20 Texas Health and Human Services Commission Interview Questions and Answers

When you go to an interview for a position with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience working with patients, your knowledge of specialty medications, and your clinical expertise. The interviewer will also want to know about your customer service skills and your ability to work in a fast-paced environment. To help you prepare for your interview, we have put together a list of sample questions and answers that you can use to practice your responses.

Texas Health and Human Services Commission Interview Process

The interview process at Texas Health and Human Services Commission can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one in-person or virtual interview, as well as a skills assessment. For some positions, multiple rounds of interviews may be required. Overall, the interview process is generally fairly straightforward, although some applicants have found it to be unprofessional or disorganized.

1. Why do you want to work for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand why you are interested in working for this particular organization. When preparing your answer, think about what attracted you to this role and how it fits into your career goals.

Example: “I am passionate about helping others, so I would love to work for an organization that does just that. Texas Health and Human Services Commission is a great place to do that because you provide services to people who need them most. I also want to work here because of its reputation as one of the best healthcare organizations in the state. I feel like I could learn a lot from working with such a highly skilled team.”

2. What does customer service mean to you?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills and how you apply them in a work environment. To answer, think of an example from your previous job where you provided excellent customer service.

Example: “Customer service means providing the best care possible for patients while also making sure they feel comfortable and welcome. In my last role as a nurse practitioner, I had a patient who was nervous about her first appointment with me. She called me multiple times before our appointment to ask questions and get reassurance. At our appointment, she told me that she felt much better after talking to me because she knew I would take good care of her.”

3. Are you comfortable using a computer for long periods of time?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your computer skills and how you feel about using a computer for long periods of time. If you have limited experience with computers, explain what type of software you are comfortable using and the steps you would take to become familiar with it.

Example: “I am very comfortable using computers for long periods of time because I use them every day at work. In my current role, I use several different types of software including Microsoft Office, which I find easy to navigate. When I first started working in healthcare, I was not as comfortable using computers, but I took online courses to help me get used to them.”

4. Do you have experience working in a team environment?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your ability to collaborate with others. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific example of how you worked well in a team setting and what skills or qualities helped you do so.

Example: “In my current role as a case manager for Senderra Health Services, I work closely with other members of the care team to ensure patients receive all the services they need. For instance, when working on patient cases, I often communicate with physicians and pharmacists to discuss medication regimens and treatment plans. This helps me understand the best ways to support these professionals and provide quality care to our patients.”

5. If hired, how would you make sure that your customers were satisfied with their experience when they spoke to you?

This question is an opportunity to show your customer service skills. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation where you helped a customer and how that experience made them feel.

Example: “I would make sure my customers were satisfied by making myself available for questions and concerns. I would also ensure they felt comfortable asking me any questions or voicing their opinions about the services we provide. If someone had a concern, I would listen carefully and address their issue as quickly as possible.”

6. How would you handle an angry or frustrated customer?

This question can help an interviewer assess your customer service skills. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation in which you helped calm or resolve a conflict with a patient or client.

Example: “I once had a patient who was upset because they were having trouble getting their medications from our pharmacy. I listened carefully and asked questions to understand the issue. It turned out that the patient’s insurance company hadn’t sent us the correct information about what medications they covered. I apologized for the inconvenience and assured them we would get the problem resolved as soon as possible. We contacted the insurance company and got the coverage updated within two days.”

7. What are some strategies that you use to stay organized?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you as a person and how you manage your time. Your answer should include some specific strategies that you use to stay organized, such as using an electronic calendar or planner, setting reminders on your phone or computer or delegating tasks to other team members.

Example: “I am a big fan of technology, so I rely heavily on my smartphone and laptop for keeping track of important dates and deadlines. I also use Google Calendar to set reminders for upcoming appointments and meetings. Another strategy I use is delegation. If there are certain tasks that others can do more efficiently than me, I will gladly delegate them to someone else.”

8. How familiar are you with public assistance programs such as Medicaid and CHIP?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your knowledge of the programs and how you might use them in your work. To answer, consider describing a time when you used public assistance programs or researched information about them.

Example: “I have worked with Medicaid and CHIP patients for several years now, so I am quite familiar with these programs. In my last position, I had a patient who was eligible for both Medicaid and CHIP but wasn’t sure which program she should enroll in. I explained the differences between the two programs and helped her decide which one would be best for her situation.”

9. Tell me about a time you had to deal with a difficult customer or client.

This question can help an interviewer get a better idea of how you handle conflict and challenging situations. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills, communication abilities and ability to remain calm under pressure.

Example: “I once had a client who was very upset with the service I provided. The patient called me several times in one day complaining about their medication delivery. Each time they were short with me and demanded that I fix the issue immediately. I remained calm and explained that there was nothing more I could do until the next scheduled delivery. They continued to call me throughout the day, but each time I calmly reiterated my previous statement and apologized for any inconvenience.”

10. Why should we hire you over other candidates?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you are qualified for this role. Use examples from your experience and education to highlight your skills, knowledge and abilities.

