An external disaster is any disaster outside of the medical facility that could potentially cause issues within the facility. For instance, a tornado or other weather-related event, an accident that may cause an influx of patients, or a threat of terrorism. As a medical manager, it is important to be prepared for possible disasters and have an action plan in place that has been rehearsed with employees. The interviewer wants to know that you are capable of making judgment calls in stressful situations.

"Being prepared as much as possible before an event occurs, I believe, is key to getting through a disaster situation. If I were notified of an external disaster, the first thing I would do is caution staff that there may be some influx of people into the clinic. I would remind them that remaining calm and trying to help maintain order is the best way to prevent a situation from escalating. If the disaster is one that requires taking cover such as a tornado, I would have the staff assist me in directing patients to the safe zone within the facility until the threat has passed."