We seek to hire individuals who embrace integrity, which is one of our company's values. When have you demonstrate integrity on the job?
Integrity is critical in all of the work that UnitedHealth Group performs, particularly as it pertains to patient privacy and confidentiality. Honoring commitments and always taking the ethical high ground with integrity is one of the company's core values and you will be expected to live this value every day as an employee with the company. In posing this question, your interviewer wants to be sure that you will always be honest and ethical in the work you will be doing. They want to hear you discuss a time when you had to show a high degree of integrity. Discuss the mental approach you took to ensure doing the right thing was easy for you.
"Early in my career, a colleague of mine faxed patient information to a doctor's office, but the sent confirmation never came back. She then noticed she had faxed it to the wrong location. Of course, this is something that needs to be reported. After telling me about her error, she told me that she wasn't going to report it. I talked through the initial fear of admitting the mistake to our supervisor and reminded her that ultimately this was against HIPAA guidelines. She finally agreed to tell our supervisor, the incident was reported to the patient, and protocols were followed. It was a simple mistake, but the consequences required us to do the right thing. I want you to be assured that medical ethics is something I take very seriously and would bring to the UnitedHealth Group team at all times."
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 had to terminate a long-term employee for a theft issue I had discovered. Through the many years of service this individual gave the company, it was difficult to do this as I thought of him as a friend.
Rachelle's Feedback
This situation would be a challenge, indeed. Try also addressing more detail on the approach you took to get through this termination.
Anonymous Answer
I received a phone call from the parent of a college-aged patient who asked for detailed information about a bill she received. After reviewing the bill and checking for a power of attorney, I advised her that I was unable to provide details. She was extremely upset and insistent that I provide her the information since she paid the bills. As upset as she was, I could not provide any information. I apologized and advised her that it was against HIPAA. I explained that to provide her with the information, we would need her child to call and give authorization or put a HIPAA form in place allowing us to provide such information for this instance and others in the future. Although she was not happy, she did have her child contact us and authorize us to release information.
Cindy's Feedback
Good answer. Even in the face of pressure, you remained complaint and demonstrated good judgment. One enhancement would be to give detail about whether you were able to calm down the customer by helping her with the process or even by modulating your tone. This would be helpful for the interviewer to hear as well.
Anonymous Answer
Inundated with the workload I routinely had and some additional seasonal ones, I missed a deadline on a particular filing and incurred some penalties for the company. I had to report it. It was difficult because it had never happened before and I was very upset about it. I reported it and turned out that I was harsher on myself than what the company was.
Marcie's Feedback
You have provided a great example in response to this question. It sounds like it wasn't easy to report that you missed the deadline but the interviewer will be happy to hear that you did the right thing. Your answer does a great job of showing that you have integrity.
Anonymous Answer
There was a time a patient was in excruciating pain but ran out of her pain medication. I notified the nurse on duty, but she responded that she could wait until the morning. I politely tried to talk to the nurse as I knew she was new to our facility, expressing how much pain she was in. I went over our policy with her and advised that she could call the on-call dr. to get another order and the backup pharmacy could bring it. She still wouldn't, so I had no other choice than to call our unit manager because I couldn't allow the patient to suffer all night.
Amanda's Feedback
You've used a strong example. Make your response even stronger by sharing how you felt when trying to help your coworker understand the situation and the options available to resolve the issue as well as what made the situation difficult such as disagreeing with a coworker's actions, having to involve a manager, etc. Then, wrap up your response by sharing what happened after you called the unit manager.
Anonymous Answer
Integrity is doing the right thing when no one is looking. Often we are faced with times where we may be able to cut a corner and no one would probably know but I am not able to do something in secret. My conscious would not allow it.
Marcie's Feedback
You have provided a good definition of integrity, and it's wonderful that you wouldn't cut corners even if nobody would know. However, to impress the interviewer, you'll need to provide a specific example of a time when you showed integrity. Talk about a time when you did the right thing even if it was hard or no one knew.
Anonymous Answer
One of my analysts made a mistake in the reported number and circulate the report without my review. When she brought this to my attention. I immediately notify the receiver of this information and take responsibility for the error. In the meantime, I have the team rework the report and make sure they check their work before releasing it. We took one step further to review the procedures and responsible parties during the process to avoid the same mistake happening again.
Marcie's Feedback
Great! The example you have provided shows that you take accountability for any mistakes made on your watch and that you're honest. It's also great that you discuss fixing the process itself so this doesn't happen again in the future. Good response!
Anonymous Answer
Integrity is something that is not only valued but required in my profession as a lawyer, so it is something I have always taken very seriously. One particular instance was when I had to terminate an employee, who I had coached previously about her attendance. I considered her a friend, and it would have been easy for me to turn my head, but I knew it wasn't ethical and it was hurting her performance. It was a difficult discussion, but it was the right thing to do.
Marcie's Feedback
It's great that you begin your response by telling the interviewer that integrity is important to you. Also, supporting this assertion with an example strengthens your response. Nice job!
Anonymous Answer
As a healthcare provider, I have always shown integrity in the work that I do. For example, I recently had a patient that was due for a procedure and the surgeon was very late so he wanted the patient to be taken to the procedural room before he got on the unit. The consent was not signed and the surgeon needed to talk to the patient about the procedure. Being the intraoperative nurse, I ask my coworker for us to hold off on taking the patient to the room until the surgeon comes and sign the consent. Even though the surgeon wasn't happy with me for that.
Jaymie's Feedback
This is a great example! It demonstrates you choose to do the right thing, even when it's difficult. It's clear that you're committed to patient safety and following company policies, and the interviewer will appreciate these things.
Unlock all 37 UnitedHealth Group questions
Prepare for behavioral scenarios and healthcare industry questions UnitedHealth interviewers prioritize.
Get Started