43% of Sutter Health's workforce is ethnically diverse. Talk about a time you had to work among a diverse workforce or a diverse patient base. What adjustments did you have to make to your style?

"The current department I work in is very culturally diverse, and I find working closely with my entire team to be stimulating and educational. We all come from different backgrounds, and our diversity brings many new and fresh ideas to our daily work. I truly appreciate this. From my own personal standpoint, I don't have to make any adjustments to my style as I treat all people with respect and openness."

Sutter Health practices among a highly diverse population base, and 43% of the employees at the organization are ethnically diverse. For employees to thrive with Sutter, they must be able to work with a culturally and ethnically diverse group of people, and your interviewer will be looking to hear your ability to do this. Talk about how you value diversity and how it impacts how you interact with others in a positive light.

There are two parts to this question. Focus on discussing when you have worked with a diverse patient population or workforce. Then, describe if you had to make any adjustments to your style or treat everyone the same.

"During my clinical rotations, I made it a point to experience working in an LGBTQ clinic setting, and I wouldn't trade that experience for anything in the world. The experience opened my eyes and my ability to work with people with a completely different background and mindset than me. My biggest lesson was that even though people may be different on the outside, we are all the same on the inside, and all deserve the greatest healthcare possible. I did not need to adjust my style as I treat everyone with dignity and respect. Moving forward, I would love to provide this same compassionate care to this population with Sutter Health."

Sutter Health Corporation was initially looking for someone with 5 years of experience in a similar role. Considering you have just 2 years of experience, what salary range do you expect?

"I would be happy to earn my way to the top compensation level if required. I assure you that, despite my being shy of experience by a couple of years, I am a top performer, and you would not be disappointed in my performance if hired."

The interviewer wants to hear if you would be willing to accept this position at a lower range than they would offer someone with five years of experience. Tell the interviewer what salary range you would expect to receive if offered the position.

Review the job description and see what salary range is listed. Then, focus on explaining what range you are looking for based on your years of experience.

"I understand I do not quite meet the qualifications of experience you are looking for and am willing to be compensated in adjustment to that fact. However, I look forward to proving my worth to Sutter Health in hopes of being considered for the median salary for the role."

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

"I think 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 disagree with your leader. Show the interviewer that you can be a good team member yet disagree with the leader occasionally. Explain that you believe everyone is entitled to their own professional opinion yet capable of maintaining respect for each other simultaneously. Show that even if you disagree with the final decision they make, you support the direction the team is heading.

If you want to be considered for the position, you want to say that you can be a good team player even when you disagree with your leader. The interviewer wants to see that you can act professionally and diplomatically in the workplace even if there is a disagreement.

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

"I believe everyone has their own professional opinion, and if there is a disagreement, I can come to terms with the leader with it and still treat them with respect but have a different opinion. Even if I disagree with the final decision I will still support the direction the team is heading."

To help lower healthcare costs for patients, Sutter Health expects employees to use resources wisely. What are some ways that you use resources efficiently and wisely to help reduce costs for your organization and patients?

"I take pride in the fact that I reduce waste and the use of unnecessary supplies when I am on the job. As a sterile processing technician, I pay close attention to supplies that often get wasted in the OR setting. I utilize our nursing, surgical tech, and physician teams to ensure that operating trays include only the necessary supplies for a given procedure. Seeing wasted supplies thrown in the garbage heavily impacts my organization's bottom line, and I do my best to curb this."

With the need for patients to reduce their healthcare costs coupled with organizations working under tight budgets, the need to work efficiently with resources on the job is of utmost importance at Sutter Health. Your interviewer will be looking to get the sense that you have fiscal responsibility in mind when using your time and company resources. Give a specific example of how you are smart with equipment, supplies, or your time to express this.

The interviewer wants to see that you are creative with your resources and conscientious of how expensive healthcare can be. Describe specific ways you help the company and your patients to save money.

"In my current position, time is money, and I ensure I utilize my time wisely and efficiently. I'm not the person to sit around twiddling my thumbs to collect a paycheck, so any downtime I have is spent cleaning, organizing, or helping others out on their job."

"I think that is incredibly important to be conscious of all the materials you need so that you are not costing patients more than they need to pay. One of the easiest ways to do this is make a list of supplies that you need for each procedure that you complete with a patient so that you are sure that you are not grabbing unnecessary items. I think also knowing all the resources in the hospital that you can teach patients about and their family members will help with making sure cost has not risen."

"In my current position, time is not wasted, and I utilize my time on the clock to its utmost potential. If I see something that needs to be cleaned, sanitized, or organized, I will do it. Also, if my team members need an extra hand, I will come forth and help them. I am not the one to sit around and chat all day when I can be utilizing my time learning under the clock. Also, making sure I do something right the first time, for example, EKG leads, needles, and urinalysis tests. That way, I don't waste products."

