Tell me about the most difficult patient you had to treat.

"The most difficult patient I have ever had to treat was a nine-month-old patient who had a fractured arm after being abused. It was difficult treating the patient because she was crying and had to be restrained to apply the cast, and it was heartbreaking. The patient did not have a parent with her because she had been removed from the family, and she seemed so scared. I talked to her in a gentle manner while stroking her head and had a stuffed animal I gave her to help divert her attention. She calmed down quite a bit and started to fall asleep while holding my hand."

If the job announcement requires prior experience as an orthopedic technician, the interviewer might ask this question. The interviewer wants to hear what you consider a difficult patient, why the patient was difficult, and how you handled the situation. Your response will show the interviewer that you can remain calm under pressure and have critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Do you work well under pressure?

"Yes, I work very well under pressure. When faced with a high-pressure situation, I find that I need to take a deep breath to calm myself and focus on the situation in front of me. I realize the importance of working under pressure in this profession and have proven that I respond well. While I was completing my internship, I was assisting a surgeon who was performing a hip replacement. Suddenly, the patient started hemorrhaging from a nick in their artery, and their blood pressure dropped. Without being told what to do, I grabbed some sterile sheets and applied pressure to the patient's artery to slow the bleeding. The surgeon was able to suture the artery and stop the bleeding quickly. He said I was very helpful and quick-thinking to apply pressure and that it helped save the patient's life."

Working as an orthopedic technician can be stressful at times, and you must work well under pressure to succeed in this field. Describe when you have worked under pressure and how you handled the situation. The interviewer wants to hear that you can remain calm under pressure and be a good fit for their organization. Be sure your answer is relevant to the job title.

Describe an emergency situation you have experienced with a patient.

"I have not yet experienced a patient having an emergency since I am just starting out in this career. However, I witnessed a pedestrian being hit by a car last year, and I stopped to assist. The pedestrian had a fractured leg and a head injury. I called 911 and waited with him until the ambulance arrived. I held his head so he would not move and applied pressure to his wound to stop the bleeding. I had a bystander cover him with a blanket, and I kept talking to him to keep him awake. I felt I responded well and decided then that I wanted to enter the medical field."

Working as an orthopedic technician, there will be times that patients will experience emergencies. The interviewer wants to hear if you have experienced an emergency with a patient, how you responded, and the outcome. They want to see that you remain calm under pressure, are level-headed, and are professional. If you have experienced an emergency during your career, describe the emergency. If you have not had that experience, explain that you have not been in that situation but tell them how you would respond or describe another emergency you have assisted with.

What would you do if you found out you were scheduled on a day you typically had off, and you had already made plans for that day?

"If I found out I was scheduled to work on a normal day off and I had already made plans, I would ask my supervisor if I was meant to work that day or if there was a scheduling error. If my supervisor told me there was no error and they needed me to work that day, I would change my plans for another day. If my plans were such that I couldn't change them, for example, a birthday party, I would ask my supervisor if I could try to find someone to cover for me."

The interviewer may ask this question to see how you communicate and problem-solve. They also want to see how flexible you are with your schedule and how well you adapt to change. Explain how you would respond if you had plans for your regularly scheduled day off but were scheduled to work.

What is your greatest weakness? What are you doing to improve it?

"I would describe my greatest weakness as remembering people's names the first time I meet them. I understand that remembering names is important in this profession, and I have started attending an adult education course that teaches memory association. The instructor assigns activities so that we can practice at home. I already feel in the two weeks I have been attending the class that it is easier for me to remember names."

This is a common interview question. The interviewer wants to see that you are self-aware and can identify a weakness and take steps to improve yourself. Describe a weakness that relates to your profession, and end on a positive note with how you are working to make that weakness a strength.

What is your greatest strength?

"My greatest strength is my compassion and empathy for others. I genuinely care about people and what they are going through. I developed compassion at a young age when I had to help take care of my sick mom, who was diagnosed with cancer. I felt so sad seeing her in pain, and I just wanted to make her feel better. I realized then that I wanted to work in the medical field and help make people feel better."

Interviewers often ask this question to identify what you consider your greatest strength and if you will benefit the company if hired. Look at the job announcement and see what qualities the company is looking for in its ideal candidate. If the job requires an experienced, honest, reliable, and compassionate orthopedic technician with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel skills, choose one of those keywords to use as your strength.

Tell me about a time you had a disagreement with a coworker. How did you handle the situation?

"I disagreed with a coworker who was constantly talking bad about the staff behind their back and loved to spread rumors. This person never had anything nice to say, and it bothered me. I asked them if we could speak in private at the end of the workday, and they agreed. I told my coworker that it bothered me that they were talking about people behind their back and saying things that were not true. They acted surprised and said they didn't realize they were saying bad things and asked me to correct them if it happened again. I think it was a bad habit that they weren't aware of. After that, anytime my coworker started to say something bad, I gave a look and raised my eyebrows, and they self-corrected their behavior."

Coworkers will inevitably have disagreements from time to time. It's how you handle a dispute that is what the interviewer wants to hear. They want you to describe how you resolve conflict and remain calm when faced with adversity. Share a short story when you and a coworker have disagreed about something and how you handled the situation. If you have never disagreed with a coworker, explain that you have not encountered that situation but describe how you have handled disagreements with others.

Why are you the best candidate for us?

