17 Client Advocate Interview Questions and Answers

A client advocate is the liaison between the client and the business. They are responsible for ensuring the client’s needs are being met and that they are satisfied with the services they are receiving.

In order to become a client advocate, you will need to go through a job interview. During the interview, you will be asked a variety of questions about your skills, experience, and what you know about the company.

To help you prepare for your interview, we have put together a list of questions that you may be asked and sample answers.

Are you comfortable working with people who are in pain or emotional distress?

This question can help interviewers understand how you react to challenging situations. You may encounter clients who are in pain or emotional distress, so it’s important that you’re comfortable working with them and helping them find solutions. In your answer, explain why this is a part of the job and what steps you would take to make these interactions as positive as possible for everyone involved.

Example: “I am very empathetic, which helps me relate to people who are going through difficult times. I also have experience working with patients who are in pain or emotional distress, so I know how to communicate with them effectively. When I’m speaking with someone who is upset, I try to be calm and reassuring. I listen carefully to their concerns and offer advice on how they can solve their problem.”

What are some of the most important qualities for a client advocate to have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills and abilities to succeed in this role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few of your strongest qualities that make you an effective client advocate.

Example: “I believe some of the most important qualities for a client advocate are empathy, patience and communication skills. As a client advocate, I am helping clients solve problems and navigate through their issues with a company. Having these soft skills allows me to better understand what they’re going through and communicate effectively with them about how I plan to resolve their issue.”

How would you handle a situation where a patient disagrees with a doctor’s diagnosis?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle conflict and disagreements. It also helps them determine whether or not you have the ability to use your communication skills to resolve conflicts in a positive way. In your answer, try to show that you are willing to listen to all sides of an issue and find a compromise that benefits everyone involved.

Example: “I would first ask the patient why they disagree with the diagnosis. I would then speak with the doctor about their reasoning for making the diagnosis. If there is any room for improvement, I would work with both parties to come up with a solution. For example, if the patient wanted more time to consider treatment options, I would offer to schedule another appointment at a later date.”

What is your process for gathering information from a patient who is confused or upset?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you interact with patients and their families. It can also show them your problem-solving skills, communication skills and ability to remain calm under pressure.

Example: “I always start by asking permission before I take notes or record a conversation. This helps put the patient at ease and lets them know that I am there to support them. Then, I ask open-ended questions to get more information about what they are feeling and why. If they need it, I provide them with paper and pen so they can write down any additional thoughts or concerns. I try to be empathetic and compassionate while still remaining professional.”

Provide an example of a time when you helped a patient understand their treatment options.

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your communication skills and ability to help patients make informed decisions. In your answer, try to demonstrate that you can clearly explain complex medical information in a way that is easy for patients to understand.

Example: “When I was working as an oncology nurse, I had a patient who came into the hospital with questions about her treatment plan. She wanted to know what she could expect from chemotherapy and how it would affect her body. I explained the side effects of chemotherapy and answered all of her questions so that she felt comfortable moving forward with her treatment.”

If a patient was struggling to pay for their medical bills, what would you do to help them?

This question can help interviewers understand how you would handle a challenging situation. When answering, it can be helpful to describe the steps you would take and what your ultimate goal is for helping patients with their finances.

Example: “If a patient was struggling to pay for their medical bills, I would first try to find out why they were having trouble paying. If there was an alternative payment method that could work better for them, I would offer that option. For example, if they had insurance but weren’t aware of all the ways they could get financial assistance, I would explain those options to them. Ultimately, my goal would be to ensure the patient has access to the care they need while also avoiding any late fees or other penalties.”

What would you do if you suspected that a doctor was negligent in their care of a patient?

This question can help interviewers understand how you would handle a challenging situation. In your answer, try to show that you are willing to take action and advocate for the best interests of patients.

Example: “If I suspected negligence on behalf of a doctor, I would first bring my concerns to their attention. If they did not address my concerns or if I felt that the patient’s health was at risk, I would contact the state medical board. I believe it is important to follow proper procedures when reporting these types of situations so that we do not get into trouble ourselves.”

How well do you perform under pressure?

When working as a client advocate, you may encounter situations that require quick thinking and problem-solving skills. Employers ask this question to see if you can perform well under pressure. Use your answer to show the interviewer that you are capable of handling stressful situations. Explain how you use your critical thinking skills to solve problems quickly.

Example: “I am someone who thrives under pressure. When I know there is a tight deadline or important task at hand, I work even harder to ensure I complete my projects on time. In my last role, I was responsible for managing our social media accounts. One day, I noticed we had several negative reviews on our Yelp page. I used my critical thinking skills to figure out what caused these reviews. After some research, I figured out it was due to an error with our website’s search engine optimization. I fixed the issue within two hours.”

