Winnipeg Regional Health Authority 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 Winnipeg Regional Health Authority Inc.. 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."

As part of our strategic plan at Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, we place an emphasis on improving patient wait times and overall patient access. Why is this important to you in your job?

"In the lab setting, I am working with both direct patients in our lab and other tissue samples that come in from patients on our inpatient units. All orders are important, so we take a measured approach to prioritizing orders when we are busy. To help work through orders during busy times, I need to be efficient and accurate and this takes some extra focus in my work. We as a team also offer help to those in need to help make our way through our workload and I love when a true team effort helps us be more efficient."

From the perspective of the patient, receiving speedy care is of utmost importance and WRHA realizes this and puts an emphasis on taking all measures possible to improve in these areas. No matter the job that you work in, you can play a part in patient wait times or access down the road and your interviewer will be looking to hear that you understand this. For your answer, be sure to talk about why you think focusing on these measures is important and also talk about any efforts that you put forth to help improve one or both of these areas.

"In the OR, we balance a lot of things regarding access for patients that awaiting simple outpatient procedures vs. emergent trauma surgeries that come up on a daily basis. Last year, my department ran a detailed analysis and made some changes that enabled us to schedule more procedures each day. For me as a Surgical Tech, this required me to be much more efficient and timely in my work. To do this, my downtime needs to be spent on wise things like restocking supplies and cleaning the OR suites rather than catching up on email during the work day. I now have to save the administrative side for early mornings or late evenings after my cases are done for the day."

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 Winnipeg Regional Health Authority?

"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 Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. 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 Winnipeg Regional Health Authority Inc. 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."

What is your greatest weakness?

"I believe I could improve on some technical skills including Excel and Word. Currently I am at a beginner to intermediate level; however, I would be more comfortable at an advanced level. I have enrolled myself in an evening/weekend workshop for the next six weeks. We will see how stellar my skills are after that course!"

Pick a weakness that is not a core skill for this position. You can be candid in your answer; recognizing that you aren't great at something and acknowledging your need to improve. Be sure to have an action plan in place for improving on this weakness. Perhaps you are watching TED talks to gain skills in a particular area, reading the latest-and-greatest book on the subject, or maybe you are taking a seminar at a nearby community center. We are all human with our weaknesses, so don't be afraid to share yours!

"I know this will come off as cliche, but it's truthful. My weakness is in not delegating. I know what I want to be done and how I want it done, so it's often easier to do it myself. However, it can inhibit my ability to grow. I cannot take on every step of a project; I need to be able to give the task or a portion of it to another team member or direct report, let go of the control and know it will be taken care of. I've spoken with my current manager about it, and we've developed a system where he can call me out on the behavior since often I'm not aware of it. By bringing awareness to it at the moment, I find my propensity to hold onto control has decreased, so I'm certainly moving in the right direction."

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 job, what does enhancing the patient experience mean to you?

"As a Radiologic Technologist, providing a great patient experience starts with my demeanor towards patients. I am often one on one with them, and even when I am experiencing a busy and stressful day, I approach them with compassion and empathy by talking about their pain and discomfort while making conversation to get to know them better. If patients are at ease during the imaging process, their experience during my time with them is definitely enhanced. As well, working in an efficient manner helps get the patient moving and they are very appreciative of this."

As a trusted healthcare provider, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority remains focused on providing the best experience possible for their patients. For this question, your interviewer will be looking to hear how you can help bring an enhanced patient experience if you are hired for this position. For your answer, be specific in the little things that you do to help provide the best experience possible for the patients you work with and tailor your answer to the specific job that you are interviewing for.

"For me personally as a nurse, patient experience starts with how I present myself to them. I start with sound personal hygiene and making sure I come to work in a clean and good looking set of scrubs. This positive image influences the rest of the interactions that I have with patients and I take pride in my presentation. Another little thing that I do to promote the experience of my patients is involving them in their own care. I ask a lot of questions and use their own knowledge to empower them through education and resources that I can provide. Because of my approach, my patient satisfaction scores have always been excellent."

What ties do you have to the Winnipeg area and what are the advantages that you see of living and working in the region?

"As you can see from my resume, I will be looking to relocate from the Thunder Bay, Ontario area. When my wife and I met in college, we both got great jobs in that area and have proceeded to have two kids of our own. With my wife's family being in Winnipeg, we are at the point in our lives where relocating closer to grandma and grandpa is extremely important and in researching jobs around the area, your position for a CT Technologist has me very excited about the prospect of now living and working in Winnipeg."

