20 Mercy Health Interview Questions and Answers

When you go to an interview, you can expect to be asked questions about your qualifications and experience. But what if you’re interviewing for a position at a specific company? In that case, you can also expect to be asked company-specific interview questions.

If you’re interviewing for a position at Mercy Health, you may be asked questions about the company’s history, its mission and values, or its approach to healthcare. You may also be asked questions about your ability to provide care in a Mercy Health facility, or about your experience with the company’s electronic medical records system.

To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve compiled a list of sample Mercy Health interview questions and answers. With these questions and answers in hand, you’ll be ready to impress your interviewer and land the job.

Mercy Health Interview Process

The interview process at Mercy Health is generally quick and easy. Most candidates report having a phone screen with a recruiter followed by an in-person interview with the manager or director of the desired department. Some positions may require additional interviews, but the overall process is typically fairly straightforward.

What can I expect during the interviews?

Questions will largely be based on your previous experience, so it is important to come prepared with examples of your work. You may also be asked behavioral questions about how you would handle certain situations. It is important to be honest and professional throughout the process.

How long does the process usually take?

The process can vary depending on the position you are applying for, but most candidates report being hired within a few weeks of applying.

1. What would you do if a patient was unhappy with their care?

This question is an opportunity to show your interpersonal skills and ability to resolve conflict. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide a specific example of how you would handle the situation.

Example: “If a patient was unhappy with their care, I would first listen to what they had to say and ask them questions to understand why they were upset. Then, I would apologize for any inconvenience or discomfort they experienced and explain my plan to make sure they are satisfied with their experience at Mercy Health.”

2. Do you have any experience working in a team environment?

Working in a team environment is an important part of working at Mercy. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your teamwork skills and how you interact with others. To answer, think of a time when you worked well with others on a project or task. Explain what made the experience successful for you.

Example: “I have had several experiences working in a team setting. In my last position as a nurse practitioner, I was responsible for managing a small group of nurses who assisted me with patient care. We would meet weekly to discuss our progress and any challenges we were having. This helped us work together effectively and efficiently.”

3. Provide an example of a time when you went above and beyond for a patient.

This question is a great way to show your dedication and compassion for the job. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a specific situation where you went above and beyond for a patient or their family.

Example: “When I was working as an ER nurse, there was a young boy who came in with his mother because he had broken his arm. He was very scared and upset, but I did my best to make him feel comfortable by talking to him about superheroes and making sure that he knew we were going to take good care of him. After he left, I checked on him multiple times over the next few days to see how he was doing.”

4. How well do you work under pressure?

Working in a hospital setting can be stressful, and employers ask this question to make sure you have the ability to work under pressure. When answering this question, it’s important to show that you are able to handle stress well. You should also explain how you manage your stress so they know you will not let it affect your job performance.

Example: “I am very good at working under pressure. I find that when I am stressed out about something, I do my best work because I am motivated to get things done as quickly as possible. In my last position, I was often given assignments with tight deadlines, and I always got them done on time or early.”

5. Describe your interpersonal skills and how they will benefit you as a nurse.

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you are a team player and can work well with others. You should describe your ability to communicate effectively, solve problems and resolve conflicts.

Example: “I have excellent interpersonal skills because I am empathetic and compassionate toward my patients and their families. In my previous role as a nurse, I was able to help calm anxious patients by listening to them and providing emotional support. My communication skills also helped me explain medical procedures to patients in a way they could understand.”

6. Are you prepared to work with sick patients and deal with illness on a daily basis?

Working in a hospital setting can be emotionally challenging, and the interviewer wants to make sure you are prepared for this. Your answer should show that you understand what it means to work in healthcare and how you will handle these situations.

Example: “I am aware of the emotional challenges working with sick patients entails. However, I have always been passionate about helping others, so I feel ready to face any challenge. I know that my compassion and empathy will help me provide the best care possible to every patient.”

7. Can you tell me about a time when you were working on a project, but did not agree with your supervisor’s plan, how did you handle it?

This question is a great way to see how you handle conflict and disagreement. It also shows the interviewer that you can think critically, communicate effectively and work independently.

Example: “I was working on a project with my supervisor where we were trying to find ways to reduce costs in our department. My supervisor suggested cutting back on some of the supplies we used, but I disagreed because I knew it would negatively impact patient care. Instead, I offered an alternative solution that would save money without affecting patient care.”

8. Tell us why you want to work at Mercy Health.

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your personality and values. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something specific that you like about Mercy Health or the community in which you’re interviewing.

Example: “I want to work at Mercy Health because I have always been passionate about helping others. My mother was a nurse who worked with children, so I grew up knowing how important her job was. She would tell me stories of all the kids she helped, and I knew from an early age that I wanted to do the same thing. I love working with children, and I think Mercy Health is a wonderful place to do that.”

9. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be prepared with an answer that shows your strengths while also being honest about any weaknesses you may have. When answering this question, think of two or three things you are good at and then follow up with something you need to improve on.

Example: “I am very organized and detail-oriented, which helps me stay focused on my work and meet deadlines. I am also highly motivated and driven by the desire to help others. My weakness is that sometimes I can get so caught up in my work that I forget to take breaks. This has led to some minor health issues in the past, but I am working on making sure I take regular breaks throughout the day.”

