20 MD Anderson Cancer Center Interview Questions and Answers

MD Anderson Cancer Center is one of the leading cancer research and treatment centers in the United States. As such, they are always looking for the best and brightest to join their team.

If you are lucky enough to score an interview at MD Anderson, you can expect to be asked some tough questions. However, with some preparation, you can ace the interview and land the job.

In this article, we will provide you with some sample MD Anderson interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

MD Anderson Cancer Center Interview Process

The interview process at MD Anderson Cancer Center can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least two interviews, one with HR and one with the hiring manager. For some positions, you may also be interviewed by a panel of managers. The length of the hiring process can vary, but it typically takes about a month to complete.

The difficulty of the interviews varies depending on the position. For some positions, such as Registered Nurse, the questions may be more general and easy to answer. For other positions, such as Research Assistant, the questions may be more technical and difficult. Overall, the interview process is relatively standard and should not be too difficult to navigate.

1. Why do you want to work at MD Andersen?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your interest in working at MD Anderson. Your answer should include why you are passionate about cancer research and treatment, as well as what drew you to this specific institution.

Example: “I have always been interested in medicine, but it wasn’t until I lost my grandmother to cancer that I knew I wanted to pursue a career in oncology. She was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was only 50 years old, and her battle inspired me to become an oncologist so I could help others like her. When I learned about MD Andersen’s reputation for being one of the best cancer hospitals in the country, I knew I had to apply.”

2. What are your thoughts on the importance of clinical trials and research?

MD Anderson Cancer Center is a leader in cancer research and treatment, so it’s important that any candidate for employment understands the importance of clinical trials and research. Your answer should show your interest in working with patients who are participating in clinical trials or research projects.

Example: “I believe strongly in the value of clinical trials and research because they allow us to learn more about how we can improve patient outcomes and provide better care. I have always been interested in learning new things, so I would be excited to work with patients who are involved in clinical trials or research projects.”

3. Tell me about a time when you had to deal with an angry patient or family member, how did you handle it?

MD Anderson Cancer Center is a hospital that treats patients with cancer, so it’s likely you’ll have to deal with an angry patient or family member at some point in your career. An interviewer may ask this question to see how you handle conflict and whether you can remain calm under pressure.

Example: “I once had a patient who was upset because they didn’t feel like their doctor listened to them. I asked the patient what they would do if they were my doctor and explained why I made certain treatment decisions. The patient understood my reasoning and apologized for being rude.”

4. How would you go about conducting a survey for patients that is easy for them to take part in?

The MD Anderson Cancer Center is a large facility that treats thousands of patients every year. Conducting surveys for these patients can be an important part of the job, and your interviewer will want to know how you would go about conducting them in order to get accurate results.

Example: “I believe that it’s important to make sure that any survey I conduct is easy for patients to take part in. For example, if I were conducting a patient satisfaction survey, I would ensure that the questions are clear and concise so that patients understand what they’re being asked. I would also try to make the survey as short as possible so that patients don’t feel overwhelmed by having to complete it.”

5. Do you have any experience working with cancer patients?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your experience and how you interact with patients. If you have worked with cancer patients in the past, share some of your experiences and what you learned from them.

Example: “I had an aunt who was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was in high school. She was one of my favorite relatives, so it was hard to see her go through treatment. During that time, she told me that no matter what happens, she would always be there for me. That’s something I’ve carried with me throughout my career as a nurse because it reminds me that even though we’re professionals, we’re also human beings.”

6. Give us an example of a time when you were able to successfully communicate with another person even when there was a significant difference between you such as age or culture?

This question is designed to assess your communication skills and ability to work with people from different backgrounds. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example that shows you are able to adapt to a variety of situations and communicate effectively with others.

Example: “I once worked with a patient who was in his 80s and had never used the internet before. He was having trouble using his computer for research on his cancer treatment options. I sat down with him and showed him how to use the search engine and navigate through the website he was looking at. We were able to find all the information he needed and he thanked me for my patience and willingness to help.”

7. Describe your communication skills both written and verbal.

MD Anderson Cancer Center is a large facility that requires effective communication between staff members. Your interviewer will want to know how you would use your communication skills to help the team work together and achieve goals.

