20 Vanderbilt University Medical Center Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviews, every company has their own unique process. And while some questions may be universal, others will be specific to the company you’re interviewing with.

If you’re interviewing with Vanderbilt University Medical Center, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience, your skills, and your knowledge of the healthcare industry. To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of sample Vanderbilt University Medical Center interview questions and answers.

Vanderbilt University Medical Center Interview Process

The interview process at Vanderbilt University Medical Center can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one phone interview and one in-person interview. For some positions, like nursing roles, the interview process may be more extensive and include multiple interviews. Overall, the interview process is generally positive, though some applicants have found it to be lengthy.

1. How would you approach a patient that is upset with the service they are receiving?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle conflict and difficult situations. When answering, it can be helpful to provide an example of a time when you helped resolve a conflict with a patient or other individual.

Example: “I would first ask the patient what they are upset about so I could better understand their concerns. Then, I would apologize for any inconvenience caused by our service and explain that I am committed to providing them with excellent care. If there is anything else we can do to improve their experience, I would offer to find someone who can assist them.”

2. What have you done in your previous position to improve patient care and safety?

This question is an opportunity to show your leadership skills and ability to make positive changes in the workplace. When answering this question, it can be helpful to discuss a specific example of how you helped improve patient care or safety at your previous job.

Example: “At my current position as a nurse manager, I have implemented several new policies that help ensure patient safety. For instance, I require all nurses to wear gloves when administering medications to patients. This policy helps prevent any mistakes from occurring during medication administration. Another policy I have implemented is requiring two nurses to check on each patient every 15 minutes while they are sleeping. This policy has reduced the number of times we need to call for assistance from doctors.”

3. Give an example of a time when you had to work under pressure, how did you handle it?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your ability to handle pressure and stress. They want to know that you can perform well under challenging circumstances, so it’s important to highlight a time when you faced a challenge and overcame it.

Example: “When I was working as an emergency room nurse, we had a particularly busy night where there were many patients in the ER. We didn’t have enough nurses on staff to care for all of them, so I volunteered to stay late to help out. It was quite stressful because I knew some of my coworkers would be staying late with me, but I also knew that if we didn’t work together, we wouldn’t get through the night. In the end, we managed to take care of all our patients and even got everyone home before midnight.”

4. Describe a difficult situation you faced on your last job and what did you do to overcome it?

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and how you overcame challenges in the past. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a situation that was challenging but also one that you were able to overcome.

Example: “At my last job, I had a patient who was very upset about their diagnosis. They didn’t want to hear what we had to say and kept asking for more information on alternative treatments. While I understood why they wanted to know more about these options, I explained to them that there are no proven alternatives to their treatment plan. We then discussed other ways they could cope with their diagnosis.”

5. Why should we hire you over the other candidates?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your qualifications and how you can benefit their organization. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight the skills and experiences that make you an ideal candidate.

Example: “I believe I am the best candidate because of my extensive medical knowledge and patient care experience. Throughout my career, I have worked with patients of all ages and backgrounds, which has given me valuable insight into what they need from their healthcare providers. My communication skills are also beneficial as I can clearly explain complex medical procedures to patients and their families.”

6. Are you comfortable working nights, weekends or holidays?

This question is often asked to determine if you are flexible and willing to work when the hospital needs you. It’s important to be honest about your availability, but also show that you’re committed to working hard no matter what time of day or week it is.

Example: “I am comfortable working nights, weekends and holidays as long as I’m given plenty of notice. In my previous position, I was able to adjust my schedule to accommodate for emergencies and unexpected situations. If there were ever a situation where I needed to leave early or come in late, I would always let my supervisor know beforehand.”

7. Tell me about a time where you showed compassion for someone else.

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your interpersonal skills and how you interact with patients. Showcase your ability to be empathetic, compassionate and caring when interacting with others.

Example: “When I was working in my previous hospital, we had a patient who was very sick and needed constant care. The family members were always worried about their loved one and would call us frequently for updates. I made sure to speak with them every day so they knew what was happening with their relative. They appreciated that I took the time to talk to them and reassure them that everything was being done to ensure their loved one’s health.”

8. Do you consider yourself a team player?

Teamwork is an important skill for medical professionals. It’s essential to be able to work with your colleagues and other healthcare providers in order to provide the best care possible for patients. When answering this question, it can be helpful to discuss a time when you worked well as part of a team.

Example: “I consider myself a strong team player. I have always enjoyed working on projects with others because it allows me to learn from their unique perspectives. In my last role, I was tasked with creating a presentation about our hospital’s new patient intake process. My supervisor asked me to create a team of three people who would help me develop the presentation. We met weekly to discuss ideas and eventually created a very informative presentation that helped many staff members understand how to better serve our patients.”

9. Can you describe a time when you had to use logic to solve a problem?

This question can help the interviewer understand your critical thinking skills. Use examples from previous work or school experiences to show how you used logic and problem-solving skills to find a solution.

Example: “At my last job, I was working with a patient who had an infection in their blood. The patient’s symptoms were getting worse, so we needed to figure out what caused it. After talking with the patient about their medical history, I realized they had recently received a flu shot. This led me to believe that the flu shot may have been the cause of the infection.”

10. What makes you stand out from other candidates?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their team. When answering, it’s important to highlight a skill or experience that makes you unique from other candidates. You may also want to mention something that is relevant to the position.

