20 Planned Parenthood Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviews, Planned Parenthood is looking for candidates who are passionate about their work, have a strong understanding of the organization’s mission, and are committed to providing high-quality care to their patients. To help you prepare, we’ve put together a list of sample interview questions that you may be asked during your interview with Planned Parenthood.

Planned Parenthood Interview Process

The interview process at Planned Parenthood can vary depending on the position you are applying for. Generally, the process will involve an initial phone screen with a recruiter, followed by one or more in-person interviews with members of the hiring team. The difficulty of the interviews will depend on the role you are applying for, but overall they tend to be fairly straightforward.

Overall, the interview experience at Planned Parenthood is generally positive. The staff is friendly and professional, and they are typically very clear about what they are looking for in a candidate. However, some applicants have found the process to be somewhat lengthy, so be prepared to wait a while for a decision if you are applying for a competitive position.

1. Why do you want to work at Planned Parenthood?

This question can help the interviewer determine your passion for this type of work. When answering, it can be helpful to highlight a specific experience you’ve had with Planned Parenthood or another similar organization.

Example: “I want to work at Planned Parenthood because I have seen firsthand how important their services are. In high school, my friend was pregnant and didn’t know what to do. She went to her local Planned Parenthood where she got all the information she needed about her options. She decided to keep the baby and is now happily married with two children. This story shows me that Planned Parenthood really cares about its clients and wants them to make informed decisions.”

2. What is your experience with family planning and reproductive health care?

Planned Parenthood offers a variety of services, including family planning and reproductive health care. Interviewers ask this question to learn about your experience with these types of services. Use your answer to explain what you have done in the past and how it prepared you for this role.

Example: “I worked as an assistant manager at a local clinic that offered family planning and reproductive health care services. I assisted our medical staff by answering questions from patients and scheduling appointments. I also helped coordinate transportation for patients who needed help getting to their appointments. In my previous position, I learned more about the different family planning methods and reproductive health care options.”

3. What would you say is the most important aspect of providing quality health care to patients?

Planned Parenthood is a healthcare organization, and the interviewer will want to know that you understand what quality health care looks like. They may ask this question to see if you can apply your knowledge of medical procedures to Planned Parenthood’s mission. In your answer, explain why you think quality health care is important and how you would provide it as an employee.

Example: “I believe that providing quality health care means treating patients with respect and compassion. I always make sure to listen carefully to my patients so I can learn about their unique needs. Then, I work with them to create a treatment plan that meets those needs while also respecting their wishes. For example, when working with a patient who wants to have an abortion but is unsure of her decision, I will help her through the process by explaining all of her options and answering any questions she has.”

4. Describe a scenario where multiple situations are happening simultaneously, how did you handle it?

Planned Parenthood is a busy place, and the interviewer wants to know how you handle stress. This question also allows them to see if you can prioritize tasks effectively.

Example: “I once had two patients who were in labor at the same time. One was having contractions every three minutes while the other was having contractions every five minutes. I asked one of my colleagues to help me with the first patient while I assisted the second patient through her contraction. We then switched so that we could assist both patients simultaneously until they gave birth.”

5. Have you ever worked in an environment that had high emotional demand? How did you manage?

Planned Parenthood is a place where you can encounter many emotional situations. The interviewer wants to know how you manage these situations and if you have experience working in an environment with high emotional demand.

Example: “I worked as a counselor at a crisis hotline for three years, so I am used to dealing with people who are experiencing difficult situations. However, the most challenging part of my job was when callers were suicidal or had thoughts of harming themselves. My approach was always to listen carefully and try to understand their situation. Then, I would offer them resources that could help them get through their situation.”

6. Tell me about a time when you were able to positively influence the actions of others.

Planned Parenthood is a non-profit organization that relies on the support of its community. As such, it’s important for employees to be able to influence others in a positive way. This question helps employers determine whether you have experience working with people and how well you can lead them. In your answer, try to describe a time when you helped someone make a good decision or encouraged them to do so.