10. If hired, what would be your approach to providing excellent customer service to our patients?

Customer service is an important part of the healthcare industry. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills and how you would apply them in their organization. Use examples from previous experiences where you have provided excellent customer service to patients or clients.

Example: “I believe that providing excellent customer service starts with having a genuine interest in others. I am always willing to listen to my patients, answer any questions they may have and provide support throughout their treatment process. In my last role as a nurse practitioner, I noticed that many of our patients were nervous when they first arrived at the hospital. To help ease their anxiety, I made sure to introduce myself to each patient and explain what we would be doing during their visit. This helped put many patients at ease and allowed me to build a rapport with them.”

11. Have you had to deal with difficult coworkers or situations before?

This question is a great way to see how you handle conflict and whether or not you have the ability to work with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation where you had to deal with difficult coworkers or individuals in order to show that you are able to overcome challenges and work well with others.

Example: “I once worked with a coworker who was very negative and would often make comments about other people’s work. I tried my best to ignore her but eventually decided to speak up when she made a comment about one of our patients. She apologized and we were able to move forward from there.”

12. Which shift are you available to work?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your availability and flexibility. It’s important to be honest about which shifts you are available to work, but it’s also beneficial to mention that you would be willing to work other shifts if needed.

Example: “I am currently available to work any shift, however, I prefer working the day or evening shift. I find these shifts to be more productive because they allow me to get home earlier in the evenings and spend time with my family. If Mercy needs someone to work a different shift, I will do whatever is best for the organization.”

13. How do you cope with stress?

Stress is a common part of the medical profession, and employers want to know how you handle it. They are looking for ways that you can manage stress in your life so that it doesn’t affect your work performance.

Example: “I have found that exercise helps me relieve stress. I try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise every day. It helps me clear my mind and focus on something other than whatever is stressing me out. I also find that meditation has helped me cope with stress. I use guided meditations on YouTube when I need to relax or unwind.”

14. When was the last time you had to deal with a difficult coworker or situation?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of how you handle conflict and whether you have any strategies for resolving it. When answering this question, try to focus on your ability to work with others and resolve conflicts in a positive way.

Example: “I had a coworker who was very critical of my work and would often make me feel like I wasn’t doing enough or that I didn’t know what I was doing. At first, I tried to ignore her comments but eventually decided to talk to her about it. She apologized and said she just wanted me to do well at my job. After that conversation, we were able to develop a more productive working relationship.”

15. Provide an example of a time when you solved a complex problem. How did you think outside of the box?

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and how you use them in the workplace. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of a time when you solved a complex issue that required innovative thinking.

Example: “At my previous job, I was working with a team on a project for a client. We were having trouble finding information about one of our tasks because there wasn’t much documentation available. I decided to reach out to the client directly to see if they had any additional information we could use. They did have some documents that helped us complete the task successfully.”

16. Tell us about a time when you were working with a team member who was having difficulty understanding something. How did you help him/her out?

This question is a great way to show your leadership skills and ability to work with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention the specific skill you helped them improve on and how they reacted to your help.

Example: “I was working with a team member who had trouble understanding how to use our patient database system. I offered to walk her through the process of using the program and she accepted my offer. We spent about an hour going over the basics of the software together. She thanked me for my help and said that she felt much more confident in using the program after our meeting.”

17. General Motors is a company that emphasizes innovation. What do you think is the most important thing to remember when trying to be innovative?

General Motors is a company that has been known for its innovation. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you understand the importance of innovation and how it can help their organization. In your answer, explain what you think is most important when trying to be innovative and give an example from your experience.

Example: “I believe the most important thing to remember when trying to be innovative is to always keep in mind the customer. If you are able to create something that will make life easier or more enjoyable for them, then you have succeeded. I worked at a software development company where we were constantly working on new projects. One time, we created a program that would allow customers to order food online. We tested it with several people before releasing it to the public, and they all loved it.”

18. Give an example of a time when you worked independently and didn’t need constant supervision.

This question is a great way to show your potential employer that you are capable of working independently and can complete tasks without constant supervision. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight your ability to plan ahead and organize yourself so you can work efficiently on your own.

Example: “In my previous role as a nurse, I was responsible for managing the patient care team during night shifts. During these shifts, there were times when I needed to delegate responsibilities to other nurses or healthcare professionals. For example, if one of the doctors needed assistance with a procedure, I would step in to help them while another nurse took over my duties.”

19. Tell me about a time when you took initiative to solve a problem.

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your problem-solving skills and how you apply them to work. Use examples from previous roles that highlight your ability to think critically, analyze information and make decisions.

Example: “In my last role as an ER nurse, I noticed that we were running low on supplies like bandages and gauze. This was causing some delays in patient care because we had to order more supplies before treating patients. So, I started ordering extra supplies every week so we would always have enough on hand. We saved money by not having to reorder supplies as often, and our patients received faster care.”

20. What kind of relationships have you built with past coworkers?

Mercy is a large health system that employs thousands of people. The interviewer wants to know if you have the ability to work with others and collaborate on projects. Showcase your interpersonal skills by describing how you’ve worked well with others in the past.

Example: “I am very good at building relationships with my coworkers, which has helped me learn from their experiences and knowledge. I also like to help my colleagues when they need it, especially when they are new to the company. In one instance, I noticed a coworker struggling with a patient who was upset about her diagnosis. I offered to take over the conversation so she could get some water and calm down. She appreciated the gesture and thanked me for helping her through the situation.”