Learn what skills and qualities interviewers are looking for from an electronic health record specialist, what questions you can expect, and how you should go about answering them.
An electronic health record, or EHR, is a digital version of a patient’s medical history. It’s a secure, private record that is shared between a patient and their healthcare providers. EHR specialists are responsible for maintaining and updating these records.
If you’re looking for an EHR specialist job, you may be asked to interview for the position. During the interview, you’ll be asked questions about your experience working with EHRs, as well as your knowledge of medical coding and billing. You may also be asked questions about your ability to use different EHR software programs.
To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve compiled a list of sample EHR specialist interview questions and answers.
The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience using the specific EHR software used at their facility. If you are interviewing for a position that requires you to use an EHR system, it’s important to show your familiarity with the software before accepting the job. You can answer this question by mentioning which EHR software you’re familiar with and how much experience you have using it.
Example: “I am familiar with the EHR software used here because I worked in a similar role at my previous employer. I’ve been working with this software for five years now, so I’m very comfortable with its features and functions. I also regularly attended training sessions on the software when I was employed there.”
This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills necessary to succeed in this role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few of your strongest skills and how they apply to working with EHRs.
Example: “I think one of my most important skills for working with EHRs is attention to detail. I am very organized and methodical when completing tasks, which helps me ensure that all information entered into the system is accurate. Another skill that has helped me work with EHRs is my ability to communicate effectively. I always make sure to ask questions if I’m unsure about something and explain things clearly to patients so they understand what’s happening.”
Electronic health record specialists must understand and follow all privacy regulations when working with patient data. This question allows the interviewer to assess your knowledge of these regulations and how you apply them in your work. In your answer, explain what steps you take to ensure that patients’ information remains confidential.
Example: “I am aware of HIPAA regulations and have taken a course on how to keep electronic records secure. I use encryption software to protect patient data from unauthorized access. I also make sure that my computer is always up-to-date with security patches and antivirus software. When using public Wi-Fi networks, I only connect to websites that are HTTPS secured.”
The interviewer may ask you this question to understand how you approach a problem and solve it. Your answer should include your steps for identifying the issue, researching possible solutions and implementing them.
Example: “I first try to resolve technical issues with the EHR system by asking my colleagues if they’re experiencing similar problems. If I’m the only one having an issue, I’ll contact IT support to see if they can help me troubleshoot the problem. If other employees are also experiencing the same issue, I’ll work with IT support to find a solution. In either case, I document the process of resolving the issue so that I can refer back to it in the future.”
Customer service is an important skill for any healthcare professional to have. Employers ask this question to make sure you can provide excellent customer service and care to their patients. When preparing your answer, think of a time when you helped a patient or family member with something they needed help with. Try to focus on the positive outcome of the situation.
Example: “When I was working as a nurse’s aide at my previous hospital, I had a patient who was very hard of hearing. He would often miss what we were saying to him, which made it difficult to communicate with him. One day, I noticed he was having trouble understanding me. So, I pulled out my phone and downloaded a translator app that spoke in both English and Spanish. I then used the app to speak to him in his native language so he could understand me better.”
This question can help interviewers understand how you would handle a challenging situation. In your answer, try to explain what steps you would take to remain professional and calm in the moment.
Example: “I have had patients who were hostile toward me before, but I always make sure to remain calm and respectful when they are. If someone is upset with me or the system, it’s important that I listen to them and empathize with their concerns. I also try to find out if there is anything I can do to improve the situation for them. For example, if they’re upset about long wait times, I will see if there is something I can do to speed up their visit.”
This question can help interviewers assess your problem-solving skills and ability to work with others. Your answer should show that you are willing to speak up when necessary, but also emphasize the importance of teamwork and collaboration.
Example: “I would first approach my colleague privately to discuss what they were doing wrong and offer them a quick training session on how to enter information correctly into the EHR system. If this didn’t solve the issue, I would then bring it to the attention of our supervisor so they could provide additional support or training for the employee.”
Electronic health record specialists often work under tight deadlines. Employers ask this question to make sure you can handle the pressure of working in a fast-paced environment. In your answer, share an example of how you handled a time when you had a lot of work to do and a deadline approaching. Explain what steps you took to complete your tasks on time.
