17 Hospital Orderly Interview Questions and Answers

If you’re looking for a job in the healthcare industry, you may want to consider becoming a hospital orderly. Orderlies are responsible for providing patient care, transporting patients and equipment, and keeping hospital rooms clean and orderly.

While the job may not require a lot of formal education, you will need to be able to answer a few key questions during your interview. In this guide, we’ll give you some tips on how to answer hospital orderly interview questions so you can get the job you want.

Are you comfortable working with patients who have infectious diseases or who are in a state of physical distress?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you are aware of the challenges of working in a hospital and have experience handling these situations. If you do, share your story about how you handled it.

Example: “I am comfortable working with patients who have infectious diseases or who are in a state of physical distress because I’ve worked in this environment for several years now. In my last position as a nurse’s aide, I assisted doctors and nurses with patients who were experiencing severe pain and discomfort. I learned how to handle these situations by following instructions from senior staff members and asking questions when needed.”

What are some of the most important qualities for a hospital orderly to have?

This question can help interviewers determine if you have the qualities they’re looking for in an orderly. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a few of your most important qualities and how they relate to working as a hospital orderly.

Example: “I think one of the most important qualities for a hospital orderly is compassion. Working with patients who are often going through difficult times can be challenging, so I feel that having empathy and being able to put myself in their shoes can make a big difference. Another quality I believe is important is organization. Hospital orderlies need to work quickly but also accurately, so I find that keeping my workspace organized helps me stay on top of things.”

How would you handle a situation where a patient is hostile or uncooperative?

This question can help interviewers assess your interpersonal skills and ability to handle challenging situations. When answering, it can be helpful to provide an example of how you would respond to a hostile or uncooperative patient in a calm and professional manner.

Example: “In my experience as a hospital orderly, I have encountered many patients who are upset about their current situation or the treatment they’re receiving. In these cases, I try to remain calm and respectful while still maintaining authority. For instance, when a patient was unhappy with his diagnosis, I explained that we were doing everything we could for him and encouraged him to ask any questions he had.”

What is your process for handling a patient who needs to be transported to another area of the hospital?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle a variety of tasks and responsibilities in the workplace. Use your answer to highlight your ability to work as part of a team, prioritize important tasks and manage time effectively.

Example: “When I first meet with the patient, I ask them what their needs are and if they have any questions or concerns about being transported. Then, I speak with my supervisor to ensure that all necessary equipment is available for the transport. Finally, I assemble a team of two other orderlies to assist me with moving the patient safely.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to help a patient who was experiencing a mental health issue.

When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation and how you helped the patient. It can also be beneficial to include any relevant skills or experience that may have helped you in your response.

Example: “In my previous role as an orderly, I had a patient who was experiencing severe anxiety. The patient would often ask me questions about their health and what they could expect during their stay. While I couldn’t give them all of the answers they were looking for, I did my best to help them understand their current condition and provide reassurance. Eventually, the patient’s anxiety subsided and they were able to focus on their recovery.”

If a patient needed to be moved to a different room, how would you determine the supplies you needed?

This question can help interviewers understand how you prioritize your tasks and use your time efficiently. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention the steps you would take to complete this task.

Example: “If a patient needed to be moved to a different room, I would first check with their doctor or nurse to see if they had any special instructions for moving them. Then, I would gather all of the supplies that were necessary for the move, including extra sheets, pillows, blankets and wheelchairs. I would also make sure there was an orderly present to assist me in moving the patient.”

What would you do if you noticed a sanitation issue in a patient’s room?

This question can help the interviewer assess your attention to detail and ability to follow hospital procedures. In your answer, describe how you would handle this situation by explaining what steps you would take to correct the issue and ensure it doesn’t happen again.

Example: “If I noticed a sanitation issue in a patient’s room, I would first make sure that the patient was safe and comfortable. Then, I would notify my supervisor so they could address the problem with the appropriate staff member. After that, I would clean up the mess myself or ask for assistance from another orderly if necessary. Finally, I would check back on the patient after the issue had been resolved to make sure they were okay.”

How well do you think you can adapt to the ever-changing needs of patients and the hospital?

Hospital orderlies are often the first point of contact for patients and their families. They need to be able to adapt quickly to changing needs, such as a patient’s condition or family members’ requests. A good answer shows that you can think on your feet and prioritize tasks effectively.

Example: “I have worked in healthcare for many years now, so I am used to adapting to new situations. For example, when I started working at my current hospital, we had one nurse per floor. Now, we have two nurses per floor, which means there is more work for us orderlies. However, I adapted by learning how to do some basic nursing tasks, like taking blood pressure and checking vitals.”

Do you have any experience working with children?

