20 Harris Health System Interview Questions and Answers

Harris Health System is always looking for talented and dedicated employees to join their team. If you’re interested in working for Harris Health System, you may be wondering what kind of questions you’ll be asked in your interview.

In this article, we’ll provide some examples of Harris Health System specific interview questions that you may be asked during your interview. We’ll also give some tips on how to answer these questions so that you can make a great impression on the hiring manager.

Harris Health System Interview Process

The interview process at Harris Health System can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most interviews will consist of a phone screen with HR followed by a video interview with the hiring manager and their then boss. Due to Covid, an In-Person interview may not be needed. I made the interviewer laugh, which helped ‘break the ice’ I think.

1. Are you able to work in a fast-paced environment?

Harris Health System is a large organization that provides many services to the community. The interviewer wants to know if you can handle working in a busy environment and how you will contribute to their team. Use examples from your previous experience to show them that you are able to work well under pressure.

Example: “In my last position, I worked with a team of nurses who were all very experienced. However, we still had a lot of patients to care for every day. In this situation, it was important to be flexible and adaptable. I learned how to prioritize tasks so that everyone could get everything done on time. This helped me develop excellent time management skills.”

2. What are your thoughts on the state of healthcare today and how do you think it can be improved?

Harris Health System is looking for candidates who are passionate about the state of healthcare and want to make improvements. When answering this question, it can be beneficial to discuss your thoughts on how you would improve healthcare if hired.

Example: “I think that healthcare today is improving in many ways. However, I also believe there are still areas where improvement is needed. For example, I think more emphasis should be placed on preventative care rather than treatment after a disease has already developed. I am also concerned with the rising costs of healthcare and how they affect patients.”

3. Do you have any experience with research or clinical trials?

Harris Health System is a major medical center that offers many different services, including research and clinical trials. This question helps the interviewer determine if you have any experience with these types of projects and whether you can contribute to their organization in this way. If you do have experience, share what your role was and how it helped the company or organization.

Example: “I’ve worked on several research projects throughout my career. In my last position as a nurse practitioner, I led a team of nurses who conducted research on patient satisfaction levels after receiving treatment for various conditions. We found that patients were more satisfied when they received care from nurses who had similar personalities to them. This information could help hospitals improve their customer service.”

4. Tell me about two of your strengths, then tell me about an area where you could grow.

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you are self-aware and willing to improve. When answering this question, be sure to highlight two of your strengths and one area where you could grow.

Example: “I am very organized and detail-oriented, which helps me stay on top of my work. I also have excellent communication skills, so I’m always able to clearly explain complex ideas to others. In an ideal situation, I would like to continue developing my ability to multitask. I feel as though I can get overwhelmed when working on multiple projects at once.”

5. How would you handle a situation where a patient is upset and frustrated by their wait time?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your interpersonal skills and ability to diffuse a tense situation. In your answer, try to show that you can be empathetic and use active listening techniques to calm the patient down.

Example: “I would first apologize for their wait time and explain why it’s taking so long. Then I would listen to what they have to say and acknowledge their concerns. If there is anything I can do to make them more comfortable while they wait, I will offer to get them something or find out how much longer they’ll have to wait.”

6. Tell me about a time when you had to show initiative in order to complete a project.

This question can help an interviewer get a better idea of your problem-solving skills and ability to take initiative. Use examples from previous work experiences or personal life that highlight your ability to think critically, analyze information and make decisions on your own.

Example: “In my last position as a nurse practitioner, I was tasked with creating a wellness program for the hospital’s employees. The goal of this project was to increase employee morale and reduce absenteeism by offering free health screenings and workshops. I knew that if we wanted to implement these programs successfully, we would need to hire additional staff members to accommodate the extra patients.

I approached my supervisor about hiring more nurses and doctors to support our new wellness program. She agreed that it would be beneficial to add more staff members to the hospital. We were able to create a budget for the additional hires and implemented the wellness program within two months.”

7. Harris Health System strives for innovation, what does innovation mean to you?

Harris Health System is a leader in the healthcare industry, and they want to hire individuals who are innovative thinkers. When answering this question, it’s important to show that you’re passionate about innovation and how it can improve the quality of care for patients.

Example: “Innovation means finding new ways to do things better. I believe that we should always be looking for new ways to provide our patients with the best possible care. For example, when I worked at my previous hospital, I noticed that many patients had trouble understanding their discharge instructions. So, I developed an online system where patients could access their discharge information 24/7. This helped them understand what to expect after leaving the hospital and reduced readmission rates.”

8. Do you have experience working with patients from diverse backgrounds?

Harris Health System serves a diverse population of patients, and the interviewer wants to make sure you can work with people from different backgrounds. Use your answer to highlight your interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively with others.

Example: “I have worked in healthcare for over ten years now, and I’ve seen firsthand how important it is to treat all patients equally. In my current role as a nurse practitioner, I see patients from many different backgrounds, including those who speak English as a second language. I always take time to explain procedures and treatments so that everyone understands what’s happening.”

9. If hired, which department do you see yourself being most successful in?

Harris Health System has many departments that offer different services. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your interests and how you would fit in with the current team. When answering, think about which department’s goals align most closely with your own career goals.

Example: “I am passionate about working in a medical setting, so I believe I would be successful in any of the Harris Health System hospitals or clinics. However, if I were hired here, I would love to work in the emergency room at Ben Taub Hospital because it is such an important part of the community. I have always been interested in helping people who are experiencing trauma and need urgent care.”

