Stony Brook University Hospital has a diverse workforce. When have you worked amongst a diverse group of people?

"I have worked with diverse groups of people most of my career, including my time in University. I am most comfortable, and happy, in this type of environment because it offers me unique learning opportunities."

Are you accustomed to working with a very large or diverse team of individuals? Assure the interviewer that you can handle an environment that offers diversity. Even better, give an example of being able to embrace diversity in the workplace.

"I am so glad you pointed out your need for diversity at Stony Brook University Hospital. I greatly value diversity. I grew up in a fairly homogeneous town in Montana. When I hit my 20's, it was so important to me to learn about other cultures. I worked with community volunteer organizations in Peru, inner-city Chicago, and Russia."

Have you ever had to collaborate with a patient regarding their care? If so, why was it important to do so?

"Having some involvement currently in post-hospitalization telemedicine care, patient involvement in their care is key so I have a strong sense of their home life and measures that need to be put in place. A couple of months ago, a patient was being discharged after double knee replacement surgery. In the days prior to discharge, I had two meetings with him to discuss mobility around his house and therapy he would be doing on his own. I asked if he had stairs in the house he needed to climb or any other mobility challenges. Based on this, he and I set forth a great rehab plan on his home life. Had I just set a plan for him, chances would have been high that the patient would need to be hospitalized again or be seen in our emergency room."

Stony Brook University Hospital believes strongly in patient and family centered care and part of this belief stems from the need for staff to collaborate with patients on their care. To start your answer, explain why you believe involving a patient and/or the patient's family in the care of the patient is important. Be sure to point out that patients who are engaged have proven to show better outcomes and experiences in their care. If you have a good example of a time your involved a patient in their care, be sure to elaborate on it. If you don't have direct experience doing this, just be sure to describe how it make a positive impact on patients and how you would go about involving them in their care.

"In the Family Medicine setting, patient involvement is critical in the search of excellent outcomes. As you can see from my resume, I have a lot of training in working with patients on diet and exercise to promote positive changes in things like blood pressure, glucose levels, cholesterol levels and general weight loss. With these patients, their involvement is key for them to buy-in to the process and see positive changes. Last year, I had a morbidly obese young patient had extremely high blood pressure and cholesterol. Knowing that he need both diet and exercise changes, getting to know him and his hobbies was important in starting an exercise routine. He told me his passions in life were animals and shopping. To get him started on an exercise routine, I mentioned volunteering walking dogs at the local Humane Association and he bought into that immediately. After connecting him with the director, he was soon walking dogs for an hour a day, five days a week. In only three months, we were seeing very positive weight loss with the exercise and new diet paired together."

Do you think it is possible to be a good team member, yet disagree with the leader?

"I think that it is possible to be a great team member, even when disagreeing with the leader. It's all in how you maintain respect for each other despite the difference in opinion."

The interviewer wants to know that you can be diplomatic in the workplace, even when you may not agree with your leader. Show the interviewer that it is possible for you to be a good team member, yet disagree with the leader from time to time. Explain that you believe everyone is entitled to their own professional opinion, yet capable of maintaining respect for each other at the same time. Show that even if you disagree with the final decision they make, you support the direction the team is heading.

"I believe that being a good team member is more about attitude than it is about compatibility. You do not need to agree with everyone 100% of the time, to be effective in your job."

Why do you think you will be successful in this role with Stony Brook University Hospital?

"I know I will be successful in this role because I have been working in this industry for five years with great training and mentorship. I have a solid understanding of X, Y, and Z (skills listed in the job description). Also, I have all of my updated certifications as outlined in your job description. I am well-prepared for this next step in my career."

Rather than just sharing how you have gone above and beyond expectations in the past, focus on how your qualities will help you to meet and exceed expectations with Stony Brook University Hospital. Discuss the reasons why will you be great at this job. Talk about your qualifications and skills that will help you to do this job well. If you can, match your strengths to the requirements outlined in the job description.

"I believe my success with Stony Brook University Hospital will come from having all of the hard skills that you are looking for, whether learned in school or gained through work experience. I know all the key players in this region and stay informed of best practices."

If you came to work for Stony Brook University Hospital, would the transition to the Long Island area be difficult for you?

"I found out about this opening from a very close friend that is a PA here in Radiology. Having grown up together in eastern Pennsylvania, I've come to visit her a lot over the past three years and my spouse and I are very intrigued about the prospect of relocating to Long Island. We have very close friends in her and her spouse, which would help make the transition easy. My spouse can work from home, no matter where we land in the country and we love the big city life with all of the cultured dining options and entertainment that is thriving here."

