17 Population Health Manager Interview Questions and Answers

A population health manager is responsible for improving the health of a defined population by developing and implementing programs and policies that promote wellness and prevent disease. The role of population health manager is a relatively new one, and as such, the interview process may be unfamiliar territory.

When interviewing for a population health manager job, you can expect questions about your experience working with specific populations, your knowledge of health policy, and your ability to develop and implement programs. You may also be asked questions about your ability to manage a team, work with limited resources, and think strategically.

To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve compiled a list of sample population health manager interview questions and answers.

Are you familiar with the Healthy People 2020 program?

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has a program called Healthy People 2020 that sets goals for improving the health of Americans by the year 2020. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you are familiar with this program and how it relates to population health management. Your answer should show that you know what the Healthy People 2020 program is and how it can help improve the health of populations.

Example: “Yes, I am very familiar with the Healthy People 2020 program. In fact, I have used some of its objectives as benchmarks for my own work in population health management. For example, one objective from the Healthy People 2020 program is to reduce the number of preventable hospitalizations among older adults by 10%. I worked on a project where we set a goal to reduce preventable hospitalizations by 15% over a two-year period. We were able to achieve our goal.”

What are some of the most effective strategies you’ve used to promote healthy behaviors in a group?

An employer may ask this question to learn more about your leadership skills and how you can motivate a group of people. To answer this question, think about some of the strategies you’ve used in the past that have been successful. Explain what motivated you or your team members to make healthy choices.

Example: “In my last role as a population health manager, I worked with a large company to create an employee wellness program. We started by surveying employees to find out what they wanted from the program. Then we created different programs for each department based on their needs. For example, one department had many employees who were interested in learning more about nutrition, so we offered a free class on eating right. This strategy was very effective because it helped us meet our goals while also providing value to the employees.”

How would you measure the success of a population health management program?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your management style and how you can help their organization achieve its goals. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to measure the success of a population health program and how that information could be useful for an employer.

Example: “I believe the most important factor in measuring the success of a population health management program is determining whether or not it meets its objectives. I would start by identifying the goals of the program and then determine if those goals were met. For example, if the goal was to reduce emergency room visits among patients with diabetes, I would look at data from before and after the program started to see if there was a reduction in ER visits.”

What is the most important factor to consider when developing a new program?

This question can help the interviewer determine your approach to developing new programs and initiatives. Use examples from previous experience to highlight how you consider important factors when creating a program or project.

Example: “The most important factor for me is ensuring that the population health management program aligns with the organization’s goals and objectives. I also make sure that the program is feasible, meaning it has realistic expectations and timelines. Another important factor is making sure there are enough resources available to support the program. This includes staff members who have the necessary skills and training to implement the program.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to deal with a difficult patient or client.

An employer may ask this question to learn more about your interpersonal skills. They want to know that you can handle conflict and difficult situations with patients or clients while maintaining a positive attitude. In your answer, try to focus on the steps you took to resolve the situation.

Example: “In my previous role as a population health manager, I had a patient who was very upset because they were experiencing some side effects from their medication. The patient wanted me to change their medication immediately, but I explained that we would need to run additional tests before making any changes. The patient became increasingly frustrated, so I called them into my office to speak in private. I apologized for not being able to make an immediate change and offered to schedule another appointment to discuss the results of the new test.”

If you had to choose one area of population health management to focus on, what would it be?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your priorities and values as they relate to population health management. Your answer should reflect your personal interests, but it can also be an opportunity to highlight any skills you have that are relevant to the position.

Example: “I would choose community outreach because I think it’s important to educate people about their healthcare options and help them understand how those options fit into their lives. It’s especially important in this role because we’re working with so many different populations, each of which has its own unique needs. If I could improve our outreach efforts, I think we’d see better results from all other aspects of population health management.”

What would you do if you noticed a spike in a particular disease among your patients?

This question can help the interviewer assess your problem-solving skills and ability to make quick decisions. Your answer should show that you are able to use critical thinking, research data and apply knowledge of population health management to solve problems.

Example: “If I noticed a spike in a particular disease among my patients, I would first try to determine if it was an isolated case or something more widespread. If it’s just one patient, then I would look at their medical history for any clues as to why they may be experiencing this issue. If there is a larger outbreak, I would work with other healthcare professionals to identify the cause and implement strategies to prevent further spread.”

How well do you understand public health laws and regulations?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your knowledge of the laws and regulations that govern public health. This is because a population health manager must be able to ensure their organization complies with all relevant legislation. In your answer, try to highlight how you would use your understanding of these laws and regulations to benefit your employer.

