20 VITAS Healthcare Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviewing for a position at VITAS Healthcare, there are a few key questions that you can expect to be asked. These questions will help to assess your knowledge of hospice care and palliative care, as well as your ability to provide compassionate care to patients. In order to ace your interview and get hired by VITAS Healthcare, be sure to review the following questions and prepare your answers in advance.

VITAS Healthcare Interview Process

The interview process at VITAS Healthcare can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most interviews will consist of a phone screen with a recruiter, followed by one or more in-person interviews. For some positions, you may also be asked to complete an online assessment. Overall, the interview process is fairly standard and should take no more than a few weeks.

1. Why do you want to work at VITAS healthcare?

This question is an opportunity to show your interest in the company and its values. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific aspect of VITAS healthcare that you admire or something about the organization’s history that interests you.

Example: “I have always admired VITAS Healthcare for its mission to provide compassionate care to patients and their families. I am passionate about helping others through difficult times and providing support to those who need it most. In my last role as a hospice nurse, I saw how much VITAS cares for its employees and strives to create a positive work environment. I would love to be part of this team.”

2. How do your previous experiences relate to hospice care?

This question can help the interviewer understand how your previous experiences have prepared you for this role. Use examples from your experience that show you are compassionate, empathetic and patient.

Example: “I worked as a nurse in an emergency room for five years before moving to hospice care. In my time at the ER, I learned how to handle stressful situations and work with patients who were experiencing pain or discomfort. These skills helped me transition into hospice care where I could use them to provide comfort and support to patients and their families.”

3. What is the difference between palliative and hospice care?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your knowledge of the company’s services and how they differ from other hospice care providers. Use examples from your experience working in a similar role or describe what you understand about these two types of care.

Example: “Hospice care is for patients who are expected to live six months or less, while palliative care is for those with serious illnesses that aren’t necessarily life-threatening but still require medical attention. Palliative care focuses on improving quality of life rather than curing illness.”

4. Describe a time when you had to deal with an angry family member of a patient, how did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle conflict and challenging situations. Use examples from your experience to highlight your problem-solving skills, communication skills and ability to remain calm under pressure.

Example: “I once had a family member of a patient who was upset because they felt I wasn’t giving their loved one enough attention. They were also unhappy with some of our policies, such as visiting hours. I listened to what they had to say and explained that we have these rules in place for the benefit of the patients. I also told them about the benefits of our policy and offered to speak with them again if they had any further questions.”

5. Do you have experience working in home health care?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience working in a similar environment. If you do, they may ask you more questions about your experiences and how they relate to this role. If you don’t, they may ask you what type of experience you have that is relevant to this position.

Example: “I worked as a home health aide for five years before I went back to school to get my nursing degree. During that time, I helped patients with daily tasks like bathing, dressing and eating. I also assisted them with their medical needs, such as taking their blood pressure or administering medication.”

6. Tell me about a time when you were able to get a difficult client to understand their situation and accept treatment.

This question is a great way to show your communication skills and ability to work with challenging clients. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention the steps you took to help them understand their situation and how they reacted to your explanation.

Example: “I once had a client who was very adamant about not wanting treatment for his illness. He told me that he didn’t want any more treatments because he felt like he was being over-treated. I explained to him that we were only trying to make sure he was comfortable during his final days. After hearing my explanation, he agreed to continue receiving treatment.”

7. We are looking for people that can work independently. Can you perform well under minimal supervision?

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to work independently and how you can use your own initiative. You should highlight any skills or experience that makes you a strong candidate for the role.

Example: “I am very comfortable working on my own, but I also enjoy collaborating with others. In my previous position as a hospice nurse, I was often assigned patients who needed more intensive care than other nurses could provide. I would always ask for help when I needed it, but I found that I was able to handle most situations without assistance. This allowed me to spend more time with patients and their families.”

8. If a client did not meet criteria or was denied admission into our program, how would you explain this to the family?

This question is an opportunity to demonstrate your communication skills and ability to empathize with clients. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide a specific example of how you would explain the situation to a family member or client.

Example: “I have experience working with families who are grieving the loss of a loved one. In my previous role as a hospice nurse, I had to inform a family that their mother did not meet admission criteria for our program. The family was understandably upset by this news, but I explained that we were unable to accept her into our care due to her advanced stage of cancer. I also offered to connect them with other resources in the area that could help them find additional support.”

9. Have you worked on any interdisciplinary teams before?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your teamwork skills and how you interact with other members of a team. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention any specific projects or initiatives that involved working on a team.

Example: “I have worked on several interdisciplinary teams in my previous roles. In one role, I was part of a team that helped develop new ways to communicate with patients who had limited mobility or hearing loss. Another time, I was part of a team that developed a care plan for a patient who spoke only Spanish. These experiences taught me how important it is to work together as a team to provide quality care.”

10. What do you believe are the most important characteristics for someone who works as a case manager?

Case managers are responsible for ensuring that patients receive the care they need and that their families have access to information about their loved one’s treatment. Interviewers ask this question to make sure you understand what it takes to be a case manager at VITAS Healthcare. Use your answer to highlight your communication skills, empathy and organizational abilities.