This question is allowing your interviewer to gain insight into your potential long-term fit with the organization by them feeling out how you will handle life outside of work in the region. If you have experience living in the city and working in the city, point out what keeps you there by speaking about your own personal life. If you are looking to relocate to the area for this job, be sure that you have done your research on the city and region to make sure that you and your family are a match for the area. Your interviewer knows that a major factor in employee retention is life outside of work, so be sure to highlight how well you will adapt to life in the region.

"Having been born and raised just outside of Winnipeg in Oak Bluff, I am super excited for this opportunity as a Respiratory Therapist after I graduate from my program this spring. For college, I wanted the time away and though Calgary would be a great place to train for a future career. Being away from this area for a few years made me truly appreciate life here. If hired for this position, I'm looking to remain in the area around family and friends for the rest of my career."

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

"Every morning I listen to X Podcast because I find the information to be fresh, and valuable. In addition to this podcast, I also subscribe to a couple of industry blogs. One is ABC, and the other is XYZ. I 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 field, and today's technology makes this reasonably easy! List several ways that you receive your industry knowledge and stay on top of trends. Tell the interviewer about those daily update emails you receive from professional organizations, conferences you attend, and seminars you have taken.Lastly, it's a great idea to ask the interviewer what resources they refer to for industry trends. That question can start up a great conversation, and you may learn a thing or two as well.

"I am an avid fan of google alerts! I will receive an email with the related information any time there is a major headline about the healthcare services industry. In addition to this, I also subscribe to a couple of medical-related journals."

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."

One of the keys to our strategic plan at Winnipeg Regional Health Authority is improving our services at all times. Has there ever been a time where you have taken measures to improve the services in your job or department?

"When I was a scheduler in a large family medicine clinic, we were experience troubles with patient access where wait times for new appointments could be out as far as two or three weeks. Having been scheduling for a few years, I knew that updated schedules for our providers was one component to the troubles that we were having because we would schedule new appointments and, at times, we would find out later that the provider wouldn't be available due to other external meetings outside of their clinic schedule. I approached our clinic administrator about creating a shared online calendar for all providers, or their assistants, to keep up to date with time away from the office. I helped design the calendar with a team of other schedulers, providers and managers and the system helped greatly improve our scheduling issues."

Seeking improvements in the healthcare field is a continuous effort to improve patient care. WRHA puts an emphasis on this by empowering their employees on the front line to seek new and improved ways to provide better patient care through process changes. Think about a time during your career where you saw the need for an improved process and acted on it. Describe the steps you had to take, talk about others you had to involve and let your interviewer know that you see the importance in continuous improvement.

"During my time as a nurse in a busy OR, we were experiencing some supply issues where we would often be left without important supplies when they were needed most. Seeing others not act on the issue, I approached the OR director to make him aware of the issues of having to wait for our supply chain folks to deliver more gloves, hairnets or suits when a patient was waiting. Simply bringing the issue to light with the director, he tasked me with creating a small group of OR staff to highlight the issues and brainstorm an effective inventory control system. I led the team and our discussions and we implemented a process for supplies to be inventoried at the end of every shift and all staff were given access to order new supplies to be delivered if needed."

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 Winnipeg Regional Health Authority 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."

Give an example of a time you had to maintain respect for an individual in a situation where it may have been difficult for others to do so. What made the situation difficult?

"Having worked as a nurse in the emergency setting for many years, I had the chance to deal with a lot of patients that were at their absolute worse because of the trauma they were experiencing at the time. A couple of years ago, we had a patient that was transported from our urgent care to our ED because of severe chest pains. The patient was visibly upset and in pain and was being very vocal about her displeasure and using some expletives with our patient care techs Upon taking over her care, I used a calm voice and explained the importance of the tests we were going to be putting her through. It turns out she was not happy to be in our ED because of her co-pay she would be responsible for that she wouldn't have had in urgent care. I reiterated to her that due to her symptoms, we were the best place to handle her care should she go into cardiac arrest. We were fearing this and the patient suddenly became much more focused on her care than worrying about a $100 co-pay."

Winnipeg Regional Health Authority holds respect as one of its core values in the manner that it is important to display towards every person. In the healthcare setting, you probably have to deal with a patient or colleague where it is an internal struggle to maintain respectful communication and care at times due to the way they are treating you. Talk about a time where this occurred in your work and really try to paint the picture on why this was difficult for you. Be sure that you point out why it was, and always will be, important for you to maintain a respectful and caring attitude in this situation by putting yourself in the patient's or colleague's shoes in that situation.

