20 St. David’s HealthCare Interview Questions and Answers

When you go to an interview for a position at St. David’s HealthCare, you can expect to be asked questions that are specific to the hospital system. These questions will test your knowledge of the company and its policies. They will also assess your ability to think critically about the role you are applying for.

Preparing for these questions will require you to do some research on the hospital system. You should familiarize yourself with the company’s history, its mission and values, and its current initiatives. You should also be prepared to talk about your own experience in a healthcare setting.

By preparing for these questions, you will be able to show the interviewer that you are a knowledgeable and thoughtful candidate who is ready to take on the challenges of the position.

St. David’s HealthCare Interview Process

The interview process at St. David’s HealthCare is generally quick and easy. Most positions only require one or two interviews, and candidates are often given an offer on the spot. However, some positions (such as Registered Nurse) may require a more extensive interview process that includes a panel interview and/or peer review. Overall, the interview experience is positive and candidates report feeling well-informed about the company’s values and expectations.

1. How would you handle a difficult patient?

This question is a great way to assess your interpersonal skills and ability to handle conflict. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of how you would approach the situation and what steps you would take to resolve the issue.

Example: “I have experience working with patients who are difficult or challenging. In my previous role as a nurse, I had a patient who was very demanding and wanted immediate attention from me when I was busy with other tasks. Instead of ignoring her requests, I took time to speak with her about her concerns and explained that I needed to complete other tasks before I could attend to her. She understood and we were able to work through the rest of her hospital stay together.”

2. What do you think are the most important qualities for someone working in healthcare to have?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you have experience working in healthcare and understand what qualities are important for success. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific examples of how your own personal qualities match those of someone who works well in healthcare.

Example: “I think one of the most important qualities for anyone working in healthcare is empathy. I’ve worked with many nurses over the years who were very empathetic toward their patients, which made them excellent caregivers. Another quality I think is important is being able to work as part of a team. In my last job, I was responsible for managing a group of nurses, so I learned firsthand how important it is to communicate effectively with others.”

3. Do you have experience working with patients who need extra care, such as those with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience working with patients who may need more attention or care than others. It is important to show that you are willing and able to provide this level of care, as it can be a crucial part of the job.

Example: “I worked at a hospital where we had an Alzheimer’s unit for patients who needed extra care. I was responsible for helping them get ready in the morning and making sure they were comfortable throughout the day. This helped me develop my patience and compassion for these patients.”

4. Why is it important to keep accurate records of patient progress and treatment?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the healthcare industry and how it functions. It also allows you to demonstrate your attention to detail, which is a crucial skill for any medical professional.

Example: “Keeping accurate records of patient progress and treatment is essential because it helps me monitor my patients’ health and ensure they are receiving proper care. I can use these records to compare their current state with previous ones to identify areas that may need improvement or additional monitoring. This information is vital when making decisions about treatments and procedures.”

5. Tell me about a time when you had to make an unplanned decision on behalf of a patient.

This question is a great way to assess your ability to make quick decisions and how you handle pressure. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide specific details about the situation and what steps you took to ensure that the patient received the best care possible.

Example: “When I was working as an ER nurse, one night we had a patient come in who was experiencing severe abdominal pain. After examining him, I determined that he needed immediate surgery due to his condition. However, our surgeon wasn’t available at that time, so I called another hospital to see if they could send someone over to help us out. Luckily, they were able to send over a surgeon who performed the operation and saved the patient’s life.”

6. Have you ever been in a situation where you felt like you were unable to provide a patient with adequate care?

This question is designed to assess your ability to handle challenging situations and how you respond to them. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a situation where you felt like you were unable to provide the best care for a patient but then explain what steps you took to overcome that challenge.

Example: “I once had a patient who was experiencing severe pain in their abdomen. I performed an examination of the patient’s abdomen and found no abnormalities. However, the patient continued to report pain. After further questioning, I discovered that the patient was having trouble urinating. This led me to perform additional tests on the patient’s urinary system, which revealed a kidney stone. The patient was able to receive treatment for their condition after I identified the cause of their discomfort.

7. How did you handle that situation?

This question is a great way to see how you respond to challenging situations. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the situation and then explain what actions you took to resolve or improve the situation.

Example: “I once had a patient who was very upset about their diagnosis. They were convinced that I didn’t know what I was talking about and they refused to listen to me. I calmly explained my reasoning for the diagnosis again and asked if there was anything else I could do to help them feel more comfortable. After a few minutes of conversation, they agreed with my diagnosis and we scheduled an appointment for later in the week.”

8. Are you comfortable communicating with families of patients?

This question is an opportunity to show your interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with patients’ families. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation in which you had to interact with the family of a patient and how you handled the situation.

Example: “I have experience communicating with families of patients because I worked as a nurse at a pediatric hospital where I often interacted with parents of sick children. In my role, I was responsible for explaining procedures to families and helping them understand what their child’s diagnosis meant. I always made sure that I spoke slowly and clearly so that they could understand me. I also tried to use simple language when possible. This helped families feel more comfortable during stressful situations.”

9. If you noticed that another nurse was making mistakes (such as not providing proper documentation), how would you approach them about it?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle conflict and whether you are willing to speak up when necessary. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation in which you noticed a colleague was making mistakes or not following protocol and how you helped them improve their performance.

Example: “I once worked with a nurse who would often forget to document patient information after administering medication. I approached her about this issue one day while we were on break together and explained that documenting is an important part of our job as nurses. She apologized for her mistake and promised to do better. After that conversation, she began documenting more regularly and even started providing feedback to other nurses if they forgot to document something.”

