17 Telehealth Nurse Interview Questions and Answers

Telehealth nurses are in high demand due to the increasing popularity of telehealth services. Telehealth nurses provide care to patients through video conferencing, phone calls, and other electronic means. They often work remotely and may be the only nurse providing care to a patient.

If you’re interested in a career in telehealth nursing, it’s important to be prepared for questions that may be asked in a job interview. In this guide, you’ll find sample questions and answers that will help you stand out from the competition and land the job you want.

Are you comfortable working with patients who may be in an isolated area or otherwise unable to visit a healthcare professional in person?

Telehealth nurses may need to work with patients who are unable to travel to a healthcare facility. An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience working in these situations and how you feel about them. In your answer, try to explain that you understand the importance of providing care to all individuals regardless of their location.

Example: “I am very comfortable working with patients who can’t visit a healthcare facility in person. I know it’s important for everyone to receive quality medical care, no matter where they live. When I worked at my previous job, I had several patients who lived in rural areas. I was able to communicate with them over video calls and email to help them manage their conditions.”

What are some of the most important qualities for a telehealth nurse to have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the necessary skills and abilities to succeed in this role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few of your most important qualities and how they relate to telehealth nursing.

Example: “The two most important qualities for me are patience and compassion. Telehealth nurses need to be able to communicate with patients clearly and calmly while also being empathetic. These qualities allow me to understand what my patients are going through and provide them with the best care possible. I am also very organized and detail-oriented, which helps me keep track of all of the information I may need to relay to other healthcare professionals.”

How would you build trust with a new patient over the phone or through video chat?

When working with patients who are new to telehealth, it’s important to build trust quickly. This question helps the interviewer assess your interpersonal skills and ability to connect with patients. In your answer, demonstrate how you would use your communication skills to help a patient feel comfortable during their first interaction with you.

Example: “I find that establishing eye contact through video chat or phone call is an excellent way to start building rapport with a new patient. I always introduce myself by name and explain my role as a nurse. Then, I ask them for their name and why they’re calling in today. By asking open-ended questions, I can learn more about what concerns they have and begin to develop a plan of action.”

What is your process for assessing a patient’s health needs over a video call?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you apply your skills and knowledge to a telehealth setting. Use examples from previous experience that highlight your ability to assess patients’ needs, communicate with them effectively and provide quality care.

Example: “I start by asking open-ended questions about their symptoms and medical history. I also ask if they have any concerns or questions for me. This helps me get a better understanding of what is going on with the patient and allows them to feel more comfortable sharing information. After assessing the situation, I explain my diagnosis and treatment plan to the patient so they know what to expect.”

Provide an example of a time when you provided holistic care to a patient.

Holistic care is a philosophy that focuses on treating the whole person, rather than just their symptoms. This question allows you to demonstrate your interpersonal skills and ability to connect with patients.

Example: “I once had a patient who was experiencing severe anxiety attacks. I started by asking them about their life outside of work, including what they did for fun and how they spent their free time. We talked about their family and friends, and I learned that they were very close with their mother. I asked if she could come in for an appointment so we could talk about her son’s condition together. She came in, and we discussed ways she could help him manage his anxiety at home. By connecting with the patient as a whole person, I was able to develop a treatment plan that addressed both their physical and mental health.”

If a patient was experiencing pain, how would you instruct them to describe the sensation?

This question can help the interviewer assess your communication skills and ability to teach patients about their health conditions. Use examples from past experiences in which you helped a patient describe pain or other symptoms so that they could better understand what was happening with their body.

Example: “When I worked at a hospital, I had a patient who came in complaining of chest pains. He told me he felt like his heart was racing, but when I asked him how fast it was beating, he said he didn’t know. So, I explained to him that if he counted his pulse for 30 seconds and then multiplied that number by two, that would be the approximate rate. After counting, he realized that his heart was actually beating much faster than normal.”

What would you do if you were unable to diagnose a patient over a video call?

This question can help interviewers understand how you respond to challenges and problem-solving. Use your answer to highlight your critical thinking skills, ability to communicate clearly and willingness to ask for help when needed.

Example: “If I was unable to diagnose a patient over the video call, I would first try to gather more information about their symptoms. If they were able to describe their symptoms in more detail or provide me with additional information, I could use that information to make a diagnosis. If they weren’t able to give me any more information, I would contact my supervisor or another nurse who has experience diagnosing patients remotely. Together, we would come up with a plan to determine what’s wrong with the patient.”

How well do you think you would be able to work with a team of healthcare professionals over video chat?

Telehealth nurses often work with a team of healthcare professionals, including doctors and other nurses. The interviewer wants to know how well you can collaborate with others over video chat. Use examples from your experience working in telehealth to show the interviewer that you are able to communicate effectively with others.

Example: “I think I would be very comfortable collaborating with a team of healthcare professionals over video chat. In my previous role as a telehealth nurse, I worked with a team of doctors and nurses every day. We used video conferencing software to communicate with each other while we were on our shifts. I feel like I have developed strong communication skills when it comes to working with teams of healthcare professionals.”

