20 Sutter Health Interview Questions and Answers

When you go to a job interview, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions about your qualifications, experience, and goals. But what if you’re interviewing for a position with a specific company? In that case, you may be asked company-specific interview questions.

If you’re interviewing for a position with Sutter Health, you may be asked questions about your experience working in a non-profit organization, your experience with hospital administration, or your thoughts on the Affordable Care Act. To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve compiled a list of sample Sutter Health interview questions and answers.

Sutter Health Interview Process

The interview process at Sutter Health can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For customer service positions, you may have a phone screen with a senior staff member, followed by an in-person interview with 5 staff members, one of whom may be your potential supervisor. For registered nurses, you may have a panel interview with 10 questions that involve critical thinking and past experiences. Administrative assistant candidates may have 20 interviews. Marketing manager candidates may have an interview with the director, VP, and another director. Medical assistant candidates may have a 40 question interview. Physical therapist candidates may have two interviews, one with the director and one with the team they would be working with. Overall, the interview process is thorough and professional.

1. How do you prioritize your tasks?

This question can help an interviewer understand how you approach your work and determine which tasks are most important to complete. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific strategy or process you use to prioritize your tasks.

Example: “I find that the best way to prioritize my tasks is by using a project management software like Trello. I create lists for each task I need to complete and then move them into different categories based on their urgency. This helps me stay organized and ensures that I’m completing urgent tasks before moving onto less urgent ones.”

2. What are some of the challenges that you face as a nurse?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your personality and how you handle challenges. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention some specific challenges that you have overcome in the past or ways that you plan to overcome them in the future.

Example: “The biggest challenge I face as a nurse is helping patients understand their diagnosis and treatment plans. Many times, patients are confused about what they need to do after leaving the hospital, which makes it difficult for me to know if my instructions were understood. To solve this problem, I make sure to explain things thoroughly and provide plenty of written information so that patients can refer back to it later.”

3. If a patient is unhappy with their care, how would you handle it?

This question can help interviewers assess your customer service skills and how you would handle a challenging situation. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific example of when you helped an unhappy patient feel better about their care.

Example: “If a patient was unhappy with their care, I would first apologize for any inconvenience they experienced. Then, I would ask them what specifically made them unhappy so that I could understand the issue and try to resolve it. If there were no other options available, I would offer to refund or reschedule their appointment.”

4. Why did you choose to become a Registered Nurse?

This question is an opportunity to share your passion for the nursing profession. When answering this question, it can be helpful to include a specific story or experience that led you to pursue a career in healthcare.

Example: “Ever since I was young, I have always wanted to help others. My mother worked as a nurse and inspired me to pursue a career in healthcare. She would tell me stories about her patients and how she helped them overcome their illnesses. As a child, I remember thinking that being a nurse must be the most rewarding job in the world. Now, as a Registered Nurse myself, I still feel the same way.”

5. What experience have you had in medical coding and billing?

Sutter Health is a large organization that requires employees to have experience in coding and billing. This question allows the interviewer to assess your knowledge of medical terminology, as well as how you would fit into their team.

Example: “I worked for a small hospital where I was responsible for all aspects of coding and billing. In this role, I learned about different codes and procedures used by physicians and nurses. I also gained valuable experience working with patients who had questions or concerns regarding their bills.”

6. What kind of environment do you thrive in?

Sutter Health is a non-profit organization that operates in Northern California. They are looking for candidates who can thrive in their unique environment and culture. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight your ability to work well with others and collaborate on projects.

Example: “I thrive in an environment where I am able to use my creativity and problem-solving skills. In my last role, I was working as a nurse at a hospital when we had a patient come in with a rare condition. The doctors were unsure of what the best course of action would be, so they called a meeting with all the nurses and other medical staff to discuss our options. We came up with a plan together, and the patient recovered.”

7. Tell me about a time when you were working on a team project and there was conflict, how did you handle it?

Sutter Health is a non-profit organization that values collaboration and teamwork. They want to know how you will fit into their team of healthcare professionals.

Example: “In my last position, I was working on a project with two other employees who were both very strong personalities. One employee wanted to take the lead on the project while the other preferred to work independently. We had several meetings where we discussed our roles in the project, but it still caused conflict between us. Eventually, we decided to split up the project so each person could do what they felt most comfortable doing.”

8. Do you have any experience dealing with patients who are difficult or upset?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your interpersonal skills and ability to handle challenging situations. In your answer, demonstrate that you can remain calm under pressure and use your communication skills to diffuse difficult situations.

Example: “I have had patients who were upset or angry about their care, but I always try to listen to what they are saying and understand why they feel this way. I find that by listening to them and empathizing with their situation, it helps them feel heard and calms them down. Then, we can discuss ways in which I can improve my service or help them get the treatment they need.”

9. Do you know anyone who works at Sutter Health?

This question is a great way to show your research about the company and its employees. If you know someone who works at Sutter Health, it’s important to mention their name and what they do for the organization. This shows that you’re familiar with the company and can relate to the person you know who works there.

