20 UW Medicine Interview Questions and Answers

When you go to an interview for a position at UW Medicine, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience, your qualifications, and your goals. But you may also be asked some company-specific questions.

To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of some common UW Medicine interview questions. These questions will give you an opportunity to show that you understand the company’s mission and values and that you’re a good fit for the position.

So, whether you’re interviewing for a position as a doctor, a nurse, or a support staff member, be sure to review these UW Medicine interview questions.

UW Medicine Interview Process

The interview process at UW Medicine can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least two rounds of interviews, often with different panelists. The first round is usually with a HR representative and/or the hiring manager, while the second round is typically with potential co-workers or other members of the team. The entire process can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months.

Some positions may also require additional steps, such as a writing test or skills exam. In general, the interview process is fairly long and detailed, so be prepared to answer questions about your experience and qualifications.

1. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be honest about your strengths and weaknesses. When answering this question, think of two or three strengths you have that are relevant to the position and explain how they help you succeed. Then, think of one weakness you have and explain what steps you’ve taken to improve upon it.

Example: “I am an excellent communicator with strong interpersonal skills. I find that my ability to communicate clearly and calmly under pressure helps me diffuse tense situations and keep patients calm. My communication skills also make me a good team player who can work well with others.

One thing I’m working on improving is my time management skills. In my previous role, I found myself getting behind on tasks at times because I was so focused on providing quality care for patients. Now, I try to set aside some time each day to complete non-urgent tasks like filing paperwork.”

2. Describe a time when you had to think critically in order to solve a problem.

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and how you use critical thinking to make decisions. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation where you had to think critically in order to solve a problem or challenge.

Example: “When I was working as a nurse at a local hospital, we were short on staff one night due to illness and vacation time. This meant that some nurses had to work double shifts. One of the nurses who worked a double shift called out sick the next day, which left us with only two nurses for the entire floor. I knew that if we didn’t find someone to fill in, we would have to cancel all surgeries scheduled for that day.

I thought about our options and decided to call in another nurse from home to help cover the rest of the day. She agreed to come in, and we were able to keep all of our appointments and surgeries.”

3. Do you have experience working with Electronic Health Records (EHR)?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your experience with EHR and how you use it. If you have experience working with EHR, share a specific example of when you used the system effectively. If you don’t have experience using EHR, explain why and discuss what you would do if you were faced with using an EHR system.

Example: “I’ve worked in emergency rooms for several years now, so I’m familiar with EHR systems. However, I haven’t had any formal training on how to use them. In my current role as a nurse practitioner, I work closely with physicians who are trained in using EHR systems. They provide me with guidance on how to enter patient information into the system.”

4. Are you familiar with the ICD-10 codes?

The ICD-10 codes are a set of medical diagnostic codes that help healthcare providers and insurance companies understand the nature of an illness or injury. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience using these codes in your current role. If you do, share examples of how you used them effectively. If you don’t have experience with ICD-10 codes, consider asking for clarification on what they are and researching them before your interview.

Example: “I am familiar with the ICD-10 codes because my previous employer required us to use them when documenting patient care. I found it helpful to be able to quickly find relevant information about patients by searching their diagnosis code.”

5. How do you work best, individually or as part of a team?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of your personality and how you might fit in with their team. You can answer this question by describing your preferred method of working, but also mentioning that you are flexible and willing to adapt if necessary.

Example: “I am an introvert who works best alone or with one other person. I prefer to focus on my work without interruption, but I know it’s sometimes necessary to collaborate with others. In those situations, I try to be as helpful as possible while still focusing on my own tasks.”

6. Why should we hire you over other applicants?

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 any unique experiences you have that make you an excellent candidate.

Example: “I am passionate about helping others, which is why I became a nurse in the first place. Throughout my career, I’ve developed many skills that make me a strong candidate for this role. For example, I’m highly organized and able to work well under pressure. These skills are essential when working with air medical services because they often involve unexpected situations where quick thinking and decisive action are necessary.”

7. Tell me about your medical background.

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your medical background and how it may relate to the position you’re applying for. If you have any experience working in a hospital or other healthcare facility, be sure to include that information in your response.

Example: “I graduated from UW with my Bachelor of Science degree in nursing two years ago. I worked as an emergency room nurse at Harborview Medical Center for one year before moving back home to Seattle. While I was away, I completed my certification as a paramedic through the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.”

8. What is the most challenging thing for you about being a nurse?

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to problem-solve and overcome challenges. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation where you overcame the challenge or how you would handle it if it arose again.

Example: “The most challenging thing for me as a nurse is when I have a patient who doesn’t want to get better. It’s my job to help them recover, but sometimes they don’t see that. In these situations, I try to find out what their concerns are and address them. If there’s something we can do differently, I’ll work with the team to make sure everyone is on board before making any changes.”

9. Provide an example of a time you were able to successfully communicate with another person even when that individual may not have personally liked you.

This question is designed to assess your interpersonal skills and ability to work with others. It’s important to show that you can be a team player, even if the other person may not have liked you personally.

Example: “In my last position as an emergency room nurse, I had a patient who was very upset about his diagnosis of cancer. He didn’t like me because he felt I wasn’t compassionate enough when I told him his diagnosis. After speaking with him for a while, I learned that he wanted someone to tell him everything would be okay. So, I explained how we could treat his cancer and what the prognosis looked like. He calmed down after that.”

