20 Spectrum Health Interview Questions and Answers

When you’re interviewing for a job at Spectrum Health, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience in the healthcare industry, your knowledge of Spectrum Health’s products and services, and your ability to provide excellent customer service.

You may also be asked questions about your ability to handle difficult situations, work under pressure, and stay calm in a fast-paced environment.

To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve compiled a list of sample questions you may be asked, along with tips on how to answer them.

Spectrum Health Interview Process

The interview process at Spectrum Health is generally pretty straightforward. Most applicants will start with a phone screening from a recruiter, followed by an in-person interview with the hiring manager and/or other team members. For some positions, like Registered Nurse or Analyst, there may be a second interview. The whole process usually takes about 2-3 weeks.

Some applicants have found the interviews to be difficult, especially if they are not well prepared. However, most people report that the interviewers are friendly and seem interested in getting to know the applicant as a person, rather than just testing their knowledge. Overall, the experience is generally positive.

1. Tell me about a time where you were working under pressure.

This question is a great way to assess how well you can handle pressure and perform under it. When answering this question, make sure to highlight your ability to work under pressure and the skills you used to complete the task successfully.

Example: “When I was working as an anchor for my local news station, we were covering a story about a fire at a local school. The fire started in the middle of our live broadcast, which meant that I had to quickly change gears and focus on reporting the story instead of reading from the teleprompter. I stayed calm and focused on getting all the facts right before continuing with the rest of the broadcast.”

2. How would you handle a patient that was being disrespectful to the nurses?

Spectrum Health is a large healthcare organization that provides care to patients of all ages. The interviewer wants to know how you would handle a challenging situation like this one. Use your answer to show the interviewer that you can remain calm and professional in stressful situations.

Example: “I have had patients who were disrespectful to me before, but I always try my best to remain calm and professional when they are. If it’s possible, I will speak with them privately about their behavior. If not, I will ask for help from another nurse or colleague if needed. I want to make sure that I am able to provide the best care to every patient.”

3. What do you think is unique about Spectrum Health?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the company and how you can fit in. When answering, it’s important to highlight what makes Spectrum Health unique while also showing that you have researched the organization.

Example: “Spectrum Health is one of the largest healthcare providers in Michigan, but I think what sets it apart from other hospitals is its commitment to innovation. The hospital has been recognized for its work with telehealth services, which allows patients to receive care remotely. This helps reduce wait times and provides more convenient care for patients.”

4. Do you have any experience with electronic medical records?

Spectrum Health is a large healthcare organization that provides medical services to the Grand Rapids, Michigan area. They use electronic medical records (EMR) in their facilities and want to ensure you have experience with this technology. If you do not have any experience with EMRs, consider taking an online course or training program to learn more about them.

Example: “I have worked with EMRs for several years now. I started my career as a nurse at a small hospital where we used EMRs on a daily basis. I am familiar with how they work and can easily navigate through them when needed. Spectrum Health uses Epic EMR software, which I also have experience using.”

5. Describe your clinical and non-clinical skills.

Spectrum Health is a large healthcare organization that offers many different types of jobs. The hiring manager may ask this question to learn more about your skills and determine if you have the qualifications for the job. To answer, think about which skills you’ve developed in your previous roles. Choose two or three skills that are relevant to the position and describe how you use them.

Example: “I am highly organized and detail-oriented, so I always make sure to thoroughly document my work. In my last role as an emergency room nurse, I used these skills to ensure all patients received proper care. I also worked well with others, collaborating with other nurses and doctors to provide excellent patient care. Another skill I possess is public speaking. Throughout my nursing career, I’ve presented at several conferences on best practices for treating certain conditions.”

6. Why are you interested in this role?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s interest in the role and what they hope to achieve. It also gives you an opportunity to share why you’re excited about this position.

Example: “I’m interested in this role because I’ve always wanted to work for a broadcast media company, and Spectrum News seems like a great place to start my career. I am passionate about news reporting and want to use my skills to help your organization tell important stories that educate viewers and provide them with information they need to know.”

7. Do you consider yourself an organized person?

Spectrum News is a broadcast media company that provides news, features, sports and weather services. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your organizational skills and how you keep track of important information. In your answer, explain what steps you take to stay organized and ensure you meet deadlines.

Example: “I consider myself an extremely organized person. Throughout my career, I have worked in several different positions where organization was key. For example, at my last job, I kept track of all the equipment we used for our broadcasts. This included cameras, microphones and other items. To organize these items, I created a spreadsheet with each piece of equipment listed on it. Then, I assigned one member of the team to check off each item before every broadcast.”

8. How would you describe your communication style?

Spectrum News is looking for a candidate who can communicate effectively with their team and the public. Your answer should show that you are aware of your communication style and how it affects others.

Example: “I would describe my communication style as direct, but I try to be empathetic when delivering bad news or criticism. I find that being honest about what’s happening helps people understand why decisions were made and gives them confidence in my leadership. In my last role, I had to let several employees go due to budget cuts. While it was difficult, I tried to explain our decision clearly and honestly so they understood the situation.”

9. Give me an example of when you had to give bad news to a family member.

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential colleague’s communication skills. It can also help you understand how they handle difficult situations and if they have experience in this area.

Example: “When I was working as an ER nurse, I had to tell my mother that her father had passed away after being admitted for a heart attack. She was very upset, but I tried to be compassionate and reassuring. I told her that he didn’t suffer and that the hospital staff would take care of all the arrangements. After she calmed down, we talked about what funeral home she wanted to use and made plans to meet there later that week.”

