17 Medical Assistant Instructor Interview Questions and Answers

Medical assistant instructors are responsible for teaching the next generation of medical assistants. They need to be able to convey complex medical information in an easy-to-understand way, as well as be able to assess students’ progress and provide feedback.

If you’re looking to become a medical assistant instructor, you’ll need to be prepared to answer some interview questions. In this guide, we’ll provide you with some sample questions and answers that you can use to help you prepare for your interview.

Are you certified or licensed in any medical fields?

Employers may ask this question to make sure you meet the state’s requirements for medical assistants. If you are certified or licensed, they may also want to know if you plan on renewing your certification or license in the future. You can answer honestly and explain why you have a certification or license or why you do not.

Example: “I am currently certified as a medical assistant through the American Association of Medical Assistants. I plan to renew my certification every three years when it expires.”

What are some of your favorite medical assistant specialties to teach?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your teaching style and what you enjoy. They want to make sure that the specialties you teach align with their school’s curriculum, so they can be sure you’ll fit in well as an instructor. In your answer, try to mention a few specialties you’re passionate about while also mentioning any specialties you have experience teaching.

Example: “I really enjoy teaching medical coding because it’s such a useful skill for students to learn. I’ve been doing some research on new coding methods, so I’m excited to share my knowledge of these systems with my students. Another specialty I love is phlebotomy because I find blood draws so fascinating. I think learning how to draw blood safely and efficiently will help students feel confident when working in hospitals.”

How do you keep your classes interesting and engaging?

Instructors need to be able to keep their students engaged and interested in the material they’re teaching. Employers ask this question to see if you have any strategies for keeping your students on task and focused during class. In your answer, share a few techniques that you use to make your classes more interesting and engaging.

Example: “I find that one of the best ways to keep my students’ attention is by using visual aids. I always bring extra copies of handouts so that everyone can follow along with me as I teach. Another strategy I use is asking questions throughout the lesson. This helps me gauge whether or not my students are understanding the information and gives them an opportunity to ask questions themselves.”

What is your teaching philosophy?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your teaching style and how you would approach the role of medical assistant instructor. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a specific lesson or experience that helped shape your philosophy as a teacher.

Example: “My teaching philosophy is centered on creating an inclusive learning environment where students feel comfortable asking questions and sharing their ideas. I believe that everyone has something unique to contribute to a discussion, so I try to encourage my students to share their thoughts and opinions during class discussions. This helps them develop confidence in their abilities and encourages others to do the same.”

Provide an example of a time you had to deal with a difficult student.

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your teaching style and how you handle conflict. When answering, it can be helpful to focus on a specific situation or the steps you took to resolve it.

Example: “In my previous role as an instructor, I had a student who was very disruptive in class. He would often talk over me when I was speaking and make jokes during important lessons. After talking with him privately, he agreed to stop disrupting the class but continued to do so. Eventually, we decided that he should take a different course because his behavior wasn’t improving. This helped both of us find a better fit.”

If a student was struggling with a concept, how would you help them?

Instructors need to be able to help students who are struggling with a concept. This question helps the interviewer determine how you would approach this situation and if you have any experience helping students in the past.

Example: “I would first try to understand what they were having trouble with, then I would find an alternative way of explaining it that they could understand. If they still didn’t understand after that, I would ask them to come see me during my office hours so we could go over it together.”

What would you do if you noticed a student copying answers from another student during a test?

Instructors often have to make judgment calls about student behavior. This question helps the interviewer assess your decision-making skills and how you might handle a challenging situation in the classroom.

Example: “I would first ask the students if they copied each other’s answers on purpose or by accident. If I determined that one of them did it intentionally, I would give both students an F for the test and report the incident to the instructor. If I found out that they accidentally copied each other’s work, I would tell them to rewrite their tests and deduct points from their overall grade.”

How well do you handle criticism?

As an instructor, you may need to give feedback to your students about their performance. Interviewers want to know how well you can handle giving constructive criticism and how you use it to help students improve their skills. Use examples from past experiences where you gave or received feedback and the steps you took to implement change.

Example: “I understand that receiving constructive criticism is part of learning new skills. I have had several instructors who provided me with feedback on my work. In these situations, I take notes on what they say and ask questions if I’m unsure about something. Then, I try to apply this advice to my next assignment. If I still struggle with a skill after receiving feedback, I will ask for additional instruction until I feel comfortable performing the task.”