Your interviewer knows that to retain you in your job for many years to come, you and your family need to be happy both with the job that you are interviewing and with life outside of work on Long Island. For this question, your interviewer will be looking to hear that you will mesh will with the hustle and bustle of life on Long Island in the New York City area. If you've lived or worked in the area prior to this interview, talk about what you and your family love about the area. If you haven't been in the area be for, be sure to do your research and talk about things that will keep you occupied and interested. Feel free to discuss your hobbies, interests and family or friends in the area to paint the picture that you will be happy with life in the area.

"As you can see from my resume, I have spent the last ten years of my life in Brooklyn working for Mount Sinai. The position here at Stony Brook really garnered my interest because not only does it fit what I am looking for professionally in the chance to work in pediatrics on a full-time basis, but it also fits with my desire to be in the Long Island area closer to my friends and family in the area."

Rate your problem solving skills from 1-10. How do you justify your rating?

"I rate my problem-solving skills as an 8/10. I will, on occasion, have times when I am not as efficient as I would like to be but all in all, I do feel that my problem-solving skills are above average. My supervisor and co-workers will attest to my fast reflexes when a problem arises, and they would also say that I remain calm under pressure."

The interviewer wants to know how you would rate your problem-solving skills. Of course, you want to give yourself a strong rating; however, it's essential that you remain realistic. Everyone has room to learn and improve! Be sure to justify your score as well.

"I would say I get a solid 8.3 on a scale of 10. Seems weird to give myself something like a .3, but I think of it as an 83%, which is a B- teetering on a solid B. It's a solid grade, with definite room for improvement, since I'm certainly not perfect. The reason for the B-/B grade would be that I'm quick to take action and figure out the solution as I go, but sometimes I could benefit from taking a moment to pause and reflect or gather other contributors before taking action. That said, I believe I generally get the best outcome possible when faced with a challenge."

In your opinion, what makes you a great problem solver?

"I am a great problem solver because I do not allow stress to cloud my judgment and mute my sound decision making. I am a keen observer with a great memory which allows me to recall unique solutions or ideas."

Employers want to know that you have a methodical approach to problem-solving. Consider the skills and qualities that help you successfully face problems. Perhaps you have a keen eye for detail. Maybe you can see opportunity when others can only focus on the issue. Share your strengths as a problem solver, and your ability to come up with innovative solutions.

"I believe I am a great problem solver because I am sure to gather as many facts as possible, I look at the problem and its potential solutions from multiple angles, and I am not afraid to make a creative decision that might seem off the beaten path."

What type of work environment do you dislike working in?

"I can be productive in most work environments, so long as the mentality is positive and teamwork is encouraged. I cannot work in an environment that feels negative or toxic."

Are you pretty flexible in your ability to work in most environments? Have you experienced a position where the atmosphere wasn't conducive to your productivity? Be sure to know the type of situation offered in this position prior, to the interview. If you aren't completely clear on the workplace environment or culture, kindly ask the interviewer to expand on the work environment for you.

"I prefer to focus on the positive, so if it's okay, I would like to share with you what my ideal work environment looks like. My ideal environment is organized, collaborative, positive, energetic, and encouraging. I love working with like-minded people who set challenging goals for themselves. I thrive when I work for supervisors who encourage curiosity and creativity in problem-solving."

At Stony Brook University Hospital, we pride ourselves on being an HRO - a high reliability organization. How do you ensure that your work is error free on a day to day basis?

" As a nurse on a busy Med/Surg unit, I think my overall organization and dedication to stick to a schedule enable me to be error free in my work. With my patients, I stick to an hour rounding schedule to ensure I see each patient hourly and communicate with them. I ask the patient questions on their comfort level and pain level every interaction I have with them. I set aside time for patient documentation and preparing for medication pass to avoid any errors on that end of things. Overall organization on all these duties and planning ahead for time help me to ensure that I provide error free care to my patients like they deserve."

Mistakes in healthcare can have serious impacts on an organization's bottom line or, even worse, a patient's health and well-being. For this question, your interviewer will be looking to hear the effort and measures you put into place to make sure that your work is error free. In your answer, talk about your ability to stay both focused and organized in your work, enabling you to provide great care while minimizing any chance for a mistake with a patient. Personalize your answer to give it a unique touch and talk about your strengths enabling you to work both accurately and precisely.

"As a new phlebotomist, I will work to do my best to provide error free samples and make sure my patients are in the best hands possible. When drawing, I have trained to use sound sterilization techniques and to find the right vein to draw from. For multiple draws, I will follow protocols on correct order of draws and I will always ensure that I follow the steps for proper patient identification and sample labeling post-draw. My training has prepared me well for this role with Stony Brook University Hospital and if hired, you'll find that I will be a reliable phlebotomist for the team here."

Think about a difficult boss, professor or coworker. What made him or her difficult? How did you successfully interact with this person?

