20 Select Specialty Hospitals Interview Questions and Answers

Select Specialty Hospitals is a leading provider of long-term acute care services. With over 100 hospitals in 28 states, Select Specialty Hospitals offers a variety of career opportunities for those who want to make a difference in the lives of our patients.

If you’re interviewing for a position at Select Specialty Hospitals, you can expect to be asked a mix of questions about your qualifications, experience, and availability. To help you prepare, we’ve gathered a list of sample Select Specialty Hospitals interview questions and answers.

Select Specialty Hospitals Interview Process

The interview process at Select Specialty Hospitals can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For some positions, such as Registered Nurse or Certified Nursing Assistant, you may be interviewed by a panel of people. Other positions, like Wound Care, may require you to shadow someone before being interviewed by the CEO. The length of the hiring process can also vary, but is typically around 10 days. Overall, the experience seems to be positive, with most people finding the staff and management to be friendly and welcoming.

1. What is your experience with the long term care population?

Select specialty hospitals often treat patients with long-term care needs. The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your experience working with these populations and how you might fit in at their facility. Use your answer to highlight any specialized training or certifications you have that can help you work with this population.

Example: “I worked for a long-term care facility for three years, where I helped residents recover from surgery and other procedures. In my role as the primary nurse on each floor, I learned how to communicate effectively with patients who had limited mobility and cognitive abilities. This experience taught me how to adjust my communication style based on the patient’s needs.”

2. Tell me about a time when you had to handle an upset patient, how did you approach it?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle conflict and stressful situations. Use your answer to highlight your communication skills, problem-solving abilities and ability to remain calm under pressure.

Example: “In my previous role as a nurse manager, I had an upset patient who was very vocal about their dissatisfaction with their care. I approached them calmly and listened to what they were saying without interrupting. Then, I explained our policies and procedures for handling complaints and asked if there was anything we could do to improve their experience. The patient calmed down after hearing that I understood their concerns and agreed to look into their suggestions.”

3. How would you respond if a family member was upset with their loved ones treatment?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your interpersonal skills and ability to diffuse conflict. It’s important to remain calm, respectful and empathetic when responding to this type of question.

Example: “I would first listen to their concerns and then explain how our hospital follows best practices in treating patients. I would also offer to speak with my loved one about their treatment plan or schedule an appointment with them to discuss their questions. If they were still upset after speaking with me, I would follow up with them within 24 hours to ensure that they are satisfied.”

4. Do you have any experience working in critical care?

Select specialty hospitals often have a high volume of patients who require critical care. The interviewer may ask this question to learn if you have experience working in these conditions and how you handled them. Use your answer to highlight any specific skills or experiences that make you qualified for the role.

Example: “I worked as an emergency room nurse at a large hospital where we had a lot of critical care patients. I found it helpful to develop a system for prioritizing patients based on their needs. This helped me ensure that all patients received the care they needed, even when there were many people waiting to be seen. I also learned how to communicate effectively with other medical professionals so everyone knew what was happening with each patient.”

5. Describe a time when you were able to successfully implement change in the workplace.

When an interviewer asks you to describe a time when you implemented change, they are trying to understand your ability to adapt and adjust to new situations. This is especially important in healthcare because the industry changes so frequently. When answering this question, try to highlight how you were able to successfully implement change while also highlighting your communication skills.

Example: “In my previous role as a nurse manager, I was tasked with implementing a new patient care system that would help streamline our workflow and ensure we were providing quality care to all patients. I knew that introducing such a large change could be challenging for some staff members, so I met with each department head to discuss the new system and answer any questions they had. We then held weekly meetings where I discussed the new system and answered more questions.”

6. What are some of your favorite activities to do with patients?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and see if your personality is a good fit for their hospital. You should answer honestly, but also try to think of activities that are beneficial to patients’ health or recovery.

Example: “I love playing board games with my patients because it’s a fun way to interact with them while they’re in a comfortable setting. I find that it helps me learn more about their interests and personalities, which makes our conversations more personal and meaningful. It also gives us something to do together when we have down time during their stay.”

