Kaiser Permanente Mock Interview
Practice 37 Kaiser Permanente interview questions covering integrated care, patient-centered values, and healthcare teamwork.
Question 22 of 37
In your opinion, what makes you a great problem solver?
How to Answer
Example Answer
Community Answers
Ryan Brunner has over ten years of experience recruiting, interviewing, and hiring candidates in the healthcare, public service, and private manufacturing/distribution industries.
The members of Kaiser Permanente rely on the institution and staff to help them solve some of the greatest issues they are facing with their health and well-being. No matter if you are being considered for a direct patient care role or a support role, it will be important for your interviewer to assess your problem-solving skills as they relate to the job itself. This is a great time to talk about a time or two when you were faced with a problem that needed to be solved and talk through how you worked your way through it. Remember that communication is key in these situations, so make sure to reiterate that you would always let this be your guide on staff here.
Ryan Brunner has over ten years of experience recruiting, interviewing, and hiring candidates in the healthcare, public service, and private manufacturing/distribution industries.
"Thinking on my feet, using available resources, and talking with colleagues has always been my approach to help solve patient care issues throughout my career. I'm confident that my years of experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings would bode me well on this team at Kaiser Permanente. A few months ago, we were facing a staffing crisis over a weekend on my inpatient unit. We had several staff members that were ill and others away on vacation. I quickly acted to work with our unit manager on contacting all available nurses and worked with other department leaders on providing help with cross-coverage. Rather than letting worry take over, buckling down and making a plan of action was very important. This is something I would always be willing to do as part of the Kaiser Permanente team."
Interview Coach
Jaymie
A real coach, not AI. I read every answer myself and write back with personalized feedback.
Typically responds within 24 hours.
0 - Character Count
Anonymous Answer
I listen to both sides.
Kevin's Feedback
See my suggestion below; expanding your response presents as more professional.
I have well above average problem-solving skills. I am resourceful and am constantly thinking outside of the box. I approach any issue looking at it from multiple angles. I am flexible in my work and identify other dynamic opportunities for innovation or kaizen. I consider this one of my strengths.
Anonymous Answer
I am a great problem solver because I know that it is a process that requires me to think rationally and not allow my feelings and judgments from looking at the facts. Also, when solving any problem, it is important to be able to identify as many possible solutions as possible in case one of them might not work out. In seeking out possible solutions, I also seek feedback and support from others when needed and also plan on how to cope in case of a solution does not go as planned.
Rachelle's Feedback
Your problem-solving approach is fantastic! You offer multiple solutions, look at the issue from all angles, and aren't afraid to ask for help when needed. Well done!
Anonymous Answer
My problem-solving method is a systematic approach to account for every detail to reach a solution. I try to think outside of the box for creative solutions. A recent example, an obese patient with spinal headaches had multiple failed blood patches by anesthesia. Since IR is not credentialed to do blood patches, I suggested IR could provide fluoroscopy assisting the Anesthesiologist in performing the blood patch.
Amanda's Feedback
Using an example is a great way to strengthen your answer and paint a clearer picture of your problem-solving ability. You indicate you are a very systematic problem solver, but then state that you're creative. This can seem to be contradictory. Consider strengthening your answer by stating that you have strong analytical skills that help you approach problems logically, but are also able to think creatively when a systematic solution isn't available, making you a well-rounded problem solver capable of adapting to the situation. Then, go on to share your example that illustrates your point.
Anonymous Answer
What makes me a great problem solver is being able to look at solutions from all angles of the situation. For example, I had a student who wasn’t attending school consistently and I had to build a trusting relationship, help identify his future goals, and collaborate with his social worker to identify his barriers to education. From there, the student felt more motivated to take his education seriously.
Jaymie's Feedback
Being able to see the perspective of others in a situation is a true skill and one that the interviewer will find desirable in a candidate. Great job!
Anonymous Answer
I would say that I am a great problem solver because I am a rational thinker. I don’t allow my feelings to cloud my judgment. When solving any problem, I try to identify as many possible solutions in case one might not work out. I also ask for feedback. For example, I do a lot of problem-solving when I bartend. When a customer asks me to make a drink I’m not 100% sure, If I don’t know the recipe, I’ll ask my coworkers for assistance because I know some have bartending experience. And if my coworkers are busy, I’ll look up the recipe. Rather than turn a customer down immediately and say “No I can’t serve that” I embrace the challenge of making a drink I’ve never made before and doing my best to solve the issue.
Jaymie's Feedback
Great example! It shows you can remain calm in a stressful situation, self-help with available resources, ask for help when needed, and work quickly to solve a problem.
Anonymous Answer
I believe I am a great problem solver because I am very observant and a rational thinker. I do my best to try different ways of solving a problem that results in the best outcome. I have had an issue at my current job where we needed to cut down on the time it took to make and fill out orders. Normally, we would have one person working at each station, doing a different task to complete orders. I discovered that if we have multiple people working at the same station we could fill out orders faster. This allowed us to effectively cut down on our time and we were able to fulfill the maximum amount of food that we can make each day.
Jaymie's Feedback
This is an impressive example to incorporate in your response! It shows that you can think critically and take the initiative to share your ideas with others, which ultimately leads to a reduction in time to fill your orders. Great job!
Unlock All 37 Kaiser Permanente Questions
Prepare for behavioral and clinical questions unique to integrated healthcare interviews.
Get StartedJump to Question