Example: “When I was volunteering at my local animal shelter, I noticed one volunteer who would often leave before her shift ended. I approached her about this and learned that she felt overwhelmed by the amount of work she had to do each day. I offered to help her complete some tasks during her shift so she could take breaks more frequently. She agreed, and we worked together until she no longer needed extra assistance.”

7. What steps would you take as a nurse practitioner if you discovered a patient had been abused or was being abused?

Planned Parenthood is a healthcare facility that provides reproductive health services to women. As such, it’s important for nurses and nurse practitioners to be able to recognize signs of abuse in patients and provide them with the resources they need. This question allows you to demonstrate your ability to care for patients who may have experienced abuse or are currently being abused.

Example: “If I discovered that a patient had been abused, my first step would be to offer her support and compassion. I would also want to ensure she was safe from further harm by contacting law enforcement if necessary. If the patient was currently being abused, I would refer her to local shelters and organizations that could help her find safety.”

8. If a physician came to you upset after having a conflict with another member of the team, what would you do?

Planned Parenthood is a team environment, and the interviewer wants to know how you would handle conflict with your colleagues. Use this question as an opportunity to show that you can work well in teams and resolve conflicts quickly.

Example: “I have had experience working in a team before, so I understand the importance of resolving conflicts between my colleagues as soon as possible. If a physician came to me upset after having a conflict with another member of the team, I would listen carefully to what they had to say and ask questions if needed. Then, I would talk to the other party to find out their side of the story. After both sides explained themselves, I would try to come up with a solution that satisfied everyone.”

9. Do you have any experience working with electronic medical records?

Planned Parenthood is a large organization that uses electronic medical records. The interviewer wants to know if you have experience with this type of software and how it can help you in your new role. If you do, explain what the system was like and how it helped you perform your job duties. If you don’t have any experience working with electronic medical records, discuss your comfort level using computers and technology.

Example: “I worked at a small family practice for two years where we used an electronic medical record system. I found it very helpful because it allowed me to access patient information quickly when needed. It also made it easy to communicate with other staff members about patients and their needs.”

10. When was a time that you struggled with following directions from a manager?

Planned Parenthood is a large organization with many managers. The interviewer wants to know how you respond when you disagree with a manager’s instructions or policies. Your answer should show that you can respectfully communicate your concerns and still complete the task at hand.

Example: “When I first started working for Planned Parenthood, I was asked to work in a different department than my original placement. I was disappointed because I had been looking forward to working in that department. However, I respected the decision of my manager and worked hard in my new position. After two months, I was given the opportunity to return to my original department.”

11. Has there ever been a time where you disagreed with your fellow co-workers on how to handle a situation?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you work with others and your ability to compromise. Use examples from your experience where you disagreed with a colleague, but were able to come to an agreement or compromise that benefited everyone involved.

Example: “In my last position as a receptionist at a medical clinic, I disagreed with one of my colleagues on how we should handle a situation with a patient who was upset about their bill. My colleague felt it would be best to ignore the patient until they calmed down, while I thought it would be better to speak with them right away so we could resolve the issue before they left the office. We decided to have our manager talk to the patient first, and then if they needed more assistance, I would assist them.”

12. Can you describe a time when you were dealing with two patients who were competing for your attention at the same time?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle stressful situations and your ability to prioritize tasks. In your answer, try to highlight your communication skills and conflict resolution abilities.

Example: “In my previous role as a nurse practitioner, I had two patients who were both in need of urgent care. One patient was experiencing severe abdominal pain while the other was suffering from an allergic reaction. I quickly assessed both patients’ conditions and determined that the patient with the allergic reaction could wait until after I treated the patient with the abdominal pain. I explained this to the patient with the allergic reaction and assured them that I would be able to provide them with the same level of care once I finished treating their fellow patient.”

13. What can you offer our organization that someone else cannot?

This question is a great way to show your unique skills and talents. It also allows you to highlight the ways in which you can contribute to Planned Parenthood’s mission. When answering this question, think about what makes you unique as an applicant. Consider mentioning any special skills or experiences that make you stand out from other applicants.

Example: “I am passionate about reproductive rights and women’s health care. I have been volunteering at my local Planned Parenthood for three years now, and I feel like I could offer so much more than someone who has never volunteered before. I know how important it is to be compassionate and empathetic when working with patients. I would love to use my experience to help others learn how to provide quality care.”