"Not too long ago, a colleague of mine in the lab had become very short-tempered and not very fun to work with. He would deny any requests for assistance when we asked him for help and he was frankly not pulling his weight around the lab with his workload, which fell onto us other techs. Rather than approaching our supervisor, which a few others on my team wanted to do, I let them know that I would sit down and talk to the colleague about our concerns being that I had a great working relationship with him prior to his outbursts. As we talked over lunch one day when we were alone, he broke down in tears about a pending divorce he was going through and was very thankful that I approached him. He didn't realize the effect his personal life was having on his work and he vowed to make the changes to become a great coworker again. The following day, he apologized to our entire team and things got much better from there. I think my approach with him was important because I showed him that I cared about him and reiterated that I didn't want him to be disrespectful to others."

Winnipeg Regional Health Authority 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."

If hired for this position, how can I best empower you in your work to make decisions and contribute to the greater good of the team?

"For me personally, I really thrive on being empowered to make critical decisions in my work and I trust in my ability to do so based on my education and experience. If hired for this position, you'll find that I am the type of employee that likes to know when I am doing a good job and also when I need to improve on things. Feedback is important to me on a regular basis and I really do appreciate it from my manager."

A key component of Winnipeg Regional Health Authority's strategic plan is to engage service providers to enhance their contribution in the workplace. For this question, your interviewer will be looking to gain insight into how they can help empower you in your work if hired for the position. Knowing full well that every person has different internal motivations and reacts differently to different management styles, be open and honest with your interviewer about how you are best motivated in your work and as part of working for a larger team. Be sure to hit on your motivations in your work and how you work as a team player.

"Once I would be trained on the position here as a Lab Tech and learn the processes and procedures, I could really hit the ground running with my work and be trusted to work evening and night shifts by myself or with a small team of individuals. I do prefer consistent communication from a leader, even if we aren't working the same shifts so I readily use email and text messaging to stay in contact with my current supervisor. If I was ever hesitant about a decision because I didn't feel comfortable, I would reach out to you as my supervisor or consult with a senior colleague in the department without hesitation."

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."

Winnipeg Regional Health Authority 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 Winnipeg Regional Health Authority 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 Winnipeg Regional Health Authority 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 Winnipeg Regional Health Authority fit into your longer-term plans?

"One of the attractive points of working for Winnipeg Regional Health Authority Inc. 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."

Have you ever been involved in ordering medical supplies, maintaining inventory, or other types of health care related administrative duties?

"I have experience in ordering medical supplies and maintaining inventory. I fully understand that there is an art to being properly organized when it comes to the availability of supplies. For medical ordering and inventory, I have used a variety of software and programs such as ABC and XYZ."

The interviewer would like to know if you understand what it takes to keep on top of ordering medical supplies and inventory. Assure the interviewer that you are capable of foreseeing needs, and making the appropriate action. Highlight your ability to be responsible when it comes to related administrative tasks.

"Yes. I used to do this in my former position. I was responsible for maintaining supplies on the general surgery ward for five years. It was great at working behind the scenes with the result being efficiency for others."

In the Winnipeg and surrounding area, why do you feel it is important that Winnipeg Regional Health Authority puts a focus on health equity for all patients that we see?

"Being from the region, I fully understand the economic gaps that exist from the rich to the poor. In my nursing, I don't ever hold any preconceived judgments against my patients based on income or any other factor. Rather, I am solely focused on their health and their care because we all deserve that as living, breathing human beings."

For you to properly comprehend and answer this question, you need to understand WRHA's stance on health equity in the region. The organization recognizes that large gaps exist in the region based on unjust social and economic circumstances and the organization takes steps to provide equal services to all patients, no matter their social or economic status. For this question, talk about why this is important and use any experiences you may have living in the region or working with patients from different walks of life and statuses. Be sure to remain focused on the standpoint that healthcare should be available to everyone and that the services you provide would never waiver from this standpoint.

"In reading around the WRHA website, I was astounded by the efforts that this organization takes to provide the best care possible to all of their patients, no matter their economic or social status. My astonishment was because I feel the same away about my work and about society in general. As a clinical educator currently, I get to work with a large percentage of patients that are living in poverty and I feel great about the services that I provide to them. I'd look forward to continuing this work in the Winnipeg area with WRHA."

