helping people and making sure they’re comfortable. I remember one patient who was nervous before surgery. We talked for a while, and by the end of our conversation he was much more relaxed. He even joked with me as we wheeled him into the operating room. Seeing his mood change so quickly really showed me how rewarding my job can be.”

14. What was the biggest challenge you faced in your previous nursing role?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your problem-solving skills and how you react to challenges. When answering this question, it can be beneficial to focus on a challenge that you overcame or one that helped you grow as a nurse.

Example: “The biggest challenge I faced in my previous role was when we had an influx of patients due to a flu outbreak. We were short-staffed for several days, which made it difficult to provide quality care to all our patients. However, I worked with other nurses to develop a plan to ensure each patient received the care they needed while also ensuring we could take breaks and rest between shifts.”

15. Have you ever been asked to teach someone else how to do something? How did that go?

Cleveland Clinic is a teaching hospital, so they want to know that you have experience in this area. This question also allows them to assess your communication skills and how well you can explain something to someone else.

Example: “I was working as an assistant manager at a restaurant when I noticed one of my servers had trouble remembering the specials we were offering that night. So, I asked her if she would like me to write down all of the specials for her on a piece of paper before our shift started. She agreed, and I wrote out all of the specials for her on a small notepad. When she forgot again, she just referred to the list I gave her.”

16. What made you want to become a nurse?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand what motivates you. It also helps them see if your passion for nursing aligns with Cleveland Clinic’s mission.

Example: “I became a nurse because I wanted to make a difference in people’s lives. I love being able to work alongside doctors and other nurses to provide compassionate care to patients. I’ve always been passionate about helping others, so this career choice was a natural fit for me.”

17. What do you know about our hospital?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to assess your research skills and determine how much you know about their organization. Before your interview, make sure to read through the job description and any other information they provide on their website. You can also do some additional research by looking at reviews online or asking friends who have visited the hospital in the past.

Example: “I’ve done quite a bit of research on Cleveland Clinic, including reading several patient reviews and checking out your website. I’m impressed with the level of care that patients receive here, as well as the many different services offered. I think I would be an excellent fit for this position because my background is very similar to what you’re looking for.”

18. What type of patients or situations do you prefer to deal with?

Cleveland Clinic is a large medical center that offers many different types of care. The interviewer wants to know if you have experience working with the type of patients or conditions they treat at Cleveland Clinic. Use your answer to show that you are flexible and can adapt to new situations.

Example: “I prefer to work with children, as I find it rewarding to see them recover from illness or injury. However, I am also comfortable working with elderly patients who may need more attention and support. My nursing skills allow me to adapt my approach to each patient’s needs.”

19. How would you handle it if one of your doctors disagreed with your assessment of a particular patient?

This question can help interviewers assess your leadership skills and ability to collaborate with others. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific example of when you worked with another professional who disagreed with your assessment or treatment plan for a patient.

Example: “When I was working as an ER doctor at St. Mary’s Hospital, one of my colleagues disagreed with the diagnosis I made for a patient. After discussing our different opinions, we decided to perform more tests on the patient to determine what was causing their symptoms. We both agreed that if the new test results didn’t support our original assessments, we would change our course of action. The additional testing confirmed my initial diagnosis, and the patient received the proper care.”

20. Describe a time when you provided excellent customer service.

Customer service is an important skill for medical professionals to have. Interviewers ask this question to learn more about your interpersonal skills and how you would interact with patients, their families and other staff members at the clinic. Use examples from previous jobs or describe a time when you helped someone who was in need of assistance.

Example: “I once had a patient who was very nervous about her upcoming surgery. She asked me many questions about what she could expect during her procedure and recovery. I took the time to answer all of her questions thoroughly and even drew diagrams so that she could understand everything better. By the end of our conversation, she seemed much calmer and ready for her surgery.”