20 Stanford Health Care Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to cancer care, Stanford Health Care is at the forefront. With multiple facilities throughout the Bay Area, the company is renowned for its leading edge and coordinated care. If you’re interviewing for a position at Stanford Health Care, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience in cancer care, as well as your knowledge of the latest treatments and technologies. In this article, we’ll give you a rundown of some of the most common Stanford Health Care interview questions, so you can go into your interview prepared and confident.

Stanford Health Care Interview Process

The interview process at Stanford Health Care can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one in-person interview. For some positions, like Registered Nurse or Medical Assistant, you may be interviewed by a panel of staff members. For other positions, like BSN or Clinical Nurse, you may have a more traditional one-on-one interview. Overall, the interview process is generally thorough and can take several weeks to complete.

1. Why do you want to work for Stanford Health Care?

This question is an opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the position and the organization. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific aspect of Stanford Health Care that you admire or something about the company’s history that interests you.

Example: “I want to work for Stanford Health Care because I am inspired by the hospital’s mission to provide compassionate care to patients while also conducting groundbreaking research in cancer treatment. As someone who has lost both my parents to cancer, I have seen how important it is to have access to cutting-edge treatments. I would love to be part of a team that provides those life-saving treatments.”

2. How would you deal with a patient who is in pain and refuses treatment?

This question is designed to assess your ability to handle challenging situations. It’s important to show that you can remain calm and compassionate in these circumstances, while also ensuring the patient understands why their treatment plan is necessary.

Example: “I would first try to understand what led them to refuse treatment. I would explain the importance of continuing treatment and how it could help them feel better. If they still refused, I would document the refusal in their medical record and ensure that a physician was aware of the situation so they could provide further guidance.”

3. Are you willing to relocate if necessary?

Stanford Health Care is a large organization with multiple facilities throughout the Bay Area. If you are interviewing for an open position, it’s likely that you would be required to relocate if hired. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention any factors that may make relocation easier or more difficult for you and your family.

Example: “I am willing to relocate if necessary. I have lived in California my entire life, so moving away from home wouldn’t be too challenging for me. However, I do have two children who attend school here, so finding a new school district would be something we’d need to work out.”

4. What qualities should I look for when hiring a new nurse?

Nurses are the backbone of any healthcare facility, and hiring managers want to know that you understand what qualities make a good nurse. When answering this question, be sure to highlight your interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team.

Example: “I think one of the most important qualities in a new nurse is compassion. I believe that nurses should care for their patients with empathy and kindness. Another quality I look for is communication skills. Nurses need to be able to clearly communicate information about a patient’s condition to doctors and other medical professionals. Finally, I think it’s important to hire nurses who have strong critical thinking skills. These nurses can use their problem-solving abilities to find solutions to challenging situations.”

5. Describe your experience working in a team environment.

Working in a team environment is an important part of the healthcare industry. Team members work together to provide quality care for patients and their families, so it’s important that you can collaborate with others. When answering this question, try to highlight your teamwork skills by describing how you’ve worked well with others in the past.

Example: “I have experience working in a team setting at my current job as a nurse practitioner. I work alongside other nurses, physicians and specialists to ensure our patients receive the best possible care. In my previous role as a registered nurse, I also worked in a team environment with other nurses, doctors and patient care technicians.”

6. What are some of the challenges that you see in healthcare today?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your understanding of current healthcare issues and how you might approach them. You can use this opportunity to show that you are aware of some of the challenges in the industry, but also that you have ideas for solutions or improvements.

Example: “I think one of the biggest challenges we face in healthcare today is finding qualified staff. With so many people entering the medical field, it’s becoming more difficult to find enough nurses, doctors and other professionals to fill positions at hospitals and clinics. I believe we need to start training more people to enter the medical profession, which will take time, but I think it’s important to invest in our future.”

7. Do you feel comfortable using medical devices, like IVs?

This question is a good way to assess your comfort level with medical equipment and procedures. If you have experience using these devices, it’s important to share that information in the interview.

Example: “I’ve used IVs before when I worked at my previous hospital. It was part of my job as an ER nurse to administer medications through IVs. I feel comfortable doing this procedure because I understand how to use the equipment and ensure patients are safe while I’m administering their medication.”

8. Give an example of a time when you had to make a quick decision. How did you approach it?

This question can help an interviewer understand how you make decisions and the thought process behind them. It can also show how you react to pressure, which is important in a healthcare setting where quick thinking and fast action are often necessary.

Example: “In my last position as a nurse manager, I had to decide whether or not to call in additional staff for a patient who was experiencing complications after surgery. The patient’s vital signs were normal, but they were exhibiting some unusual behavior that made me concerned about their mental state. After speaking with the surgeon, I decided to have another nurse stay with the patient overnight to monitor their condition.”

9. If hired, what would be the first thing you would do at this job?

This question is a way for the interviewer to get an idea of your work ethic and how you plan on getting started in your new role. Your answer should include what you would do first, as well as some other things you would like to accomplish within your first few weeks or months at this job.

Example: “The first thing I would do if hired would be to meet with my team members to learn more about their roles and responsibilities. I would also want to familiarize myself with the facility’s policies and procedures so that I can make informed decisions when necessary.”