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?

"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."

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.

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.

"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."

"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."

"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."

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 occasionally have times when I am not as efficient as I would like to be, but I do feel that my problem-solving skills are above average. My supervisor and coworkers 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, you must remain realistic. Everyone has room to learn and improve! Be sure to justify your score as well.

After rating your problem-solving skills, give examples of how you approach a problem. It helps show the interviewer that you realize solving problems is a process. It also shows the interviewer that you have critical thinking skills, which are highly desirable skills to possess as a healthcare professional.

"I would rate myself a solid 8.3 on a scale of 10. It 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."

"I would rate my skills at a 7/10, as I feel like I am very efficient in solving problems, I think with experience this will only continue to grow. I rate them at a seven because of my ability to stay calm and time-efficient under pressure. In a stressful situation, it is not only important to solve the problem the fastest as possible but to also be efficient and conscientious of the results and to always keep the patients' best interest in mind."

"I believe I would be an 8 out of 10 generally because I like to take my time and think, especially under a fast-paced workplace as I am right now, the most important key in problem-solving is to stop what you're doing and think. Most people jet on the idea of solving a problem quickly, but sometimes all you have to do is stop and think and sometimes ask for help. I think that's what my supervisors and co-workers commend me on because I can solve a problem before getting a supervisor to help. That said, I think I get my best outcome when I am faced with a challenge."

33% of Sutter Health's patients speak another language than English. Are you fluent in any languages other than English? Have you worked with patients that aren't fluent in English or have English as a second language?

"I rate my Spanish speaking skills a 5 out of 10. Having studied the language all four years of high school, I feel confident in my abilities to communicate with Spanish-speaking patients in my first job out of college. I didn't get the opportunity to do so during my clinical rotations."

If you are fluent or even have some experience speaking a foreign language, be sure to let your interviewer know this. If you don't speak another language, be open and honest with your interviewer while keeping the door open to learning the basics of a new language or working with a translator. Feel free to ask questions during the interview to gain familiarity with the most common patients.

If you speak another language, describe your fluency level. If you do not speak another language, show the interviewer you are open and willing to learn a specific language if needed for the position.

"Unfortunately, English is the only language I am fluent in after taking only one year of German as a freshman in high school. Can you elaborate on what languages are most common among the patients of Sutter Health? I would be more than willing to further my education in a second language if necessary."

"I am not fluent in any other languages, but have had the opportunity to work in a very diverse setting that allowed me to communicate with someone who did not speak any English or very little. I have used both a video translator, an in-person translator, and someone over the phone. I think that when working with someone who speaks another language than myself it is important to still speak to them and not to the translator."

"I am very fluent in English as I come from a diverse country where I have learned many languages. I also know languages like Gujarati, Hindi, and Marathi, and I am fluent in speaking, writing, and reading."

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."

The interviewer wants to know if you are flexible in your ability to work in most environments. They also want to see if you have experienced a position where the atmosphere wasn't conducive to your productivity. Be sure to know the situation offered in this position before 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.

When you are asked a question that has a negative answer, you always want to turn it into a positive. Briefly describe the work environment you dislike working in. Then, spend more time explaining the positive work environment you enjoy.

"I prefer to focus on the positive, so if it's okay, I would like to share my ideal work environment. 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."

"I can work in most work environments but am challenged when I have to work somewhere where the overall attitude is poor, or negative. I feel that even with trying your best this is something that can be spread throughout an entire team if carried on for a long period of time."

With the ongoing changes in the healthcare services industry, how do you keep your knowledge current?

"Every morning, I listen to the Med Tech Talk Podcast because I find the information to be current and extremely informative. In addition to this podcast, I also subscribe to industry magazines. One is Medgate Today, and the other is Healthcare IT News. I also greatly value the information shared between fellow professionals. What resources do you prefer to stay on top of industry trends and changes?"

Employers expect employees to stay up-to-date on their respective fields, and today's technology makes this reasonably easy! List several ways you receive your industry knowledge and stay on top of trends. Tell the interviewer about those daily email updates you receive from professional organizations, conferences you attend, and seminars you have taken.Lastly, asking the interviewer what resources they refer to for industry trends is a great idea. That question can start up a great conversation, and you may learn a thing or two.

Focus on providing several ways you stay current in your field. There is a lot of information out there, and the interviewer wants to hear that you take advantage of that information to keep up-to-date on changes in the healthcare industry. When a candidate uses their personal time to stay informed of changes, it shows the interviewer you are dedicated to your field.

"I am an avid fan of Google alerts! I receive an email with the related information whenever there is a major headline about the healthcare industry. In addition to this, I also subscribe to a couple of healthcare journals, take continuing education courses, and attend annual healthcare industry conferences."

