20 SSM Health Interview Questions and Answers

When interviewing for a position at SSM Health, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience in the healthcare industry, your Catholic faith, and your ability to work with a team. While some questions may be specific to the position you’re applying for, others will be general questions about your qualifications.

To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve compiled a list of sample SSM Health interview questions and answers. These questions will give you an idea of what to expect during your interview and help you showcase your skills and experience.

SSM Health Interview Process

The interview process at SSM Health can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one phone interview and one in-person interview. For some positions, you may also be required to complete a video interview. The length of the hiring process can vary, but it typically takes about 3 weeks from start to finish.

Overall, the interview process is fairly standard. You can expect to answer questions about your experience, skills, and qualifications. The difficulty level of the interviews varies depending on the position you are applying for. For example, positions that require more technical skills may have more difficult interviews. However, overall the interview process is relatively easy and straightforward.

1. What do you think is the most important thing for a nurse to remember?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the nursing profession and how you can apply it in your daily life. When answering this question, make sure that you are specific about what you think is important for nurses to remember and why.

Example: “I believe the most important thing for a nurse to remember is their patient’s well-being. Nurses have an incredible amount of responsibility when caring for patients, so I always try my best to keep them at the forefront of my mind. This helps me stay focused on providing excellent care and making sure that each patient has everything they need.”

2. How would you handle it if a patient was not happy with their treatment plan?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle conflict and address patient concerns. It’s important to show that you’re willing to listen to patients, take their opinions into consideration and work with them to find a solution that makes everyone happy.

Example: “I would first ask the patient what they didn’t like about their treatment plan and why. I would then explain my reasoning for creating the plan and offer to adjust it if there was something they wanted changed. If the patient still wasn’t satisfied, I would consult with my supervisor or another healthcare professional who could provide additional insight.”

3. Tell me about a time when you had to work as part of a team and there was conflict, how did you resolve it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you work with others and your ability to resolve conflict. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific example of when you worked as part of a team and had to resolve conflict.

Example: “In my previous role, I was working on a project that required me to collaborate with other members of my department. One day, one of the members of our team didn’t show up for work. We were in the middle of a deadline, so we needed someone else to fill in for them. I volunteered to take over their responsibilities until they returned.”

4. Why should we hire you over other qualified candidates?

This question is a great opportunity to show your confidence and enthusiasm for the position. It’s also an excellent time to highlight any skills or experiences that make you a good fit for this role.

Example: “I am confident I’m the best candidate because of my proven track record of working in healthcare, my ability to work with diverse populations and my passion for helping others. Throughout my career, I’ve worked with patients from all walks of life, including those who speak different languages and have unique cultural backgrounds. I feel like these experiences have prepared me well for this role.”

5. How well do you deal with stress on a day-to-day basis?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your ability to handle stress in the workplace. This is because working as a nurse can be stressful, and it’s important that you have strategies for dealing with stress when it arises. In your answer, try to explain how you manage stress and what methods work best for you.

Example: “I find that I am able to deal with stress quite well on a day-to-day basis. However, if I ever feel overwhelmed by my workload or other factors at work, I make sure to take some time for myself so that I can calm down and refocus. I also use meditation techniques to help me relax and focus.”

6. Would you be comfortable working under pressure or in stressful situations?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your ability to handle pressure and stressful situations. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a time when you were faced with a challenging situation and how you overcame it or managed it.

Example: “I have worked in healthcare for many years now, so I am used to working under pressure and in stressful situations. However, I find that by remaining calm and focused on my work, I can overcome most challenges. In fact, I once had an emergency patient who was experiencing cardiac arrest. I remained calm and followed all of the proper procedures while also ensuring that my team members were following protocol as well. We were able to save the patient’s life.”

7. Are you able to provide care to patients who are dying?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your ability to handle emotionally challenging situations. It’s important to show that you can provide compassionate care and support to patients who are dying or have lost loved ones.

Example: “I’ve worked with many patients who were in their final days of life, and I find it an honor to be able to spend time with them and their families. In my previous role as a nurse, I was responsible for providing emotional support to patients and their families during this difficult time. I also helped coordinate hospice care for these patients.”

8. If a co-worker was treating a patient poorly, what would you do?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you would handle a challenging situation at work. Use your answer to show that you value patients and their families, as well as your co-workers.

Example: “If I saw a colleague treating a patient poorly, I would first approach them privately to discuss my concerns. If they did not change their behavior after our conversation, I would report it to my supervisor so they could take appropriate action.”

9. Do you have any experience working with insurance companies?

This question is a great way to determine how comfortable you are with the insurance process. It’s important for SSM Health employees to be able to work with insurance companies and understand their policies, so it’s helpful if your answer shows that you have experience in this area. If you don’t have any experience working with insurance companies, consider mentioning some of your other skills that could help you learn about them quickly.

Example: “I’ve worked with several different insurance companies throughout my career, but I’m always open to learning more about new ones. I find that I can usually figure out an insurance company’s policies pretty quickly once I get familiar with them.”