Example: “In my previous role as an electronic health record specialist, I was responsible for entering patient information into the system within 24 hours of receiving it. One day, I received over 100 pages of documents that needed to be entered into the system. With only two days until the deadline, I knew I would have to stay late to get everything done. I delegated some of the work to other employees so they could help me meet the deadline.”
Electronic health record specialists often work with large data sets, so the interviewer may ask you this question to see if you have experience working with such information. Use your answer to highlight any relevant skills or past experiences that can help you succeed in this role.
Example: “In my previous role as an EHR specialist, I worked with a database of over 100 million patient records. This was one of the largest databases I’ve ever worked with, and it required me to use advanced search functions and sorting techniques to find specific information within the larger data set. I also had to ensure that all of the data I entered into the system was accurate, which meant double-checking each entry for accuracy.”
This question can help the interviewer determine how committed you are to your career and whether you’re willing to learn new things. Your answer should include a specific example of when you’ve learned something new in your field, such as an update on technology or best practices for patient care.
Example: “I recently attended a seminar about EHRs that discussed the benefits of using cloud-based storage versus local servers. I found this information very helpful because it helped me understand why my previous employer was having issues with their system. I also learned some tips for improving security within our systems.”
This question can help the interviewer determine how you plan to implement a system that is user-friendly and convenient for patients. Your answer should show your ability to create an effective mobile application or website that allows patients to access their information at any time.
Example: “I would first assess what type of devices our patients use most often, such as iPhones or Android phones. Then I would develop a secure app or website where they could log in with their credentials and view their medical records on their mobile device. This way, they can have immediate access to their information when they need it.”
Electronic health record specialists often handle sensitive information, such as patient medical histories and test results. Employers ask this question to make sure you understand the importance of handling confidential information properly. In your answer, explain how you would protect any confidential information in an EHR system.
Example: “I always use strong passwords for my computer accounts and never share them with anyone. I also keep all documents on my computer encrypted so that only I can access them. When I’m working with a client’s electronic health records, I ensure that they have implemented these security measures before I begin work. If not, I will help them set up their systems to ensure privacy.”
Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their team. Before your interview, make a list of reasons why you are the best candidate for this role. Consider highlighting any relevant experience or skills that match what they’re looking for in an employee.
Example: “I am passionate about helping others, which is why I became a nurse. Throughout my career, I have worked hard to develop my EHR specialist skills so I could help other nurses use technology to improve patient care. In my last position, I helped implement new software into our hospital’s system, which streamlined many processes and improved communication between departments.”
This question is a great way to show your potential employer that you are self-aware and willing to improve. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention an area of the EHR system that you feel you need to learn more about or one that you have been working on improving in your current role.
Example: “I would say my biggest weakness when it comes to using the EHR system is entering patient information into the system quickly. I am always looking for ways to streamline this process so that I can enter information faster without sacrificing accuracy. In my last position, I worked with my team to create a new template that allowed us to enter patient information much quicker than before.”
This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you understand the importance of patient care and how it relates to EHRs. Your answer should include an example from your experience as an EHR specialist.
Example: “I think the most important aspect of patient care is communication. When I was working at my previous job, we had a patient who came in for a routine checkup but didn’t mention any changes in their health or symptoms they were experiencing. We ran some tests and found out that the patient had cancer. If they hadn’t come in for their checkup, they may not have been diagnosed until it was too late. That’s why I always make sure to ask patients about anything new they’re experiencing.”
This question can help the interviewer determine how often you update your professional profile and whether you are likely to keep up with changes in the EHR system. You should answer honestly about how often you update your personal profile, but also emphasize that you will be able to stay current on updates to the EHR system.
Example: “I update my personal profile at least once a year. I find it helpful to reflect on my goals for the next year so I can make sure they align with my work objectives. I am committed to keeping up with any changes to the EHR system because I know it is important to provide patients with the best care possible.”
This question is a great way to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to work independently. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the steps you would take to troubleshoot the issue and how you would document your process for future reference.
Example: “I would first try to find out what exactly the bug was by searching through the system’s documentation. If I couldn’t find any information on the bug, I would then search online for similar issues that other EHR systems have had in the past. Once I found an issue that matched my current situation, I would use the solution provided by the company to fix the bug in our system. I would also make sure to write down all of the steps I took so that I could refer back to them if needed in the future.