20 Sutter Health Interview Questions and Answers

Sutter Health is one of the largest healthcare providers in the United States. With over 24,000 employees, Sutter Health is a major player in the healthcare industry.

If you’re interviewing for a job at Sutter Health, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions specific to the company. In this article, we’ll give you a taste of what you can expect, with sample answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Sutter Health Interview Process

The interview process at Sutter Health can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one in-person interview. The length of the hiring process also varies, but it typically takes about two weeks to complete.

Overall, the interview process is relatively straightforward. However, some positions may be more difficult to land than others. For example, Registered Nurse and Physical Therapist positions may require multiple interviews. Additionally, the interview questions tend to be behavioral-based, so it is important to be prepared to answer questions about your past experience.

Overall, the interview process at Sutter Health is a positive experience. The interviewer(s) are professional and courteous, and they do a good job of making sure you feel comfortable during the process. I would recommend applying to Sutter Health if you are interested in working in the healthcare industry.

1. What do you feel is the most important aspect of a patient’s care?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the medical field and how you can help patients. When answering this question, it’s important to focus on the patient experience and how you can improve their care.

Example: “I believe that the most important aspect of a patient’s care is communication. Patients need to feel comfortable asking questions and getting answers from their doctors. I also think it’s important for them to know what to expect during their treatment so they’re not surprised by anything. In my last position, I started a monthly newsletter where we would answer common questions about our services and provide information about upcoming events.”

2. How would you handle an upset patient?

This question can help the interviewer assess your interpersonal skills and ability to resolve conflict. Use examples from past experiences where you helped an upset patient feel more comfortable or resolved their concerns.

Example: “I once had a patient who was very upset about her bill, so I asked her what she thought would be a fair amount to pay. She told me that she felt like it should be half of what they were charging her, but I explained our billing system and how we arrived at the total. After explaining this, she understood why the bill was higher than she expected. We also discussed ways she could save money in the future, which made her feel better.”

3. Tell me about how you handled a difficult situation with a coworker in the past.

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of how you work with others and your interpersonal skills. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation and what steps you took to resolve it.

Example: “In my last position as an ER nurse, I had a coworker who was always late for our shift change meetings. This made it difficult for us to discuss important patient information before we started our shifts. After talking with them about the importance of being on time, they continued to be late. So, I decided to switch up our meeting times so that they would have more time to prepare for the meeting. They were still late one day, but after explaining why it was important to me, they understood and never missed another meeting.”

4. If hired, what is one thing that you want to accomplish at Sutter Health within your first 3 months?

This question is a great way to determine what the hiring manager wants from you and how they want you to achieve it. It also shows them that you are ambitious and eager to get started. When answering this question, make sure you align your answer with the job description and emphasize any skills or experience you have that will help you accomplish their goals.

Example: “I would like to learn as much as I can about Sutter Health’s culture and values. I believe that understanding these things will help me better understand my coworkers and ensure that I am working toward the same goals as everyone else. I also plan on getting to know my team members so we can work together more effectively.”

5. Give an example of when you had to make a decision quickly and without all the information.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you make decisions and whether or not you have experience making quick, informed choices. Use examples from your previous work to show that you are capable of handling important situations with limited information.

Example: “In my last position as a nurse manager, I had to decide which nurses would be best for certain shifts without knowing who was available at the time. I used my knowledge of each nurse’s skills and abilities to determine who could handle specific patients and procedures. This helped me ensure that we were able to provide quality care to all patients while maintaining our high standards.”

6. Do you have experience working with electronic medical records?

Electronic medical records are a common practice in the healthcare industry. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience with their specific electronic medical record system, Epic. They may also want to know how you feel about using these systems and whether they would be willing to learn a new one if hired. In your answer, try to show that you’re open to learning new technology and that you understand the benefits of electronic medical records.

Example: “I do have some experience working with electronic medical records. I find them very helpful because they allow me to access patient information quickly and easily. However, I think it’s important for patients to maintain ownership over their own medical records so I always print out hard copies of any documents I create or modify within an electronic medical record.”

7. Why are you interested in working for Sutter Health?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about you as an individual and how your personal values align with those of Sutter Health. When preparing for this question, think about what attracted you to this role in particular. Consider mentioning specific aspects of the job listing that appeal to you or any research you’ve done on the company.

Example: “I’m interested in working for Sutter Health because I am passionate about providing quality healthcare to underserved communities. Your commitment to improving access to care in California’s Central Valley really resonates with me, and I would love to be part of a team that makes such positive changes in people’s lives.”

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

This question can help the interviewer determine if you would be a good fit for their organization. They may want to know that you are comfortable with the work environment at Sutter Health and how it compares to your current one. You can answer this question by describing what kind of work environment you prefer, but also include any aspects of your current job that you enjoy.

Example: “I thrive in an open-door policy where I feel comfortable asking questions or offering suggestions. I am used to working in a fast-paced environment where we have tight deadlines, so I think I would do well here. My current workplace has a similar atmosphere, which is why I applied here.”

9. Are you comfortable interacting with patients from different backgrounds?

Sutter Health is a large healthcare organization that serves patients from many different backgrounds. The interviewer wants to know if you have experience interacting with people who are different than yourself and how you handle it. Showcase your interpersonal skills by describing a time when you interacted with someone of a different background and succeeded in building rapport.

Example: “I am very comfortable interacting with patients from different backgrounds, as I’ve worked at a hospital where we had patients from all over the world. One patient I remember was an older gentleman who spoke very little English. He would always smile and nod his head when I asked him questions about his health. I learned some basic phrases in Spanish so I could communicate with him more effectively. We were able to build a good rapport, and he felt comfortable enough to tell me about his symptoms.”