Example: “I am passionate about helping others, which is why I chose to pursue medicine as a career. In my previous role, I was able to help patients manage chronic pain through alternative methods such as acupuncture. This helped many of my patients avoid taking prescription medications, which often have negative side effects. I believe my passion for helping others and my medical knowledge make me an excellent candidate for this position.”

11. Explain the importance of communication between doctors and nurses.

This question is an opportunity to show your communication skills and how they can help you succeed in a medical setting. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight the importance of teamwork between nurses and doctors.

Example: “I believe that communication is one of the most important aspects of working as a nurse or doctor. It allows us to work together and provide our patients with the best care possible. I always make sure to communicate any changes or concerns to my team so we can all be on the same page. This helps me feel more confident in my role and provides better care for my patients.”

12. Tell us about a time you made a mistake, how did you fix it?

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and how you learn from your mistakes. When answering this question, it can be helpful to talk about a time when you made a mistake but learned from it and improved in the future.

Example: “When I was working as an ER nurse, I had a patient who came in with severe stomach pains. After examining him, I determined that he needed surgery immediately. However, before we could begin the surgery, his condition worsened and he passed away. This was my first experience with death, so I felt overwhelmed by the situation. I talked to my supervisor about what happened and they helped me understand that there wasn’t anything more I could have done.”

13. Have you ever worked with patients that have been diagnosed with cancer?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your experience with patients who are going through cancer treatment. This can be an important part of working in a hospital, so it’s important that you have some experience if possible. If you haven’t worked with cancer patients before, consider volunteering at a local hospital or clinic where they treat cancer patients.

Example: “I’ve had the opportunity to work with many cancer patients over my career. I find this to be one of the most rewarding parts of being a nurse because I get to see people go through such a difficult time and overcome their illness. In my last position, I was able to help a patient diagnosed with breast cancer learn about her diagnosis and how she could manage her symptoms.”

14. Describe a time when you went above and beyond for a customer.

This question is a great way to show your dedication and willingness to help others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a time when you helped someone who was in need of assistance or support.

Example: “When I worked as an administrative assistant for a small business owner, she had a lot on her plate with the company’s finances. She asked me if I could take care of some of the more complex financial tasks so that she could focus on other aspects of the business. I took on these tasks willingly because I knew they were important to the success of the company. In the end, we were able to get everything done on time and the company continued to grow.”

15. Do you have experience handling confidential information?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your ability to handle confidential information in the workplace. Use examples from previous work experience to show that you can keep information private and secure.

Example: “Yes, I have worked with confidential information before. In my last position as a medical records technician, I had access to patients’ personal information such as their names, addresses, birth dates and insurance details. To ensure privacy, I always kept patient files locked away in a filing cabinet when not in use. I also never shared any of the information with anyone unless it was necessary for completing tasks.”

16. Can you tell me about a time when you were working on a project and there was conflict, how did you handle it?

This question is a great way to see how you handle conflict and disagreements. It’s important that you can work with others, even if they have different opinions than you.

Example: “I was working on a project where we were trying to find the best treatment for patients who had a certain disease. I thought one method would be most effective, but another colleague disagreed. We talked about our ideas and decided to try both methods. In the end, my idea worked better, however, it was good to know that there are multiple ways to treat patients.”

17. Give an example of a time when you had to provide constructive criticism to another member of your team.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle conflict and criticism. It’s important to show that you’re willing to give feedback, even if it’s negative, and that you can do so in a constructive way.

Example: “In my previous role as an ER nurse, I had a coworker who was always late for our shift change meetings. This made it difficult for us to discuss patient care because we were often rushed to get to our next assignments. After several weeks of this behavior, I approached him privately and explained that his tardiness was affecting our ability to provide quality care to patients. He apologized and promised to be on time from then on.”

18. What are some ways you can help ensure confidentiality?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your ability to keep patient information private. This is especially important in healthcare settings, where you might have access to sensitive medical records and other confidential information. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific actions or procedures you use to protect confidentiality.

Example: “I am very aware of the importance of maintaining patient privacy and confidentiality. I always make sure that my computer has a password so no one else can access it. I also never leave work documents unattended, and if someone asks me for a document, I will shred it before giving it to them.”

19. What steps would you take if you noticed that a fellow nurse wasn’t following proper procedures?

This question can help interviewers understand how you work with others and your ability to handle conflict. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation where you helped another nurse or colleague improve their performance.

Example: “If I noticed that a fellow nurse wasn’t following proper procedures, I would first speak with them privately about the issue. If they didn’t seem receptive to my feedback, I would ask for a meeting with our supervisor so we could discuss the problem together. In this case, I would explain what I observed and provide evidence of the behavior. My goal would be to find a solution that helps both myself and the other nurse learn from the experience.”

20. Would you be able to work overtime at short notice?

This question is designed to assess your flexibility and willingness to work overtime when needed. It’s important to be honest about your availability, but also highlight the ways you can adapt to changing circumstances.

Example: “I am happy to work overtime at short notice if it means helping my team meet a deadline or achieve a goal. However, I understand that sometimes unexpected things happen, so I always make sure to leave myself plenty of time to get home after work. This way, even if something does come up, I’m still able to take care of my responsibilities.”