20 UW Health Interview Questions and Answers

UW Health is an academic health system associated with the University of Wisconsin-Madison. As such, they are looking for candidates who are not only knowledgeable in their field, but who are also committed to lifelong learning. In this article, we will provide some sample questions and answers that will help you prepare for your UW Health interview.

UW Health Interview Process

The interview process at UW Health can vary depending on the position you are applying for. Generally, there will be an initial phone screening with a recruiter, followed by one or more in-person interviews. For some positions, you may also be asked to complete a take-home assignment. The entire process can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.

1. Why do you want to work at UW Health?

This question is an opportunity to show your interest in the position and how it fits into your career goals. When answering this question, consider what attracted you to the job posting and highlight any skills or experiences that make you a good fit for the role.

Example: “I applied for this position because I am passionate about working with patients of all ages. In my previous role as a pediatric nurse, I developed strong communication and problem-solving skills while caring for children and their families. I would love to use these skills to help patients at UW Health.”

2. What would you say your greatest weakness is?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be honest. Interviewers want to know that you’re self-aware and willing to improve yourself. When answering this question, try to think of something that you’ve worked on or improved upon recently.

Example: “I would say my greatest weakness is being too hard on myself when I make mistakes. In the past, I have been overly critical of myself and my work. However, I am working on improving this by practicing positive affirmations and reminding myself that everyone makes mistakes. I also plan to take a class on constructive criticism at the university.”

3. How would you handle a situation where you noticed a co-worker was struggling with their workload?

This question can help interviewers assess your ability to work as part of a team and support others. When answering, it can be helpful to provide an example of how you helped a colleague in the past.

Example: “In my current role, I noticed that one of my colleagues was struggling with their workload. They were taking on more patients than they could handle, which led to them making mistakes and feeling stressed out. I approached them about the issue and offered to take on some of their patients so they could focus on the ones they were most comfortable with. This allowed them to reduce their stress levels and improve their performance.”

4. Can you tell us about a time when you had a disagreement in the workplace, how did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of how you handle conflict and disagreements. It’s important to be honest in your answer, but try to focus on what steps you took to resolve the issue.

Example: “In my last position as an ER nurse, I disagreed with one of my coworkers about which patient should receive treatment first. We both had valid points, so we decided to flip a coin to decide who would treat the patients first. This helped us avoid any further disagreement while also giving each patient the care they needed.”

5. Tell me about a time when you were on a team that had some conflict and how you handled it.

Teamwork is an important skill for many healthcare positions, so employers ask this question to see how you interact with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific example of conflict and how you resolved it.

Example: “In my last position as a nurse practitioner, I was working on a team that had some disagreements about the best way to treat patients. At first, we tried to resolve these issues by talking about them, but after a few weeks, we still weren’t finding solutions. So, I decided to take charge of the situation and create a survey where everyone could anonymously answer questions about their opinions. After analyzing the results, we were able to find common ground and work together more effectively.”

6. Are you comfortable working with patients who have a variety of conditions?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience working with patients who have a variety of conditions. If you have worked in healthcare for some time, share an example of how you helped a patient overcome challenges related to their condition. If you are new to the field, explain why you would be willing to work with such patients.

Example: “I am very comfortable working with patients who have a variety of conditions because I enjoy learning about different illnesses and treatments. In my previous role as a nurse’s aide, I assisted a registered nurse with her duties. She was always happy to answer any questions I had about various conditions or treatments. This inspired me to pursue a career in nursing.”

7. Do you have any experience as a CNA or MA?

This question is a great opportunity to show your knowledge of the healthcare industry and how you can apply it to this role. If you have experience as a CNA or MA, explain what you learned from that experience and how it will help you succeed in this role.

Example: “I worked as a CNA for two years while I was in school. This experience taught me how to work with patients who are experiencing different levels of pain and discomfort. It also helped me learn how to communicate effectively with patients and other medical professionals. As an RN, I plan on using these skills to provide compassionate care to my patients.”

8. Have you worked in an academic environment before?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience working in a hospital setting. Academic health systems like UW Health often have specific processes and procedures that employees must follow, so the interviewer may want to make sure you’re familiar with these requirements. If you haven’t worked in an academic environment before, consider describing how you would adapt to their unique processes if hired.

Example: “I’ve never worked in an academic environment before, but I’m excited for the opportunity to do so at UW Health. I understand that there are different expectations here than other hospitals, so I am eager to learn more about those as well as the university’s mission and goals.”

9. If hired, are you willing to relocate?

If the position you’re interviewing for requires relocation, employers may ask this question to make sure you’re willing to move. If they do, it’s important to be honest about your willingness to relocate and provide details about how far you are willing to move.

Example: “Yes, I am willing to relocate if hired. My spouse is a physician at UW-Madison Hospital, so we would be happy to move anywhere within the state of Wisconsin.”

10. What steps would you take if you noticed an error in patient information?

Errors can happen in any workplace, and it’s important to know how you would handle them if they occurred at UW Health. Your answer should show that you are willing to take responsibility for your actions and learn from mistakes.

Example: “If I noticed an error in patient information, I would first make sure the mistake was mine. If so, I would immediately correct the error by entering new information into the system or contacting the appropriate department. I would also document the incident in my notes so that I could review what happened later on.”