10. Tell me about a time when you disagreed with your manager. How did you handle the situation?

This question can help an interviewer learn more about your problem-solving and conflict resolution skills. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific example of how you handled the situation and what the outcome was.

Example: “When I first started working as a nurse at Stanford Health Care, my manager asked me to work on a new floor that had just opened up. I told her that I would love to do so but that I wanted to continue working with some patients who were in need of extra care. She understood and allowed me to split my time between both floors until all of the patients I cared for could transition to the new floor.”

11. What is more important to you: money or having a positive impact on patients’ lives?

This question is a common one in healthcare, and it’s important to be honest. If you’re passionate about helping others, the money will come as long as you work hard. However, if you are more motivated by financial rewards, this job may not be for you.

Example: “I am definitely more interested in having a positive impact on patients’ lives than making money. I have always been drawn to medicine because of my desire to help people. While I know that there are many ways to do this, I feel like working at Stanford Health Care would allow me to make an immediate difference in someone’s life.”

12. What makes you proud of being a nurse?

This question is a great way to show your passion for the nursing profession. When answering this question, it can be helpful to talk about how you have seen nurses make a difference in people’s lives and what that means to you.

Example: “I am proud of being a nurse because I love helping others feel better. In my last role as an oncology nurse, I saw firsthand how much our patients appreciated having someone who was there for them through their treatment. It made me so happy to see them get better and overcome their illness.”

13. Can you describe how you might prioritize multiple tasks assigned by both doctors and nurses?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you might handle multiple tasks at once and your ability to prioritize them. Use examples from previous experience where you were able to manage several projects or assignments at once, while still meeting deadlines and ensuring quality work.

Example: “In my last role as a medical assistant, I often had to juggle multiple tasks assigned by doctors and nurses. For example, one day I was asked to check on patients in three different rooms, update patient charts and answer phones. I prioritized these tasks based on urgency and importance, starting with checking on patients first, then updating their charts and finally answering phones.”

14. Have you ever worked for a large scale hospital system before?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your experience working in a large healthcare facility. If you have, they may ask you more questions about it. If you haven’t, they may want to know why and what your experience has been like so far.

Example: “I’ve worked at several smaller hospitals throughout my career, but I’m excited to work with such an innovative and forward-thinking organization as Stanford Health Care.”

15. What are some of the strengths of our organization?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the company and how you can contribute. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest about what you know about the organization and its strengths. If you’re unsure of some of the strengths, do some research before the interview so that you can answer confidently.

Example: “I’ve heard Stanford Health Care has an excellent reputation for cancer care. I also understand that there are many different types of cancer treatment available at each facility. This shows me that the organization values patient choice and tailors their care based on individual needs.”

16. What was one of the most challenging situations you have handled as a nurse?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your problem-solving skills and ability to adapt to challenging situations. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a situation that you overcame or learned from.

Example: “In my last position as an oncology nurse, I had a patient who was very anxious about their treatment plan. They were worried about the side effects they would experience during chemotherapy and radiation treatments. I spent some time with them discussing the different options for managing these side effects and helped them understand that there are many ways we can manage these symptoms. After our discussion, they felt more confident in starting their treatment.”

17. Are you good with computer programs such as word processing and scheduling software?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience using the software they use at Stanford Health Care. If you don’t, it’s important to show that you’re willing to learn and develop your skills in this area.

Example: “I’ve used Microsoft Word for years, but I’m not as familiar with scheduling software. However, I am a quick learner and would be happy to take some time to learn how to use it.”

18. Do you consider yourself to be organized?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you have the ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize them effectively. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a time when you were faced with many responsibilities at once and how you managed them successfully.

Example: “I consider myself to be quite organized. In my last position as a nurse manager, I was responsible for overseeing the care of 20 patients in addition to managing three other nurses on my team. I found that having a system for organizing my day helped me stay focused and productive. For example, every morning I would make sure all of my patient’s charts were up-to-date before starting my shift.”

19. In your opinion, what is the best way to manage stress in the workplace?

Stanford Health Care is a large organization with many employees. The interviewer wants to make sure you understand the importance of maintaining a healthy work environment and how to support your colleagues when they’re experiencing stress.

Example: “I think it’s important for managers to create an open culture where their team members feel comfortable asking for help or expressing concerns about workplace stress. I would encourage my staff to take advantage of Stanford Health Care’s employee assistance program, which offers confidential counseling services and resources for managing stress. I also believe that regular check-ins are essential in preventing burnout and ensuring that our patients receive quality care.”

20. When you’re dealing with difficult people, how do you keep calm?

This question can help the interviewer assess your interpersonal skills and ability to work with challenging patients. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation where you had to deal with an upset or difficult patient and how you handled it.

Example: “I once worked in a hospital that was understaffed, which meant I sometimes had to care for more than one patient at a time. One day, I was caring for two patients who were both very ill and needed my attention. One of them became upset because they felt like I wasn’t giving them enough attention. Instead of getting defensive, I calmly explained that I was doing everything I could to provide quality care to both of them.”