Example: “I am a compassionate person who has always wanted to help others. I have been working in healthcare for five years now, and my passion for helping people with chronic illnesses led me to pursue a career as a nurse practitioner. My nursing degree and certification in family medicine make me an excellent candidate for this position because I can provide patients with the care they need.”

11. Have you ever had any complaints lodged against you because of customer interactions?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your interpersonal skills and ability to resolve conflict. If you have had complaints in the past, be honest about what happened and how you resolved it.

Example: “I once had a patient who was upset because they were having trouble getting their medications on time. I listened to them explain their concerns and apologized for any inconvenience. I then explained our process of ordering medications and assured them that we would do everything possible to ensure timely delivery of their medication.”

12. Describe a time where you had to organize multiple tasks at once.

This question can help the interviewer understand your ability to multitask and prioritize tasks. Use examples from previous work experience or personal life that highlight your organizational skills, time management abilities and attention to detail.

Example: “In my current role as a case manager for Senderra, I am responsible for managing multiple patients at once. Each patient has unique needs, so I have to be organized in order to keep track of each individual’s treatment plan. In addition, I need to ensure all paperwork is filed correctly and on time. To manage this workload, I use an electronic calendar system to schedule appointments and record important information.”

13. How would you diffuse a conflict between two clients applying for benefits?

Interviewers may ask you to describe a time when you resolved a conflict between two clients. This question can help them understand how you would handle challenging situations in the workplace and your ability to work with others. In your answer, try to highlight your problem-solving skills and interpersonal abilities.

Example: “In my experience as a case manager, I’ve encountered many instances where two clients have conflicting needs or expectations. For example, one client might want more benefits than they are eligible for while another client is requesting that their benefits be reduced. When this happens, I always meet with both parties separately to hear each of their stories. Then, I explain the rules and regulations regarding eligibility and provide information on available resources.”

14. Would you be available to work nights, weekends, holidays and overtime if needed?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your availability and flexibility. If you are currently working a job that requires you to work nights, weekends or holidays, share how you manage the schedule with your current employer. If you have never worked these hours before, explain why you would be willing to do so if hired for this position.

Example: “I am available to work any shift as needed. I understand that sometimes there is an emergency situation where staff needs to work overtime. In my previous role, I was able to work nights, weekends and holidays when necessary. My manager always gave us plenty of notice when we were going to need to work extra shifts.”

15. Describe your experience with resolving customer questions.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills. Use examples from previous work experiences where you helped customers resolve their questions or concerns and how you used your communication skills to help them understand the information they needed.

Example: “In my last position, I worked with a team of specialists who answered patients’ questions regarding specialty medications. When patients called in with questions, we first asked for their name and contact information so that we could follow up if we had any additional questions. We then explained the medication process and what to expect when taking the medication. If patients still had questions after our explanation, we referred them to other resources within the healthcare system.”

16. What is your availability like?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your availability and how it fits with the position. If you have a flexible schedule, share that information with the interviewer. You can also mention any other commitments you have, such as family or school obligations.

Example: “I am available for full-time work Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. I do not have any conflicts with my current employer, so I would be able to start immediately if hired.”

17. What is your experience with inputting data into various systems?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your experience with data entry and how you manage it. If you have previous experience, share the type of data you inputted and any challenges you faced. If you don’t have much experience, explain what you would do if given a large amount of data to input into a system.

Example: “In my current role as a case manager for Senderra, I am responsible for entering patient information into our electronic medical record system. This is an important part of my job because it allows me to track patients’ progress over time and ensure that they are receiving the care they need. However, there can be some challenges when entering data into the system. For example, sometimes I forget to enter certain pieces of information or make mistakes while typing.”

18. Can you tell me what you know about the Department of Aging & Disability Services?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have any experience working with the department. If you don’t, they may want to know what you would do if you were hired and had to work with them. To answer this question, consider your previous experiences working with older adults or people with disabilities.

Example: “I worked for a nonprofit organization that provided services to seniors in my community. I helped organize events like movie nights and game nights where we could provide entertainment while also helping seniors connect with each other. We also offered free meals once a week at our facility so that seniors who didn’t have transportation could still get out of their homes and enjoy themselves.”

19. We need our employees to be able to communicate clearly both verbally and written. Can you give us an example of how you demonstrated these skills in the past?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you are able to communicate clearly and effectively with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of how you used these skills in the past to help solve a problem or achieve a goal.

Example: “In my previous role as a case manager for a local hospital, I was responsible for communicating with patients who were experiencing behavioral health issues. In one instance, I had to speak with a patient who was refusing treatment due to their mental state. I spoke calmly and clearly while explaining our policies and procedures regarding refusal of care. The patient eventually agreed to continue treatment.”

20. How would you respond to a customer asking for specific information on a program that you didn’t know anything about?

This question can help the interviewer assess your problem-solving skills and ability to learn new information quickly. Use examples from previous jobs where you had to research a topic or answer a customer’s questions about a program that was unfamiliar to you.

Example: “When I first started working at my current job, there were many programs that I didn’t know much about. However, I always made sure to do my research before responding to customers who asked me for more information on these programs. I would look up the program online and read through any relevant information so that I could respond with accurate details.”