20 UPMC 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 skills. However, some companies also like to ask specific questions about the company itself. This is especially true for large companies like UPMC, which is one of the leading nonprofit health systems in the United States.

Asking questions about the company shows that you have done your research and are genuinely interested in working for them. It also shows that you are willing to take the time to learn about the company and what it does.

In this article, we will give you some examples of company specific interview questions that you may be asked if you are interviewing for a job at UPMC. We will also provide some tips on how to answer these questions.

UPMC Interview Process

The interview process at UPMC can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least two interviews, one of which may be a panel interview. The length of the hiring process can also vary, but it is typically fairly quick, with an offer being made within a few days to a week after the final interview. Overall, the interview process is generally positive, with interviewers asking both job-specific and behavioral questions.

1. How do you stay organized when taking care of multiple patients?

UPMC is a large health system that provides care to patients in multiple locations. The interviewer wants to know how you plan your day and prioritize tasks to ensure you meet the needs of all your patients. Use examples from previous experience where you organized your time effectively to manage multiple patients at once.

Example: “I use an electronic medical record system to keep track of my patient’s progress, which helps me stay organized. I also have a daily schedule that I follow when working with multiple patients. For example, I start each day by checking on my overnight patients before seeing new patients for the day. This allows me to spend more time with each patient as they need it.”

2. What is your experience with EMR systems?

UPMC is a large health system that uses electronic medical records (EMR) systems to manage patient information. An interviewer may ask this question to learn about your experience with EMRs and determine if you are familiar with the specific EMR UPMC uses. If you have experience using an EMR, share details about your experience. If you do not have experience with EMRs, explain what you know about them and how you would learn to use one.

Example: “I have worked in healthcare for five years, and I’ve used several different EMR systems during my career. In my current role as a nurse practitioner, I work exclusively with EpicCare, which is the EMR system UPMC uses.”

3. Are you willing to work flexible hours if needed?

UPMC is a large organization that often needs to accommodate the schedules of its employees. This question helps employers determine if you’re flexible and willing to work outside of typical business hours when necessary. In your answer, explain how you would handle this situation.

Example: “I am happy to work flexible hours as needed. I understand that sometimes emergencies arise or there are other situations that require us to change our schedule. As long as my performance doesn’t suffer, I’m more than willing to adjust my schedule.”

4. Do you have any experience working as a patient care technician?

UPMC is a large health system that offers many different types of jobs. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience and determine if you have the skills necessary for the job. If you do not have any patient care technician experience, consider talking about other experiences that are similar.

Example: “I’ve never worked as a patient care technician, but I did work in a hospital setting while studying at college. I was an emergency room receptionist where I answered phones, greeted patients and helped with scheduling appointments. This experience taught me how to interact with people who were experiencing emotional distress and gave me valuable customer service skills.”

5. Provide an example of a time when you had to deal with a difficult situation and how you handled it.

UPMC wants to know how you handle stressful situations and challenges. This question is an opportunity for you to show your problem-solving skills, communication skills and conflict resolution skills.

Example: “I once had a patient who was very upset with me because I wouldn’t give them their prescription. They were demanding that I write the prescription, but I knew it wasn’t in their best interest. I calmly explained my reasoning to the patient and told them that if they wanted to discuss this further, we could set up another appointment. The patient agreed to come back at a later date.”

6. UPMC emphasizes the importance of patient safety, what would you do in a situation where a patient was being unsafe for themselves or others?

UPMC wants to ensure that all patients are safe and well cared for. This question helps the interviewer determine how you would handle a situation like this, as it is important to maintain safety in hospitals. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to ensure the patient’s safety while also ensuring they receive quality care.

Example: “I have worked with many patients who were unsafe for themselves or others. I always try to speak calmly and clearly when addressing these situations. If the patient is being unsafe for themselves, I will ask them if they need help getting back into bed or using the restroom. If they are being unsafe for others, I will call security immediately.”

7. What are some qualities that make a good nurse?

UPMC is looking for nurses who have the qualities of a good nurse. They want to know that you understand what it takes to be an excellent caregiver and how your skills can benefit their organization. When answering this question, think about what makes a good nurse and list those qualities.

Example: “A good nurse has compassion, patience and dedication. A good nurse cares deeply about their patients and wants to see them get better. They are also patient with their patients and family members. They listen to their concerns and answer all of their questions. Finally, they work hard to provide the best care possible.”

8. Tell me about a time you had to communicate bad news to someone, what did you say and how did they respond?

UPMC wants to make sure you can handle difficult conversations with patients and their families. This question helps them assess your communication skills, empathy and ability to manage challenging situations.

Example: “When I was a resident at my previous hospital, I had to tell a patient’s family that they would need to find another facility for their loved one because we were closing our pediatric unit. The family was understandably upset, but I explained the reasons why this decision was made and assured them that we would help them find a new facility where their child could receive the same level of care.”

9. 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 relevant skills or experiences that relate to the job description.

Example: “I am confident that I would make an excellent addition to UPMC because of my proven ability to work well in a team environment while also being able to take on challenging projects independently. In my previous role as a marketing specialist, I was responsible for creating content for social media platforms, which helped me develop my communication and writing skills. This experience has prepared me for the public relations role at UPMC.”

