20 University of Maryland Medical Center Interview Questions and Answers

When you go to an interview, you can expect to be asked questions about your qualifications and experience. But what if the interviewer asks you a question that’s specific to the University of Maryland Medical Center?

Answering these questions can be tricky, but it’s important to remember that the interviewer is just trying to get to know you and your fit for the job. To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of some common University of Maryland Medical Center interview questions.

University of Maryland Medical Center Interview Process

The interview process at University of Maryland Medical Center can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For some positions, like Registered Nurse or Patient Care Technician, you may go through a series of interviews with different members of the staff before being hired. For other positions, like Food Server or Billing Specialist, the process may be more straightforward, with just one or two interviews. Overall, the interview process is generally fair and efficient, and most applicants report having a positive experience.

1. What are your career goals?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have a plan for your career and are motivated by professional growth. When answering this question, it can be helpful to include details about how you hope to achieve your goals and what steps you’ve already taken toward them.

Example: “My goal is to become a nurse manager within five years of graduation. I am currently working on my certification as a Certified Nursing Assistant, which will allow me to work in more areas of the hospital and gain valuable experience. I also volunteer at a local nursing home twice a month where I get to practice my skills with patients who need extra care.”

2. How would you describe the perfect work environment for you?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your preferences and expectations for a work environment. To answer, think of the characteristics that make you feel most comfortable at work. Consider things like how much interaction you have with coworkers, whether you prefer working in teams or alone and what type of office space is best for you.

Example: “I find that I am most productive when I can focus on my work without interruption. For this reason, I prefer an environment where there are few distractions and everyone has their own workspace. In addition, I enjoy being part of a team, so I would want to work somewhere where teamwork was encouraged. Finally, I value transparency, so I would want to work somewhere where employees were open and honest with each other.”

3. How do you think you can help UMMC achieve their mission?

The University of Maryland Medical Center is a public research university that aims to improve the health and well-being of individuals, families and communities through excellence in education, research and clinical care. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your understanding of UMMC’s mission and how you can contribute to it. In your answer, try to show that you have researched UMMC and understand their goals. Explain how your skills and experience align with these goals.

Example: “I think I can help UMMC achieve its mission by bringing my passion for helping others and my commitment to providing excellent patient care. Throughout my career, I have always strived to provide compassionate care to every patient I meet. I also believe that I can make an impact on the community by educating patients about their conditions and treatment options.”

4. Why should we hire you over other candidates?

This question is a great opportunity to show your confidence and enthusiasm for the position. When answering this question, it can be helpful to highlight some of your most important qualifications or skills that relate to the job description.

Example: “I am confident that I would make an excellent addition to the team at University of Maryland Medical Center because of my extensive experience in patient care. Throughout my career, I have worked with many different types of patients and medical conditions, which has given me valuable insight into how best to treat each individual. Additionally, I believe that my communication skills are one of my greatest strengths as a nurse. I feel comfortable speaking with patients and their families about any concerns they may have.”

5. Tell me about a time when you were faced with a challenge and how you handled it.

Interviewers ask this question to learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you react in challenging situations. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a situation that was difficult but also resulted in positive outcomes or results.

Example: “When I first started working as an ER nurse, I had a patient who came into the hospital with severe abdominal pain. After examining him, I determined he needed immediate surgery because his appendix had ruptured. The surgeon on call wasn’t available, so I had to perform the surgery myself. It was definitely nerve-wracking, but I relied on my training and experience to help me get through it. Luckily, everything went well, and the patient recovered.”

6. Describe a conflict that arose in a situation where you worked on a team, how did you handle it?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your interpersonal skills and how you resolve conflicts. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a situation where you were able to work with others despite having different opinions or ideas.

Example: “In my last position as an ER nurse, I worked on a team of nurses, doctors and other medical professionals who all had different opinions on the best way to treat patients. While we often disagreed on certain aspects of care, we always found ways to compromise and find solutions that would benefit our patients.”

7. What makes you want to be an RN?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you are passionate about your career choice. You can answer this question by describing a specific experience or event that inspired you to become an RN.

Example: “Ever since I was young, I have always wanted to be a nurse. My mother had breast cancer when I was in high school and she was treated at this hospital. She told me how wonderful her nurses were and how they made her feel comfortable during her treatment. That’s when I knew nursing was my calling.”

8. The University of Maryland Medical Center is a very fast paced hospital, what kind of experience do you have working in this type of setting?

The interviewer is trying to determine if you have the experience and skills necessary to succeed in this type of environment. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific example from your past that shows how you handle working in a fast-paced setting.

Example: “I worked at a hospital like UMMC for five years before moving here. I was always on my toes because there were so many patients who needed care. It’s definitely an intense work environment, but I’ve learned how to manage it well.”

9. What are some weaknesses that you have and how are you working to improve them?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your self-awareness and how you handle challenges. When answering, it can be helpful to identify a weakness that you are actively working on improving or one that you have already improved.

Example: “I am always striving to improve my communication skills. I find myself sometimes getting so excited when talking with patients that I forget to pause between sentences. This is something I’ve been practicing by taking deep breaths before speaking and pausing for a few seconds in between thoughts. It’s helped me become more aware of the pace at which I speak.”