14. Talk about a time when you provided exceptional customer service.

Planned Parenthood is a medical facility, so interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills. They want to make sure you can provide quality care for their patients. In your answer, explain how you helped the patient and what steps you took to ensure they had an exceptional experience.

Example: “When I worked at my previous job as a receptionist, I once received a call from a woman who was looking for directions to our office. She was lost in the parking lot and wanted to know where she could find us. I gave her detailed instructions on how to get here and told her we would be happy to help her with anything else she needed. When she arrived, I greeted her warmly and showed her around the office. She left feeling much better than when she first called.”

15. Give us a scenario where you had to deal with a difficult patient, how did you handle it?

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you handle conflict. They want to know that you can remain calm and professional when a patient is upset or angry, so they’re looking for an answer that shows you have these skills. In your answer, try to show that you are able to empathize with patients while also remaining firm in your decision-making.

Example: “I once had a patient who was very upset about the cost of her procedure. She told me she couldn’t afford it, but I explained our payment options to her and offered to help her apply for financial aid. She became more agitated and said she didn’t want any government assistance because she wanted to pay for the procedure herself. I remained calm and reiterated that we could work out a payment plan if she needed one.”

16. What area of nursing are you most interested in? Why?

This question is a way for the interviewer to learn more about your interests and passions. It also helps them understand what you hope to achieve in this role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention an area of nursing that relates to reproductive health care.

Example: “I am most interested in women’s health because I believe it is important to provide support and education to all patients. In my previous position, I was able to work with many different types of patients, including those who were pregnant or had recently given birth. I enjoyed being able to help these mothers feel comfortable and confident during their appointments.”

17. What is your understanding of the role of a front desk receptionist?

The interviewer may ask this question to gauge your understanding of the role of a receptionist and how it relates to Planned Parenthood’s mission. A front desk receptionist is responsible for welcoming patients, answering phones and scheduling appointments. You can use this question as an opportunity to show that you understand what is expected of a receptionist in a healthcare setting.

Example: “As a receptionist at my previous job, I was responsible for greeting patients when they arrived, answering phones and helping them schedule their appointments. I also helped with billing and other administrative tasks. In my experience, a receptionist plays an important role in providing excellent customer service and ensuring that patients have a positive experience.”

18. Have you ever dealt with a crisis situation? How did you handle it?

Planned Parenthood is a place where you may encounter challenging situations. The interviewer wants to know how you handle these situations and if you have any experience with them. Use examples from your previous job that show you can think on your feet, remain calm and solve problems.

Example: “In my last position as a nurse at a hospital, I encountered a situation where a patient was experiencing severe pain in their abdomen. After examining the patient, I determined they had appendicitis. We needed to operate immediately because of the severity of the condition. I explained the procedure to the patient and assured them everything would be okay. They agreed to the surgery and we were able to successfully remove their appendix.”

19. Give us an example of a time when you used your clinical skills to solve a problem.

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have critical thinking skills and can apply them in a variety of situations. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about a time when your clinical skills helped you solve a problem or challenge at work.

Example: “At my previous job, I was working with a patient who had recently discovered she was pregnant. She was unsure if she wanted to continue her pregnancy because she wasn’t sure how she would provide for her child financially. After talking through all of her options with her, we decided that terminating the pregnancy was the best option for her situation. However, after our conversation, she felt more confident in her decision and excited to start her family.”

20. Describe a recent trend in the healthcare field that has caught your interest.

This question allows you to show your knowledge of the healthcare industry and how it is changing. It also gives you an opportunity to share a personal opinion about a current trend in the field. When answering this question, consider what trends are happening in the medical field that interest you.

Example: “I have always been interested in telemedicine, which is when doctors use technology to diagnose patients remotely. I think it’s important for people to be able to access healthcare without having to leave their homes. In my last position as a nurse practitioner, I worked with a doctor who was developing a new app that would allow patients to take photos of their symptoms and send them to the doctor for diagnosis. The doctor could then respond with advice or instructions on what to do next.”