10. Have you ever encountered a computer issue at work and how did you handle it?

UPMC is a large organization with many employees, so it’s important to be able to work well with others. This question helps the interviewer determine if you have experience working in a team environment and how you handle challenges.

Example: “At my previous job, I was responsible for maintaining our company’s social media accounts. One day, I noticed that one of our Instagram posts wasn’t showing up on anyone’s feed. I immediately contacted my supervisor about the issue and we worked together to fix the problem. We were able to resolve the issue within an hour.”

11. Give us an example of a time you worked well under pressure?

UPMC is a large organization with many departments and employees. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your ability to work under pressure in a team environment. When answering, try to highlight how you can use your problem-solving skills to complete tasks on time.

Example: “In my current role as an administrative assistant at the local hospital, I often have multiple projects due at once. For example, last week I had to prepare for a meeting while also organizing files for a new employee. While it was challenging to balance these two tasks, I used my organizational skills to prioritize my work so that I could get everything done by the deadline.”

12. What are your thoughts on quality improvement?

UPMC is a leader in quality improvement, and the interviewer may want to know how you can contribute to this initiative. Use examples from your experience that show your commitment to continuous improvement.

Example: “I believe strongly in the importance of quality improvement. In my last role as an administrator, I implemented a new system for tracking patient satisfaction. We used this data to identify areas where we could improve our care. For example, we found that patients were more satisfied with their wait times when they had access to Wi-Fi. We installed free Wi-Fi in all waiting rooms, which increased overall satisfaction by 10%. This was just one small way we improved our quality.”

13. If hired, how would you take advantage of UPMC’s educational opportunities?

UPMC offers a variety of educational opportunities for employees, including online courses and in-person seminars. These programs help employees develop their skills and learn new ways to improve the quality of care they provide to patients. When you answer this question, explain how you would take advantage of these educational opportunities if hired.

Example: “I am always looking for ways to improve my knowledge and skill set as a nurse. I have taken several UPMC online courses in the past, and I found them very helpful. If hired, I plan on taking additional online courses and attending some of the in-person seminars that are offered.”

14. Describe a time when you were faced with stress on the job, how did you overcome it?

UPMC is a large organization with many departments and employees. The interviewer wants to make sure you can handle stress in the workplace, especially if you’re going to be working on a team of professionals.

Example: “I was once faced with an overwhelming workload at my previous job. I had just started as a nurse and was assigned three patients who were all experiencing different symptoms. I felt overwhelmed but knew that I couldn’t show it to my patients or other nurses. Instead, I took a deep breath and focused on one task at a time. After completing each task, I would take another deep breath and focus on the next task. This helped me stay calm and complete my work.”

15. What has been your most rewarding experience at a previous job?

UPMC wants to know what you find rewarding in your work and how it aligns with the values of the organization. Your answer should show that you are a compassionate person who cares about helping others.

Example: “My most rewarding experience at my last job was when I helped a patient overcome their fear of needles by talking to them and making them laugh. The patient had been afraid of needles for years, but after our conversation they were able to get an important medical procedure done without any anxiety.”

16. Can you tell me about a project you worked on where there were conflicting personalities, how did you manage that?

UPMC is a large organization with many departments and employees. It’s important to show that you can work well with others, even if they have different personalities or opinions than you do.

Example: “I worked on a project once where the client wanted something very specific but also had a tight budget. I was working with another designer who had a completely different idea of what the website should look like. We met in person and discussed our ideas for the site. After some back-and-forth, we came up with a design that satisfied both the client and my coworker.”

17. What type of setting do you think you work best in?

UPMC is a large organization that offers many different types of jobs. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your preferences and how you might fit in with their team. When answering, try to be honest while also showing enthusiasm for the position.

Example: “I think I work best in an environment where there are plenty of opportunities for collaboration. I enjoy working with others who have unique perspectives and ideas. In my last job, we had weekly meetings where everyone could share what they were working on and get feedback from other members of the team. This helped me feel like part of a larger community and made it easier to collaborate with others.”

18. Would you be comfortable having to go through training before starting this position?

UPMC is a large organization with many different departments. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you are willing to go through training before starting your new job. If you answer yes, explain that you would be excited for the opportunity to learn more about UPMC and its operations.

Example: “I am always open to learning more about my field of work. I think it’s important to have an understanding of how the company operates as a whole. This knowledge can help me better understand what my team members do and how they contribute to the overall success of the company.”

19. Describe for me your ideal workplace, environment, and culture.

UPMC is a large health system with many locations. Your interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your personality and preferences, as well as how you might fit in at UPMC. To answer this question, think about what makes your current workplace ideal for you. Consider the following:

Example: “My ideal workplace has an open floor plan where I can collaborate with my colleagues. It’s important to me that my coworkers are friendly and supportive of one another. I also like it when there are opportunities for professional development and training. In my last position, we had monthly seminars on topics such as stress management and healthy eating.”

20. What motivated you to apply for this position at UPMC?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your interest in working for UPMC. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific aspect of UPMC that you are excited about and how it relates to your own personal goals or career aspirations.

Example: “I am applying for this position at UPMC because I have always been impressed with the organization’s mission and values. As someone who is passionate about healthcare, I would love to work for an institution that prioritizes patient care above all else. In my previous role as a nurse, I was able to see first-hand how much patients benefit from the high-quality care provided by UPMC.”