"I once worked at a small medical facility where the primary physician was very demanding. When he would walk into the facility, employees would quietly announce that he was in the building, so that everyone could be prepared for his arrival. This physician had great intentions; however, his people skills were a little rough. I could see that he meant well, and I recognized that he wanted to do a lot of good things. When we interacted, I always took his feedback with the understanding that he didn't mean things as harshly as he might say them."

Show the interviewer that you work well with most personalities even though you recognize there are some folks out there who are quite difficult to please. Think about that one person at work who is seen as hard to please. Perhaps there is someone at work who tries to intimidate others. Talk to the interviewer about what made this person challenging and what their relationship was with you. Avoid speaking poorly of anyone and be sure to end your response on a positive note.

"In my previous position, I did have a coworker who didn't pull their weight. This unmotivated coworker created more work for the rest of the team by being slow and unresponsive. Our team started to complete most of the tasks when it came to group projects. It didn't take much time before our department head noticed this particular individual was slacking. I feel like, in most instances, the underachievers will weed themselves out over time, and it's rarely worth making a fuss over."

If Stony Brook University Hospital hired you today, what would you accomplish first?

"When we were speaking earlier, you mentioned that you were urgently seeking to improve the level of patient care and compassion at this facility. I want to offer my strong skills when it comes to building patient rapport and help to improve the satisfaction of everyone that uses the services of Stony Brook University Hospital. I plan to make a positive impact very quickly."

When you start a new position, it is essential to set a goal on how you will make a positive impact quickly after being hired. Tell the interviewer what your impact goal is, should you be the successful candidate. If you want to make an impact with your answer, refer to the immediate needs of the company such as increasing budgets, or improving patient care, for instance.

"This question is a delicate one, and you need to show respect for the onboarding process, then give a moderately ambitious project that you could execute. This concept is often called your 'value proposition' in marketing. "Hire me because I'll do X." But remember this is your campaign promise, if hired, it will likely be your first target to hit and depending on the environment, it could make or break you. The best approach is to give a functional analysis of the employers' needs and your skills."

If you could expand your knowledge and expertise in any healthcare service area, which would you choose?

"If I could choose any area of healthcare services to be a subject matter expert in, I would choose geriatric care. I do feel that this particular focus is not as popular as some, and become an expert in it would allow me to snowball in my career."

There are many facets of health care. If you could choose any area of healthcare to specialize in, which would you choose? Be sure to tie your answer into some aspects of what Stony Brook University Hospital does.

"I have a variety of interests within healthcare service, so that is a tough question for me! I suppose if I had to narrow it to just one area of expertise, I would say palliative care and the necessary family care that comes with it."

What part of your healthcare career brings you the most stress?

"The part of my career that brings me the most stress is when the schedule is running behind due to lack of hustle on mine or my teams part. I like to be on time with my schedule to ensure that our patients and clients are assisted properly."

Stress can often be a regular part of the day to day work experience. Talk to the interviewer about which areas of your career are the most stressful. Ensure that your answer does not include a factor that would make you appear unfit for the position. (IE: a bus driver should not find driving to be the most stressful part of the job).

"To be completely transparent, I probably bring myself the most stress because of my innate desire to be the best. I strive for perfection too often, which causes undue stress on myself. I manage this by focusing my energy on productive activities that are good for my career."

Tell me about yourself.

"A bit about me - I love to travel, read, and conduct research. I am a recent grad from Columbia University and have spent the past 12 months traveling the world. It was the best experience that I could have given myself as I was able to learn so much from seeing how the rest of the world lives. I returned to the US just last month and had been actively looking for work the past couple of weeks. I am looking forward to getting into the routine of a career again."

Take a few minutes to tell the interviewer a few things about yourself. You can begin with your recent education, family life, volunteer work, or talk about your travels. Bring up anything that is interesting and highlights your ability to be a responsible, reliable, and bright individual.

"I am an avid marathon runner and have traveled to 10 countries in the last eight years to compete in a variety of races. I am a competitive individual and enjoy keeping fit. Being newer to my career in healthcare services, my biggest goal as of late has to take as many related courses and workshops as possible. I am eager to get a great start on my career."

Stony Brook University Hospital supports a healthy work/life balance for all employees. How do you balance life and work?

"I find that with the right company, it's pretty simple to balance life and work. When I enjoy what I do it doesn't feel like a chore. I am always sure that when at home, my family gets my attention first. I take time on the weekends to do things for myself and ensure that I regenerate before the work week begins."

It is essential to keep a healthy work/life balance to prevent burnout. Talk to the interviewer about how you can maintain that appropriate balance for yourself.