Example: “I have always been an active listener, which has helped me understand what my patients are going through and provide them with the best care possible. I also feel confident in my ability to speak publicly, so I am comfortable presenting information to groups of people or answering questions from colleagues. In my last position, I was often asked to present new procedures or explain changes to our department.”

8. Are you comfortable answering phone calls from people that might be upset or emotional?

This question can help interviewers understand how you might handle a stressful situation at work. MD Anderson Cancer Center is looking for employees who are empathetic and compassionate, so it’s important to show that you’re willing to take the time to listen to patients’ concerns and provide them with emotional support.

Example: “I have experience working in an emergency room where I often had to answer phones during busy times of day. During these shifts, I would sometimes receive calls from upset or emotional people. In these situations, I always made sure to remain calm and reassuring while still being honest about what was going on. This helped me build trust with many of my callers, which allowed me to give them more information than they were expecting.”

9. What would you say to someone who is looking for a job in healthcare but doesn’t have any medical knowledge?

This question is a great way to show your communication skills and how you can help others. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest about what someone without medical knowledge would need to do in order to get the job.

Example: “I think that anyone looking for a job in healthcare should start by getting their degree in whatever field they’re interested in. For example, if they want to work as a nurse, they should go back to school and earn their nursing degree. If they are more interested in working behind the scenes, they could pursue a degree in biology or chemistry. I believe that having some sort of background in the medical field will make them much more qualified for the position.”

10. Tell me about a time that you collaborated with other scientists, what did you accomplish together?

MD Anderson Cancer Center is a highly collaborative environment, and your answer to this question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience working in such an environment.

Example: “In my previous role as a research scientist at a large university, I worked with other scientists on several projects. One project involved collaborating with two other researchers to develop a new treatment for cancer patients that would be more effective than current treatments. We spent many hours together discussing our ideas and testing them out. Eventually, we developed a treatment plan that was approved by the university’s board of directors.”

11. What challenges do you think the healthcare industry will face in the next 5 years?

MD Anderson Cancer Center is looking for candidates who can help the organization adapt to changes in the healthcare industry. MD Anderson wants employees who are innovative and forward-thinking, so they ask this question to see if you have any ideas about how the healthcare industry will change in the future.

Example: “I think one of the biggest challenges that the healthcare industry will face in the next 5 years is finding a way to reduce costs while maintaining quality care. I believe there are many ways we can do this by implementing new technologies and streamlining our processes. For example, I read an article recently about a hospital that implemented artificial intelligence technology into their patient intake process. This allowed them to cut down on the time it took to get patients registered from 30 minutes to just 3 minutes.”

12. Describe a time where you have taken initiative and worked independently on a project without being told to.

This question is designed to assess your ability to work independently and take initiative. MD Anderson Cancer Center wants employees who are self-motivated, so it’s important that you demonstrate this skill in your answer.

Example: “When I was working as a medical assistant at my previous job, the doctor I worked with had an emergency surgery that prevented him from seeing patients for two weeks. The hospital didn’t want to hire another doctor because of budget constraints, so they asked me if I would be willing to see patients on my own until he returned. I agreed, and I took over his appointments while he was gone.”

13. What do you know about the history of MD Anderson Cancer Center?

The MD Anderson Cancer Center is one of the most prestigious cancer treatment facilities in the United States. The institution has a long history, and your interviewer may ask this question to see if you are familiar with it. In your answer, try to show that you have researched the institution’s past and understand its impact on the field of medicine.

Example: “I know that MD Anderson Cancer Center was founded by Dr. William R. Adolph as the Texas State Cancer Hospital in 1941. It became an independent institution in 1945 when it moved to Houston. I also know that it was named after Dr. George W. C. Trentham, who donated $1 million to the hospital in 1946.

In 1971, the National Cancer Institute awarded MD Anderson Cancer Center the first-ever Comprehensive Cancer Center designation. This made it the first comprehensive cancer center in the country. Since then, MD Anderson Cancer Center has been at the forefront of cancer research and treatment.”