7. Why do you want to work at Select Specialty Hospitals?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand why you are a good fit for their organization. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific aspects of the job that interest you or how your skills and experience align with the role.

Example: “I want to work at Select Specialty Hospitals because I am passionate about helping people in need. In my previous position as an emergency room nurse, I saw many patients who were experiencing challenging situations. It was rewarding to see them leave feeling better than when they arrived. I also enjoy working in a fast-paced environment where everyone is focused on providing excellent care.”

8. What kind of environment do you think you thrive in?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you would be a good fit for their organization. They may want to know that you are comfortable in the kind of environment they offer, such as whether you prefer working with children or adults and whether you like working in a fast-paced or slow-paced setting.

Example: “I thrive in an environment where I am able to work independently but also collaborate with my colleagues. In my previous role, I worked primarily on my own but was always available to answer questions from other nurses when needed. However, I also enjoyed collaborating with my team members to come up with new ways to improve patient care.”

9. What does teamwork mean to you?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you work with others and whether you are a good fit for their organization. When answering, it can be helpful to mention specific examples of when you worked well with your team members or other professionals in healthcare.

Example: “Teamwork is essential to me because I believe that no one person can do everything alone. In my last role as an ER nurse, I was working with another nurse who had just started her shift. She asked me a few questions about some patients she was seeing, and I was happy to answer them so she could feel more comfortable on her own. We both learned from each other’s experiences.”

10. How well do you work under pressure?

Select specialty hospitals often have a high volume of patients, which can create pressure for the staff. Employers ask this question to make sure you are able to handle stress and perform well under pressure. When answering this question, it is important to show that you can work effectively even when there is a lot going on around you. Try to give examples from your previous experience where you had to work under pressure.

Example: “I am very good at working under pressure. In my last position as an ER nurse, we would sometimes have over 20 patients in our care at once. I learned how to prioritize tasks so that I could help all of my patients while still following procedure. I also learned how to manage my time better so that I could get everything done before my shift ended.”

11. Have you ever worked in a fast-paced environment before?

Select specialty hospitals often have a lot of patients and staff members, which can make the work environment fast-paced. Employers ask this question to see if you are comfortable in these types of environments. In your answer, explain how you handle working in busy settings. Try to give examples from previous jobs that show you can thrive in a high-pressure situation.

Example: “I am very comfortable working in fast-paced environments. I find it energizing to be around so many people who are all focused on helping others. At my last job, we had a lot of patients come through our doors each day. This meant there were always new patients coming in while others were leaving. I found that I thrived in this type of setting because I could get used to seeing different faces every day.”

12. Can you tell me about a time where you had to deal with a difficult coworker?

This question can help the interviewer get an idea of how you handle conflict and whether or not you have any experience resolving it. When answering this question, try to focus on your ability to work with others and resolve conflicts in a positive way.

Example: “In my last position as a nurse manager, I had one coworker who was very outspoken about their opinions. While they were usually right, sometimes they would be overly critical of other nurses’ work. This caused some tension between us, but I tried to approach them calmly and respectfully to discuss our differences. We eventually came to an understanding and learned to respect each other’s opinions.”

13. Are you comfortable handling blood and other bodily fluids?

Select specialty hospitals often have patients who are experiencing severe illnesses or injuries. Interviewers ask this question to make sure you’re prepared for the physical and emotional challenges of working in a select specialty hospital. In your answer, explain that you understand these facilities can be challenging environments. Explain that you are willing to do whatever it takes to help patients receive quality care.

Example: “I am comfortable handling blood and other bodily fluids because I worked as an emergency medical technician before becoming a registered nurse. However, I know that working in a select specialty hospital is going to be more intense than my previous job. I’m ready to handle any situation that comes up. I will always put the needs of the patient first.”

14. Tell us about a time when you had to deal with conflict between coworkers.

This question can help interviewers learn more about your interpersonal skills and how you resolve conflict. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation and the steps you took to resolve the conflict.