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 Winnipeg Regional Health Authority 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 Winnipeg Regional Health Authority 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?"

We value care as an unwavering expectation of every employee here at WRHA. Knowing that you are in your career because of the care you show to patients, what are the little things you do to really stand out with your patients in showing care to them?

"As a young girl, I knew that I wanted to be a nurse and follow in my mothers footsteps. She was a true inspiration in watching the care and passion she put into her work and to our family at home. I think I have carried forward a lot of her traits that demonstrate my ability to truly provide great care to my pediatric patients. First and foremost, my care starts with my ability to make my patients and their families feel at home when in my care. I do this by using a calm and reassuring voice, no matter what they are being seen for. I make the kids feel comfortable by speaking on their level and providing any distractions I can when it comes to administering vaccinations or checking their eyes, ears or throats. Beyond this caring environment, I follow up as needed in a timely manner with patients and their families and provide any resources that I can for their situation."

Chances are pretty good that you chose to pursue a career in healthcare because of your ability to care for others in a time of need. That ability to care for others should come second nature to you as it is a part of who you are and what you stand for and your interviewer understands that. What they are really trying to dig into for this question are the little things that you do on a day to day basis that really demonstrate to your patients that you truly care for them. Talk in detail about the fine details of your care for patients that puts them at ease and enable them to heal in the best way possible.

"In the CT setting, my patients are often in a stressful and worrisome time of their life and I try and put them at ease with friendly conversation while also talking about what I am doing. These conversation go over very well with patients because I am showing them that I do care about them as a person and the situation that they are in. I also take extra measures to help them onto the transport table and back off when done. I provide a relaxed and calming atmosphere during the scan to try and ease them of all worries as well."

In order to work for Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, 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."

Talk about a time where your work did not live up to your expectations. What did you do to handle this situation?

"Early in my career as a nurse, at the finish of an evening shift, it was brought to my attention by a patient's spouse that his evening medications had been forgotten. First and foremost, I apologized greatly and immediately brought his medications to him in his room. Knowing that one of the medications had strict timing guidelines in between doses, I spoke with the incoming night nurse about the last administering of the medication. As I reflected on the day and why the mistake happened, our unit was full that evening and I was flying by the seat of my pants and working specifically off of patient requests rather than taking a step by step approach with each patient. After that night, I set a plan for each shift and working with each patient and this planning I still use to this day."

No matter what career path you have taken, mistakes are inevitable by any person in any job. For this question, your interviewer will be looking to hear that you take accountability for your actions and seek ways to make a situation better because WRHA holds accountability as one of its core values. In your answer, think about a time where upon finishing a task or projects, you realized that it wasn't up to par and you had to take extra measures to make the situation right again. Be sure not to talk about a situation that put a patient in significant jeopardy and talk about any lessons you learned from the situation moving forward to gain extra points with your interviewer.

"A few months ago on a very busy day in our radiology unit, I had a very young patient and his mother come in for images on the boys leg. He was not in visible pain, but the mom and attending physician in our emergency department suspected a fracture. I ensured the mother that I would handle the boy and she could wait in by the room where I would take the images. After I sat him down, prepped him for x-ray, and shot the images, I walked them back down to the ED waiting room. Upon getting back to process the images, I was glancing at the order and realized that I took images of his left leg when the right leg images were needed. Immediately, I walked back down to the ED waiting area and explained what had happened to the mother. Because I owned up to the mistake, she was very understanding. Immediately playing the events back in my mind, in a rush to cycle through the patients waiting that day, I didn't fully read through the order prior to the images like I should have. I have really taken this lesson to heart moving forward and now read orders prior to seeing the patient and prior to taking the images."

At Winnipeg Regional Health Authority we take pride in our great relationships with clients, vendors, coworkers, and patients. Do you consider yourself to be a strong relationship builder?

"I have often been complimented on my relationship building skills. I like to get to know people and ask them questions about themselves. Most people love to talk about themselves, and I find it's a great and simple way to start building rapport with others. I consider myself to be a strong relationship builder and take pride in my 'people skills'. Rest assured, I would be a great ambassador of positive relationships for Winnipeg Regional Health Authority."

Assure the interviewer that you would treat everyone at Winnipeg Regional Health Authority with great respect and a positive attitude. Discuss the ways that you would build strong and healthy relationships if hired.

