17 CPR Instructor Interview Questions and Answers

CPR instructors teach people how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). CPR is a lifesaving technique that is used to revive someone who has stopped breathing or whose heart has stopped beating.

CPR instructors work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, community centers, and fitness facilities. Some CPR instructors are also certified to teach other emergency medical procedures, such as first aid and automated external defibrillation (AED).

If you’re interested in becoming a CPR instructor, you will need to complete a CPR instructor training program. Once you have completed the program, you will be able to apply for jobs. During the job interview, you will be asked a variety of questions about your CPR training and experience.

To help you prepare for your interview, we have compiled a list of sample CPR instructor interview questions and answers.

Are you familiar with the most recent CPR guidelines?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you are up-to-date on the latest CPR guidelines. You can answer this question by mentioning a specific guideline and explaining how it has affected your teaching style or approach to instructing students in CPR.

Example: “Yes, I am familiar with the most recent guidelines for administering CPR. The new guidelines state that chest compressions should be at least 100 per minute, which is faster than what many instructors have been teaching their students. However, I’ve always instructed my students to perform chest compressions as fast as they can while still maintaining proper form. This helps them learn the technique more quickly so they can administer CPR effectively when needed.”

What are some of the most important skills for a CPR instructor to have?

This question can help an interviewer determine if you have the skills and qualifications to be successful in this role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few of your strongest skills that relate to teaching CPR.

Example: “I believe one of the most important skills for a CPR instructor is patience. Teaching someone how to perform CPR can be challenging, so I think it’s important to remain calm and patient with students when they’re learning. Another skill I feel is essential is communication. It’s important to clearly explain what students are doing right and wrong while performing CPR techniques. This helps ensure everyone understands the material.”

How do you plan your classes to ensure that students learn the material?

Instructors need to plan their classes in a way that ensures students learn the material. This question helps employers determine how you plan your lessons and if you have experience teaching CPR. Use examples from previous experiences to show how you plan your classes and ensure students learn the material.

Example: “I always start my classes with an overview of what we will be learning throughout the course. I find this is helpful for students because it gives them a general idea of what they can expect during each class. Then, I break down the information into smaller chunks so that students can digest the information more easily. Throughout the course, I also provide practice opportunities where students can apply what they’ve learned.”

What is your experience with teaching children CPR?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with teaching CPR to children. If you have previous experience, describe what age group you taught and how you prepared for the lessons. If you do not have any experience teaching children CPR, explain why you would be a good fit for this role despite having no prior experience.

Example: “I’ve never had the opportunity to teach children CPR, but I am excited about the possibility of doing so in this position. I feel that my outgoing personality and patience make me an ideal candidate for working with children. In addition, I have taken several courses on child development and education, which has given me insight into how to best prepare for teaching children.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to deal with a difficult student.

Instructors often have to deal with students who are challenging. This question helps employers understand how you handle difficult situations and whether you can remain calm in a tense situation. In your answer, try to show that you can be firm but also empathetic when dealing with a student who is acting out or being disruptive.

Example: “I once had a student who was very disruptive during class. He would talk loudly to his friends, make jokes and even throw paper balls at other students. I spoke with him privately about the issue, and he apologized for his behavior. However, he continued to act out in class. Eventually, I decided to give him an alternate assignment so that he could still learn the material while not disrupting others.”

If a student is not able to perform the CPR techniques correctly after multiple attempts, what would you do?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you would handle a challenging situation with your students. In your answer, try to highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to work with others.

Example: “If a student is having trouble performing CPR techniques correctly, I would first ask them if they have any questions about the process. If they are able to perform the technique but it’s not effective, I would demonstrate the technique again and provide additional feedback on what they’re doing well and what they need to improve. If they still struggle after multiple attempts, I would encourage them to practice at home until they feel more comfortable.”

What would you do if a student was having an allergic reaction during one of your classes?

This question can help interviewers understand how you would handle a potentially dangerous situation in the classroom. In your answer, try to demonstrate that you have experience with this type of scenario and know what steps to take to ensure the student’s safety.

Example: “In my previous role as a CPR instructor, I had a student who was having an allergic reaction during class. The student didn’t want to leave the room because they were worried about missing important information. I asked if it was okay for me to call their parents so we could discuss the best way to proceed. After speaking with the parents, we decided that the student should go home and rest until they felt better. They returned to class the next day.”

How well do you handle stress? Can you remain calm in an emergency situation?

Instructors need to be able to remain calm and collected in emergency situations. They also need to have the ability to teach students how to remain calm during an emergency situation. A good instructor will know when to take control of a situation and when to let their students lead.