"I make a strong effort to keep a healthy balance by spending my free time away from my cell phone and having more face-to-face time with my friends and family. I indulge in the things that make me happy, on my time off. By consistently rejuvenating in this way, I can give even more energy when I am at work."

Stony Brook University Hospital is continually involved in groundbreaking medical research. Have you ever been involved in medical research during your career?

"While I haven't had a chance to partake in any research projects in my young career as a Nurse Practitioner, I've certainly personally witnessed the effects that research has had on the healthcare field. In upstate New York, I work with some patients that are suffering from Lyme's disease and I was so grateful to see the work that this institution has done to further research with the disease. I would love to be involved in future research in any primary care aspect as my patients would be able to someday reap the benefits of that research."

As a clinical, academic and research institution, Stony Brook University Hospital has provided groundbreaking research in many areas of healthcare, including research on Lyme's disease and creating new drugs to help cure sickness. For this question, don't worry if you have direct experience in working on research projects. If you do, that is great and be sure to elaborate on your experience. If you don't, there is no need to fret. Either way, be sure to talk about the importance of medical research in helping further better patient care and outcomes and show a willingness to participate in whatever way possible for the role you are interviewing for.

"Having worked as a nurse in Oncology for the last ten years, my work life has been in a state of constant change due to advancements in the care for patients diagnosed with cancer. These positive changes have all stemmed from research into the field and I feel very grateful to be able to see the positive impacts that new proton beam therapy and advanced chemotherapy have had on the patients that I work with. Because of great breakthroughs in cancer research, I have personally witnessed patients overcome illnesses that they may not have 10 to 15 years ago and this is a miracle to me each and every time. I'd love to be a part of any research that is happening in the department here at Stony Brook."

Patient care requires a strong amount of compassion. Do you consider yourself a compassionate person?

"I understand that compassion is one of the top qualities that I need to bring to the workplace, being in the healthcare services profession. I consider myself a very compassionate individual. I am warm hearted, responsive to my patients' needs, and always empathetic."

To succeed in the healthcare services industry, you should have a solid level of compassion for your patients or customers. Talk to the interviewer about the compassionate qualities that you possess. How would you rate your level of compassion for others?

"Some ways to describe yourself could be: - Understanding - Warm Hearted - Empathetic - Responsive - Charitable - Tender Hearted"

How would you describe your personality?

"I would describe my personality as approachable, light-hearted, and positive. I believe that, if asked, my colleagues and supervisor would say the same about me."

Personality and character are two very different things. The interviewer is looking for more information on your traits vs. your integrity. Your example could include buzzwords such as introverted, energetic, and confident.

"I'm genuinely easy-going, probably from all the international travel I experienced in my 20's. I like to do the right thing, and sometimes I get stressed trying to reach that goal, but I think it's a worthwhile endeavor. I can be funny, but my sense of humor is pretty dry, so people don't always know that about me when they first meet me."

When have you shown a willingness to learn a new method or new approach to solving a problem?

"When our facility came under new management last year many new methods and policies came into place. I was able to learn some exciting new approaches to our challenges in patient care and customer management. I quite enjoyed the process."

Being flexible, and able to handle change is a skill that all employers desire to see. Discuss with the interviewer your ability to approach a problem using new methods. Give a recent example but make sure to spend more time highlighting the resolution rather than the problem.

"It's funny; they say people in medicine are 'lifelong learners'. But on top of that, we're in this digital revolution, and everyone has to learn new software all the time. I'm finally getting old enough to realize that its difficult to be constantly adapting. I think my 75-year-old aunt telling me how to use my iPhone helped me appreciate that it's all about humility. Not WHO is teaching you, but if you are willing to learn. In the medical context, I just took an updated CPR course, and it went from the 2:15 compressions to continuous compressions and I had to adapt to avoid my past way of thinking."

Stony Brook University Hospital seeks to hire those with strong problem solving skills. When were you able to successfully resolve a problem in the workplace?

"In my most recent position we had a consistent problem with employees showing up late for their shifts or calling in sick at the very last moment. Rather than the typical documenting and reprimanding style that management usually takes, I decided to track the results of an accountability reward system. For 180 days, my employees were rewarded for coming to work 10 minutes early. Also, for every month with zero sick days, a bonus was added. In the end, we awarded those with perfect attendance a $600 bonus. The bonus' cost us less money, in the end than the cost of lowered productivity due to absent employees. The program was a success, and upper management chose to keep it implemented for another six months. We will re-assess in December, but it seems to be working very well."

Problem-solving and dispute resolution are critical skills to possess. Display to the interviewer that you are capable of problem-solving within the workplace. Talk about a time when you were creative, proactive, and displayed the leadership qualities required to resolve a workplace issue.