"I try to learn something new everyday. To continue my knowledge of oncology, I am a member of the ONS and attend the monthly meetings to hear from different reps about a new treatment or medication."

"Well, from the school I received my training and Medical Assisting certificate from, Institute of Technology gives me the benefit of being an alumnus to come to old phlebotomy classes and re-test me on drug calculations and medical terminology knowing that will always be changed and updated throughout time. And if there is something new to learn, I can always be updated there. I always go there, and I can sit through a class while the instructor is lecturing. What resources do you prefer to stay on top of industry trends and changes?"

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 saw that he meant well and recognized that he wanted to do many 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."

The interviewer wants to hear how you handle adversity and conflict in the workplace. They want to hear of a time when it was challenging to work with someone and how you handled the situation professionally.

Show the interviewer that you work well with most personalities even though you recognize some folks who are pretty 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 their relationship with you. Avoid speaking poorly of anyone, and be sure to end your response on a positive note.

"In my previous position, I had 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 regarding group projects. It didn't take much time before our department head noticed this 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."

"In school, I had a group project where one of the members did not do their part. This was frustrating but always a great lesson about working with a team. Not every team member is going to want to complete their part, so it up to the other team members to pull together and not dwell over what was not done."

Do you feel it is important that a healthcare organization be involved in the greater community? What are ways you've seen this happen during your time in the field?

"During my time in nursing school, blood shortages were a major issue, and I volunteered my time to gain experience working at a blood bank. Knowing that I was potentially providing a positive impact on many lives was a force that drove me to do this. I know that northern California has many great needs in the greater community, and I'd love to be a part of Sutter's efforts moving forward."

Sutter Health has implemented a Community Benefit program that caters to the needs of those in poverty, responds to public health needs, and provides education/research to improve community health. Because of this, they are looking to hire people that buy into the notion that communities can benefit from the extra effort provided by the organization. Speak to your interviewer about the importance of community involvement and discuss any programs or initiatives you've been a part of during your time in the healthcare industry.

If you have worked in the healthcare industry, you have undoubtedly seen organizations that are involved with working with the community. If you are new to the field, explain why you agree that healthcare organizations should be involved in helping the community improve their health.

"Growing up in a poverty-stricken neighborhood, I was motivated to pursue a career in healthcare at a very young age. Sickness, disease, mental health, and addiction are all factors that seem to hit these areas hard, and a lack of access to care and programs for help is lacking big time. Knowing that Sutter Health has these issues on its radar and is taking action makes me excited to be a part of this organization. In my current role, I help provide community learning sessions on increasing health concerns like flu shots, the spread of STDs, and mental health awareness in our community."

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 senior services and geriatric care. I do feel that this particular focus is not as popular as some, and becoming an expert in it would allow me more opportunities in my career. I volunteer at a local assisted living facility once or twice weekly and enjoy being around the older generation."

There are many facets of health care. If you could choose any area of healthcare to specialize in, talk about which you would choose and why. The interviewer wants to see if you are interested in a different specialty area to see where your interests lie. Be sure to tie your answer into one of the specialty services offered at Sutter Health.

Many companies like to hire within to save money and time on interviewing, hiring, and training new employees. The interviewer wants to see if you are interested in another specialty area in case a job opens up, and Sutter Health could offer you that position.

"I have various interests within healthcare service, so that is a tough question for me! If I had to narrow it to just one area of expertise, I would say palliative care and advanced illness management. I see the benefits of palliative care to both patients and their family members, and I would like to learn more about that specialty service."

When do you feel the most amount of stress in your career?

"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."

Stress is often a daily experience working in the healthcare industry. 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. (i.e., a healthcare professional should not find the sight of blood to be the most stressful part of the job).

First, briefly discuss what brings you the most stress in your given profession. Then, spend more time talking about how you combat stress and do not let it interfere with your ability to perform your job.

"I feel the most stress in my career when my unit is understaffed. At my last place of employment, they had a high turnover, and we were constantly understaffed and overworked. There was nothing I could do about it, so I focused on what needed to be done with my patients and did not let the stress get to me. Over time, it started to get to me, which is why I am interviewing for this position. I understand from your staff that Sutter Health does not have the same understaffing issues. I look forward to working in a less stressful environment."

Sutter Health partners with community programs to give access to social services to their patients. Have you ever worked with outside programs to provide resources to a patient? How did this help them?

"During my time as a behavioral health nurse, I've seen many great community programs help our patients. Addiction management programs and community integration programs have been extremely useful. With a recent patient, I led the charge to get a heroin addict help with further treatment outside of our facility after his discharge. A quick call to Community Recovery Resources and the patient's willingness made it easy for me to connect him to a treatment program that hopefully yields great results as he looks to piece his life together."

Outside of a clinic or hospital setting, patients may require access to resources to help them heal or get their health back on the right track. Sutter Health prides itself on partnering with external community resources and programs to help their patients in this manner. For this question, give a specific example of a time you saw this at work for a patient and talk about what role you played and how it helped your patient.