10. Are you CPR certified?

The University of Maryland Medical Center requires all employees to be certified in CPR. This is a safety requirement for the hospital and can help you get hired if you are able to show that you have this certification. If you are not currently certified, you should explain why you haven’t taken the test yet and what steps you plan on taking to become certified as soon as possible.

Example: “I am not currently CPR certified, but I do plan on taking the test within the next month. I’ve been so busy with my current job that I haven’t had time to take the course, but now that I’m looking for a new position, I will make it a priority to complete the course.”

11. Can you give us an example of one or two nursing skills that you possess?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your skills and abilities as a nurse. When answering, it can be helpful to mention specific skills that you have used in the past or are currently using at your current job.

Example: “I think one of my most important nursing skills is communication. I am always sure to communicate with patients and their families so they understand what’s happening during their care. Another skill I possess is empathy. As a nurse, I try to put myself in other people’s shoes and feel compassion for them.”

12. Give me an example of a time where you had to respond to an emergency, how did you react?

This question is a great way to assess your ability to react quickly and efficiently in high-pressure situations. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the steps you took to solve the problem or how you helped others involved in the situation.

Example: “When I was working as an ER nurse, there was one night where we had several patients come into the hospital with severe injuries from car accidents. We were short on staff that night, so I volunteered to stay late to help care for all of the patients. While helping treat these patients, I noticed that one patient’s vital signs were dropping. I immediately alerted my team members and together we worked to stabilize the patient until they could be transported to another facility.”

13. Describe a time when you had to make a difficult decision regarding patient care.

When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide specific details about the situation and how you made your decision. This can help interviewers understand more about your thought process and how you make decisions in a medical setting.

Example: “In my last position as a nurse practitioner, I had a patient who was experiencing severe pain. The patient wanted me to prescribe them opioids for their pain, but I knew that they were at risk of becoming addicted if they took the medication. Instead, I prescribed them non-addictive medications that could still treat their pain effectively.”

14. What has been your most rewarding experience as a nurse so far?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you are passionate about nursing and the impact it has on patients. When answering this question, try to think of an experience that made you feel proud or inspired to continue in your career as a nurse.

Example: “My most rewarding experience was when I cared for a patient who had been diagnosed with cancer. The patient was very scared and nervous about their diagnosis, but I took the time to explain everything to them and answer all of their questions. After several weeks of treatment, the patient told me they felt much more confident and excited about their future. It’s moments like these that make me realize how important my job is.”

15. Do you know anything about our organization?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have done any research on the university and its medical center. Before your interview, make sure to read through the job description and familiarize yourself with the organization’s mission statement, values and goals. You can also look at the university’s website for more information about the school.

Example: “I am very excited to be interviewing for a position here at the University of Maryland Medical Center. I did some research on the institution and was impressed by the many awards it has won in recent years. I think that working here would be an excellent opportunity for me to continue my career as a nurse practitioner.”

16. What do you find challenging about being a student nurse?

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you handle challenges. They want to know that you can overcome obstacles and learn from your mistakes. In your answer, try to be honest about what’s challenging for you while also showing that you’re willing to work hard to improve.

Example: “The most challenging part of being a student nurse is the long hours. I’m used to having more free time than I do as a student nurse, so it can be difficult to adjust. However, I’ve learned to make the best of my situation by finding ways to relax and take care of myself during those long shifts.”

17. Do you have any questions for us?

This is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you have done your research on the university and are interested in learning more about it. You can ask questions about the medical center’s mission, its history or any unique programs it offers.

Example: “I am very excited to learn more about this institution. I understand that the University of Maryland Medical Center has a strong commitment to community outreach. Can you tell me more about some of the ways you support local communities?”

18. In your opinion, which job responsibility is most important and why?

This question is a great way to see how you prioritize your work and what skills you value most. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about which job responsibilities are most important to you personally and why.

Example: “I believe the most important responsibility of any healthcare professional is patient care. I am passionate about helping others feel better and providing them with the best possible care. In my previous role as a nurse practitioner, I was able to help patients overcome many different ailments and conditions. It’s rewarding to know that I made a difference in their lives.”

19. How would you resolve a disagreement between a physician and a family member?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to assess your conflict resolution skills. This is an important skill for medical professionals because they often work with patients and their families, who sometimes disagree about treatment options or other aspects of care. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention that you would try to understand both sides’ perspectives and help them come to a mutually beneficial solution.

Example: “I have worked with many families in my previous positions as a nurse, so I am familiar with the challenges that arise when working with multiple family members. In this situation, I would first listen to each person’s concerns and then explain why I believe the physician made the best decision based on the patient’s current condition. If the family member still disagreed, I would offer to speak with the physician to see if there was another way we could meet the family member’s needs.”

20. How would you handle a situation where you disagreed with a colleague’s treatment plan?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to assess your ability to work with others and collaborate on projects. Use examples from your experience where you had to compromise or collaborate with other professionals to complete a project successfully.

Example: “In my previous role, I worked with a physician who was treating a patient for an infection. The doctor prescribed antibiotics, but I disagreed because the patient also had a history of allergies. I suggested that we try another treatment method first before prescribing medication. In the end, the patient agreed to try alternative methods first, and they recovered quickly.”