Sutter Health prides itself on reinvesting resources back into their communities. Why do you feel it is important for a healthcare organization to be involved in and invest resources into their communities?
Employees of Sutter Health need to have a much bigger picture in mind when thinking of delivering healthcare to patients. Your interviewer will be looking to see that you understand that a community's overall health can significantly impact the population as a whole. No one has a more significant impact on the community's overall health than the healthcare organizations, their providers, and their employees. Speak from a big picture point of view and talk about any things you have been a part of that helped give back to the community.
"I pursued a career in healthcare because I truly care about all people's overall health and well-being. While I can impact individual patients that I care for, there are so many more people that can be impacted by actions that organizations like Sutter Health take to benefit the greater good of communities and the people that live there. My current organization is in a low-income area, so I have worked at an open clinic for at-risk expectant mothers. A local group sponsored the program to provide low-income, at-risk mothers with prenatal care that would not otherwise seek care before their child is born. Being a part of this gave me such a great feeling as I was a young mother at one time."
"Having grown up in northern California, I feel a close connection to the communities and the people in the place I've called home my whole life. Healthcare is an overlooked amenity for most people, and I do my best to educate and impact lives when I can, but I am only one person. In my current job, I work at a free clinic that provides access to uninsured individuals in an urgent care setting. With backing from the state, I have witnessed many great outcomes for people who wouldn't have sought care for things like bronchitis, ear infections, and UTIs."
You want to assure the interviewer that you agree with their vision and core values. When you agree that it is essential to invest in and give back to the community, it shows you are a compassionate and thoughtful person.
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
I think the best way to care for those that come into the hospital is by first caring for them outside of the hospital in the community. Trying to do preventative care will, in turn, lower the amount of individuals that have to come into the hospital. Personally, I have been volunteering for a couple of years at the Table, an organization that gives homeless individuals a meal a day. When I go once a month with my group, we try to provide them with a balanced meal that will be able to give them the proper nutrients for the day.
Lauren's Feedback
Great response. You are providing unique information about yourself that will help you stand out from other candidates. I added some language to make the response inclusive of healthcare and public health"“ see below.
Public Health should be a priority and core value for all healthcare organizations. Prevention in the community will reduce the number of hospitalizations. Healthier lifestyles and everyday living will enhance the community surrounding our facility. I am a volunteer for a local nonprofit, The Table, which provides the homeless population with one meal per day. Every month, I assist the group in providing a balanced meal to promote a day's worth of proper nutrients. It is steps and measures like this that can make our community healthier.
Anonymous Answer
I believe that I was put on this earth to be of service for my neighbors, and now I can do that for my community. Now that I have an education in healthcare, I believe I can touch people with it and provide care for others. With my current situation, being in a low-income family, I have witnessed people without healthcare, and I wanted to be apart of an organization that can put me out there and cares for their well-being.
Rachelle's Feedback
Your response is heartfelt and genuine; one that the interviewer should greatly appreciate. Try adding in more detail on why it's important for Sutter to be involved and invest resources.
"I believe that I was put on this earth to be of service for my neighbors. Now that I have an education in healthcare, I can touch people with my knowledge by providing exceptional care. With my current situation, being in a low-income family, I have witnessed people without healthcare. I want to be part of an organization that can put me in a position to care for others. It's important that Sutter is involved in the community because...(give your reasoning)."
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