"Some ways to build strong relationships in the workplace: - Have strong follow-up - Offer sincere conversation - Get to know people on a personal level - Be trustworthy - Avoid gossip - Offer mutual respect - Be mindful of your actions - Compliment others - Be positive - Be a strong listener"

"I am happy to hear that Winnipeg Regional Health Authority Inc. values long-term relationships. This fact is a bonus for me, and it's one of the reasons I chose to work in the medical field. I like working in an industry where genuine care is valued. Healthcare is not a place for gimmicks because health is precious and irreplaceable. In the past, I've had a lot of success by focusing on building a reputation for consistency and followup. What you describe is a good fit for me, these skills are valued by reputable vendors, and I'd like to represent a company that wants to create long-term sustainable partnerships."

With the strong emphasis that Winnipeg Regional Health Authority puts on safety for patients and colleagues, talk about the small things that you do in your work to promote a safe environment for you and your colleagues?

"Working in home support, my personal safety and the safety of my coworkers starts with communication. Prior to an initial visit with a new patient, I gather as much information as I can about the home environment from the patient and their family. I try to find out if they have pets, running water, heat, air conditioning and other environmental factors that could be of harm to me in that environment so I can plan ahead. For my colleagues, we cover for each other frequently so documenting any potential hazards in the home is key in assisting my coworkers and keeping them safe."

Safety in healthcare is at the forefront of the mind for all organizations in Canada and healthcare organizations are taking great strides in helping to ensure the safety of patients, visitors and employees. For this question, your interviewer will be looking to hear about the steps you take in ensuring the safety of yourself and your colleagues in the workplace and they'll be looking to hear that this doesn't play second fiddle in your mind when on the job. Talk about the small things that you do to ensure that those you work with remain safe and tailor your answer to the specific job you are interviewing for by doing your research.

"In Respiratory Therapy, safety for myself and my coworkers starts with the equipment that we use on a daily basis. Securing gas tanks in storage has been a major safety issue in the past and I do not overlook the importance of taking the time to do this. In our office, I make sure that walkways are clean and free of clutter and after caring for each individual patient, I take the proper measures for sterilization of equipment to prevent the spread of potential sickness to myself, my coworkers or to other patients. Out of curiosity, has the facility had any safety surveys in recent years and what were any findings in the department?"

At Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, we value dignity as a reflection of self-worth in every person. What does the word dignity mean to you in your work and how do you bring this value to work on a daily basis?

"As a Scheduler in patient care, my conversations are most often over the phone. I demonstrate dignity to the patients I speak to by maintaining a calm and friendly tone over the phone and by working as diligently as possible to help meet their needs in scheduling appointments. I listen to them and reflectively listen by speaking back what I heard them say. No matter the patient, they all get the same treatment from me. A few months ago, I had a patient become very upset that they couldn't get an appointment with their primary care provider that same afternoon. I calmly explained when the next available appointments were and gave them options for seeing a same day care provider in our clinic. Getting angry with the patient in that situation just wasn't on my radar and would've turned a bad situation even worse for the patient."

To start with this question, it is important to understand what dignity means. Dignity is defined as the quality of being worthy of honor or respect or a sense of pride in oneself. With dignity being a prioritized core value of WRHA, your interviewer is ideally looking to hear your interpretation of this word and how you apply it to your work life. In your answer, speak of ways that you show dignity to your patients, your colleagues and to yourself and use examples that you have from recent memory to really cement your case.

"As a Psychiatric Nurse, dignity toward my patients comes from my ability to not hold any preconceived notions on patients and treating and caring for them all equally in hopes of full recovery. No matter what condition a patient is suffering from on my current inpatient unit, I take the same environmental safety precautions and offer the proper therapeutic resources. Some of our patients have some extremely scary past behaviors, but I can't let the past get in the way of potential recovery and I never let it in my work as I owe that to the patients in my care."

At Winnipeg Regional Health Authority 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 Winnipeg Regional Health Authority 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 Winnipeg Regional Health Authority 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."