10. Describe your experience working with diverse groups of people.

SSM Health is a catholic system, and they want to ensure that you can work with people of all backgrounds. They also want to know how you will fit into their culture as a whole.

Example: “I have worked in healthcare for over ten years now, and I’ve had the opportunity to work with many different types of people. In my last position, I was working with a patient who was Muslim. He asked me if he could eat before his surgery because it was Ramadan. I told him yes, and we scheduled his procedure around his religious practices. It’s important to respect others’ beliefs and customs when possible.”

11. SSM Health emphasizes collaboration among teams. Describe your experience collaborating with others.

Collaboration is an important skill for healthcare professionals to have. It allows them to work together and share information, which can help improve patient care. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation where you collaborated with others to achieve a goal or solve a problem.

Example: “In my previous role as a nurse, I worked on a team of nurses and doctors who were responsible for the overall care of patients. We had weekly meetings where we discussed each patient’s progress and any issues that arose. This allowed us to collaborate and provide better care for our patients.”

12. In what ways do you go above and beyond for your patients?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you are willing to go the extra mile for patients and their families. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific examples of how you have helped others in the past.

Example: “I believe that going above and beyond for my patients means providing them with more than just medical care. I make sure to get to know each patient on a personal level so that I can understand what they value most. For example, one time I had a patient who was very concerned about her appearance after surgery. She asked me if there were any makeup tips I could give her to help her look more like herself again. So, I looked up some tutorials online and showed her how she could apply her own makeup after her procedure.”

13. What type of patient population would you like to work with?

This question is a great way to determine if the hospital you are interviewing for has patients that align with your values and beliefs. It also allows you to show how passionate you are about working with specific types of people or groups.

Example: “I would love to work in an emergency room setting, where I can help those who need urgent care. In my last position as a nurse’s aide, I worked alongside a nurse who was always so kind and compassionate when she spoke to her patients. She taught me that it’s important to treat every patient like they’re the most important person in the world. I think this type of attitude is crucial in healthcare.”

14. Tell me about a time where you went above and beyond for a customer.

This question is a great way to show your potential employer that you are willing to go the extra mile for their patients. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a time when you helped a customer in need and how it made them feel.

Example: “When I was working at my previous job, I had a patient who came into the office with a lot of questions about his medication. He seemed very overwhelmed by everything he needed to do, so I offered to help him fill out all of his paperwork and answer any other questions he had. After we talked, he felt much more confident about taking care of himself and left the office feeling better.”

15. What’s your favorite part about being a nurse?

This question is a great way to show your passion for the nursing profession. It’s also an opportunity to share what you enjoy about working in healthcare and how it relates to the position you’re interviewing for.

Example: “My favorite part of being a nurse is helping patients feel more comfortable during their hospital stay. I love seeing them smile when they realize that we’ve made their experience better, even if only for a moment. I’m passionate about making sure my patients are getting the best care possible.”

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

The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your experience with EMRs and how you feel about them. If you have worked with an EMR before, explain what you like or dislike about it. If you haven’t worked with one before, you can talk about the pros and cons of using EMRs in healthcare.

Example: “I’ve worked with electronic medical records for a few years now. I find that they are very helpful when it comes to keeping track of patient information and ensuring we’re following up on important details. However, I do think there is room for improvement when it comes to usability. For example, I would like to see more customization options so that each doctor can use the system in a way that works best for them.”

17. Have you ever been fired from a job? Can you tell us why?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be honest. Employers want to know that you’re capable of being fired if you don’t perform your job well. They also want to see how you respond to getting fired.

Example: “I was once fired from my previous job as an administrative assistant for not completing all of my tasks on time. I had been working long hours and taking care of my family at the same time. My employer understood but still let me go because they needed someone who could work more efficiently.”

18. What is your experience with triaging patients?

This question is a great way to determine how you handle pressure and prioritize tasks. It also shows the interviewer your experience with working in an emergency department. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific instances where you helped patients or worked through a busy shift.

Example: “In my previous role as a nurse, I was responsible for triaging patients who came into the emergency room. This included assessing their symptoms and determining what treatment they needed most urgently. In one instance, I had two patients come in at once with similar symptoms. I assessed both of them and determined that one patient’s condition required immediate attention while the other could wait until after we treated the first.”

19. As a nurse, you will need to communicate with many different health professionals. How do you feel about communicating with doctors, nurses, technicians and other healthcare workers?

This question is an opportunity to show your communication skills and how you work with others. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific time when you worked well with other professionals.

Example: “I feel that as a nurse, I need to communicate effectively with all members of the healthcare team. In my last position, I was working in the emergency room when we had a patient who needed surgery. The surgeon on duty asked me questions about the patient’s condition before performing the procedure. I answered his questions clearly and thoroughly so he could perform the surgery safely.”

20. 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 to address an issue where one of my nurses was consistently late for their shift. The first time I spoke with them about it, they apologized and said they would try to be on time more often. However, after two weeks, they were still being tardy. I called them into my office again and explained that while we appreciate their apology, this behavior is unacceptable. They agreed and promised to do better.”