This is another two-part question, and the interviewer wants to hear answers to both of their questions. Describe your experience working with outside programs and how they helped your patient.

"The community and county I work in now have many great resources for the patients I see. While we can do many things within the walls of our clinic, patients often need more help outside in their personal lives. I have utilized senior services and community integration programs for the patients I work with in our family practice. I give extra effort to provide resources and contacts for these programs to patients that can use their services. These programs have helped many patients receive home health nurses and respite care for their caregivers."

Sutter Health supports a healthy work/life balance for all employees. How do you balance your personal and professional life?

"I find that it's pretty simple to balance life and work with the right company. It doesn't feel like a chore when I enjoy what I do. I am always sure that when at home, my family gets my attention first. We like to go camping, hiking, and kayaking. Participating in these activities with my family clears my head and regenerates me for my next shift."

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

The interviewer wants to hear that you have ways to destress when away from work. Stress can cause many health issues and lead to job burnout. Describe what activities you enjoy participating in on your days off so the interviewer can see that you have found a healthy balance and return to work energized.

"I make a strong effort to keep a healthy balance by spending my free time away from my cell phone and having quality time with my friends and family. I indulge in the things that make me happy on my days off. Since I work inside all the time, I like doing outdoor activities. I play tennis, do yoga, and love gardening. I can give even more energy at work by consistently rejuvenating in this way."

We at Sutter Health believes that the power of combined efforts exceeds what an individual can accomplish. Talk about a time you were part of a team effort that had a great impact on the organization or a patient. What role did you play on the team?

"Working as the director at our Palliative Care department, I often get consulted from our physicians in other specialties on if palliative services are right for a particular patient. Recently, I was asked to give insight to our home health team on a patient diagnosed with severe COPD who wanted to remain in their home instead of being hospitalized. To gain some background, I met with the patient's primary care provider and home health team to gain some insight. Following that, I joined a couple of home health nurses on a home visit with our Palliative physician to determine if our services would greatly help him and his family."

The power of a team versus an individual effort is highly valued at Sutter Health, and the proper care of a patient often depends on a team effort. Your interviewer will be looking to hear that you are a team player willing to work with any level of the organization and are eager to use your expertise to help a team effort. Talk about a specific time you worked as part of a team and the role you played in providing outstanding care to a patient.

Many healthcare training programs team up students to learn how to work in a team environment. If you are new to the industry, use an example from your training program. If you have been in the healthcare industry for a while, use a workplace example.

"If I were hired into this role, you'll find that I am a great team player who can effectively work with administration staff, provider staff, and front-line employees. Last year, I was asked to be a part of the care plan for a patient who had recently had a leg amputated. Working in the rehabilitation field, I always have the goal of helping people live life to their fullest potential, and I brought my knowledge to the team that included the surgeon, the primary care physician, and the patient's family. My positive outlook for a leg amputee gave the patient and the family hope that they could continue with most aspects of their busy lives with a little hard work."

Sutter Health believes in treating those that they service with concern, kindness, and respect. How do you treat others in the workplace with concern, kindness and respect? Why is this important?

"I try to live my life by the golden rule and treat others as I want to be treated. With my coworkers, I am friendly and respectful of our personal differences. I am willing to help them when needed and always have an open ear for them to pick. With patients, I take the time to get to know them and hear their concerns so they can build trust and respect in me. With this base built with patients, I care for them like my own family."

Compassion is a necessary trait that any effective healthcare professional needs. Talk about how you treat your coworkers and patients with kindness and respect and what impact your actions have on them. Your interviewer will be looking to get a sense that you have a strong sense of compassion, as Sutter Health requires.

There are several parts to this question. Be sure you answer both parts, describing how you treat others with respect and kindness and why that is important in the healthcare industry.

"I treat everyone in the workplace equally, with kindness and respect. I treat others how I would like them to treat my family members. This is important to me because patients and their families are usually going through a scary time. Being shown compassion and kindness calms them down and reassures them that they are in good hands. It is essential to treat my coworkers the same as we need to trust each other and know we have each other's back when things get tough."

How would your former supervisor describe your personality?

"My former supervisor would describe my personality as positive. I come into every shift with a positive attitude and a smile on my face. I like to look for the good in people and not dwell on the bad things we see. I believe that, if asked, my colleagues 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 extroverted, energetic, and confident. Be sure your answer is accurate, as the interviewer will contact your former supervisor for a reference.

Review the job description before your interview to see the keywords Sutter Health used to describe their ideal candidate. Then, use one of those keywords in your response. For example, if the job description says they are looking for an energetic, compassionate, and empathetic healthcare professional, you would choose one of those keywords that best describes your personality.