10. What are some of your strengths and weaknesses?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to answer honestly. Employers ask this question because they want to know what you’re good at and where you can improve. When answering this question, be sure to focus on your strengths rather than your weaknesses.

Example: “I am extremely organized and detail-oriented. I also have excellent communication skills and work well under pressure. My weakness is that sometimes I get overwhelmed with too much information. To overcome this, I make sure to prioritize my tasks and take breaks when needed.”

11. Describe a time where you had to prioritize multiple tasks.

This question can help an interviewer understand how you manage your time and prioritize tasks. Use this opportunity to explain a situation where you had multiple projects or assignments that required you to organize them in some way.

Example: “At my previous job, I was responsible for managing the social media accounts of several different brands. This meant I needed to post content on multiple platforms at once while also monitoring comments and responding to followers. To ensure I didn’t miss any important information, I created a spreadsheet with all of the relevant deadlines and due dates so I could keep track of everything. This helped me stay organized and ensured I met all of my responsibilities.”

12. When was the last time you went above and beyond for a customer?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your customer service skills. It can also show them how you might interact with their patients and customers. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about a time when you went above and beyond for a client or patient.

Example: “When I worked at my previous job, we had a patient who was very ill. They were in the hospital for quite some time, so I would call them every day to check on them. I wanted to make sure they knew that someone cared about them and was thinking about them. This person ended up getting better, but I still keep in touch with them today.”

13. How well do you handle stress?

Working in a hospital setting can be stressful. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the ability to handle stress and remain calm when working with patients. In your answer, explain how you manage stress and provide an example of a time you faced a stressful situation and overcame it.

Example: “I am able to stay calm under pressure. I think that is important because if something goes wrong at work, I need to be able to assess the situation and find a solution quickly. When I was in nursing school, I had a patient who needed emergency surgery. The surgeon performing the operation got food poisoning and couldn’t operate on my patient. I stepped up and performed the surgery myself. It was very stressful, but I remained calm and focused so I could get through it.”

14. Have you ever worked as part of a team before?

This question is an opportunity to show your interpersonal skills and ability to work with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific time you worked as part of a team and how that experience helped you develop those skills.

Example: “Yes, I have worked on teams before. In my last position, I was part of the marketing team where we would meet once a week to discuss our progress and any challenges we were facing. This allowed us to collaborate and share ideas for new campaigns or ways to improve existing ones. It also gave us the chance to ask questions about what other members of the team were working on.”

15. What is your experience with physical therapy?

Sutter Health offers physical therapy services, so the interviewer may ask you this question to learn about your experience with this department. If you have worked in a hospital setting before, describe your role and how it helped patients recover from their injuries or illnesses. If you haven’t worked in a hospital setting, explain what you know about physical therapy and why you’re interested in working for Sutter Health.

Example: “I’ve never worked in a hospital setting, but I am very familiar with physical therapy because my mother is a physical therapist. She has always encouraged me to pursue a career in healthcare, and she taught me everything I need to know about physical therapy. I think that Sutter Health would be an excellent place to work because of its reputation as a leader in physical therapy.”

16. We strive to provide exceptional care to our patients. Can you describe a time when you provided excellent service to a patient or customer?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you value excellent customer service and care for others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation where you went above and beyond to help someone or provide exceptional care.

Example: “When I was working as a nurse at a local hospital, one of my patients had a rare condition that made it difficult for them to communicate with me. They were unable to speak clearly, so we used a tablet to type messages back and forth. One day, they asked me if I could bring in their dog because they missed him. I thought this request was adorable, so I brought in their dog and let them hold him while we communicated.”

17. What do you like best about the field of medicine?

This question is an opportunity to show your passion for the medical field. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific experience you’ve had in the past that made you want to pursue this career path.

Example: “I love being able to help people feel better and get back to their normal lives. I remember when I was younger, my mom got sick with the flu. She was bedridden for several days, but after she saw her doctor, he prescribed her medicine and she started feeling better within a few days. It’s moments like these that make me realize how important doctors are.”

18. What area of nursing do you specialize in?

Sutter Health is a large organization that offers many different types of nursing positions. The interviewer wants to know what type of nursing you have experience in and if it aligns with the position you are interviewing for. If you don’t have direct experience, explain your interest in the specialty and how you would learn more about it.

Example: “I am an experienced registered nurse who specializes in pediatric care. I love working with children because they are so full of life and energy. It’s always rewarding when I can help them feel better or get through an illness. In my last role, I worked as a part-time pediatric nurse while also taking on some administrative duties.”

19. How would you rate your communication skills on a scale of 1-10?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your self-awareness and how you rate yourself. It’s important to be honest, but also consider what they’re looking for in an answer. If you have experience working with others who are not as confident in their communication skills, it can be helpful to give them some reassurance that you’ll help them improve.

Example: “I would say my communication skills are a 7 out of 10. I’m always open to feedback on how I can improve, so if anyone ever has any questions or concerns about something I’ve said or done, I’m happy to listen and learn from it.”

20. We want employees who can think outside the box. Describe a time where you were creative in solving a problem.

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and how you can apply them in the workplace. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight your ability to think critically and creatively.

Example: “At my previous job, I was tasked with creating an event that would bring awareness to our hospital. I decided to create a 5K race where participants could dress up as their favorite comic book character. This event brought in over 500 people and raised $10,000 for our hospital.”