Example: “I have a bachelor’s degree in public health, so I am very familiar with the laws and regulations that govern our industry. As a population health manager, it would be my responsibility to make sure my organization complied with all relevant legislation. For example, if there was a new law regarding patient privacy, I would work with my team to implement any changes needed to ensure we were following the law.”

Do you have any experience working with data?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with data management and analysis. This can help them determine if you have the skills necessary for the role, so it’s important to answer honestly. If you do have experience working with data, share an example of how you used that information to make a decision or solve a problem.

Example: “I’ve worked with data in my previous position as a population health manager. I regularly analyzed patient data to identify trends and patterns. For instance, one time we noticed that our patients were experiencing longer wait times when they called into our customer service line. After analyzing the call records, I discovered that we had hired too many agents without hiring enough support staff. We needed to hire more customer service representatives to reduce wait times.”

When working with a team, how do you ensure everyone’s input is heard?

An employer may ask this question to learn more about your leadership skills and how you interact with a team. When answering, it can be helpful to mention that you value the opinions of others and encourage them to share their thoughts during meetings or discussions.

Example: “I believe that everyone’s input is valuable, so I make sure to listen carefully when my team members speak. In addition, I always try to provide constructive feedback on any ideas they have. This helps ensure that everyone feels comfortable sharing their opinion and no one feels like their voice isn’t important. It also shows that I respect everyone’s contributions to the organization.”

We want to improve our patient satisfaction rates. What would you do to achieve this?

This question can help the interviewer understand your approach to improving patient satisfaction rates and how you might apply this in their organization. Use examples from previous experience where you helped improve patient satisfaction rates or increased overall customer satisfaction.

Example: “I would first assess what is causing patients to leave our practice, whether it’s due to long wait times, miscommunication with staff members or other factors. Then I would work with my team to create a plan for addressing these issues. For example, if we have long wait times, I may implement new software that allows us to better manage patient appointments and streamlines communication between staff members so they know when patients are arriving. This way, we can ensure all patients receive quality care while also reducing wait times.”

Describe your experience with using software programs for public health and epidemiology.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with using software programs for public health and epidemiology. Use examples from your previous job or a time you used the program in school.

Example: “I have extensive experience using software programs for public health and epidemiology, including SAS, SPSS and STATA. In my last position as a population health manager, I worked with data collected by these programs to analyze trends and patterns within populations. This helped me determine which areas of improvement were most important to focus on.”

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 organization. Before your interview, make a list of the skills and experiences that qualify you for this role. Focus on what makes you unique from other candidates and highlight any transferable skills or certifications you have.

Example: “I am passionate about population health management and committed to improving the lives of others. I also have five years of experience in this field, which qualifies me as an expert in my field. In addition, I hold a certification in population health management, which shows that I am dedicated to continuing my education and development.”

Which industries do you hope to work in the future?

Employers ask this question to see if you have a passion for the healthcare industry. They want someone who is excited about working in population health management and will stay with their company for many years. In your answer, share which aspects of population health management excite you most. Explain why you are passionate about these things and how they relate to the job.

Example: “I am passionate about helping people live healthier lives. I love researching new ways to improve wellness and prevent disease. Working as a population health manager allows me to do all of these things every day. I hope to continue working in this field because it gives me so much fulfillment.”

What do you think is the most important skill for a population health manager to have?

This question can help the interviewer determine what you value in a population health manager. It can also show them how your skills and abilities match up with those of the job. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about which skills are most important for the role and why they’re important.

Example: “I believe that communication is one of the most important skills for a population health manager to have. This is because I feel like effective communication is essential to building relationships with patients and other healthcare professionals. In my last position as a nurse practitioner, I found that being able to communicate effectively helped me build trust with my patients and encourage them to take their medications or make healthy lifestyle changes.”

How often do you update your knowledge on public health trends and developments?

This question can help the interviewer assess your commitment to staying up-to-date on current public health trends and developments. Use examples from your past experience of how you have kept yourself informed about new developments in population health management.

Example: “I am passionate about my career, so I make it a point to stay updated on the latest developments in population health management. In my last role as a population health manager, I subscribed to several newsletters that provided me with information on the latest research findings and best practices in population health management. I also attended conferences and webinars to learn more about the latest developments in this field.”

There is a new disease that has not been seen before in the US. How would you approach learning more about it?

This question can help the interviewer understand your research skills and how you would apply them to a new situation. Use examples from previous experience in which you researched information about a disease or condition that was unfamiliar to you.

Example: “I have had this happen before, where I encountered a disease that was not common in my area. In these situations, I first look for any news articles or other media sources that may provide more information on the disease. Then, I search for reputable medical journals that are available online so I can read up on the symptoms and treatments of the disease. Finally, I reach out to local healthcare professionals who may be able to offer their expertise.”