14. As a postdoctoral fellow, what types of resources would you need access to in order to succeed?

MD Anderson Cancer Center is a large facility that offers many resources to its employees. The interviewer wants to know if you have experience working in similar environments and what types of resources you would need access to in order to be successful.

Example: “I’ve worked at several research facilities throughout my career, so I’m familiar with the type of resources MD Anderson Cancer Center has available. However, I think it’s important for all employees to feel like they can ask questions about any resource or tool they’re unfamiliar with. In my previous position as a postdoctoral fellow, I was able to learn how to use new tools by asking my colleagues who had more experience using them.”

15. Describe your experience working with cancer patients.

The MD Anderson Cancer Center is a comprehensive cancer center that treats patients with all types of cancers. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience working with cancer patients and how you can help them through their treatment process. In your answer, try to describe the specific skills or techniques you use when interacting with patients.

Example: “I have worked in oncology for five years now, so I am very familiar with the unique challenges cancer patients face. For example, I know that many patients feel anxious before starting chemotherapy because they are unsure what to expect. To help ease their anxiety, I always make sure to explain each step of the procedure thoroughly and answer any questions they might have. This helps my patients feel more comfortable during their treatments.”

16. Provide an example of a time when you had to solve a problem involving language or grammar.

The MD Anderson Cancer Center is a highly academic institution, and the interviewer may want to know that you have experience with writing or editing. Use your answer to show that you can write clearly and concisely.

Example: “In my first year of medical school, I had an assignment where we were asked to write about a patient’s diagnosis in our own words. I chose to write about a patient who was diagnosed with breast cancer. When I turned it in, my professor told me that I needed to rewrite it because I used too many abbreviations and acronyms. After rewriting it, she said it was much better.”

17. What type of progression would you like to see in your career over the next five years?

This question is a great way to show your ambition and desire for growth. MD Anderson Cancer Center wants employees who are eager to learn, grow and develop their skills. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about what you would like to accomplish in the next five years of your career.

Example: “I am currently working toward my PhD in cancer research. I hope to finish that degree within the next two years. After that, I would love to continue growing as an oncologist at MD Anderson Cancer Center. I would also like to become more involved with the community by speaking at local events and educating others about cancer prevention.”

18. What do you think we could do better to improve our website?

The MD Anderson Cancer Center is a highly respected institution that has been around for decades. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience working with older institutions and how you would improve their website.

Example: “I think the MD Anderson Cancer Center’s website is very informative, however, I do believe it could be more user-friendly. For example, when I was researching your institution, I found some of the content difficult to find because it wasn’t well organized. If I were hired here, I would suggest creating an online forum where patients can post questions and other patients can answer them. This would make finding information much easier.”

19. Have you ever felt uncomfortable giving bad news to a patient or family member?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle difficult situations and whether you have the ability to empathize with patients. In your answer, try to explain what steps you take to make these conversations easier for everyone involved.

Example: “I’ve had a few experiences where I had to deliver bad news to a patient or their family members. The first time was when I was working in an emergency room as a medical resident. A young woman came into the ER after experiencing severe abdominal pain. After running some tests, we discovered she had ovarian cancer that had spread throughout her body. She was only 25 years old and had two small children at home.

When it was my turn to speak with her, I tried to be as empathetic as possible while still being honest about her prognosis. I explained all of our treatment options and answered any questions she had. I also made sure to tell her that MD Anderson Cancer Center has one of the best gynecological oncology programs in the country. We were able to get her started on chemotherapy right away so she could start fighting the cancer.”

20. What do you believe are some of the biggest challenges facing nurses right now?

MD Anderson Cancer Center is looking for nurses who are passionate about their profession and want to make a difference in the lives of others. This question helps them determine if you have any ideas on how to improve nursing as a whole. In your answer, share what you think are some of the biggest challenges facing nurses today and explain how you would work to solve these issues.

Example: “I believe one of the biggest challenges facing nurses right now is burnout. Nurses often feel overworked and underappreciated, which can lead to feelings of stress and unhappiness. I would love to find ways to help nurses feel more fulfilled at work so they can provide better care to patients.”