"I believe my former manager would describe my personality as energetic. He always calls me the Energizer bunny and says my energetic nature is infectious."

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 learned some exciting new approaches to patient care and customer management challenges. 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 spend more time highlighting the resolution rather than the problem.

Think of something you have had to learn differently than you were previously taught or a new software such as electronic medical records. Describe how you adjusted to the change and were not resistant to learning something new.

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

Have you personally witnessed the effects of the nationwide drug epidemic in the healthcare field? What are your views on treating patients with drug addiction issues?

"Working in primary care, I have thorough training in spotting drug addiction and effective methods in helping people with issues. Recently, we had a woman walk into our clinic with the classic track marks on her arms and a paranoid mindset. I approached her with a very casual yet direct approach to the marks on her arm, and she readily admitted that she was a heroin user. Knowing there were plenty of resources available to her, I suggested our addiction treatment program and another one sponsored by a private rehab facility in town. I asked if I could follow up with her, and she was okay with that. One week after we met, I followed up and found she was enrolled in a day treatment program and was glad to hear that."

Heroin, methamphetamine, fentanyl, oxycodone, and other legal and illegal painkillers have become a nationwide epidemic, and this is also the case in northern California. The interviewer wants to hear about your experience working with addiction patients in the healthcare setting. Maybe you have personal experiences with friends or family that you are also comfortable sharing. Give your thoughts on the epidemic and the role that you can play in helping people that have addiction issues.

Since this is a two-part question, you want to focus on answering both parts. First, describe if you have witnessed the effects of the nationwide drug epidemic, and then talk about your views on treating addiction patients. As a healthcare professional, you want to avoid sounding biased toward a specific group of people.

"Having seen firsthand the personal effects that alcohol and drug addiction can have on a family, I wanted to pursue a career in treating addiction. As a nurse on an inpatient detox unit, I work with patients during the worst stages of their treatment process, and I care for them as I had once for my father, who was battling the same issues. With so much influencing a person's life, all we can do as care providers is give them the best resources possible, fill them with confidence and offer any help we can moving forward. The cases of former patients returning to speak on our unit always give me a warm feeling that a job was well done."

At Sutter Health, 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 Sutter Health include a path towards a leadership role. I am excited to pave a long-term career in the healthcare industry 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. Describe how this role with Sutter Health fits your 3-5 year plans.

When you describe your short to long-term professional goals, it shows the interviewer that you are motivated and inspired to succeed in your profession. If you are new to this industry, your 3-5 year goal might be to gain experience and attend industry conferences to learn all you can. If you have been in the industry for a while, you may have plans to return to school and obtain a higher degree. Whatever your goals are, you want to assure the interviewer they include Sutter Health.

"One of the attractive points of working for Sutter Health is that you care about the growth of your employees. I'm motivated to learn and am looking for a long-term fit. In the next 3-5 years, I will have obtained my Master's Degree in Public Health Administration and see myself working for Sutter Health as a hospital administrator."

Sutter Health values innovation in the workplace. Discuss a time you implemented a new, innovative work process or procedure that benefited the greater good of the company or patients.

"A couple of years ago, I was the only member of our lab that attended the ASCLS national conference. While there, I was introduced to some new advancements in home-based monitoring devices. Knowing that we had patient wait time issues in our lab due to volume, I saw these as great options for patients that could potentially be monitored from home. I gathered some resources and contact information for the technology at the conference. When I returned from the conference, my director and I wrote a capital request for a proposal to implement the new technology in our lab, and it is up and running with great success today."

In the ever-changing landscape of the healthcare industry, finding new and innovative ways of providing care to patients helps save lives and money. Sutter Health holds innovation in the workplace as a core value, and your interviewer will be looking to hear you seek ways to provide better value and innovation to your patients. Innovation can come in the form of technology, improved processes, or a new way of thinking. So, you want to be creative in your response.

Think of a process or procedure you suggested or implemented that benefitted the company you worked for or patient care. Perhaps you discovered a new scheduling software that saved the company money and increased the workflow. Or, maybe you developed a training manual for new employees that decreased the amount of training they need in a specific area.

"After seeing significant communication issues in patient rounding and hand-off to new shifts, I led the charge to implement a training program for our staff that would greatly increase the effective communication of patient information and hand-off to new staff. I worked closely with our Org Learning department to develop training that would be effective, and we created measurements to see if the training was successful. Nursing and provider staff piloted the training in a few high-needs departments. Within months of the training, significant patient incidents had decreased dramatically based on improved communication among the staff. Since the initial pilot, we rolled the training out to all patient care departments within our facility."

Many people say that a career in healthcare is a 'thankless job'. What keeps you motivated to do your job if you are not receiving gratitude for your work?

"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 I can get is a smile or hug from my patients. The majority of my motivation comes from simply helping people."