"I was working in a clinic where the primary population was low income. We had a lot of concerns with patients not showing up for appointments when expected. The staff wanted to start double-booking patient time slots. Instead, I got permission to spend a day in a highly-rated clinic serving the same population. Instead of scheduling, they had these 'drop-in mornings' with a common waiting room. I took these methods and incorporated them into our setting. We did that twice a week, and it completely solved our scheduling problem."

At Stony Brook University Hospital we seek to hire individuals who have ambitions of growing their career. Where do you see yourself in 3-5 years?

"In 3-5 years I would like to see my career with Stony Brook University Hospital include a path towards a leadership role. I am very keen on paving a long-term career in the healthcare services realm and would love the opportunity to do that here."

Every hiring manager would like to know that their investment of time and training will pay off. Assure the interviewer that you see this position as a long-term fit. How does this role with Stony Brook University Hospital fit into your longer-term plans?

"One of the attractive points of working for Stony Brook University Hospital is that you care about the growth of your employees. I'm motivated to learn and am looking for a long-term fit. In 3-5 years I'd like to be grounded in the clinic, learn about this site, your patient base and earn certifications that would help the unit advance. Personally, I'd like to get involved in some of the local volunteer organizations. I speak Spanish, and I have an interest in urban outreach so it would be nice to do something formal in that context...health-education or fundraising."

At Stony Brook University Hospital, accountability is an integral part of our ICARE philosophy. Talk about a time where you were accountable for your actions after making a mistake on the job. How did you go about owning up to that mistake?

"During one of my first shifts after taking my job with my current employer, I realized that I had provided a patient with wrong instructions on how to find our dialysis clinic that was located off-site. Immediately, I took every step possible to obtain the patient's contact information to get a hold of him. Luckily, our schedulers had his phone number and I immediately called him. He was very appreciative as he had just left our clinic and had to simply turnaround on the next exit to head the right way. Knowing he had an initial consult there, I called the dialysis center to let them know he'd be a little late. After doing this, I approached my director to let her know what had happened for transparency and to hopefully prevent this again. Because of approaching her, we had nice business cards created with the address for dialysis so we could easily hand to patients."

Being able to take responsibility for your actions is critical to show that you are accountable in your work. Your interviewer knows that your are human and that you make mistakes in your work, so don't hesitate to point a work mistake out to them. What is more important for you answering this question is that you demonstrate that you owned up to your mistake and learned an important lesson from that mistake. In your example, be open and honest with your interviewer regarding the situation and elaborate on those lessons learned and your ability to take responsibility for your mistakes.

"A couple of years ago, I had misread a work order for an x-ray on a patients chest area. After the patient had left and the radiologist was reading the images, I was contacted by the radiologist and he told me that I neglected to get the needed images from all angles on the upper shoulder blade area. I let my supervisor know right away and we took the appropriate steps to get the patient back immediately. First and foremost, I apologized to the patient for my mistake and he was pretty understanding while being obviously upset that he had to come back for more images. The department gave him a gift card for gas because of my mistake. More importantly, I learned that even during busy times with patients that I need to slow down and carefully read each work order to ensure that I am providing timely and accurate images to our providers. I think about this situation daily on the job to ensure that I take the time needed with each patient to avoid another mistake like this in the future."

It is often said that a career in healthcare is a 'thankless job'. How can we keep you motivated and engaged, even on the days when you feel your work goes unnoticed?

"I am an easily motivated individual, and it does not take much to keep me engaged. I am fully aware that healthcare-related positions can seem thankless. Honestly, the best thanks that I can get is a pat on the back now and then. The majority of my motivation comes from simply helping people."

The interviewer would like to know how they could continue to motivate you - even on the hardest of days. Do you need to have verbal recognition? Are you motivated solely by the success of your team? Talk to the interviewer about how you have stayed motivated in the past.

"My chosen career was helping people at exactly the point they were least capable of censoring themselves or giving back. So, I stopped needing thanks from my patients. It's not like I don't need positive reinforcement. Everyone does. But I made a point to find it in other places instead of expecting it from my patients. Nowadays I make an effort to expressly thank the people I work with when they do a good job. I focus on being grateful to be allowed to see private, raw, emotional parts of peoples lives. And I make work-related goals I can achieve for satisfaction."

If you could expand your knowledge and expertise in any area of healthcare services, which would you choose?

"If I could expand my expertise in any healthcare service area I would choose anything within primary care. This is one of the reasons I have applied with your company. I feel that your focus will be a great fit with my long-term career goals."

The interviewer would like to dig deeper into your true areas of interest when it comes to healthcare services. They want to know that your passions align well with what Stony Brook University Hospital is offering. Talk to the interviewer about the areas of healthcare you would like to focus on most, and then tie that information in with what the position at Stony Brook University Hospital would be offering you.