Winnipeg Regional Health Authority Interview Questions

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1. Winnipeg Regional Health Authority has a diverse workforce. When have you worked amongst a diverse group of people?
2. As part of our strategic plan at Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, we place an emphasis on improving patient wait times and overall patient access. Why is this important to you in your job?
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 Winnipeg Regional Health Authority?
5. What is your greatest weakness?
6. Rate your problem solving skills from 1-10. How do you justify your rating?
7. In your job, what does enhancing the patient experience mean to you?
8. What ties do you have to the Winnipeg area and what are the advantages that you see of living and working in the region?
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. One of the keys to our strategic plan at Winnipeg Regional Health Authority is improving our services at all times. Has there ever been a time where you have taken measures to improve the services in your job or department?
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. Give an example of a time you had to maintain respect for an individual in a situation where it may have been difficult for others to do so. What made the situation difficult?
15. Winnipeg Regional Health Authority supports a healthy work/life balance for all employees. How do you balance life and work?
16. If hired for this position, how can I best empower you in your work to make decisions and contribute to the greater good of the team?
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. Winnipeg Regional Health Authority seeks to hire those with strong problem solving skills. When were you able to successfully resolve a problem in the workplace?
21. At Winnipeg Regional Health Authority we seek to hire individuals who have ambitions of growing their career. Where do you see yourself in 3-5 years?
22. Have you ever been involved in ordering medical supplies, maintaining inventory, or other types of health care related administrative duties?
23. In the Winnipeg and surrounding area, why do you feel it is important that Winnipeg Regional Health Authority puts a focus on health equity for all patients that we see?
24. If you could expand your knowledge and expertise in any area of healthcare services, which would you choose?
25. We value care as an unwavering expectation of every employee here at WRHA. Knowing that you are in your career because of the care you show to patients, what are the little things you do to really stand out with your patients in showing care to them?
26. In order to work for Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, you must be able to pass a full criminal background check. Do you consent to a full background check?
27. Talk about a time where your work did not live up to your expectations. What did you do to handle this situation?
28. At Winnipeg Regional Health Authority we take pride in our great relationships with clients, vendors, coworkers, and patients. Do you consider yourself to be a strong relationship builder?
29. With the strong emphasis that Winnipeg Regional Health Authority puts on safety for patients and colleagues, talk about the small things that you do in your work to promote a safe environment for you and your colleagues?
30. At Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, we value dignity as a reflection of self-worth in every person. What does the word dignity mean to you in your work and how do you bring this value to work on a daily basis?
31. At Winnipeg Regional Health Authority 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?

Winnipeg Regional Health Authority Interview Questions

1. Winnipeg Regional Health Authority has a diverse workforce. When have you worked amongst a diverse group of people?

2. As part of our strategic plan at Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, we place an emphasis on improving patient wait times and overall patient access. Why is this important to you in your job?

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 Winnipeg Regional Health Authority?

5. What is your greatest weakness?

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

7. In your job, what does enhancing the patient experience mean to you?

8. What ties do you have to the Winnipeg area and what are the advantages that you see of living and working in the region?

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. One of the keys to our strategic plan at Winnipeg Regional Health Authority is improving our services at all times. Has there ever been a time where you have taken measures to improve the services in your job or department?

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. Give an example of a time you had to maintain respect for an individual in a situation where it may have been difficult for others to do so. What made the situation difficult?

15. Winnipeg Regional Health Authority supports a healthy work/life balance for all employees. How do you balance life and work?

16. If hired for this position, how can I best empower you in your work to make decisions and contribute to the greater good of the team?

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. Winnipeg Regional Health Authority seeks to hire those with strong problem solving skills. When were you able to successfully resolve a problem in the workplace?

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

22. Have you ever been involved in ordering medical supplies, maintaining inventory, or other types of health care related administrative duties?

23. In the Winnipeg and surrounding area, why do you feel it is important that Winnipeg Regional Health Authority puts a focus on health equity for all patients that we see?

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

25. We value care as an unwavering expectation of every employee here at WRHA. Knowing that you are in your career because of the care you show to patients, what are the little things you do to really stand out with your patients in showing care to them?

26. In order to work for Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, you must be able to pass a full criminal background check. Do you consent to a full background check?

27. Talk about a time where your work did not live up to your expectations. What did you do to handle this situation?

28. At Winnipeg Regional Health Authority we take pride in our great relationships with clients, vendors, coworkers, and patients. Do you consider yourself to be a strong relationship builder?

29. With the strong emphasis that Winnipeg Regional Health Authority puts on safety for patients and colleagues, talk about the small things that you do in your work to promote a safe environment for you and your colleagues?

30. At Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, we value dignity as a reflection of self-worth in every person. What does the word dignity mean to you in your work and how do you bring this value to work on a daily basis?

31. At Winnipeg Regional Health Authority 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?