Talk to the interviewer about how you have stayed motivated in the past. The interviewer wants to know how you stay motivated on even the most challenging days. It may be the smiles you get from your patients, the slight nod or hug from family members, or the camaraderie you share with your coworkers.

Most healthcare professionals get into this line of work to help others. For that reason, most do not expect a thank you in return. Describe what keeps you inspired and motivated to go to work every day, even when there are no 'thanks' in return.

"My chosen career was helping people at exactly the point they were least capable of helping themselves. So, I do not expect thanks from my patients. It's not like I don't need positive reinforcement. Everyone does. But I did not pursue this career to look like a hero or get a pat on the back for a job well done. I stay motivated by knowing I am excellent at my job and do my best to help my patients."

What is your familiarity in working with patients on government-funded healthcare coverage?

"No matter who walks through my clinic doors, I treat all patients the same and provide the best care possible. With my current organization, we see patients that are enrolled in the Oregon Health Plan for low-income people. As part of the coordinated care organization network, we as providers can focus on the patients and not worry about the back end of insurance payments, deductibles, or co-pays for our patients."

Sutter Health provides care for more low-income patients in northern California than any of its competitors. Many of these patients are on the Medi-Cal program for low-income people. For your answer, talk about the fact that the care you provide for people is unbiased and that you treat all patients equally. Financial and insurance information should have no bounds on the care provided to individuals until it comes time for the patient to make decisions on care plans regarding their coverage. If you have familiarity working with government-funded healthcare programs, make sure to talk about the programs and the patients you saw under the program.

The interviewer mainly wants to know about your experience working with lower-income patients. Unless you are interviewing for a position in billing, the interviewer isn't as concerned with what you know about government-funded healthcare but about how you interact with and treat patients with government-funded healthcare.

"I believe all people should have access to equal healthcare services regardless of their socioeconomic or ethnic background. I am very familiar with the Medi-Cal program and currently work with patients that have coverage through the program. While I normally don't have access to patient insurance coverage information, I'll often get asked questions on coverage by people who have it. I am very informed about the program. I can answer patients' questions about their coverage and know where to look if I don't have the answer."

This position requires strong organizational skills and attention to detail. How do you ensure your workday is organized and highly accurate?

"I am a highly detailed person, and I thrive on having a high level of organization in my day. If I am offered a position with Sutter Health, you will never find me to be disorganized! This organization includes my scheduling, paperwork, and more. I utilize my Outlook calendar and set alerts for myself for deadlines and important activities. My documentation is strong as well. I am a good speller and can catch most errors, but I also utilize Grammarly and spell-checker to double-check my work."

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, highlight that you successfully organize your day while ensuring your work is highly accurate.

Focus on describing your organizational methods and how you stay on track during busy shifts. Let the interviewer know that you take documentation seriously and let them know how you make sure your work is detailed and accurate.

"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, it's easier to transition care, and the patient has all their information 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."

Sutter Health requires a criminal background check and drug test that must be passed before we can offer you employment. Do you consent to these requirements?

"I have a clean criminal record and am happy to comply with any background check you require of me. Also, I have never used drugs, so I will have no problem passing a drug test."

Working in the healthcare industry means 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 and drug test. If you have a criminal record or drug issue, you must disclose this.

You will not be offered the job if you have a criminal background or substance abuse problem. You will need to find another line of work if you have either of these. If you have no criminal background or drug problem, assure the interviewer that you will have no trouble meeting their requirements.

"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. However, I have never used drugs, so my drug test will return negative."

Do you have any volunteer experience with your local community? If so, why was your volunteer experience important?

"As you can see on my resume, I have spent countless hours over the past ten years volunteering and giving back to our local humane society. While I care for people during my work life, I give back to local animals in search of homes during my personal time. I grew up on a dairy farm and grew a fondness for the humane treatment of animals at a young age, and every time I leave the human society after helping, I have a warm and fulfilled heart."

Sutter Health values giving back to the community and helping those less fortunate or in need. Talk about any volunteer experience that you have and give reasons why volunteering was important to you. Your interviewer will be listening for a personal touch on how giving back to your community impacts you personally.

If you have volunteer experience, focus on describing who you volunteer for and why you chose that particular area to volunteer. If you do not have volunteer experience, explain why you have not had a chance to do so and how you are excited to find an organization to work with.

"With my family, we spend the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season each year volunteering at the local homeless shelter and soup kitchen to help brighten the lives of people who may not be in the best situation. In involving my children, I was so proud to see my oldest daughter organize a toy drive at her school for the homeless shelter last year, and she plans on continuing it again this year."

Talk about a time you went above your normal duties to exceed a patient's or coworker's expectations. What prompted you to take action and what was the outcome?