10. Do you consider yourself a team player?

Teamwork is an essential skill for healthcare professionals. Employers ask this question to make sure you are a team player and can work well with others. In your answer, explain how you contribute to the success of your team. Share an example of a time when you helped your team achieve its goals.

Example: “I consider myself a very dedicated team member. I am always willing to help my colleagues in any way that I can. For instance, at my previous job, one of my coworkers was struggling to meet her patient care quotas. She asked me if I could cover some of her shifts so she could focus on getting up to speed. I agreed to do it because I knew she would do the same for me if I ever needed it.”

11. Do you have experience working with people from different backgrounds?

The healthcare industry is a diverse one, and it’s important for the hospital to know that you can work with people from different backgrounds. This question helps them determine if you have experience working with patients of different races, ages or genders.

Example: “I worked at my previous job as an ER nurse for five years, and I had the opportunity to work alongside many nurses who were men and women, young and old, black and white. It was great to see how we all worked together to provide excellent care to our patients.”

12. Describe your ideal work environment.

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you might fit in with their team. When answering, try to be honest about what type of environment you thrive in. Consider describing a specific work experience that was ideal for you.

Example: “I thrive in an environment where I can collaborate with others and feel like my ideas are valued. In the past, I worked at a small startup company where everyone had equal input on projects. We were all able to voice our opinions and discuss different approaches to problems. This led to some great solutions and helped us create innovative products.”

13. What kind of hours are you able to work?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your availability. They want to know if you can work nights, weekends or holidays as needed. Your answer should include any specific hours that you are unable to work and why.

Example: “I am available to work all shifts, including nights, weekends and holidays. I have worked these kinds of hours in my previous positions and feel comfortable doing so again. However, I do not drive at night due to vision issues, which means I would need transportation from someone else.”

14. St. David’s HealthCare has a commitment to nursing excellence. How will this benefit you as a nurse at our organization?

This question is an opportunity to show your commitment to excellence in nursing. You can use this question as a chance to discuss how you have achieved excellence in the past and what steps you plan on taking to continue that excellence at St. David’s HealthCare.

Example: “I believe that excellence in nursing comes from having excellent communication skills, strong leadership abilities and a passion for helping others. I am committed to always providing my patients with the best care possible. In my previous position, I was able to achieve excellence by implementing new procedures into my daily routine. For example, I started using a patient-tracking system to ensure all of my patients were receiving the right treatment at the right time. This helped me become more organized and efficient in my work.”

15. What makes you qualified to work here?

Employers ask this question to make sure you have done your research on the company. They want to know that you are excited about working for their organization and understand what they do. When preparing for this question, read through the job description and highlight any skills or qualifications listed. Make sure these match up with your own experience and abilities.

Example: “I am a registered nurse who has worked in emergency care for five years. I am passionate about helping others and feel like St. David’s HealthCare is an excellent place to continue my career. Your hospital system is known for its high-quality patient care, which is something I strive for every day. I also love the idea of working at a large facility where there are many opportunities for advancement.”

16. How would you describe your communication style?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of how you interact with others and your ability to communicate effectively. Describe your communication style in relation to the role, including any specific skills or techniques that have helped you succeed in previous roles.

Example: “I consider myself an empathetic communicator who is able to listen carefully to understand what my colleagues are saying. I also believe it’s important to be direct when communicating so that everyone understands exactly what I’m trying to say. In my last position as a nurse manager, I found this approach was helpful for ensuring all staff members were on the same page and understood their responsibilities.”

17. Are you available to work nights, weekends, holidays, and extended shifts if needed?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your availability and flexibility. It’s important to be honest about your schedule, but also show that you’re willing to work any hours needed if hired.

Example: “I am available to work nights, weekends and holidays as needed. I understand that these are often necessary in healthcare because of emergencies or other situations. However, I do have one request. If possible, I would like to avoid extended shifts. I find that after eight hours, my attention starts to wane, which could lead to mistakes. I’m happy to take on extra shifts when they arise, however.”

18. What would you say is your greatest strength and weakness?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be prepared with an answer that shows your strengths while also being honest about any weaknesses you may have. When answering this question, think of two or three things you are good at and then explain why they are strengths.

Example: “My greatest strength would be my ability to work well under pressure. I am always able to stay calm when there is a crisis situation, which helps me make quick decisions and keep everyone around me calm as well. My weakness would be that sometimes I can get overwhelmed by the amount of work I have on my plate. To combat this, I try to prioritize tasks so I can complete them efficiently.”

19. As a medical technologist, what type of equipment have you worked with before?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the field and how you can apply it in this position. When answering, be sure to list all relevant equipment that you have worked with before and explain what each piece does.

Example: “I have experience working with many different types of medical equipment including microscopes, blood analyzers, centrifuges and more. I am very familiar with their functions and know how to use them properly. In my last role as a medical technologist, I was responsible for maintaining these machines and ensuring they were always functioning at peak performance.”

20. In your opinion, why is diversity important in healthcare?

This question is an opportunity to show your understanding of the importance of diversity in healthcare. It also allows you to demonstrate how you can contribute to a diverse workplace and help others feel welcome.

Example: “Diversity is important because it helps us understand different perspectives, cultures and backgrounds. This knowledge can be useful when treating patients who are from other countries or have unique medical histories. I believe that having a diverse staff will allow St. David’s HealthCare to better serve its community.”