10. Have you ever been involved in a difficult conversation at work, how did you approach the situation?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your communication skills and how you handle conflict. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation in which you had to have a difficult conversation with someone at work. Explain what steps you took to ensure the conversation was productive and positive.

Example: “In my previous role as an administrative assistant, I once had to tell my manager that he needed to improve his time management skills. He was often late for meetings and would forget important deadlines. At first, he seemed upset by my feedback, but after I explained why I felt he could improve, he understood where I was coming from. We then discussed strategies he could use to manage his time better.”

11. Describe a time when you had to deal with conflict amongst team members, how did you resolve the issue?

Harris Health System is a large organization with many employees, so it’s important to show that you can work well in teams. When answering this question, describe how you resolved the conflict and what steps you took to ensure your team members were happy and productive.

Example: “In my last position as an HR manager, I had two employees who disagreed on some of their job duties. One employee felt they should be exempt from certain tasks because of their seniority, while the other employee wanted to perform all of their job duties equally. After meeting with both parties, I realized that one of the employees was not performing up to standard. We discussed the issue and came to a compromise where the employee would complete additional training before returning to full duty.”

12. What do you know about our organization’s mission and vision?

Harris Health System’s mission is to improve the health of Harris County residents by providing quality medical care, wellness and prevention services. The organization also strives to educate its patients about their health and how they can maintain it. Your answer should show that you understand what Harris Health System does and why it exists.

Example: “I know that Harris Health System was founded in 2013 as a result of Harris County Hospital District merging with Ben Taub Hospital. I also know that your goal is to provide high-quality healthcare to all Harris County residents regardless of their ability to pay for it. You want to make sure that everyone has access to preventative care and treatment so that they can live long, healthy lives.”

13. Tell us why you want to work at Harris Health System and what makes you a good fit.

Harris Health System is a large health care provider that offers many different types of jobs. The interviewer wants to know why you want to work for their organization and what makes you qualified for the position. Use your answer to highlight your interest in working at Harris Health System and how your skills, experience and personality make you a good fit for this role.

Example: “I’m interested in working at Harris Health System because I am passionate about providing quality healthcare to underserved populations. As someone who grew up in an impoverished area, I understand the challenges people face when it comes to accessing affordable medical treatment. I believe my background as a nurse would be a great asset to Harris Health System’s team.”

14. Why is effective communication important when dealing with patients?

Harris Health System is a large health care organization that provides many services to the community. As such, it’s important for employees to be able to communicate effectively with patients and other staff members. When answering this question, you can explain how effective communication helps you provide quality care to patients.

Example: “I believe that effective communication is one of the most important skills when working in healthcare. Patients are often nervous about their treatment or diagnosis, so I try to make sure they understand everything we’re doing and why. In my last role as a nurse, I would always take time to answer questions from patients and family members. This helped them feel more comfortable and confident in our care.”

15. Give an example of a time when you made a mistake at work, how did you handle it?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you handle making a mistake. When answering, try to focus on the steps you took to fix the situation or make up for it.

Example: “In my previous role as an ER nurse, I made a small error when administering medication to a patient. The patient was in pain at the time, so they noticed right away that something wasn’t quite right with their treatment. I apologized immediately and explained what happened. They were understanding and we fixed the issue together.”

16. What questions do you have for us?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you have done research on Harris Health System and are interested in learning more about the position. Use this time to ask questions about the job, company or department you’re interviewing for.

Example: “I’m very excited about this role at Harris Health System. I’ve read a lot of information about the organization and am curious about what makes it so unique. What sets Harris Health System apart from other hospitals? Also, I noticed that there’s an employee wellness program here. Can you tell me more about that?”

17. How would you describe your leadership style?

Harris Health System is a large organization that requires strong leadership. Your answer to this question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience leading teams and managing projects. Use examples from your previous work experience to describe how you’ve helped others achieve goals or overcome challenges.

Example: “I believe in being an approachable leader who encourages collaboration among my team members. I also value transparency, so I make sure everyone on my team knows what’s expected of them and when they’ll receive feedback. In my last role as a manager at a medical clinic, I noticed one of my employees was having trouble with her patient care skills. Rather than wait until our next performance review, I pulled her aside for some one-on-one training.”

18. We need nurses who can prioritize effectively, give an example of a time when you had to prioritize tasks.

Nurses are often responsible for managing many tasks at once, so it’s important to show that you can prioritize effectively. When answering this question, try to give an example of a time when you had to manage multiple tasks and how you prioritized them.

Example: “In my previous role as a nurse, I was responsible for overseeing the care of several patients at once. One day, one of my patients experienced a medical emergency, which required me to focus on their treatment while also monitoring other patients. I delegated some of my responsibilities to other nurses so that we could all provide quality care to our patients.”

19. What type of nursing license do you hold?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and experience. If you have a specialty license, be sure to mention it in your answer.

Example: “I hold an RN license in Texas. I also have a BSN degree from the University of Houston, which is where I earned my nursing degree. I am currently working on earning my master’s degree in public health.”

20. What kind of support systems do you like to use when working in a team environment?

Harris Health System is a large organization that requires employees to work together in teams. The hiring manager may ask this question to learn more about your teamwork skills and how you interact with others. To answer this question, think of the types of support systems you use when working on projects or assignments with your colleagues. Explain what makes these systems effective for you and why they help you perform well in team settings.

Example: “I like to use collaboration software tools when working in a team environment because I find them helpful for sharing ideas and feedback with my coworkers. In my last role as an administrative assistant, I used a program called Slack to communicate with my team members. We found it easy to share documents and discuss our progress on various projects. This system helped us stay organized and complete our tasks efficiently.”