Learn what skills and qualities interviewers are looking for from an emergency medicine physician assistant, what questions you can expect, and how you should go about answering them.
Emergency medicine physician assistants (EM PAs) are medical professionals who provide care to patients in emergency situations. They work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and physician offices.
EM PAs need to be able to think on their feet and make quick decisions. They also need to be able to handle the stress of working in a fast-paced environment. If you’re interested in becoming an EM PA, you’ll need to be able to demonstrate these skills in an interview.
To help you prepare, we’ve put together a list of sample questions and answers that you may be asked in an interview for an EM PA job.
Employers may ask this question to see if you have the necessary certifications for the job. If you are not certified, they may want to know when you plan on becoming certified and what steps you’re taking to do so. You can answer honestly about your certification status and explain how you plan to become certified in the future.
Example: “I am currently working toward my certification as an emergency medicine physician assistant. I plan to take the exam next year after I complete my training at this facility. I feel that having a few more years of experience will help me pass the test with ease.”
This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the necessary skills and abilities to succeed in this role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few of your most important qualities and how they relate to emergency medicine physician assistant duties.
Example: “The most important quality for an emergency medicine physician assistant is compassion. I believe that empathy is essential when working with patients who are experiencing trauma or other serious medical conditions. Another important quality is organization. In my previous position as an emergency medicine physician assistant, I was responsible for managing patient records and ensuring all information was accurate. This helped me provide better care for patients.”
As an emergency physician assistant, you may work with a variety of physicians. Employers ask this question to make sure you can collaborate well with others and respect their authority. In your answer, try to show that you can respectfully disagree with someone while still maintaining a positive relationship.
Example: “I would first talk to my colleague about the disagreement. I would explain why I disagreed with them and offer alternative solutions or ideas. If they were open to it, we could discuss our opinions further and come up with a solution together. If they weren’t open to discussion, I would continue to voice my opinion in a respectful way. I would also document the disagreement in case there was ever any confusion later.”
This question can help interviewers understand how you might handle a busy shift in the emergency room. When answering, it can be helpful to describe your organizational skills and ability to prioritize tasks.
Example: “In my previous role as an emergency medicine physician assistant, I often worked alongside other medical professionals who were handling high volumes of patients. In these situations, I find that it’s important to stay organized and prioritize tasks based on urgency. For example, if there are multiple patients waiting for care, I would triage each patient by their level of need and then begin treating those with urgent needs first. This helps me ensure that all patients receive the care they need while also allowing me to complete tasks efficiently.”
Working with patients who have mental illnesses can be challenging, especially when they’re in crisis. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience working with these types of patients and that you know how to handle them. In your answer, explain what steps you took to help the patient. Share any specific techniques or skills you used to calm the patient down or keep them safe.
Example: “I once had a patient who was experiencing severe hallucinations. He thought there were people hiding under his bed and he couldn’t leave his room because they would attack him. I talked to him calmly and reassured him that no one was under his bed. Then, I helped him get out of bed and into a wheelchair so we could go to the hospital’s emergency room.”
This question can help interviewers assess your interpersonal skills and ability to handle challenging situations. In your answer, try to demonstrate that you have the necessary communication skills to diffuse a situation with a patient and keep them calm.
Example: “If a patient was hostile toward me, I would first make sure they are safe and not in any immediate danger. Then, I would attempt to deescalate the situation by listening to their concerns and empathizing with them. If this didn’t work, I would ask for assistance from my supervisor or another colleague so we could address the issue together.”
This question can help interviewers understand how you work with others and your ability to collaborate. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation where you helped another colleague or team member in the past.
Example: “When working with other healthcare professionals, I always make sure to communicate clearly about what I’m doing and ask for their input when needed. In my last role as an emergency physician assistant, I was helping a patient who had been in a car accident. The emergency physician on duty asked me to check the patient’s vitals while he went to get some supplies. I did so, and we were able to determine that the patient’s condition was stable enough that they could wait until the doctor returned.”
This question is a great way for employers to assess your ability to work in an emergency department. They want to know that you can handle the stress of working with patients who are experiencing life-threatening situations and still provide them with quality care. In your answer, try to explain how you manage pressure and what strategies you use to stay calm when it’s necessary.
Example: “I am very comfortable working under pressure because I have done so many times before. When I was in school, I had several projects due at once, which caused me to feel stressed. However, I used deep breathing exercises and other techniques to help me focus on one task at a time. This helped me get through my assignments without feeling overwhelmed.”