Example: “I have a friend who works as an ER nurse at Sutter General Hospital in Sacramento. She told me she loves her job because of the friendly staff and excellent patient care. I think working here would be a great opportunity to learn more about nursing.”

10. Are you comfortable using computers?

Sutter Health is a large organization that uses computers to manage its operations. The interviewer wants to know if you have experience using computers and how comfortable you are with them. If you don’t have much computer experience, explain what kind of training you would need to get up to speed.

Example: “I am very comfortable using computers. I use computers every day in my current role as an administrative assistant. In fact, I’ve been working on learning more advanced computer skills like Microsoft Office and database management software. I’m hoping to learn even more about these programs so I can be even more efficient at work.”

11. How would you rate your communication skills?

This question is a great way to assess your ability to communicate with others and work as part of a team. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example or two from your previous experience that highlights your communication skills.

Example: “I would rate my communication skills at five out of five stars. I have always been someone who enjoys communicating with others and helping them understand complex topics. In my last role, I was the lead nurse on a medical floor where I worked closely with patients and their families to explain procedures and answer questions. I found that by being patient and kind, I could help ease some of their concerns.”

12. What are your strengths as a nurse?

This question is an opportunity to highlight your skills and abilities as a nurse. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about the most important qualities of a good nurse. You may also want to consider what you feel are your strongest personal attributes that would help you succeed in this role.

Example: “I believe my greatest strength as a nurse is my ability to communicate with patients and their families. I am always willing to listen to concerns or questions from patients and family members, and I try to answer all of their questions thoroughly. I find that when patients understand more about their treatment plan, they tend to have better outcomes.”

13. Can you tell me about one of your most challenging cases and what made it so challenging?

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential colleague’s skills and abilities. It also helps employers understand how you might handle challenges in the workplace. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific case that was challenging but ultimately rewarding.

Example: “I once had a patient who came into my office with severe pain in her abdomen. She told me she hadn’t been able to eat for several days because of the pain. I ordered some tests and discovered that she had an ovarian cyst rupture. We performed surgery immediately and were able to remove the cyst. The next day, she was feeling much better and was ready to go home.”

14. Do you prefer to work by yourself or as part of a team?

This question can help an interviewer determine how you might fit into the company culture. When answering, consider what type of work environment they have and try to match your personality with their expectations.

Example: “I enjoy working both independently and collaboratively. I find that when I’m working on a project by myself, I can focus more deeply on my work and produce higher-quality results. However, I also love collaborating with others because it allows me to learn from other people’s perspectives and ideas. In fact, I think collaboration is one of the most important parts of any job.”

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

The interviewer may ask this question to gauge your ability to adapt to a fast-paced environment. If you have previous experience working in a high-pressure setting, share an example of how you handled the situation and what skills helped you succeed.

Example: “In my last position as a nurse manager at a large hospital, I had to manage several teams of nurses and doctors who were responsible for different areas of care. This required me to be highly organized and able to multitask effectively. I also had to ensure that all staff members were meeting their performance goals while maintaining patient safety.”

16. Which shift are you available to work?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your availability and flexibility. It’s important to be honest about which shifts you’re available to work, but also consider what would be best for the organization. If there are no specific days or times that you can’t work, it’s okay to leave this answer open-ended.

Example: “I’m flexible with my schedule as long as I have two weeks’ notice of any changes. I prefer working weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., but I am willing to work other hours if needed.”

17. What do you think is your greatest strength and weakness?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be honest. Employers want to know what your greatest strengths are so they can use them when you’re on the job. They also want to know about any weaknesses that you’re working on improving or have already improved.

Example: “My greatest strength is my ability to work well with others. I am always willing to help someone else out if they need it, even if it means sacrificing some of my own time. My weakness is that sometimes I get too invested in helping others that I forget to take care of myself. I’m actively working on making sure I balance both.”

18. What makes you passionate about nursing?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand what motivates you. It’s important to show that nursing is more than a job for you, but rather a way of life.

Example: “I am passionate about nursing because it allows me to make a difference in people’s lives every day. I love being able to see patients when they’re at their worst and then seeing them recover and leave the hospital. Nursing also gives me the opportunity to work with other nurses who are all dedicated to providing excellent care.”

19. Do you feel comfortable working independently?

This question is a great way to determine how independent you are and whether or not you can work without much supervision. When answering this question, it’s important to show that you’re comfortable working independently but also enjoy collaborating with others.

Example: “I feel very comfortable working independently because I’m used to managing my own time and projects. However, I also love collaborating with others and learning from their experiences. In fact, I find that when I collaborate with others, we can often solve problems more efficiently than if I worked alone.”

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 is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide a specific example of how you approached the situation and what steps you took to solve it.

Example: “When I was working as a nurse in the emergency room, we had a patient who came into the hospital with symptoms that indicated they were suffering from both pneumonia and strep throat. The doctor on duty asked me to help him determine which illness the patient was suffering from so he could prescribe the appropriate treatment.

I first reviewed the patient’s medical history and looked for any clues that might indicate which illness they were suffering from. After reviewing their records, I determined that the patient had recently been treated for strep throat but not for pneumonia. Based on this information, I recommended that the doctor treat the patient for strep throat.”