20 University of Iowa Health Care Interview Questions and Answers

When you go for a job interview, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions about your qualifications, experience, and goals. However, some companies also like to ask interviewees questions that are specific to their organization.

If you have an interview coming up with University of Iowa Health Care, you may be wondering what kinds of questions you can expect. To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of some common University of Iowa Health Care interview questions, along with sample answers.

University of Iowa Health Care Interview Process

The interview process at University of Iowa Health Care is generally pretty easy and straightforward. Most positions will require an initial phone interview, followed by an in-person interview. For some positions, like nursing assistant or student clerk, you may be asked to tour the department you’ll be working in. The interviews are usually pretty relaxed, with questions focusing on your past experience and personality. In some cases, like for the IT support technician position, you may be interviewed by the entire management team. Overall, the process is typically pretty quick and easy, with most applicants hearing back within a couple weeks.

1. What is your biggest strength and weakness?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be prepared with an answer that shows your strengths while also being honest about any weaknesses you may have. When answering this question, consider the job description and what skills are most relevant for the position.

Example: “My biggest strength is my ability to work well under pressure. I am always willing to take on more responsibilities when needed, and I feel comfortable taking on new challenges. My weakness would be my attention to detail. While I do my best to proofread all of my work, sometimes mistakes can slip through. I make sure to learn from these mistakes so they don’t happen again.”

2. Why do you want to work at University of Iowa Health Care?

This question helps employers learn more about your interest in their organization. When preparing for this interview, make sure to read through the job description and highlight any aspects that you are passionate about. Consider sharing a story or two from your previous experience working with similar organizations.

Example: “I have always been interested in providing quality care to patients. I am excited to work at University of Iowa Health Care because it is one of the top hospitals in the state. In my last position as an ER nurse, I worked alongside many nurses who were graduates of the university’s nursing program. They shared stories about how much they enjoyed working here and encouraged me to apply.”

3. What are some skills that you think a successful Nursing Assistant should have?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have the skills and abilities needed for this role. When answering, it can be helpful to list a few of your strongest skills and how they relate to the position.

Example: “I think one of the most important skills for a Nursing Assistant is communication. I am very good at communicating with patients and other members of the healthcare team. Another skill that’s important in this role is organization. I keep detailed notes on each patient so that I can provide accurate information when necessary. Finally, I think empathy is another essential skill because it allows me to understand what patients are going through.”

4. Give an example of a time when you had to prioritize tasks, how did you choose what came first?

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and ability to prioritize tasks. When answering this question, it can be helpful to explain the steps you took to determine what was most important.

Example: “When I worked as an ER nurse, there were many times when we had multiple patients who needed immediate care. In these situations, I would assess each patient’s condition and decide which one required attention first. For example, if two patients came in with similar symptoms but one of them was more severe than the other, I would treat that patient first.”

5. What would you say is the most important part about being a Registered Nurse?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you understand the role of a Registered Nurse and how it can benefit patients. When answering this question, make sure to emphasize your passion for helping others and providing compassionate care.

Example: “The most important part about being a Registered Nurse is making sure my patients are receiving the best care possible. I love knowing that I am able to help people feel better and improve their quality of life. It’s also very rewarding when I see my patients return to work or school after recovering from an illness.”

6. How do you handle stressful situations?

Working in a hospital setting can be stressful, especially when you’re under pressure to treat patients quickly. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the skills and experience needed to handle stress well. In your answer, share how you manage stress and give examples of times you’ve done so successfully.

Example: “I find that I am most productive when working under pressure. When I’m stressed about a deadline or other work-related issue, I use it as motivation to get my tasks completed more efficiently. This has helped me complete projects ahead of schedule many times throughout my career.

In my last position, I was responsible for ordering supplies for the entire department. One day, I realized we were running low on one particular item. Rather than panicking, I calmly called the supplier and asked them to send us an extra box of the product. They agreed, and I was able to avoid any negative consequences from the shortage.”

7. Tell me about a time when you were working with another employee and there was conflict, how did you handle it?

University of Iowa Health Care wants to know that you can work well with others and resolve conflict. This question is an opportunity for you to show your communication skills, problem-solving abilities and teamwork skills.

Example: “I once worked with a colleague who was very quiet and didn’t like to share information about their patients. I tried to engage them in conversation by asking questions about their day or the patient they were working on. Eventually, we started talking more often and sharing our thoughts and ideas. We learned from each other and became better health care providers.”

8. When dealing with patients, it’s important to be empathetic but not emotionally involved. What are ways that you can stay professional while still showing compassion?

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to be a compassionate caregiver while also maintaining professionalism. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide specific examples of how you’ve helped patients in the past and what actions you took that were both professional and empathetic.

Example: “I believe that empathy is important when working with patients because it shows them that I understand their concerns and am willing to help them through difficult situations. However, I think it’s equally as important to maintain professionalism so that I can effectively communicate with my patients and treat them appropriately. In my previous role, I had a patient who was experiencing anxiety over her diagnosis. She asked me if she would ever get better, and I told her that I didn’t know but that we would do everything possible to make her feel comfortable and supported.”

9. Talk about a time where you had to give bad news to a patient or family member, how did you handle that situation?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your communication skills and how you handle difficult situations. When answering, it can be helpful to provide an example of a time when you had to deliver bad news to a patient or family member and the steps you took to make that situation as positive as possible.

Example: “When I was working in my previous hospital, I had to tell a patient’s family that their loved one would not recover from their illness. The family was understandably upset, but I tried to remain calm and compassionate throughout our conversation. I explained all of the information we knew about the patient’s condition and what they could expect moving forward. I also offered to answer any questions they had and provided them with resources for additional support.”

