20 Intermountain Healthcare Interview Questions and Answers

Intermountain Healthcare is a large, nonprofit health system based in Salt Lake City, Utah. The company operates hospitals, clinics, and other health care facilities in Utah, Idaho, and Nevada. Intermountain Healthcare is known for its high-quality patient care and its use of technology to improve the delivery of care.

If you are interviewing for a position at Intermountain Healthcare, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience, your skills, and your knowledge of the health care industry. You may also be asked questions about Intermountain Healthcare specifically, such as its mission and values.

Preparing for your interview at Intermountain Healthcare will involve familiarizing yourself with the company and its culture, as well as practicing your answers to common interview questions. This article will provide you with some sample questions that you may be asked during your interview at Intermountain Healthcare.

Intermountain Healthcare Interview Process

The interview process at Intermountain Healthcare can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least two rounds of interviews, often including a panel interview. The length of the hiring process can also vary, but it is typically around three to four weeks from start to finish.

Overall, reviewers found the interview process to be professional and thorough. However, some noted that the process can be lengthy and that communication after the interview could be improved.

1. Are you prepared to make a two-year commitment?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your commitment level. They want to know that you are willing to stay with them for at least two years, which is how long most residents train before they can practice independently. Your answer should show that you understand this and are prepared to make such a commitment.

Example: “I am fully committed to working in this field for as long as it takes me to become an expert. I have no plans of leaving after my training period ends. In fact, I would love to work here for many years to come.”

2. Tell me about your previous clinical experience.

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your clinical skills and how you apply them in your work. When answering this question, it can be helpful to highlight any specific experiences that helped you develop your skills or show improvement in your abilities.

Example: “I have worked as an emergency room nurse at Mercy Hospital for the past five years. In my role, I’ve had many opportunities to practice my critical thinking and problem-solving skills while working with patients of all ages. One of my favorite parts of being an ER nurse is helping families through difficult situations. I enjoy using my communication skills to help ease their anxiety.”

3. What are some of the traits that you value in a team member?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you as a person and how your values align with those of Intermountain Healthcare. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention traits that are important in healthcare professionals, such as compassion, empathy and teamwork.

Example: “I value honesty and transparency in my colleagues because I think they’re essential for building trust within a team. In my last role, I worked on a project with a colleague who was always honest about their progress and challenges. This helped me understand what I could do to support them and also gave me confidence that we would meet our deadline.”

4. Do you have any certifications or licenses?

Employers may ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how they can benefit their organization. If you have certifications or licenses, be sure to mention them in your answer. You can also talk about any other relevant experience that makes you a good fit for the role.

Example: “I am certified as an emergency medical technician through the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. I’ve been working as an EMT for five years now, so I’m very familiar with the protocols and procedures for responding to emergencies. In my previous position, I was responsible for training new employees on these same protocols.”

5. Describe a time when you provided high quality care for a patient with special needs.

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to work with patients who have unique needs. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation where you were able to provide care for a patient despite their special circumstances and how that experience helped you develop as a healthcare professional.

Example: “When I was working in the emergency room, we had a patient come in who was deaf and unable to communicate verbally. We worked together to use sign language to communicate, which allowed me to understand what they needed and provided them with the best possible care.”

6. How would you describe your nursing philosophy?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer your values and beliefs as a nurse. It’s important to be honest in your answer, but you can also use this question to showcase your communication skills by explaining how you would explain your nursing philosophy to others.

Example: “My nursing philosophy is that every patient deserves compassionate care from their nurses. I believe it’s our job to make sure patients feel safe and comfortable during their hospital stay. To do this, I always try to put myself in my patients’ shoes and remember what it was like when I was sick or injured. I am always available for questions and will go out of my way to ensure my patients are well cared for.”

7. Why are you interested in working at Intermountain Healthcare?

This question is an opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the position and organization. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific aspect of Intermountain Healthcare that you are excited about or what drew you to apply in the first place.

Example: “I am interested in working at Intermountain Healthcare because I have heard great things about the hospital system from my friends who work here. They say that the culture is amazing and that they love their jobs. I would love to be part of such a positive environment where people genuinely care about each other.”

8. Can you handle stressful situations?

Working in a hospital setting can be stressful at times. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the ability to handle stress and remain calm when working with patients. In your answer, explain how you stay calm under pressure. Share an example of a time when you had to work through a stressful situation.

Example: “I am passionate about helping others, so I would do anything for my patients. This means that even if things get hectic or stressful, I will always remain calm and focused on providing quality care. During my last rotation, there was a patient who needed immediate attention. The doctor called me over to assist them, but they were busy with another patient. I remained calm and helped them as quickly as possible.”

9. Would you be okay with moving between units within the hospital?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your flexibility and willingness to adapt. It’s important to show that you’re willing to take on new challenges, even if they involve moving to another unit within the hospital.

Example: “I’m open to working in any department of the hospital as long as it helps me provide quality care to patients. I understand that sometimes there are staffing shortages or other issues that require employees to move between units. In my previous position, I was asked to work in the emergency room one night per week because we were short-staffed. Although I wasn’t used to working in the ER, I adapted quickly and provided excellent care to patients.”