"Having spent many years working in an ICU setting, we often have to experience the traumatic things that patients and families go through regularly when loved ones are at their most vulnerable. A couple of years ago, we had a patient in our unit that had been in a terrible car accident and was clinging to life for some time. The tragic part of her story was that the accident had occurred two weeks before her wedding to her high school sweetheart. Unsure of her prognosis going forward, the patient was able to communicate through writing that she wanted to fulfill her dream of marrying her husband. With the help and approval of hospital administration, our staff made the wedding happen in her room with immediate family and friends present. Following the event, the patient couldn't overcome the extent of her injuries and passed away, but we received many thanks from the family and husband for helping make her dream come true."

Sutter Health holds patient care excellence and quality as one of its core values and looks to exceed customer expectations by delivering premier quality and safety to them. In the 'needs of the patient comes first' attitude, talk about how you went above and beyond the call of duty to do what was right for a particular patient. Set the situation up by describing the patient's issue, then describe your action and a positive outcome for the patient.

Focus on providing an extraordinary example when you have gone above and beyond for a patient. Most healthcare professionals do amazing things for their patients daily, but the interviewer wants to hear of a truly remarkable situation.

"Living in mountainous snow country, we are often faced with weather emergencies, and even in these times, I remain focused on patient care. If you remember the big December snow storm we had a few years ago, most major highways were shut down for stretches of up to 50 miles, which greatly impacted my hospital. Knowing that staff couldn't leave and I couldn't make it to work by vehicle, I borrowed our neighbor's snowmobile to get to work the first evening to relieve my fellow staff. This affected not only them but also the patients on our unit from preventing burnout of staff that couldn't leave."

I see that you have the qualifications we are looking for in a candidate. Can you please tell me a little more about your education and training that makes you qualified for this role?

"I have a nursing degree from Chamberlain University and 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 Kaiser Permanente. All of these experiences have helped prepare me for success in this role with Sutter Health. Additionally, I am certified in ACLS, PALS, and BLS for Healthcare Provider."

Take a few minutes to walk the interviewer through your formal post-secondary education and any internships and on-the-job training. Talk about the most positive experiences from your training and how it qualifies you to work in this position.

Focus on describing where you went to school, your degree, and your certifications and licenses. If the job description mentions that CPR, PALS, ACLS, or other certifications are required, be sure to mention that in your response.

"I did my chemistry and medical school undergraduate 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 feel very qualified for this role."

This can be an emotionally charged career. How do you keep your emotions from interfering with your job?

"Everyone is emotional to a certain degree, and I consider myself kind-hearted and compassionate. A healthcare career 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 interfered with your ability to perform your job.Remember that 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

To be considered for the position, you want to avoid saying that your emotions interfere with your work. Instead, describe how you can remain calm and professional when faced with an emotionally challenging shift.

"This is a great question. I can be emotional, but I have never let my emotions interfere with my work. We've all had those tough cases. A child dies, a patient yells at you, or you must give someone a cancer diagnosis. It's professional to take a few minutes after an encounter like that and let those emotions come and go. I cope with these feelings by telling myself that it's not my story; it's 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 Sutter Health, 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 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 Sutter Health is because I can see a long-term fit here. I plan to work in the healthcare industry 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 Sutter Health as long as possible.

Sutter Health invests a lot of time and money into hiring and training its employees. The interviewer wants to know that if hired, you plan on being with Sutter Health for the long term. Describe where you see yourself in the future, assuring the interviewer your goals are to spend your career with their organization.

"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 myself to a craft. I chose healthcare because the learning opportunities are endless, and it's constantly evolving. I find the human body fascinating, and I think society is only healthy when it cares for its wounded."