10. Are you comfortable taking direction from multiple people?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your ability to work in a team setting. In your answer, try to show that you are willing to collaborate with others and accept feedback from supervisors or managers.

Example: “I am comfortable working in a team environment because I understand the importance of collaboration when it comes to providing quality care for patients. When I worked as an ER nurse at Mercy Hospital, I often had multiple doctors overseeing my patient care. While I always strived to provide excellent care, I also welcomed any feedback or suggestions they provided. This helped me improve my skills and develop new techniques.”

11. Have you ever worked in a team environment before?

Teamwork is an essential skill for employees at University Health Care. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your teamwork experience and how you feel about working in a team setting. Use your answer to explain what makes you a good teammate, including any specific skills or experiences that make you a valuable member of a team.

Example: “I have worked in a team environment before, and I find it’s the best way to get work done efficiently. When working with others, I try to be as open-minded as possible and willing to listen to other people’s ideas. This helps me collaborate with my teammates and come up with solutions to problems together.”

12. What are some qualities that you look for in a leader?

University of Iowa Health Care is a private medical provider that offers comprehensive, dependable care. As such, they are looking for employees who can lead and inspire others to do their best work. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about what makes you want to follow someone. Consider the qualities that make them an effective leader and how those might apply to your own leadership style.

Example: “I look for leaders who are dedicated to doing their best work every day. I also value leaders who are willing to take risks and try new things. In my last position, our department head was always open to trying new ideas and approaches. She would often encourage us to come up with creative solutions to problems we were facing. This helped me learn more about problem-solving and developing innovative solutions.”

13. How often do you like to communicate with your coworkers and supervisors?

University Health Care is a private medical provider that offers comprehensive, dependable services. The interviewer wants to know how often you’ll communicate with your coworkers and supervisors in order to ensure the quality of care for their patients.

Example: “I like to communicate with my coworkers and supervisors as much as possible because it helps me understand what they’re working on and if I can help them out. It also allows me to ask questions about projects or tasks so I can complete them more efficiently. In my last role, I would check in with my supervisor once a week to discuss any changes or updates to our workflows.”

14. Describe your experience with handling medical records.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with handling confidential information. Use examples from previous work experiences or describe how you would handle medical records if you have no prior experience.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for organizing patient files and maintaining confidentiality. I used a secure online database that only authorized personnel could access. I also kept paper copies of the most recent records in a locked filing cabinet. When patients requested their records, I provided them with digital copies as well.”

15. Do you consider yourself detail-oriented?

This question is a great way to determine how well you can follow instructions and complete tasks. Detail-oriented individuals are often more successful in the workplace, so it’s important for employers to know that you have this skill. When answering this question, make sure to highlight your attention to detail by describing a time when you noticed something others didn’t or were able to fix an error before anyone else noticed.

Example: “I consider myself very detail-oriented because I notice things other people don’t. For example, at my last job, I was working as a nurse’s assistant when one of the nurses asked me to check on a patient who hadn’t checked in yet. I went into the room and noticed that the patient had fallen asleep with their oxygen mask still on. I removed the mask without waking them up and notified the nurse.”

16. As a student clerk, what are you looking forward to learning?

This question helps the interviewer get to know you better and understand what your goals are. It also shows them that you’re eager to learn more about the position and how it fits into your career plans. Use this opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the role, as well as your interest in learning new skills and developing professionally.

Example: “I’m looking forward to learning all I can about the medical field and gaining experience working with patients. This is my first job out of college, so I’m excited to put everything I’ve learned to use and start building a professional network. I hope to gain valuable insight from the staff here at University Health Care.”

17. Tell us more about your research background.

The University of Iowa Health Care is a research-focused medical provider. As such, they want to know that you have the ability to conduct your own research and publish papers in peer-reviewed journals. When answering this question, highlight any experience you have with conducting research or publishing articles.

Example: “I am currently working on my PhD in neuroscience at the University of California, Berkeley. My dissertation focuses on how stress impacts brain function in children with autism spectrum disorder. I’ve published several papers on this topic already, including one in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.”

18. How do you keep up with the latest developments in medicine today?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you are committed to staying up-to-date on the latest medical developments. This can be an important quality for a healthcare professional, as it shows that they’re willing to learn and grow in their field. When answering this question, consider mentioning some of the ways you stay informed about new research or technology in your field.

Example: “I am always looking for ways to improve my knowledge of medicine. I subscribe to several journals and newsletters that provide me with information on the newest treatments and technologies. I also attend conferences and seminars where experts discuss the most recent findings.”

19. In nursing school we learn a lot about our roles as nurses, which one appealed to you the most?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer your passion for nursing. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific experience that made you want to pursue that role.

Example: “I have always been passionate about helping others and providing compassionate care. In my first semester of nursing school, I volunteered at a local hospital where I assisted patients with their needs and helped them feel more comfortable. That was when I realized how much I love being a nurse.”

20. Do you have any experience with HIV/AIDS?

The University of Iowa Health Care system has a large HIV/AIDS program, and the interviewer may ask this question to see if you have any experience with treating these patients. If you do not have direct experience, you can talk about how you would approach working with these patients.

Example: “I’ve never worked directly with an HIV patient, but I am familiar with the disease and its treatment methods. In my last position, we had several patients who were living with HIV, so I learned how to interact with them and provide compassionate care. I also took a course on HIV/AIDS in medical school that helped me understand the disease and how to treat it.”