20 OSF HealthCare Interview Questions and Answers

As one of the largest health care providers in Illinois, OSF HealthCare is always looking for talented individuals to join their team. If you’re interested in working for this renowned organization, you’ll need to be prepared to answer some specific interview questions.

In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most common OSF HealthCare interview questions and provide some guidance on how to answer them. With a little preparation, you’ll be able to confidently showcase your skills and experience and land the job you want.

OSF HealthCare Interview Process

The interview process at OSF HealthCare can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least two rounds of interviews, a phone screen and either a video or in-person interview. For some positions, like Registered Nurse or Patient Access Representative, you may be asked to complete additional interviews. The interview process can take anywhere from two weeks to several months, depending on the position.

1. Describe a time where you had to make an ethical decision.

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your moral compass and how you make decisions that affect the lives of others. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation where you had to choose between two options and what factors influenced your decision.

Example: “When I was working as an ER nurse, I once had to decide whether or not to administer life-saving treatment to a patient who arrived at the hospital with no identification. The patient’s condition was critical, so we needed to act quickly. After speaking with my supervisor, we decided to treat the patient until they could contact their family members. Luckily, the patient survived and was able to call their family after being stabilized.”

2. How do you feel about working with patients who have difficult personalities?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle challenging situations. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation where you worked with a difficult patient and the steps you took to resolve the issue or improve your relationship with them.

Example: “I have had patients who were very demanding and rude in the past, but I always try my best to remain calm and respectful when they are speaking to me. If they are being particularly unkind, I will excuse myself from the room so that I can take a few deep breaths and regain my composure before returning to speak with them again. This helps me maintain my professionalism while also remaining kind and compassionate.”

3. Can you tell me how you would handle the situation if two co-workers were arguing and it was affecting their productivity?

This question is a great way to assess your conflict resolution skills and ability to work with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention the steps you would take to resolve the situation and how you would ensure productivity was not affected.

Example: “I have had experience in working with multiple people on projects and know that sometimes disagreements occur. In my previous role, I worked with two colleagues who were having an argument about which software program they should use for their project. I asked them if they could wait until after our meeting to discuss it so we could focus on our presentation. After the meeting, I pulled them aside and asked what happened. They explained their disagreement and I told them I understood but needed to make sure they were both prepared for the presentation. We discussed different options and decided on one together.”

4. What are some of your strengths as well as weaknesses?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be honest about your strengths and weaknesses. When answering this question, think of two or three strengths you have that are relevant to the position and explain how they help you succeed. Then, think of a weakness you have and explain what steps you’ve taken to improve upon it.

Example: “I am an excellent communicator, which helps me build relationships with patients and coworkers. I also work well under pressure, so when there are unexpected situations at work, I can remain calm and find solutions. My biggest weakness is my attention to detail. In my previous role, I took steps to improve by using checklists and asking for help from coworkers.”

5. Are you prepared for on call shifts, overtime, lifting heavy objects, etc.?

OSF HealthCare is a large health care network that offers many different types of jobs. Some positions require employees to work on call shifts, while others do not. If you are interviewing for a position where you will be required to work on call shifts, the interviewer wants to make sure you understand what this entails and if you are prepared for it.

Example: “I am prepared for working on call shifts because I have done so in previous roles. I know how important it is to be available when needed, even if it’s at an inconvenient time. I also understand that sometimes these shifts can last longer than expected, which is why I always make sure to get enough sleep before starting my shift.”

6. Tell me about a time when you worked in a fast paced work environment.

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of how you might fit in with their team. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a time when you were able to work quickly and efficiently while still maintaining quality results.

Example: “In my last role as an ER nurse, I was often working under pressure to treat patients who came into the emergency room. One night, we had several patients come in at once, which meant that I needed to prioritize who needed care first. After assessing each patient’s condition, I decided to start with the most urgent cases so that they could receive treatment before their conditions worsened.”

7. In what area(s) of nursing are you most interested in?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of your interests and goals in nursing. It also helps them understand if you are a good fit for their organization. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention an area that is relevant to the position you’re applying for.

Example: “I am most interested in working with patients who have complex medical needs. I enjoy helping people develop long-term care plans so they can feel more confident about their health. In my previous role as a nurse practitioner, I worked with many families who had children with special healthcare needs. I enjoyed being able to work with these families to create individualized treatment plans.”

8. What is your philosophy on patient care?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have a strong commitment to providing quality care. When answering this question, it can be helpful to include specific examples of how you’ve helped patients in the past.

Example: “I believe that patient care should be holistic and focused on the whole person rather than just their illness or injury. I always try to make sure my patients feel comfortable and supported throughout their treatment process so they know they’re receiving the best possible care. In my last role as a nurse practitioner, I worked with a patient who was struggling with depression after her husband passed away. She didn’t want to leave her home, but she also wasn’t eating well. I spent time talking with her about her feelings and helping her find ways to cope with her grief while still taking care of herself.”

9. Do you have experience with electronic medical records?

Electronic medical records are a common part of the healthcare industry, and OSF HealthCare uses Epic’s electronic medical record system. Your answer should show that you have experience with this type of software or other types of electronic medical records. If you don’t have direct experience, you can talk about your ability to learn new systems quickly.

Example: “I do have some experience using Epic’s electronic medical records system. I worked at a small hospital where we used an older version of the same software. It took me a while to get used to it, but now I’m comfortable navigating through all of its features. I also understand how important it is to keep patient information secure.”

