17 Medical Oncologist Interview Questions and Answers

A medical oncologist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. This type of doctor is also trained in the use of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and other cancer treatments.

If you’re a medical oncologist, you’re in high demand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the number of medical oncologist jobs will grow by 14 percent between 2018 and 2028.

With such high demand, you may be wondering how to stand out from the crowd when you’re interviewing for a job. The answer is to be prepared. In this guide, we’ve compiled a list of medical oncologist interview questions and answers to help you get started.

Are you board certified in medical oncology?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your qualifications and experience. If you are not board certified, consider how you can demonstrate that you have the same level of expertise as someone who is.

Example: “I am currently working toward my certification in medical oncology. I started this process two years ago when I realized that I wanted to specialize in cancer treatment. Since then, I’ve taken numerous courses and exams to prepare myself for the certification exam. I’m confident that I will pass the test by the end of this year.”

What are the most common types of cancer you treat?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of expertise in treating cancer. It also helps them understand if you have experience with the type of cancer their patients typically have. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a few types of cancer that are common for the area where you’re interviewing.

Example: “The most common types of cancer I treat are breast cancer and lung cancer. In my previous role as a medical oncologist, I treated many patients who had these two cancers. I also frequently saw patients with colorectal cancer, prostate cancer and leukemia.”

How do you determine the best course of treatment for a patient?

This question can help the interviewer assess your decision-making skills and ability to collaborate with other medical professionals. Use examples from your experience that highlight your critical thinking, problem-solving and communication skills.

Example: “I first start by reviewing my patient’s medical history and current health conditions. I then perform a physical examination of the patient and order any necessary diagnostic tests or procedures. After this process, I meet with the patient and their family members to discuss the diagnosis and treatment plan. I also involve the patient in the decision-making process as much as possible so they feel comfortable with the course of treatment.”

What is your process for referring a patient to another specialist?

This question can help interviewers understand how you collaborate with other medical professionals. Your answer should show that you are willing to refer patients to other specialists when necessary and that you have a process for doing so.

Example: “I always try to be as thorough as possible in my initial diagnosis, but sometimes I find it necessary to refer a patient to another specialist. For example, if I notice something unusual during an exam or test, I will immediately discuss the issue with the patient and their primary care physician. Together, we decide whether additional testing is needed or if they need to see a different specialist. If I do recommend seeing another specialist, I provide them with a list of doctors who specialize in that area.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to provide bad news to a patient or their family.

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle difficult situations. It’s important to show that you’re compassionate and empathetic when delivering bad news, but also that you’re able to do so in a way that helps patients feel supported.

Example: “When I was working as an oncology fellow, I had to tell a patient that their cancer had spread to other parts of the body. The patient was understandably upset by this news, but they were grateful for my honesty and support. They asked me what treatment options they had at this point, and we discussed all of their available treatment plans together. This helped them feel more empowered about their care.”

If a patient has a recurrence of their cancer, how would you adjust their treatment plan?

This question can help interviewers understand how you would react to a challenging situation. In your answer, try to show that you are willing to take the time to learn about new treatment plans and adjust accordingly.

Example: “If a patient has a recurrence of their cancer, I would first assess what caused it in the first place. If it was due to an error on my part, I would do everything in my power to make sure they have a successful outcome this time around. However, if there is nothing I could’ve done differently, I would look for alternative treatments that may be more effective than before.”

What would you do if a patient refused a certain treatment option?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle challenging situations. In your answer, try to show that you respect patients’ wishes and are willing to work with them to find a solution.

Example: “If a patient refused treatment, I would first ask why they didn’t want it. If the reason was valid, such as financial reasons or personal preference, I would discuss other options with them. For example, if a patient didn’t want chemotherapy but wanted radiation therapy instead, I would explain the differences between the two treatments and offer an alternative option. If the patient still didn’t want any treatment, I would continue to monitor their condition and provide support.”

How well do you work with patients who are going through chemotherapy?

This question can help interviewers determine how you interact with patients and their families. It’s important to show that you’re empathetic, compassionate and willing to listen to your patients’ concerns.

Example: “I understand that chemotherapy is a difficult process for my patients. I always make sure they know that I’m here for them throughout the entire treatment. If they have any questions or concerns about the side effects of chemotherapy, I do my best to answer them and provide reassurance. I also encourage my patients to ask me questions at any time so they feel more comfortable.”

Do you have experience working with pediatric cancer patients?