Do you have experience working with patients who speak a different language?

If the company you’re interviewing for has a large client base that speaks a different language, employers may ask this question to make sure you can communicate with them effectively. In your answer, explain how you would go about communicating with clients who speak a different language and what steps you would take to ensure they understand everything you say to them.

Example: “I have worked with patients who speak a different language in the past, and I always try my best to communicate with them as clearly as possible. When speaking with these patients, I use simple terms and gestures so they can understand me. If they don’t understand something I’ve said, I will repeat myself or find someone else who can translate for me.”

When working with a team of doctors and nurses, how do you handle disagreements or conflicts?

When working with a team of medical professionals, it’s likely that you’ll have disagreements or conflicts from time to time. Employers ask this question to make sure you can work well with others and resolve issues in a professional manner. In your answer, try to show that you are able to communicate respectfully and solve problems effectively.

Example: “I believe that conflict is inevitable when working with a team. However, I always strive to be respectful and polite when addressing any disagreements or concerns. I also encourage my colleagues to do the same. When we all commit to being more positive and constructive, it makes it easier to find solutions to our problems.”

We want to improve our patient satisfaction rates. What would you do to help us do this?

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and ability to work with clients. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific steps you would take to improve patient satisfaction rates.

Example: “I would first conduct a survey of current patients to find out what they like about the hospital and what they don’t like. I would then use that information to create an action plan for improving patient satisfaction. For example, if many patients said they had trouble finding their way around the hospital, I would suggest adding more signs or even hiring someone to help guide patients.”

Describe your experience with electronic medical records.

Electronic medical records are a common tool for client advocates. They allow you to access patient information quickly and easily, which is important when advocating for patients’ needs. Your interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with electronic medical records and how it might impact your ability to succeed in the role. In your answer, try to describe your comfort level with using electronic medical records and highlight any specific skills or training you have that helped you become comfortable with them.

Example: “I’ve worked with electronic medical records since I started my career as a client advocate. My previous employer provided us with extensive training on how to use our electronic medical record software. We also had regular trainings where we could practice using the system and ask questions. Now, I feel very comfortable using electronic medical records and can find information quickly.”

What makes you an ideal candidate for a client advocate position?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have the skills and experience necessary for this role. You can highlight your relevant work history, education or any other qualifications that make you a good fit for this position.

Example: “I am passionate about helping others, which makes me a great candidate for client advocate. I also have extensive customer service experience, including five years as a call center representative where I helped customers with their questions and concerns. My communication skills are strong, and I enjoy working in a fast-paced environment.”

Which medical fields have you worked in before?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience level and how you might fit in with their team. If you have relevant experience, share it to show that you’re qualified for this role. If you don’t have any medical experience, consider sharing a similar work history or what skills you’ve developed through other roles.

Example: “I worked as an emergency room nurse for five years before moving into my current position as a hospital administrator. I’m passionate about helping patients and making sure they receive the best care possible. In my previous role, I learned how to manage budgets and staff members while still maintaining patient satisfaction.”

What do you think is the most important part of a patient’s care?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the healthcare industry and how you can help patients. When answering this question, it’s important to emphasize that you understand the importance of each part of care and how they work together to provide excellent service for patients.

Example: “I believe the most important part of a patient’s care is communication. Patients need to know what their diagnosis is, what treatment options are available to them and what the expected outcomes will be. They also need to know when they should expect to see results from their treatment plan. I always make sure to communicate with my patients about all aspects of their care so they feel comfortable asking questions or voicing concerns.”

How often do you think a patient should see a doctor for checkups?

This question can help an interviewer understand your medical opinion and how you might interact with patients. You can answer this question by explaining the frequency of checkups that you think is best for a patient’s health and any other factors that may influence your recommendation.

Example: “I believe that it’s important to see a doctor at least once every year, but I also encourage my patients to call me if they have questions or concerns between visits. If a patient has a chronic condition, I recommend seeing their doctor more often than annually. For example, I had a patient who was diagnosed with diabetes as a child. She saw her primary care physician twice a year until she turned 18, when she began seeing him once a month.”

There is a misdiagnosis. How do you react?

This question is a great way to test your problem-solving skills and ability to advocate for clients. You can answer this question by describing the steps you would take in order to resolve the situation.

Example: “I have had a misdiagnosis before, and I was able to get my client’s records from their previous doctor. After reviewing them, I found that they were right about one thing but wrong about another. I explained to my client what I found and how it affected their treatment plan. They ended up changing doctors because of our conversation.”