10. OSF HealthCare values teamwork and collaboration. Give us an example of when you have been part of a team.

Teamwork and collaboration are important skills for any healthcare professional. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your teamwork abilities. In your answer, try to describe a situation where you worked well with others. Try to highlight the specific skills or traits that helped you succeed as part of a team.

Example: “I have always enjoyed working in teams because it allows me to use my communication and interpersonal skills. At my previous job, I was part of a team that developed new patient intake forms. We had to work together to create these forms while also ensuring they were easy to understand and complete. By listening to each other’s ideas and providing feedback, we were able to create an effective form.”

11. Is there anything we should be aware of regarding your availability?

This question is a way for the interviewer to learn more about your availability and how it may affect your ability to perform the job. If you have any scheduling conflicts, be honest about them and explain what they are.

Example: “I am currently enrolled in night classes at my local community college. I plan on finishing my degree by next summer, but until then, I will need to work during the day. I can do this without issue, however, as I am used to working with patients of all ages.”

12. We believe that having excellent communication skills is essential to being a successful nurse. Can you give us an example of when you used effective interpersonal communication?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have strong communication skills and can work well with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide a specific example of when you used your interpersonal communication skills to help someone or solve a problem.

Example: “In my previous role as a nurse, I worked in a neonatal intensive care unit where I cared for premature babies who were often very sick. One day, one of the babies I was caring for had a sudden change in their vital signs. The other nurses and I immediately began assessing the baby and communicating with each other about what we were seeing. We determined that the baby needed emergency surgery, so we quickly moved them to another operating room where they could receive treatment.”

13. Imagine that a patient wants to leave against doctor’s orders. How would you respond?

This question is a behavioral one that tests your ability to handle conflict. When answering, it’s important to show how you would use your communication skills and problem-solving abilities to resolve the situation.

Example: “I would first ask them why they want to leave against doctor’s orders. If they say they don’t feel comfortable or safe in their current room, I would immediately move them to another room. If they say they just want to go home, I would explain to them that we have staff members who can help them with transportation once they’re ready to leave. I would also let them know that if they change their mind later, we can arrange for a ride.”

14. Have you ever dealt with a disgruntled patient or family member before? If so, describe what happened and how you handled it.

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle conflict and whether you have any experience in customer service. Describe a situation where you had to diffuse a difficult patient or family member, and explain what steps you took to resolve the issue.

Example: “I once worked with a patient who was very upset about his diagnosis. He wanted me to change it so he could leave the hospital sooner, but I explained that we needed to follow our standard procedures for diagnosing patients. After explaining this to him, he understood why we couldn’t make an exception for him. He calmed down and agreed to wait until we could run all of the necessary tests.”

15. In healthcare, priorities can change very quickly. Give an example of when you had to prioritize tasks at your job.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle changing priorities in a fast-paced environment. Use examples from your previous experience to show that you are able to adapt quickly and prioritize tasks effectively.

Example: “In my last role, I had to manage multiple patients at once while also managing their care teams. One day, one of our patients was experiencing an emergency situation, so I had to shift some of my focus to helping them. However, I still needed to ensure all of our other patients were receiving the best care possible. To do this, I delegated certain tasks to members of my team who could complete them more efficiently than myself.”

16. There are many factors that impact a patients health besides just physical ailments. Can you think of any social or environmental factors that may affect a patient’s health?

This question is a great way to assess your ability to work with patients who may have more than just physical ailments. It also shows that you are aware of the importance of treating the whole person, not just their illness.

Example: “I believe there are many factors that can affect a patient’s health. For example, I worked with a patient once who was suffering from depression and anxiety. While we were able to treat her physical ailments, it was important for us to address her mental health as well. We referred her to our on-site psychologist and she made a full recovery.”

17. Why did you decide to go into nursing?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand your motivations for becoming a nurse. It can also give them insight into what drives you as a person, which can be important in helping them decide if you are a good fit for their organization.

Example: “I decided to go into nursing because I wanted to make a difference in people’s lives. I love being able to work with patients of all ages and backgrounds, and I enjoy learning about new medical procedures and treatments. I think OSF HealthCare is an excellent place to do that.”

18. How much flexibility do you need in terms of scheduling?

OSF HealthCare offers a variety of schedules to meet the needs of their employees. They want to know that you are flexible and willing to work different shifts, days or hours as needed. When answering this question, be honest about your flexibility and willingness to adapt to new situations.

Example: “I am very flexible when it comes to scheduling. I understand that sometimes there are emergencies or other issues that require changing my schedule on short notice. As long as I have enough advance notice, I can adjust my schedule to accommodate any changes.”

19. What are you looking for in a position right now?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of your career goals and how you might fit in with OSF HealthCare. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention any skills or experiences that align with what they’re looking for in an employee.

Example: “I’m looking for a position where I can use my experience as a nurse to make a difference in people’s lives. I’ve always been passionate about helping others, and I think working at OSF HealthCare would give me the opportunity to do so on a larger scale. I also want to work somewhere that values teamwork and collaboration.”

20. What motivates you to come to work every day?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you as a person and understand what drives you. It’s important to be honest in your answer, but it can also be helpful to include specific examples of how you’ve used your motivation to achieve success in previous roles.

Example: “I love helping people, so I come to work every day because I want to make a difference in someone’s life. In my last role, I had a patient who was struggling with depression after her husband passed away. She came into the office for counseling sessions several times a week, and we worked together to find ways she could cope with her grief. After six months of therapy, she told me that she felt like herself again and ready to start dating again.”