Example: “I think it’s important for instructors to maintain a calm demeanor, but I also believe that they should allow their students to take charge if they feel more comfortable doing so. In my previous role as a CPR instructor, I had a student who was very confident in her abilities. She asked me if she could lead the class through the entire lesson one day. I agreed because I knew she would do a great job. It helped build her confidence and gave me time to review the material with the other students.”

Do you have experience leading group activities?

Instructors often lead group activities in the classroom, such as CPR training. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience working with a team and managing students. In your answer, explain how you manage groups of people and ensure everyone is following instructions.

Example: “I’ve led many group projects throughout my education. I find that it’s important to set clear expectations for what we’re doing and when we need to be done by. This helps me keep track of where each student is at and makes sure they all get the same level of instruction. I also like to give frequent feedback so students know if they are performing well or need to improve.”

When performing chest compressions, how hard should you push on a student’s chest?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to assess your knowledge of proper CPR technique. To answer, explain the correct amount of force and provide an example of how you would teach students to perform chest compressions correctly.

Example: “When performing chest compressions on a student, I instruct them to push hard enough so that their hands move one-third of the distance between their sternum and their belly button. This is the right amount of pressure for effective CPR. For instance, when teaching my class about proper hand placement during chest compressions, I would demonstrate the proper amount of force by having each student place their hands on my chest and then have them apply the same amount of pressure as me.”

We want to ensure that our CPR instructors are up-to-date on the latest research and techniques. What strategies do you use to stay informed about new developments in the field?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you stay current with industry trends and developments. It also helps them understand your commitment to professional development. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a few ways you plan to keep up-to-date on CPR techniques and procedures.

Example: “I am always looking for new resources that I can use to educate my students. In fact, I have several subscriptions to online journals and newsletters that provide me with information about the latest research in the medical field. I also attend conferences and seminars where experts discuss the most recent advances in their fields.”

Describe your experience with teaching adults CPR.

This question can help interviewers understand your teaching style and how you adapt to different learning styles. Use examples from previous experiences to highlight your communication skills, patience and ability to teach in a classroom setting.

Example: “I’ve been teaching CPR for adults for the past five years at my current job. I enjoy working with adults because they’re more focused on learning than children are. However, it’s important to remember that everyone learns differently, so I make sure to explain things thoroughly but also provide opportunities for hands-on practice. For example, I always have extra mannequins available for students to practice their compressions.”

What makes you stand out from other CPR instructors?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have unique skills and abilities. You can answer this question by describing a skill or ability that makes you stand out from other CPR instructors. It’s also important to mention how your unique skill or ability helps students learn more effectively.

Example: “I am certified in first aid, which allows me to teach my students about both CPR and first aid. I find that knowing how to perform first aid techniques can be very helpful for students who are learning CPR. For example, if someone experiences a seizure during a cardiac arrest, they may need help performing CPR while waiting for emergency medical services to arrive. Knowing how to perform basic first aid techniques can help them stay safe until EMS arrives.”

Which teaching methods work best for you?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your teaching style and how you interact with students. They want to make sure that you will be a good fit for their school, so they might also consider what type of personality you have and whether it matches the culture of the institution. When answering this question, try to describe your preferred methods while also mentioning which ones you are still developing or need improvement in.

Example: “I find that my best method is one-on-one instruction. I like being able to give each student individual attention and help them work through any challenges they’re having. However, I am always working on improving my group management skills. I find that when I can manage a large group effectively, I can better assess who needs extra help and provide support where needed.”

What do you think is the most important thing for students to learn during a CPR class?

This question can help the interviewer get an idea of what you value in a CPR class and how you would teach it. When answering this question, think about what skills or information you feel is most important for students to learn during a CPR class.

Example: “I believe that the most important thing for students to learn during a CPR class is proper technique. If they don’t know how to perform CPR properly, then their efforts may not be effective. I make sure to spend plenty of time teaching my students exactly how to do CPR so they can remember the steps when needed.”

How often should students take CPR classes?

Instructors need to know how often students should take their classes. This helps them plan the curriculum and schedule future classes. When answering this question, explain that you believe students should take CPR classes every two years. Explain why you think this is a good idea and give an example of when you taught classes more frequently than every two years.

Example: “I believe students should take CPR classes every two years because it’s important for them to refresh their skills. I’ve had students who have taken my class multiple times, but they still forget some things. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, so I recommend taking these classes at least once every two years.”

There is a new CPR technique that is more effective than the traditional method. How would you adjust your lessons to include the new method?

This question is an opportunity to show your adaptability and willingness to learn new things. You can answer this question by explaining how you would research the new method, decide if it’s more effective than the traditional method and incorporate it into your lessons.

Example: “I would first do some research on the new technique to see if there are any benefits over the traditional method. If I found that the new method was more effective, I would implement it into my CPR training program. However, I would also make sure to include the traditional method in case students or instructors needed a refresher.”