"I'm interested in research. One of the things that attracted me to working with your company is your ongoing community-based research collaborations. I'd be curious to hear if the [clinic/hospital/program] had any needs in this area. Is this something junior staff can be involved in?"

Healthcare service companies require strong organizational skills and attention to detail. How do you ensure that your work is properly organized, and highly accurate?

"I am a highly detailed person, and I thrive on having a high level of organization in my day. This organization includes my scheduling, paperwork, and more. If I am offered a position with Stony Brook University Hospital you will never find me to be disorganized! I utilize my Outlook calendar and set alerts for myself for deadlines and important activities. My documentation is strong as well."

The success of the healthcare industry thrives on the accuracy of information, and organization. Talk to the interviewer about the ways that you ensure accuracy and organization in your day to day activities. Perhaps you use a particular app or software. Maybe you are a pen and paper person. Whatever your method, be sure to highlight that you are successful in organizing your day.

"I'm a bit of a nerd. I carry around a notebook and write down important facts if I think there is a chance I will forget them. But this is usually just for transitions. Every clinic I've ever worked in has its way of communicating and recording facts, so I put time and attention into using the system the people around me are using. That way its easier to transition care and the patient has all their info in the same place. My notebook saves me when I'm swamped, but I try to be efficient and put info directly into the [group record/EMR/chart] when I can."

In order to work for Stony Brook University Hospital, you must be able to pass a full criminal background check. Do you consent to a full background check?

"I have a clean criminal record and am happy to comply with any background check you require of me."

Working in the healthcare services industry means that you are in contact with vulnerable people, children, pharmaceutical drugs, drug-related equipment, confidential information, and other areas of sensitivity. Assure the interviewer that you are able and willing to pass a complete background check. If you have a criminal record, you must disclose this.

"No problem. I understand that it's part of the job. But I want to be up-front, I have done a full background check before, and there is a possibility you will see a charge for possession of marijuana in the check. It was several years ago, and it's no longer an issue for me because I've made significant changes in my life to pursue this career. But I don't want you to be surprised by the information. I'm happy to answer any questions you have."

"I have a misdemeanor on my record from 15 years ago. I am happy to continue in the interview process and comply with your background checks should you allow for some exceptions."

What is your patient care philosophy?

"Every day at work, I remind myself that everyone I come across has their struggles. Every person we care for has a story. I make sure to get to know my patients whenever possible. Everyone has the right to compassionate care."

It's always a great idea to research the company before your interview. You want to get to know their care philosophy so that your answer can reflect what is important to them. What is the core of your care philosophy? Keep your answer concise yet sincere.

"I have three philosophies when it comes to my work. One for the clinic, one for me, and one for the patient. First, I work in a system, and I respect that. I follow the rules, I maintain my certifications, and I appreciate the policies and values of whatever site I work. Patient care is a privilege, and I respect the role I have in clinical care and the part other people have. Second, I want to be the best at what I do. Every day I learn something, and that's because I choose to get better. Last, I adapt to the individual. If I'm meeting the requirements of my position, and evolving within my profession, then I am free to adjust to my patient and be the provider they need. Some patients need a lot of attention; some want less, and some need boundaries. I have trained myself to adapt my communication style, so a patient gets what they need."

Talk about a time where you had to approach your leader about handling a difficult situation in the workplace when other colleagues were hesitant to do so. Why was it important that you did this?

"Last year, when I was covering for a week on our Med/Surg unit, I noticed that the supply room was not meeting fire code in the hospital with boxes stacked up to the ceiling and the sprinkler being blocked as well. Being a part of the safety committee with my organization, I knew these were violations of code. Upon asking one of the nurse in the unit, I gathered that the team stocked the closet as full as possible to avoid running out of supplies during their busy shifts. Knowing this was an issue and a potential Joint Commission finding if a survey were to happen, I spoke to the shift supervisor about the issues and changes were made even prior to my shift early the next week. She was appreciative I brought the issues forward due to the glaring safety concerns."

At the heart of this question lies your integrity in your work, something that Stony Brook University values in its ICARE philosophy. For you answer, think of a situation where patient care, safety, quality or another vital factor to the success of your organization was being compromised. Talk about your thought process in regard to why you decided to approach your supervisor or director about the issue and explain why others may have been hesitant to do so. Reiterate that you had the best in mind for patients or your colleagues when you took the issue forward and also speak about any lessons you may have learned from the situation.