If you have experience working with children, the interviewer may ask this question to see if you can work well with a diverse group of people. If you don’t have any experience working with children, you can talk about your ability to work with different types of personalities and how you adapt to new situations.

Example: “I worked as a camp counselor for five years, so I’m used to working with kids of all ages. I love being around them because they’re always full of energy and excitement. I’ve found that it’s important to be patient when working with children because they learn best through play and repetition. I also find that humor is an effective way to get their attention and keep them engaged.”

When working with patients, do you prefer to work as a team or on your own?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you might fit into their team. It’s important to show that you’re a good communicator and enjoy working with others, but also that you can work independently when needed.

Example: “I prefer to work as part of a team because I find it more efficient than working alone. However, if there is an emergency situation where I need to act quickly, I’m comfortable doing so on my own. In this case, I would make sure to communicate clearly with any other members of the team who may be nearby.”

We want to improve our infection control procedures. Describe the steps you would take if you noticed that a patient’s bedding hadn’t been changed after they used it.

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and ability to work as part of a team. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the steps you would take to ensure that the patient’s bedding was changed in a timely manner.

Example: “If I noticed that a patient’s bedding hadn’t been changed after they used it, I would first make sure that the patient had clean sheets on their bed. Then, I would ask my supervisor if there were any open beds where we could move the patient so that we could change their bedding. If there weren’t any available beds, I would ask for help from other orderlies to change the bedding. This ensures that the patient has fresh bedding while also allowing us to continue providing care to other patients who need our attention.

Describe your process for handling a situation where a patient needs to be restrained.

This question is a behavioral one that allows you to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to work with patients who may be experiencing challenging behaviors. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the steps you take when handling such situations and how you ensure the safety of both yourself and the patient.

Example: “When I encounter a situation where a patient needs to be restrained, I first try to calm them down by speaking calmly and reassuringly. If they continue to act out, I will call for help from other hospital staff members or security guards. Once we have the patient safely restrained, I make sure they are comfortable and safe before leaving them in order to allow medical professionals to treat them.”

What makes you the best candidate for this position?

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 all the skills and experiences that qualify you for this role. Focus on what makes you unique from other candidates and highlight any transferable skills or certifications you have.

Example: “I am passionate about helping others, which is why I became an EMT in the first place. In my previous position, I was promoted to lead my team because of my ability to communicate effectively with patients and coworkers. My leadership skills helped me develop my team members’ abilities so we could provide excellent care to our patients.”

Which cleaning procedures have you performed in the past?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience level and how you might fit into their hospital’s cleaning procedures. If you have no prior experience, consider describing a time when you learned to perform a new task or procedure.

Example: “In my last position as a hospital orderly, I was responsible for performing daily cleaning tasks such as mopping floors, washing windows and disinfecting surfaces. I also helped with more intensive cleaning projects like deep-cleaning patient rooms and sanitizing equipment. In my previous job as an emergency medical technician, I performed similar duties but focused on maintaining the ambulance rather than treating patients.”

What do you think are the most important qualities for a hospital orderly to have?

This question can help interviewers understand what you value in your work and how it impacts the patients you care for. When answering this question, consider which qualities are most important to you personally and why. You may also want to mention any specific skills that you have that support these qualities.

Example: “I think the most important quality for a hospital orderly is compassion. I’ve worked with many different orderlies throughout my career, and those who treat their patients with kindness and respect always seem to be the best at their jobs. They’re more likely to go above and beyond for their patients, and they make sure to do everything they can to make their patients feel comfortable. This includes being friendly and helpful, but also knowing when to ask for help from other medical professionals.”

How often do you think a patient’s bedding should be changed?

This question can help the interviewer assess your bedside manner and interpersonal skills. It also helps them determine if you have a good understanding of infection control procedures. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention that there are specific guidelines for changing patients’ sheets. You can refer to these guidelines in your answer to show that you know how often they should be changed.

Example: “I think that patient sheets should be changed every time the patient is moved from one location to another. This includes when they are being transferred from their hospital bed to an examination table or wheelchair. I also think that sheets should be changed after each shift change. This ensures that all staff members who come into contact with the patient are working with clean linens.”

There is a high-risk patient in your area who is known for causing problems. What is your strategy for keeping them calm?

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and ability to work with challenging patients. Your answer should include a specific example of how you handled the situation, including what steps you took to calm the patient down or prevent them from causing problems.

Example: “In my previous role as a hospital orderly, I had a high-risk patient who was known for being disruptive. When he would start acting out, I would calmly walk over to him and ask if there was anything I could do to help. He always appreciated that I asked, and it helped me diffuse the situation before it got worse.”