Sutter Health Corporation Interview Questions

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1. 43% of Sutter Health's workforce is ethnically diverse. Talk about a time you had to work among a diverse workforce or a diverse patient base. What adjustments did you have to make to your style?
2. Sutter Health Corporation was initially looking for someone with 5 years of experience in a similar role. Considering you have just 2 years of experience, what salary range do you expect?
3. Do you think it is possible to be a good team member, yet disagree with the leader?
4. To help lower healthcare costs for patients, Sutter Health expects employees to use resources wisely. What are some ways that you use resources efficiently and wisely to help reduce costs for your organization and patients?
5. 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?
6. Rate your problem solving skills from 1-10. How do you justify your rating?
7. 33% of Sutter Health's patients speak another language than English. Are you fluent in any languages other than English? Have you worked with patients that aren't fluent in English or have English as a second language?
8. What type of work environment do you dislike working in?
9. With the ongoing changes in the healthcare services industry, how do you keep your knowledge current?
10. Think about a difficult boss, professor, or coworker. What made him or her difficult? How did you successfully interact with this person?
11. Do you feel it is important that a healthcare organization be involved in the greater community? What are ways you've seen this happen during your time in the field?
12. If you could expand your knowledge and expertise in any healthcare service area, which would you choose?
13. When do you feel the most amount of stress in your career?
14. Sutter Health partners with community programs to give access to social services to their patients. Have you ever worked with outside programs to provide resources to a patient? How did this help them?
15. Sutter Health supports a healthy work/life balance for all employees. How do you balance your personal and professional life?
16. We at Sutter Health believes that the power of combined efforts exceeds what an individual can accomplish. Talk about a time you were part of a team effort that had a great impact on the organization or a patient. What role did you play on the team?
17. Sutter Health believes in treating those that they service with concern, kindness, and respect. How do you treat others in the workplace with concern, kindness and respect? Why is this important?
18. How would your former supervisor describe your personality?
19. When have you shown a willingness to learn a new method or new approach to solving a problem?
20. Have you personally witnessed the effects of the nationwide drug epidemic in the healthcare field? What are your views on treating patients with drug addiction issues?
21. At Sutter Health, we seek to hire individuals who have ambitions of growing their career. Where do you see yourself in 3-5 years?
22. Sutter Health values innovation in the workplace. Discuss a time you implemented a new, innovative work process or procedure that benefited the greater good of the company or patients.
23. Many people say that a career in healthcare is a 'thankless job'. What keeps you motivated to do your job if you are not receiving gratitude for your work?
24. What is your familiarity in working with patients on government-funded healthcare coverage?
25. This position requires strong organizational skills and attention to detail. How do you ensure your workday is organized and highly accurate?
26. Sutter Health requires a criminal background check and drug test that must be passed before we can offer you employment. Do you consent to these requirements?
27. Do you have any volunteer experience with your local community? If so, why was your volunteer experience important?
28. Talk about a time you went above your normal duties to exceed a patient's or coworker's expectations. What prompted you to take action and what was the outcome?
29. I see that you have the qualifications we are looking for in a candidate. Can you please tell me a little more about your education and training that makes you qualified for this role?
30. This can be an emotionally charged career. How do you keep your emotions from interfering with your job?
31. At Sutter Health, 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?

Sutter Health Corporation Interview Questions

1. 43% of Sutter Health's workforce is ethnically diverse. Talk about a time you had to work among a diverse workforce or a diverse patient base. What adjustments did you have to make to your style?

2. Sutter Health Corporation was initially looking for someone with 5 years of experience in a similar role. Considering you have just 2 years of experience, what salary range do you expect?

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

4. To help lower healthcare costs for patients, Sutter Health expects employees to use resources wisely. What are some ways that you use resources efficiently and wisely to help reduce costs for your organization and patients?

5. 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?

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

7. 33% of Sutter Health's patients speak another language than English. Are you fluent in any languages other than English? Have you worked with patients that aren't fluent in English or have English as a second language?

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

9. With the ongoing changes in the healthcare services industry, how do you keep your knowledge current?

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

11. Do you feel it is important that a healthcare organization be involved in the greater community? What are ways you've seen this happen during your time in the field?

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

13. When do you feel the most amount of stress in your career?

14. Sutter Health partners with community programs to give access to social services to their patients. Have you ever worked with outside programs to provide resources to a patient? How did this help them?

15. Sutter Health supports a healthy work/life balance for all employees. How do you balance your personal and professional life?

16. We at Sutter Health believes that the power of combined efforts exceeds what an individual can accomplish. Talk about a time you were part of a team effort that had a great impact on the organization or a patient. What role did you play on the team?

17. Sutter Health believes in treating those that they service with concern, kindness, and respect. How do you treat others in the workplace with concern, kindness and respect? Why is this important?

18. How would your former supervisor describe your personality?

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

20. Have you personally witnessed the effects of the nationwide drug epidemic in the healthcare field? What are your views on treating patients with drug addiction issues?

21. At Sutter Health, we seek to hire individuals who have ambitions of growing their career. Where do you see yourself in 3-5 years?

22. Sutter Health values innovation in the workplace. Discuss a time you implemented a new, innovative work process or procedure that benefited the greater good of the company or patients.

23. Many people say that a career in healthcare is a 'thankless job'. What keeps you motivated to do your job if you are not receiving gratitude for your work?

24. What is your familiarity in working with patients on government-funded healthcare coverage?

25. This position requires strong organizational skills and attention to detail. How do you ensure your workday is organized and highly accurate?

26. Sutter Health requires a criminal background check and drug test that must be passed before we can offer you employment. Do you consent to these requirements?

27. Do you have any volunteer experience with your local community? If so, why was your volunteer experience important?

28. Talk about a time you went above your normal duties to exceed a patient's or coworker's expectations. What prompted you to take action and what was the outcome?

29. I see that you have the qualifications we are looking for in a candidate. Can you please tell me a little more about your education and training that makes you qualified for this role?

30. This can be an emotionally charged career. How do you keep your emotions from interfering with your job?

31. At Sutter Health, 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?