"Out of college in my first job as a Medical Lab Technician, I was immediately warned during my orientation that a senior level tech in our lab could be a bully to other coworkers at times. Not wanting to have any preconceived judgments, I waited until our first shift together to see if this person truly was a bully. During our first evening shift together, the tech was very unwilling to help with any questions that I asked and told my I'd need to address them with our director. She was also very critical of a couple of my samples that I process, even when I knew I was following our protocols. I simply let her know that I would appreciate a kinder tone. When it didn't improve directly with me over the next three shifts, I didn't hesitate to approach my supervisor because I absolutely loved the job and the organization. Others in our department told me they didn't want to pursue it any further because the bullying colleague and our supervisor were friends outside of work. After approaching my supervisor with my feelings, things did get better over the following weeks and months until one day the employee notified the group at a team meeting that she had put her notice in to take a new job outside of the organization."

Tell me about your healthcare related education and training.

"I have a nursing degree as well as additional on the job training within clinical research. I feel that my nursing education opened up many potential industry-related avenues for me. I graduated top of my class and completed a valuable internship with 'XYZ Health Services'. All of these experiences have helped prepare me for success in this role with Stony Brook University Hospital."

Take a few minutes to walk the interviewer through your formal post-secondary education as well as any on the job training. Talk about your most positive take-away's from your post-secondary experience and be sure to tie in how that experience will help you succeed in this position.

"I did my undergraduate in chemistry and medical school at St. George's University. I loved surgery, so my electives were in general surgery, trauma epidemiology, and orthopedics. I'm happy to be moving on to more responsibility as a resident. I have had some amazing mentors, and I found that I could perform with some different teaching styles."

In the healthcare services industry there are many emotions in a day. Have your emotions ever been in the way of your productivity?

"Everyone is emotional to a certain degree, and I would consider myself kind-hearted and open. A career in healthcare can be emotional at times; however, I choose to focus on the positives. For instance - if we are close to losing a patient, I will focus on the positive memories rather than the illness. This mindset has consistently allowed me to continue with a productive shift no matter the emotions that come my way. "

The interviewer wants to know if you consider yourself to be an emotionally driven person. Talk to the interviewer about your emotions and if they have ever affected your productivity at work. Keep in mind - almost everyone is an emotional creature to some degree, but there are other ways that you can describe yourself that have a more positive connotation. If you are passionate, you could choose to refer to yourself as: - Expressive - Communicative - Open - Unreserved - Warm Hearted

"This is a great question. I think the right answer is, 'of course, but not for long'! We've all had those tough cases. A child dies, a patient yells at you, or you have to give someone a cancer diagnosis. Its professional to take a few minutes after an encounter like that and let those emotions come and go. I cope with these emotions by telling myself that it's not my story, its the patient's story. I think it's okay to be moved by someone else's experience, but I don't need to make it mine."

At Stony Brook University Hospital we seek to hire individuals who display a keen interest in the healthcare arena. Would you consider yourself dedicated to a career in healthcare services?

"My entire career has been dedicated to the healthcare services field. I find it incredibly rewarding and interesting because I get to help others and every day brings new challenges! One of the reasons I applied for this role with Stony Brook University Hospital is because I can see a long-term fit here. I plan to work in the healthcare segment for my entire career."

Assure the interviewer that you are dedicated to a lucrative career in the healthcare services industry. The hiring manager would like to know that this position fits into your long-term plan and that, if hired, you would stay with Stony Brook University Hospital as long as possible.

"I know this career can take a toll on personal life, and I understand that while it can be more-or-less sustainable, it's more than just a job for me. So far, I have dedicated my entire adult life to this career. I have shadowed numerous professionals and have worked multiple clinics. I know this is the right career for me."

"This career is not just something I want to do 8-5 to get by; it's something I want to BE. I want to be someone who dedicates themselves to a craft. I chose healthcare because the learning opportunities are endless. It's constantly evolving. I find the human body is fascinating, and I think that society is only healthy when it cares for its wounded."