The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience working with patients of all ages. If you do, they may want to know how you handle the unique challenges that come with treating children. If you don’t have any experience working with children, you can talk about your ability to work with people of all ages and develop strategies for communicating effectively with them.
Example: “I worked in a pediatric emergency room for two years before moving to my current position. I found that it was important to be patient when explaining procedures to young patients and their parents. I also learned that it’s helpful to use visual aids like drawings or toys to help explain medical conditions to kids.”
This question can help the interviewer determine your knowledge of pain management and how you apply it to emergency situations. Use examples from your experience as an emergency medicine physician assistant that show your ability to assess patients’ needs for pain medication and administer it appropriately.
Example: “In my experience, I’ve found that administering pain medication is most appropriate when a patient’s pain level is interfering with their ability to communicate effectively or respond to questions. For example, if a patient has broken bones but they’re able to answer questions about what happened to them and describe their current pain level, then it may not be necessary to administer pain medication. However, if they are unable to speak clearly due to their injuries, then administering pain medication may be more appropriate.”
This question is an opportunity to show your interpersonal skills and ability to work with patients, their families and other medical professionals. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation where you used communication techniques to help improve the patient experience or outcomes.
Example: “I think one of the most important aspects of my job as an emergency physician assistant is communicating effectively with patients and their families. I try to make sure that everyone understands what’s happening during each step of treatment so they feel comfortable asking questions and know what to expect. In my last role, I had a family who was very concerned about their loved one’s condition. We talked through all of their concerns and expectations together, which helped them feel more confident in our care.”
This question is an opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge of emergency medicine procedures and how you apply them in a clinical setting. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the steps involved in performing the procedure and what skills are necessary for success.
Example: “When performing emergency surgical procedures, I first assess the patient’s condition and determine if they’re stable enough for surgery. If so, I then prepare my tools and equipment and assemble my team. Once everyone is ready, we begin the procedure by administering anesthesia and making any necessary incisions. Then, we remove the damaged tissue or foreign object and close the wound with sutures.”
Employers ask this question to learn more about your unique skills and abilities. They want to know what makes you a valuable candidate for their open position. When answering this question, think of two or three things that make you stand out from other physician assistants. These can be specific skills or experiences that you have.
Example: “I am passionate about emergency medicine and helping others. I also have extensive experience working in an emergency room setting. In my previous role as a physician assistant, I worked with patients who were experiencing heart attacks, strokes and other serious conditions. This has given me the ability to work well under pressure and perform life-saving procedures when needed.”
This question can help the interviewer determine your career goals and how you plan to achieve them. It also helps them understand whether or not you have a long-term vision for your career in emergency medicine. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific credentials that you are interested in pursuing.
Example: “I would like to earn my certification as an advanced cardiac life support provider because I find working with patients who are experiencing heart issues very rewarding. I am also interested in earning my pediatric advanced life support credential because I enjoy working with children and their families. I think these two certifications would allow me to continue developing my skills and helping others.”
This question can help interviewers understand your perspective on the role of an emergency medicine physician assistant. It also helps them determine whether you have a realistic view of what it’s like to work in this field. When answering, consider discussing challenges that you’ve personally experienced or witnessed firsthand.
Example: “I think one of the biggest challenges facing emergency medicine physicians today is burnout. I’ve seen many colleagues who are passionate about their work start to lose interest because they’re overworked and understaffed. This leads to poor patient care, which is something we should always strive to avoid. Another challenge is the lack of respect for our profession. Many people don’t realize how much training and education emergency medicine physicians need before they can practice independently.”
This question can help the interviewer determine how comfortable you are with physical exams and whether you have experience performing them. You may also be asked to describe a time when you performed a physical exam on a patient in an emergency situation.
Example: “In my previous role as an emergency medicine physician assistant, I performed physical exams on patients every day. In fact, it was one of my primary responsibilities. During each shift, I would perform at least two physical exams per patient, although some required more depending on their condition. I am very comfortable performing physical exams because they are such a large part of my daily routine.”
This question is a great way to show your passion for emergency medicine and the impact you want to have on the community. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific reasons why you enjoy being an emergency physician assistant.
Example: “I would tell them that emergency medicine is one of the most rewarding careers out there because I get to help people in their time of need. It’s also important to me that I am able to work with a team of professionals who are all dedicated to providing excellent care to patients. In my experience, working as an emergency physician assistant has helped me develop into a confident professional who wants to continue helping others.”