10. Have you ever worked with patients who had limited English skills?

This question can help interviewers understand how you might work with patients who speak a different language than English. It’s important to show that you’re willing to learn new languages and communicate with your patients in their native tongue.

Example: “I have worked with patients who spoke Spanish, but I’m not fluent in the language myself. However, I always made sure to ask my patients if they would like me to find someone who could translate for them. If they agreed, I would call our hospital translator service or ask one of my colleagues to interpret for me.”

11. Tell us about a time when you had to deal with an angry patient, how did you respond?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle conflict and challenging situations. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation and the steps you took to resolve it.

Example: “I once had a patient who was upset because they felt like I wasn’t listening to them. They were in pain and wanted me to give them more medication, but I explained that we needed to wait until their current dose wore off before administering more. The patient became angry and started yelling at me, but I remained calm and listened to what they had to say. After explaining my reasoning again, they calmed down and agreed to wait.”

12. Which qualities do you believe make someone a good nurse assistant?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you as a person and how your personality might fit in with their organization. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention qualities that are important to you personally or professionally.

Example: “I believe that being compassionate is one of the most important qualities for a nurse assistant. I also think it’s important to have patience when working with patients who may not understand what we’re saying or doing. It’s vital to remain calm under pressure and to always do everything you can to make sure the patient feels safe and comfortable.”

13. What is one thing that you take pride in as a healthcare worker?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you are passionate about the work you do. When answering this question, it can be helpful to talk about something specific from your experience as a healthcare worker and how it has helped improve patient care or outcomes.

Example: “I take pride in my ability to communicate with patients and their families. I find that many people feel nervous when they come into the hospital, so being able to explain procedures and answer questions can help them feel more at ease. In my last role, I was working with a family who had just learned that their child would need surgery. I took time to speak with them one-on-one and explain what we were going to do and why. By the end of our conversation, they seemed much calmer and ready for the procedure.”

14. Give an example of a way you dealt with a challenging situation.

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and how you can use them in the workplace. When answering this question, it’s important to be specific about what steps you took to solve the issue and what the outcome was.

Example: “When I worked as an ER nurse, there were times when we would have more patients than staff members on duty. This meant that nurses had to work longer shifts with less breaks. One night, I noticed one of my coworkers looked exhausted. I asked her if she wanted to switch our shifts so she could get some rest. She agreed, and I stayed late until another coworker arrived for their shift.”

15. How well do you work under pressure?

This question can help an interviewer determine how you handle stress and pressure. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a time when you faced a stressful situation and overcame it or used your skills to complete the task successfully.

Example: “I have worked in healthcare for many years now, so I’ve had plenty of experience with high-pressure situations. In my last position as a nurse, I was working on a patient who suddenly went into cardiac arrest. I immediately began performing CPR while calling for backup. Another nurse arrived within seconds and helped me perform chest compressions until paramedics arrived. The patient survived thanks to our quick response.”

16. If hired, what would be your approach to educating and training new employees?

This question is an opportunity to show your leadership skills and ability to train others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific training experience you’ve had in the past.

Example: “In my last role as a nurse manager, I was responsible for hiring new nurses. In our orientation process, we would cover all of the basics of patient care, hospital policies and procedures and how to use our electronic medical record system. We also provided one-on-one mentorship with more experienced nurses so they could answer any questions the new hires might have.”

17. When was the last time you had to quickly adapt to changing circumstances?

This question can help an interviewer get a better sense of how you might adapt to the unique challenges that come with working in healthcare. Use your answer to highlight any specific skills or experiences that helped you overcome these challenges and achieve success.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for managing a team of nurses who were all on different schedules. One day, one of our most experienced nurses called out sick unexpectedly, leaving us short-staffed. I had to quickly rearrange some shifts so we could cover the open shift without having to call in additional staff members. It took some juggling, but I managed to find a solution that worked well enough to ensure patient safety.”

18. How are you able to maintain a positive attitude even during difficult times?

This question can help an interviewer get to know you as a person and how you interact with others. It also helps them understand your work ethic and commitment to the job. When answering this question, it can be helpful to share a specific example of when you maintained a positive attitude despite challenges.

Example: “I have always been someone who tries to maintain a positive attitude no matter what is happening in my life. I find that having a positive outlook on life makes me more productive at work and able to better support those around me. In my last role, there was a lot of change going on within the organization. While some people were upset about these changes, I tried to remain optimistic and focused on the future.”

19. Do you have any experience working with children?

This question is often asked by employers to determine if you have experience working with children and how well you can interact with them. If you do not have any experience, it’s important to explain why in your answer.

Example: “I don’t have any direct experience working with children, but I did volunteer at a local hospital where I interacted with many children who were sick or injured. I would read books to the kids and play games with them to help make their stay more enjoyable. I also helped parents find ways to entertain their children while they waited for test results or treatment.”

20. Which areas of medicine interest you the most?

This question can help the interviewer determine if your interests align with those of Intermountain Healthcare. It also helps them understand what you might be looking for in a job and how it could fit into your career goals. When answering this question, try to focus on specific areas that are relevant to the position you’re applying for.

Example: “I am passionate about emergency medicine because I enjoy helping people when they need it most. In my last role as an ER nurse, I was able to provide care to patients who were experiencing everything from minor injuries to life-threatening emergencies. I love being able to use my skills to save lives.”