10. What makes you qualified for this position?

This question is a great way to determine if you have the necessary skills and experience for this role. When answering, it’s important to highlight your relevant work history and how it relates to this position.

Example: “I am an experienced journalist with over five years of experience in broadcast media. I’ve worked as a reporter at two different news stations, where I covered local events and interviewed community members. My previous experiences have helped me develop my communication skills and learn how to write compelling stories that are both informative and entertaining.”

11. Have you ever worked with someone who didn’t know English well, how did you communicate with them?

Spectrum Health is a large healthcare organization that serves the Grand Rapids, Michigan area. Spectrum News provides news and information to Spectrum’s patients and employees in multiple languages. This question helps employers understand how you would work with someone who doesn’t speak English well.

Example: “I have worked with several Spanish-speaking coworkers at my current job. I learned basic phrases like ‘good morning’ and ‘thank you’ so we could communicate when necessary. If they needed more detailed information, they would ask me to call them on the phone so they could use their own language.”

12. Can you talk to us about a time where you made a mistake and what happened after?

This question is a great way to learn more about how you respond to challenges and mistakes. It’s important that your answer shows the interviewer that you’re willing to take responsibility for your actions, learn from them and move forward with confidence.

Example: “I once made a mistake on-air during my first week at my previous job. I was covering a story about a new restaurant opening in town when I mispronounced one of the ingredients in their signature dish. The chef called me later that day to let me know he was upset about it and asked if I could come back to do an interview to make up for it. I agreed and went back to the restaurant to do another segment where I apologized and did a full review of the dish.”

13. Do you have any experience working as part of a team?

Spectrum News is a collaborative workplace, and the hiring manager may ask this question to learn more about your teamwork skills. When answering this question, it can be helpful to discuss how you’ve worked with others in the past to complete projects or tasks.

Example: “In my previous role as an anchor for WXYZ news, I was part of a team that covered breaking news stories. We had to work together to find sources, interview experts and develop scripts for our broadcasts. I enjoy working with others because it allows me to share ideas and collaborate on content.”

14. What kind of work environment do you thrive in?

Spectrum News is a fast-paced environment that requires employees to be flexible and adaptable. The interviewer may ask this question to determine if you’re comfortable in an environment like Spectrum’s. When answering, consider what kind of work environment you enjoy the most and why.

Example: “I thrive in a collaborative work environment where I can learn from my colleagues. At my last job, we had weekly meetings where everyone could discuss their projects and get feedback on how they were doing. This helped me feel more confident in my work and motivated to do better.”

15. How would you approach a situation where you think a physician has misdiagnosed a patient?

This question can help interviewers understand how you would handle a challenging situation at work. Your answer should show that you are willing to stand up for your patients and their best interests, even if it means disagreeing with a physician.

Example: “If I thought a physician had misdiagnosed a patient, I would first approach the physician privately to discuss my concerns. If they disagreed with me, I would ask them to refer the patient to another specialist so we could get a second opinion. If the physician still refused to listen to me, I would report the incident to my supervisor or human resources department.”

16. Tell us about a time you went above and beyond for a patient.

This question is a great way to show your passion for the medical field and how you can help others. When answering this question, it’s important to focus on specific details about what you did and why you did it.

Example: “When I was working as an ER nurse, I had a patient who came in with severe stomach pains. After running some tests, we found out that he had appendicitis. We immediately scheduled him for surgery, but before going into the operating room, he asked me if there was anything else we could do. He said he didn’t want to have surgery because of his age and wanted to try other methods first.

I told him that while we would always recommend surgery, we would be happy to give him another option. So, we gave him medicine to reduce inflammation and pain and monitored him closely. A few days later, he felt better and decided not to go through with the surgery.”

17. Are you comfortable working with people from different cultures?

Spectrum Health is a large healthcare organization that serves patients from all over the world. Spectrum News provides news and information in multiple languages, so it’s important to have employees who can work with people of different cultures and backgrounds. When answering this question, explain how you’ve worked with people from other countries or cultures in the past.

Example: “I’m very comfortable working with people from different cultures. In my last role as an anchor for a local news station, I interviewed many guests from around the country and even the world. I learned how to ask questions in a way that was easy for them to understand, no matter what language they spoke. I also made sure to use visuals on screen to help viewers understand the stories.”

18. If hired, what would be your biggest challenge at Spectrum?

This question is a great way to determine how well you know the company and what its current challenges are. It’s also an opportunity for you to show that you’re willing to take on difficult tasks and work hard to overcome them. When answering this question, make sure to be honest about your answer and provide specific details about why it would be challenging.

Example: “The biggest challenge I see at Spectrum Health is the lack of communication between departments. There seems to be some disconnection between doctors and nurses, as well as among other staff members. If hired, I would use my interpersonal skills to help facilitate better communication within the organization.”

19. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

This question is a common one that employers ask to learn more about your career goals. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about what you want to accomplish in the next few years and how working at Spectrum Health could help you achieve those goals.

Example: “I see myself as an anchor for Spectrum News in five years. I hope to have gained enough experience by then to be ready for such a role. Working here would give me the opportunity to gain valuable on-air experience while also learning from some of the best journalists in the industry.”

20. What is the most important thing to remember when dealing with patients?

This question is an opportunity to show your compassion and empathy for others. It also shows that you understand the importance of treating patients with respect and dignity.

Example: “The most important thing I’ve learned in my career is that every patient has a unique story, and it’s important to treat them as individuals. For example, when I was working at a hospital, I had a patient who came in complaining of chest pain. After running some tests, we found out he had cancer. He was understandably upset about this news, but I made sure to spend time talking to him one-on-one so he knew I cared about his well-being.”