10. What would you do if a patient was having trouble breathing and his oxygen levels dropped below 90%?

This question is a behavioral one that tests your critical thinking and problem-solving skills. It also shows the interviewer how you would apply your medical knowledge to solve a real-life situation.

Example: “I would first check if there were any issues with the oxygen tank or tubing, then I would administer supplemental oxygen through an alternative method such as a mask or nasal cannula. If this didn’t work, I would call for another air ambulance to transport the patient to the nearest hospital.”

11. If hired, how would you prioritize your daily tasks?

This question helps the interviewer understand how you manage your time and responsibilities. Use examples from previous experiences to explain how you plan your day, prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.

Example: “I would start my day by checking in with my team members and making sure everyone is prepared for their shift. I’d then check in with our patients to see if they have any questions or concerns about their care. After that, I would review all of the patient’s medical records and diagnostic test results to ensure I am aware of everything we know about the patient’s condition. Finally, I would make sure all equipment was ready for transport and that the pilots were briefed on the flight plan.”

12. What kinds of patients have you worked with before?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your experience level and how you’ve handled different types of patients. You can use this opportunity to highlight any unique or challenging cases you’ve encountered in the past, as well as what steps you took to ensure they received quality care.

Example: “In my last position, I worked with all kinds of patients, including those who were young children, elderly adults and pregnant women. In one instance, I was working with an older patient who had fallen down some stairs at home. He was confused and disoriented when he arrived at the hospital, so I helped him calm down by talking to him and explaining everything we were doing.”

13. Explain what it means to treat a patient holistically.

Holistic care is a major part of the UW Medicine mission. The interviewer wants to know that you understand what holistic care means and how it applies to your work as an air medical crew member.

Example: “Treating patients holistically means considering all aspects of their health, including physical, mental and emotional well-being. It also involves understanding the patient’s social situation and any other factors that may affect their treatment. I believe this approach is important because it allows me to provide better care for my patients by addressing all of their needs.”

14. What do you find rewarding about nursing?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you as a person and understand what motivates you. It also helps them determine if your values align with those of UW Medicine. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something specific about nursing that you enjoy.

Example: “I find helping people feel better very rewarding. I love being able to use my skills to make someone’s life easier or more comfortable. In my last role, I helped a patient who was having trouble breathing. After examining her, I determined she had an infection in her lungs. I prescribed antibiotics and monitored her closely until she felt better.”

15. In addition to your duties as a nurse, describe some roles you took on in previous positions.

When answering this question, it can be helpful to highlight your leadership skills and ability to take on additional responsibilities.

Example: “In my current role as a nurse at Mercy Hospital, I am responsible for the care of patients in the emergency room. In addition to providing direct patient care, I also manage a team of nurses and medical assistants. This requires me to delegate tasks and provide guidance to ensure that all staff members are completing their work efficiently and effectively. Additionally, I have taken on roles as an instructor and mentor to new nurses.”

16. What would you do if a patient asked you to keep information confidential but then their condition got worse and you felt they needed more help than you could provide?

This question is designed to assess your ability to handle difficult situations and make tough decisions. It also helps the interviewer understand how you would interact with patients in this situation.

Example: “If a patient asked me not to tell their family about something, I would first try to convince them that it’s best for everyone if they know what’s going on. If they still refuse, I would do my best to keep them safe until they were ready to share information or seek further medical attention.”

17. As a caregiver, you will be interacting with many different people. Can you give us an example of a conflict you experienced at work and how you resolved it?

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and ability to work with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a situation where you were able to use your interpersonal skills to resolve the conflict.

Example: “In my previous role as a nurse, I had a patient who was very upset about their diagnosis of cancer. They wanted to know why they got cancer and what they could do to prevent it from happening again. While I understood that they were looking for answers, there are no guarantees in life. I explained that we would do everything possible to treat them and keep them comfortable during their treatment.”

18. What do you believe makes a great nurse?

This question is an opportunity to show your passion for nursing and the skills you have that make you a great nurse. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about what makes you enjoy working as a nurse. You may also want to mention any specific nurses who inspired you or helped you along your career path.

Example: “I believe a great nurse has empathy, compassion and dedication. They are always willing to go above and beyond to help their patients and support their colleagues. I am passionate about helping others and providing comfort and care to those in need. I feel like these qualities make me a great nurse.”

19. We strive to create an atmosphere where our coworkers can learn from each other. How do you feel about learning new things?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of your attitude toward learning and growing as an employee. Use examples from previous experiences to show that you are open to new ideas, processes or procedures.

Example: “I love learning new things. In my last role, I was able to learn how to use a new software program for scheduling appointments. It took me a few days to feel comfortable with it, but once I did, I realized there were some ways I could improve upon it. I shared my thoughts with my coworkers, and we worked together to create a more efficient system.”

20. What does professionalism mean to you?

This question is an opportunity to show your understanding of the values and expectations of UW Medicine. When answering, it can be helpful to reference a specific example from your past experience that demonstrates how you apply professionalism in your work.

Example: “Professionalism means being respectful and honest with patients and colleagues at all times. I have always strived to treat everyone I meet with kindness and respect, even when they are difficult or challenging. In my last role, I had a patient who was very upset about their diagnosis. They were angry and yelling at me, but I remained calm and explained everything as clearly as possible. After our conversation, they apologized for their behavior and thanked me for taking the time to explain things.”