This question can help interviewers determine if you have experience working with a specific type of cancer patient. If the hospital or clinic treats pediatric patients, they may want to know that you’re comfortable treating them and have experience doing so. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention any unique challenges you’ve faced while working with pediatric patients and how you overcame those challenges.

Example: “I do not currently work with pediatric cancer patients, but I am very interested in learning more about the unique challenges associated with treating children. In my current position, I worked with several young adults who were receiving treatment for their cancer. One challenge I encountered was helping these patients understand what to expect during their treatment process. I found that using analogies helped make the information easier to understand.”

When working with patients who are going through radiation therapy, do you have any tips for helping reduce side effects?

This question can help interviewers understand your knowledge of radiation therapy and how you can apply it to the patients you work with. Use examples from your experience that show you know what to expect during treatment and how to support patients through their process.

Example: “I always recommend my patients take a daily multivitamin, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and get at least eight hours of sleep each night while undergoing radiation therapy. These are all things I’ve seen reduce side effects in patients who follow my advice. Another tip is to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.”

We want to improve our communication with patients about their cancer diagnosis. As a medical oncologist, what would you do to improve our communication strategy?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you might contribute to the team and what your ideas are for improving patient care. Use examples from your experience that show how you would improve communication with patients about their diagnosis.

Example: “I think it’s important to have a plan in place before talking to patients about their cancer diagnosis. I would first make sure all of my colleagues were aware of our communication strategy so they could support me when needed. Then, I would meet with each patient individually to discuss their diagnosis and treatment options. I would also provide them with information on resources available to them, such as support groups or online communities.”

Describe your process for keeping up with the latest developments in cancer treatment.

This question can help interviewers understand how you stay current with the latest developments in your field. It also helps them determine whether you have a process for staying up to date and what resources you use. In your answer, describe your process for keeping up with new information and any specific methods or tools you use to do so.

Example: “I subscribe to several medical journals that publish articles on cancer treatment. I also attend conferences where experts present their findings on various aspects of cancer treatment. Finally, I regularly read online publications about advances in cancer treatment.”

What makes you stand out from other candidates for this position?

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 the skills that make you a good fit for the role. You may also want to mention any personal qualities or experiences that relate to the job.

Example: “I have extensive knowledge of cancer treatment methods and I’m always looking for ways to improve patient care. In my previous position, I developed an online database where patients could track their progress and communicate with other patients who had similar conditions. This system helped me collect data on which treatments were most effective and allowed me to share these findings with other medical professionals.”

Which cancers do you most want to specialize in?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have a specialty in mind. It also helps them understand what your goals are as a medical oncologist and how you plan to achieve them. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention one or two cancers that interest you most and why.

Example: “I am passionate about treating patients with blood cancer because I find it so rewarding when I can help these patients get their lives back. Blood cancer is often difficult to treat, but there are many new treatments available today that make it easier for patients to manage their disease. I love being able to use my expertise to help patients overcome their illness.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of oncology?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your passion for oncology and how you view your role in helping patients. Your answer should reflect your personal values, such as compassion or empathy, and it can also be an opportunity to share any specific experiences that have influenced your career path.

Example: “I think the most important aspect of oncology is providing patients with emotional support. Cancer treatment can be very stressful, and I believe it’s essential to help patients feel comfortable and confident during their appointments. For example, when I first started working at my previous hospital, I noticed that many patients would arrive late to their appointments because they were nervous about being there. So, I began holding monthly group sessions where patients could ask questions and meet other people who are going through similar situations.”

How often do you see patients?

This question can help the interviewer understand how much time you spend with patients and what your typical workday is like. Your answer should include information about how many appointments you have per day, how long each appointment lasts and how often you see patients in a week.

Example: “I typically have two to three patient appointments per day, which usually last for an hour or more. I also meet with my team members once a week to discuss our progress on current cases and any issues we’re having with treatment plans. In addition, I hold monthly meetings with all of my patients to check in on their progress.”

There is a new treatment for cancer that has a high success rate, but it’s still in the trial phase. Would you recommend it to your patients?

This question is a great way to assess your medical knowledge and how you apply it. It also shows the interviewer that you are willing to put your patients’ needs first, even if it means recommending an experimental treatment.

Example: “I would recommend this treatment because I know it has a high success rate. However, I would make sure my patient understands that it is still in the trial phase and there may be some side effects or complications. If they decide to try it, I will monitor their progress closely and ensure they have access to any resources they need.”