Do you have experience working with patients who speak different languages?

If the telehealth nurse position requires you to work with patients who speak different languages, your interviewer may ask this question to learn more about how you communicate with them. Use your answer to highlight any language skills you have and explain how you use them in your role.

Example: “I do not have experience working with patients who speak different languages, but I am fluent in Spanish. In my previous roles as a registered nurse, I’ve worked with many bilingual patients who were happy to translate for me when needed. I find that it’s helpful to write down what I say in English so they can read it and then tell me what they want to say in their native language.”

When would you recommend that a patient come into the clinic instead of continuing treatment remotely?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience with telehealth and how you handle situations that may arise. Use examples from previous work experiences to show the interviewer that you’re capable of making decisions on behalf of patients.

Example: “In my experience, I’ve found that it’s best for patients to continue treatment remotely unless they have a specific reason to come into the clinic. For example, if a patient is having trouble connecting to their device or has questions about using the equipment, then it would be beneficial for them to come in so we can troubleshoot together. If there are any issues with the connection, I can also ensure that everything is working properly before sending them home.”

We want to improve our outreach to rural communities. How would you reach out to these communities to promote our services?

Telehealth nurses often work with patients who live in rural areas. These communities may not have access to a local healthcare facility, so the telehealth nurse is their only option for treatment. An interviewer asks this question to see how you would reach out to these communities and help them understand the benefits of telehealth services. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to ensure that all people can receive care regardless of where they live.

Example: “I think it’s important to provide equal access to quality health care no matter where someone lives. I would start by reaching out to community leaders and organizations to let them know about our services. I would also hold free seminars at local libraries or churches to teach people about telehealth technology and how we can improve their overall health.”

Describe your experience with teaching patients about their health.

As a telehealth nurse, you may need to educate patients about their health. Employers ask this question to see if you have experience doing so and how comfortable you are with it. In your answer, share an example of when you taught someone something about their health. Explain what information you gave them and why you chose that information.

Example: “I’ve had plenty of experience teaching patients about their health because I worked in a hospital where we offered free classes for patients. During my time there, I helped teach patients about everything from managing diabetes to preventing heart disease. I find that the best way to teach is by breaking down complex topics into smaller pieces. For instance, when teaching patients about diabetes, I would start by explaining what it is and then move on to discuss symptoms, treatment options and ways they can prevent it.”

What makes you an ideal candidate for a telehealth nurse position?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have the skills and experience necessary for this role. Use your answer to highlight a few of your most important qualifications, such as your ability to communicate effectively with patients and colleagues or your previous experience working in a similar position.

Example: “I am passionate about helping others, which is why I became a nurse in the first place. Telehealth nursing allows me to do just that while also providing care to people who may not be able to access medical facilities. In my last telehealth position, I helped deliver high-quality healthcare to patients who were homebound due to illness or injury. I find it rewarding to know that I was able to help them feel better.”

Which telehealth technologies do you have the most experience using?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience with telehealth technologies. You can answer this question by listing the specific technologies you have used in previous roles and how they helped you perform your job duties.

Example: “I’ve worked with a few different telehealth technologies, but I find video conferencing to be one of the most useful. It allows me to see my patient’s facial expressions and body language, which helps me better understand their concerns or questions. Another technology that I find helpful is screen sharing software because it allows me to share documents and other files with patients so we can work together on care plans.”

What do you think is the future of telehealth nursing?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have an opinion on the future of telehealth nursing. Your answer should show that you are excited about the field and its potential for growth. You can also use your answer to highlight any skills or experiences that make you a good fit for the role.

Example: “I think telehealth nursing is going to become more popular in the next few years because it’s such a convenient way to provide care. I’m excited to be part of this growing industry, especially since I’ve been working toward becoming a nurse for many years now. I feel like my experience makes me well-suited for this position.”

How often do you perform health checks on your patients?

This question can help the interviewer determine how comfortable you are with performing physical examinations. You may want to describe a time when you performed health checks on patients and what your process was for doing so.

Example: “I perform health checks at least once every two weeks, but I prefer to do them more often if possible. In my previous role as a telehealth nurse, I had a patient who was experiencing some pain in their joints. After performing a health check, I noticed that they were developing an infection in one of their toes. I contacted the doctor immediately, and we decided together that it would be best to prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection.”

There is a miscommunication between you and a patient. How do you handle it?

This question is an opportunity to show your communication skills and how you can resolve a conflict. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest about the situation and explain what steps you took to fix it.

Example: “In my previous role as a telehealth nurse, I had a patient who was experiencing some side effects from their medication. They were concerned that they weren’t feeling better after taking the medicine for two days in a row. After talking with them on the phone, I realized that they hadn’t taken the medicine at all. I explained to them that if they didn’t take the medicine, there wouldn’t be any improvement. We talked through the importance of taking the medicine every day and set up a plan so they could remember to take it.”