Do you have any experience leading field trips?

Field trips are an important part of learning for many students. Employers may ask this question to see if you have experience organizing and leading field trips with a group of students. In your answer, explain how you organized the trip and what challenges you faced while planning it.

Example: “In my previous role as a medical assistant instructor, I led two field trips per year. One was a day trip to a local museum, and the other was a weekend trip to a nearby city. For both trips, I planned everything from transportation to meals. I also made sure that all students had their required forms filled out before we left so there were no delays on either trip.”

When working with patients, what makes you feel confident?

This question can help interviewers understand your confidence level and how you feel about working with patients. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific patient or situation that helped you develop your skills as an instructor.

Example: “When I work with patients who are nervous or unsure of what’s happening in their appointment, I like to make them feel more comfortable by explaining everything we’re doing and why. This helps me feel confident because I know I’m helping the patient feel better and learn more about what’s going on.”

We want our students to feel comfortable asking questions. How would you respond if a student asked you a question you didn’t know how to answer?

Interviewers want to know that you can admit when you don’t know something and are willing to find the answer. They also want to know how you would respond if a student asked you a question about your own experience in healthcare.

Example: “I have been fortunate enough to work with some very knowledgeable medical professionals, so I am always happy to ask them questions. However, there are times when I may not be able to get an answer right away. In those cases, I would tell the student that I was looking into their question and would follow up as soon as possible. If it is a common question, I will make sure to write down the answer for future reference.”

Describe your process for preparing for a class.

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your teaching style and how you plan for lessons. Prepare your answer by thinking of a time when you prepared for a class or lecture. Explain what steps you took to ensure the lesson was successful.

Example: “I always start my preparation process with an outline of the topics I want to cover in class. Then, I research each topic to find relevant information that will help me teach students. After researching, I write out notes on each topic so I can refer back to them during class. This helps me remember important details while I’m teaching.”

What makes you stand out from other candidates?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their team. When answering, it’s important to highlight a skill or experience that makes you unique from other candidates. You may also want to mention something that relates to the job description.

Example: “I have five years of medical assistant experience, which is more than most applicants for this role. I am also certified in CPR and first aid, which means I can help with patient care if needed. In my previous position, I was responsible for training new employees on these procedures as well. This shows that I am an excellent teacher who can provide clear instructions.”

Which teaching methods do you prefer?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your teaching style and how you would approach the role of instructor. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few methods that have worked well for you in the past and why they were effective.

Example: “I find that I am most successful when I teach using both lecture-style presentations and hands-on demonstrations. Lectures allow me to cover important information quickly while still ensuring students understand the material, and hands-on demonstrations help them apply what they’re learning to real-world situations. In my last position, I also used group work as an assessment tool, which helped students practice their skills and learn from each other.”

What do you think is the most important skill for a medical assistant to have?

This question can help an interviewer determine your priorities and how you might teach them to others. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a skill that is important for medical assistants in general and one that is more specific to the position you are interviewing for.

Example: “I think communication skills are the most important skill for a medical assistant to have because they allow us to work with patients and other members of the healthcare team effectively. I also think organization is important because it helps ensure we complete our tasks on time and accurately.”

How often do you update your knowledge and training in your field?

Medical assistants need to stay up-to-date on the latest medical procedures and technology. Employers ask this question to make sure you are committed to your professional development. In your answer, explain how you plan to keep your skills current. Share what resources you use to learn new things.

Example: “I am always looking for ways to improve my skills as a medical assistant instructor. I have taken several online courses in the past few years that helped me develop my teaching style. I also subscribe to two different newsletters that provide tips and advice for medical assistants. I find these resources very helpful because they give me ideas for lessons I can teach students.”

There is a new disease that students don’t know much about. How would you go about educating your students on this disease?

This question is a great way to see how you would approach teaching new information. It also shows the interviewer that you are willing to learn alongside your students and help them understand complex medical concepts.

Example: “I have had this experience before, where I was working with a student who didn’t know much about a disease. In this case, I asked the student if they knew anything about the disease at all. If not, I explained what it was and gave them some basic facts about it. Then, I told them why it was important for them to know more about it. From there, I showed them resources they could use to find out more about the disease on their own.”