Example: “In my previous role as an ER nurse, I had two coworkers who were constantly arguing with each other. One of them was always complaining about the other’s work ethic, while the other would often make snide remarks about their colleague’s competence. This caused tension in our department, which made it difficult for us to focus on our patients. After talking to both nurses privately, they agreed that they needed to find a way to get along better. We decided to meet once a week after work hours to discuss ways we could improve our communication.”

15. Do you have experience working with ventilators and tracheostomy tubes?

Select specialty hospitals often have patients who require ventilators and tracheostomy tubes. The interviewer wants to know if you have experience working with these devices and how you would handle a situation where the equipment malfunctions or needs repair. Use examples from your previous work experience to highlight your skills and abilities in this area.

Example: “I worked at a select specialty hospital for three years, so I am familiar with the types of equipment used there. In my last position, I assisted with the setup and maintenance of all medical equipment, including ventilators and tracheostomy tubes. If any equipment malfunctioned, I was responsible for troubleshooting the issue and getting it back online as quickly as possible.”

16. Describe a time that you went above and beyond for a patient.

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you are willing to go the extra mile for patients. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation where you went above and beyond for a patient or their family member.

Example: “When I was working in my previous hospital, there was an elderly woman who came into the emergency room with a broken hip. She had no family members with her, so we made sure she had someone to stay with her at all times. We also made sure she always had snacks and water when she needed them. After she left the hospital, I would check up on her every few weeks just to make sure everything was going well.”

17. Give an example of a time when you had to solve a problem that was not straightforward. How did you approach the problem?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach challenges and solve problems. Use examples from your experience that show your critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities and ability to work with others.

Example: “In my previous role as a nurse manager, I had a situation where one of my nurses was having difficulty managing her time. She would often arrive late for her shift or leave early without notifying me. When I spoke with her about it, she told me that she was taking care of her elderly mother who lived out of state. She wanted to take extra shifts so she could visit her mother more frequently. After talking with her further, we came up with a solution where she took fewer shifts but worked later into the night when there were less patients.”

18. What are your thoughts on the current state of healthcare?

Select specialty hospitals are often at the forefront of healthcare innovation. Interviewers may ask this question to gauge your opinions on current trends and how you might use them to improve patient care. In your answer, try to show that you’re passionate about improving healthcare for everyone. Explain what you think is working well in the industry and what needs improvement.

Example: “I’m so glad I got into medicine because it’s an exciting time to be a doctor. There are so many new technologies and treatments being developed every day. It’s amazing to see how far we’ve come since I started my career as a nurse. However, there is still much work to do. I believe that all people should have access to quality healthcare regardless of their income or insurance status. We need to find ways to make medical treatment more affordable.”

19. Do you have experience working with patients who have complex medical conditions?

Select specialty hospitals often treat patients with complex medical conditions. The interviewer wants to know if you have experience working with these types of patients and how you handled the situation. Use examples from your previous job that show you can handle a variety of patient needs.

Example: “I worked at a large hospital where I was responsible for managing a team of nurses who cared for patients with complex medical conditions. We had a lot of experience caring for these patients, so we knew what to expect when they arrived in the emergency room. One night, we received a call about a car accident involving two vehicles. One vehicle contained three adults and one child. Two of the adults were pregnant.

We immediately called for additional staff members to help us care for all five patients. After assessing the patients, we determined that the most urgent case involved the pregnant women. We stabilized them first before moving on to the other patients.”

20. If hired, what would be your approach to dealing with a noncompliant patient?

This question is a good way to assess your ability to handle challenging situations. It also shows the interviewer how you would apply your skills and knowledge in a real-life situation. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific incident that happened at your previous job or one that you have witnessed.

Example: “I once had a patient who was noncompliant with their treatment plan. I spoke with them about why they needed to follow the treatment plan and what could happen if they didn’t. They still refused to comply, so I documented the incident and reported it to my supervisor. My supervisor then informed the hospital’s administration of the situation. The hospital decided to discharge the patient from our facility.”