11. Do you have any experience with electronic medical records?

Electronic medical records are a common part of the healthcare industry, and many facilities use them to keep track of patient information. If you have experience with electronic medical records, explain how you used them in your previous role. If you don’t have any experience, consider asking about their system before the interview so that you can discuss it if they ask.

Example: “I’ve worked with electronic medical records for several years now. I find that they’re an efficient way to organize patient information and ensure that everyone has access to the same data. In my last position, we used Cerner as our electronic medical record system. It was easy to learn and provided us with valuable insights into our patients.”

12. Describe a difficult decision you made recently, what was the outcome?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your decision-making skills and how you handle challenges. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a situation where you had to make a tough choice and explain why you made that choice.

Example: “In my current role as an emergency room nurse, I often have to make quick decisions about patient care. One time, I was caring for a patient who came in with symptoms of both a stroke and a heart attack. Because I needed to focus on treating one condition at a time, I decided to treat the stroke first because it could cause more damage if left untreated. After stabilizing the patient’s stroke, I then treated their heart attack.”

13. Have you ever been asked to leave a job?

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to learn from mistakes and grow as a professional. When answering this question, it can be helpful to explain what you learned from the situation and how you would handle similar situations differently in the future.

Example: “I once worked for a small medical practice where I was responsible for scheduling appointments for patients. One day, I scheduled a patient for a routine checkup when they were actually due for a more extensive procedure. The doctor saw the patient before their appointment time and realized that they weren’t prepared for the procedure. They rescheduled the patient for later that week and informed me of my mistake. I apologized to the doctor and took steps to ensure that I never made that mistake again.”

14. Do you know anyone who works at UW Health?

This question is a great way to show your research about the company. If you know someone who works at UW Health, it shows that you have personal experience with the organization and can speak more confidently about what it’s like to work there.

If you don’t know anyone who works at UW Health, you should do some research on the organization before your interview so you can answer this question confidently. You may want to ask for recommendations from friends or family members who are healthcare professionals.

Example: “I actually have a friend who works in the emergency room here. She says she loves her job because of the fast pace and variety of patients. She also said that the management team is very supportive and helpful.”

15. What does teamwork mean to you?

Teamwork is an important skill for any healthcare professional to have. It’s a way of showing respect for your colleagues and their opinions, as well as being able to communicate effectively with them. When answering this question, it can be helpful to give examples of how you’ve worked in teams before.

Example: “Teamwork means that everyone has the same goal and understands what they need to do to achieve it. I think it’s important to listen to each other’s ideas and opinions when working together. In my last position, we had weekly meetings where we discussed our progress on patient care and made sure we were all on the same page.”

16. Give an example of a time when you had to make an important decision for someone else.

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your leadership skills. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a situation where you helped someone make an important decision and how that choice impacted them positively.

Example: “In my last position as a nurse practitioner, I had a patient who was deciding between two different treatment options for their illness. They were unsure which one would be best for them, so I spent some time explaining each option in detail and answered any questions they had about both treatments. After hearing all the information, they decided on the treatment option that I recommended.”

17. Would you be willing to submit to a post offer background check, drug test, physical abilities test, and/or reference check?

The interviewer may ask this question to determine your willingness to undergo the required background checks, drug tests and physical abilities test. These are all standard procedures for many healthcare employers. Your answer should be honest and straightforward. If you have any concerns about these processes, it’s best to address them in your response.

Example: “Yes, I am willing to submit to a post offer background check, drug test and reference check. However, I do not feel comfortable with performing a physical abilities test as I have never performed one before.”

18. Tell me about a time where you had to deal with a difficult family member of a patient.

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you handle conflict. They want to know that you can remain calm and professional in these situations, even if the other person is not. In your answer, try to show that you are able to stay positive while also standing up for yourself or the patient.

Example: “I once had a family member of a patient who was very upset with me because I would not give them any information about their loved one’s condition. The family member kept asking me questions, but I explained that it was against hospital policy to share any medical information without the patient’s consent. Eventually, they left, but they were still quite angry.”

19. Describe a situation where you disagreed with your manager and how you handled it.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle conflict and whether you’re able to respectfully disagree with your manager. It can also show that you have a willingness to speak up when necessary. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific example of a time where you disagreed with your manager but were able to resolve the issue in a respectful way.

Example: “In my last position as an ER nurse, I disagreed with my manager about scheduling procedures for patients. My manager wanted me to schedule certain tests before others, however, I felt that we should perform all tests at once so that the patient didn’t have to return multiple times. After speaking with my manager, they agreed to allow me to do things my way, which helped our patients feel more comfortable.”

20. Can you describe a time when you helped resolve a dispute between others?

This question can help an interviewer learn more about your conflict resolution skills. Use examples from your experience to highlight how you helped resolve a dispute and what steps you took to do so.

Example: “In my previous role, I had two nurses who were constantly arguing with each other. They would often argue in front of patients and their coworkers, which made it difficult for everyone else to work. I spoke with both nurses separately to understand the root cause of their disagreement. After speaking with them, I learned that one nurse was upset because she felt like the other nurse wasn’t following proper procedure when treating patients.

I scheduled a meeting with all three of us present to discuss the issue further. The two nurses apologized to each other and agreed to follow proper procedure while also being mindful of each other’s needs.”