Stony Brook University Hospital Interview Questions

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1. Stony Brook University Hospital has a diverse workforce. When have you worked amongst a diverse group of people?
2. Have you ever had to collaborate with a patient regarding their care? If so, why was it important to do so?
3. Do you think it is possible to be a good team member, yet disagree with the leader?
4. Why do you think you will be successful in this role with Stony Brook University Hospital?
5. If you came to work for Stony Brook University Hospital, would the transition to the Long Island area be difficult for you?
6. Rate your problem solving skills from 1-10. How do you justify your rating?
7. In your opinion, what makes you a great problem solver?
8. What type of work environment do you dislike working in?
9. At Stony Brook University Hospital, we pride ourselves on being an HRO - a high reliability organization. How do you ensure that your work is error free on a day to day basis?
10. Think about a difficult boss, professor or coworker. What made him or her difficult? How did you successfully interact with this person?
11. If Stony Brook University Hospital hired you today, what would you accomplish first?
12. If you could expand your knowledge and expertise in any healthcare service area, which would you choose?
13. What part of your healthcare career brings you the most stress?
14. Tell me about yourself.
15. Stony Brook University Hospital supports a healthy work/life balance for all employees. How do you balance life and work?
16. Stony Brook University Hospital is continually involved in groundbreaking medical research. Have you ever been involved in medical research during your career?
17. Patient care requires a strong amount of compassion. Do you consider yourself a compassionate person?
18. How would you describe your personality?
19. When have you shown a willingness to learn a new method or new approach to solving a problem?
20. Stony Brook University Hospital seeks to hire those with strong problem solving skills. When were you able to successfully resolve a problem in the workplace?
21. At Stony Brook University Hospital we seek to hire individuals who have ambitions of growing their career. Where do you see yourself in 3-5 years?
22. At Stony Brook University Hospital, accountability is an integral part of our ICARE philosophy. Talk about a time where you were accountable for your actions after making a mistake on the job. How did you go about owning up to that mistake?
23. It is often said that a career in healthcare is a 'thankless job'. How can we keep you motivated and engaged, even on the days when you feel your work goes unnoticed?
24. If you could expand your knowledge and expertise in any area of healthcare services, which would you choose?
25. Healthcare service companies require strong organizational skills and attention to detail. How do you ensure that your work is properly organized, and highly accurate?
26. In order to work for Stony Brook University Hospital, you must be able to pass a full criminal background check. Do you consent to a full background check?
27. What is your patient care philosophy?
28. Talk about a time where you had to approach your leader about handling a difficult situation in the workplace when other colleagues were hesitant to do so. Why was it important that you did this?
29. Tell me about your healthcare related education and training.
30. In the healthcare services industry there are many emotions in a day. Have your emotions ever been in the way of your productivity?
31. At Stony Brook University Hospital we seek to hire individuals who display a keen interest in the healthcare arena. Would you consider yourself dedicated to a career in healthcare services?

Stony Brook University Hospital Interview Questions

1. Stony Brook University Hospital has a diverse workforce. When have you worked amongst a diverse group of people?

2. Have you ever had to collaborate with a patient regarding their care? If so, why was it important to do so?

3. Do you think it is possible to be a good team member, yet disagree with the leader?

4. Why do you think you will be successful in this role with Stony Brook University Hospital?

5. If you came to work for Stony Brook University Hospital, would the transition to the Long Island area be difficult for you?

6. Rate your problem solving skills from 1-10. How do you justify your rating?

7. In your opinion, what makes you a great problem solver?

8. What type of work environment do you dislike working in?

9. At Stony Brook University Hospital, we pride ourselves on being an HRO - a high reliability organization. How do you ensure that your work is error free on a day to day basis?

10. Think about a difficult boss, professor or coworker. What made him or her difficult? How did you successfully interact with this person?

11. If Stony Brook University Hospital hired you today, what would you accomplish first?

12. If you could expand your knowledge and expertise in any healthcare service area, which would you choose?

13. What part of your healthcare career brings you the most stress?

14. Tell me about yourself.

15. Stony Brook University Hospital supports a healthy work/life balance for all employees. How do you balance life and work?

16. Stony Brook University Hospital is continually involved in groundbreaking medical research. Have you ever been involved in medical research during your career?

17. Patient care requires a strong amount of compassion. Do you consider yourself a compassionate person?

18. How would you describe your personality?

19. When have you shown a willingness to learn a new method or new approach to solving a problem?

20. Stony Brook University Hospital seeks to hire those with strong problem solving skills. When were you able to successfully resolve a problem in the workplace?

21. At Stony Brook University Hospital we seek to hire individuals who have ambitions of growing their career. Where do you see yourself in 3-5 years?

22. At Stony Brook University Hospital, accountability is an integral part of our ICARE philosophy. Talk about a time where you were accountable for your actions after making a mistake on the job. How did you go about owning up to that mistake?

23. It is often said that a career in healthcare is a 'thankless job'. How can we keep you motivated and engaged, even on the days when you feel your work goes unnoticed?

24. If you could expand your knowledge and expertise in any area of healthcare services, which would you choose?

25. Healthcare service companies require strong organizational skills and attention to detail. How do you ensure that your work is properly organized, and highly accurate?

26. In order to work for Stony Brook University Hospital, you must be able to pass a full criminal background check. Do you consent to a full background check?

27. What is your patient care philosophy?

28. Talk about a time where you had to approach your leader about handling a difficult situation in the workplace when other colleagues were hesitant to do so. Why was it important that you did this?

29. Tell me about your healthcare related education and training.

30. In the healthcare services industry there are many emotions in a day. Have your emotions ever been in the way of your productivity?

31. At Stony Brook University Hospital we seek to hire individuals who display a keen interest in the healthcare arena. Would you consider yourself dedicated to a career in healthcare services?