Example: “I believe that compassion is the most important characteristic of a good case manager. Case managers work with people who are often in vulnerable situations. They also help family members navigate difficult times. I am empathetic by nature, so I know I would be able to provide support and guidance to both patients and their families.

Another important skill is organization. As a case manager, I would be responsible for managing patient records and communicating with doctors and nurses. These tasks require someone who can stay organized and follow procedures.”

11. This position involves frequent travel. Are you comfortable being away from home often?

Travel is a common part of this position, and the interviewer wants to make sure you’re comfortable with that. If you have experience traveling for work or other reasons, use it as an opportunity to show your comfort level with being away from home.

Example: “I’ve been fortunate enough to travel quite a bit in my life, so I’m used to it. In fact, I enjoy seeing new places and meeting new people. As long as I can stay connected to family and friends while on the road, I think I’ll be fine.”

12. At Vitas Healthcare we value teamwork. Give us an example of a time where you worked in a team environment.

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you can work well with others. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight your ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with others.

Example: “At my previous job, I worked in a team of three nurses who were responsible for caring for patients at different times of the day. We had to coordinate our schedules so we could cover each other when one of us was out sick or on vacation. In addition to coordinating our schedules, we also communicated frequently about how we would care for our patients.”

13. What is one thing you could bring to VITAS Healthcare that would make them stand out above other hospice providers?

This question is an opportunity to show your passion for the healthcare industry and how you can make a difference in the lives of patients. When answering this question, it’s important to be specific about what you would do if hired.

Example: “I think one thing that could help VITAS Healthcare stand out from other hospice providers is my ability to connect with patients on a personal level. I have experience working as a nurse at a hospital where I was able to develop strong relationships with patients and their families. This helped me learn more about each patient’s unique situation and provided comfort to them when they needed it most.”

14. As a nurse, what obstacles do you think you will face working in a hospice setting?

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to overcome challenges and adapt to new environments. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific obstacle you faced in the past and how you overcame it.

Example: “I think one of the biggest obstacles I would face working in a hospice setting is having to say goodbye to patients who are nearing the end of their life. However, I have learned that it’s important to focus on providing quality care for my patients while they’re still alive so they can enjoy their time with loved ones.”

15. Provide an example of a time when you had to give negative feedback to a coworker. How did you approach it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle conflict and whether you’re able to provide constructive criticism. Use your answer to highlight your ability to communicate effectively, empathize with others and solve problems.

Example: “In my previous role as a nurse manager, I had to give feedback to one of my nurses who was having trouble communicating with patients’ families about end-of-life care plans. The nurse was nervous about giving bad news to family members, so I helped her practice different ways to deliver this information in a compassionate way. She also learned techniques for helping families process difficult news.”

16. When was the last time you took continuing education classes?

Continuing education is an important part of being a nurse. Employers ask this question to make sure you are committed to your career and want to learn more about it. When answering, try to mention something that helped you in your nursing career.

Example: “I took a class on how to better communicate with patients last year. I found that many of my patients were having trouble understanding me or what was happening to them. After taking the class, I started using different techniques to help my patients understand me. It has made my job much easier.”

17. In 10 years, where do you see yourself?

This question is a great way to learn more about the company’s future and how you can fit into it. If you’re unsure of what the company has planned, ask for details or look them up online. You can also use this opportunity to show your ambition by sharing your career goals with the interviewer.

Example: “I see myself in a management role at Vitas Healthcare. I’ve been working toward my master’s degree in business administration for two years now, and I’m hoping to apply that knowledge to my work here. I think I would be an excellent candidate for a leadership position because of my dedication to learning new skills and my ability to motivate others.”

18. Explain to me why there has been an increase in hospice care recently.

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the industry and how it has changed over time. Hospice care has become more popular in recent years, so you can use this as an opportunity to explain why that’s the case.

Example: “Hospice care has increased in popularity because people are living longer than ever before. People are also becoming more aware of their options when it comes to end-of-life care. In addition, there have been many advancements in technology that allow patients to live longer with chronic illnesses. This means they may need hospice care for longer periods of time.”

19. Would you be willing to take calls after hours if needed?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your willingness to go above and beyond in order to provide excellent care. Hospice nurses often work long hours, including nights and weekends, so it’s important that you’re willing to do this if necessary.

Example: “I understand that working in hospice can mean taking calls after hours. I am committed to providing compassionate care to patients at all times of day or night. If there are any emergencies, I will be available to respond as needed.”

20. How would you summarize your nursing career up to this point?

This question is an opportunity to highlight your most important achievements and accomplishments. It’s also a chance to show the interviewer that you’re proud of what you’ve done so far in your career.

Example: “I started my nursing career as a registered nurse at a local hospital, where I worked for five years before moving to a larger facility. There, I was promoted to charge nurse after only two years on the job, which allowed me to work with more patients and develop my skills as a leader. After three years there, I moved back to the smaller hospital, where I’m currently working as a charge nurse.”