"I am the best candidate for your company because I have the experience and qualities you are looking for in an ideal candidate. I have three years of experience in this field, I am compassionate and dependable, and I have excellent communication and people skills. I believe I will positively benefit your company if you hire me."

There are likely many candidates who are qualified for the position. The interviewer wants to hear why you stand out from the others and will be the best candidate if hired. Review the job announcement to see what skills and qualifications the organization is looking for, and use keywords from the announcement in your response. If they are looking for an experienced, dependable, and compassionate orthopedic technician with excellent communication and people skills, be sure to use some of those qualities when formulating your answer.

What experience do you have in this field?

"I have one year of volunteer experience helping at orthopedic clinics. I also have experience from the one-year orthopedic technician course I recently completed, along with the externship that accompanied that course. This is the first job I have applied to since graduating, and I look forward to the opportunity of gaining experience with your company."

The job announcement should have described the amount of experience the company is looking for, whether no experience is required or one to three years of experience is preferred. The interviewer wants to hear about your experience in this profession, including any educational or volunteer experience.

Can you tell me what our company's mission statement is?

"Yes, your mission statement is to help amazing people get back to doing what they love. Your mission statement is found on your website, pamphlets, and is painted on your wall behind the front desk receptionist."

Before any job interview, you want to research and learn as much as possible about the company. Find out how large the practice is, who the primary physician is, how many employees they have, their mission or vision statement, what clientele they serve, etc. Visit the company, talk to the staff, review their website and social media, and read online reviews. If a question is asked about their company, you should be ready to respond.

Why do you want to work for our company?

"I want to work for your company because I love your patient-centered approach and how you encourage professional growth among your staff. My goal is to become an orthopedic nurse in the next four years, and I would be able to achieve my goal while working for your company."

This is another question where the interviewer wants to hear that you have researched their company before your interview. When researching the company, find unique qualities that stand out and use those in your response. You may like their mission statement and company values, they may be the top-rated company in your area or have cutting-edge technology. Describe what attracted you to their company and why you want to be part of their team.

What do you know about our practice?

"Your practice was started in 1996 by Doctor Rogers, whose mission is to help patients regain and maintain an active lifestyle. You have seven board-certified orthopedic surgeons on staff, four orthopedic physician assistants, three registered nurses, five orthopedic technicians, and three front desk receptionists. You are in the process of moving to a larger facility and will have your grand opening in two weeks."

Before any job interview, you want to research and learn as much as possible about the company. Find out who the CEO is, how large the practice is, how many employees they have, their mission statement, what clientele they serve, etc. Visit the practice, talk to the staff, review their website and social media, and read online reviews. If a question is asked about their practice, you should be ready to respond.

What makes you qualified for this position?

"I am qualified for the position because I have the education requirements, qualities, and experience you are looking for in an orthopedic technician. I completed high school with a 4.0 GPA, I have a current CPR card, and I am honest, hardworking, and have reliable transportation."

If you have made it to the interview, you must have the qualifications needed for the job. Even though the interviewer can read your job application and resume, they want to hear why you are qualified for the job in your own words. Describe your schooling and certificates you have, plus list the soft skills that make you eligible for the job. Review the job announcement to see what skills and qualifications the organization is looking for, and use keywords from the announcement in your response.

Why did you leave your last job?

"I left my last job to seek a career change. I worked as a delivery driver for five years and decided to pursue a career as an orthopedic technician after being involved in a vehicle accident. While going through rehab, I was introduced to this career and discovered I wanted to help others as my orthopedic team helped me."

Interviewers will often call previous employers for references when screening applicants, so they may already know why you left your last job. They want to hear from you your reason for leaving. It might be that you left because of a career change, you wanted a shorter commute, the ownership changed, the company downsized, or you were fired. Whatever your answer, be sure you do not speak negatively of your previous supervisor or coworkers, which will make you look bad in the interviewer's eyes. If you were fired, answer in a way that demonstrates your integrity and professionalism.

This position calls for standing for long periods and lifting up to 35 pounds. Are you able to fulfill those requirements?

"Yes, I can fulfill your requirements. I do not have any physical limitations and currently work as a server in a busy restaurant. I am used to being on my feet for an eight-hour shift and consistently lift upwards of 50 to 60 pounds. I exercise five days a week and feel it is important to stay in top physical shape."

Typically, when there are physical requirements for the job, they will be listed on the job announcement. If you applied to the position, you most likely could fulfill those requirements. Working as an orthopedic technician calls for standing for long periods and lifting objects. Describe if you can fulfill those requirements, and if not, explain why. However, if you cannot fulfill the company's physical requirements, you most likely will be passed over.

If hired, when could you start?

"If hired, I am available to start immediately, even today, if needed! I am not currently working, so I do not need to give notice to my employer."

The interviewer wants to see how soon you can start working for them if offered the position. If you are currently employed, it is respectful and customary to give your employer two weeks' notice before leaving, and the interviewer will understand that. If you are not currently working, saying you are available to start immediately shows your eagerness and excitement to start working for the company.

What do you like most about being an orthopedic technician?

"What I like most about working as an Orthopedic Technician is that I interact with patients all day long. I am a people person and enjoy helping patients and seeing the smile on their faces when they leave the office."

There are many reasons orthopedic technicians love their job. They get to interact with patients, assist physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants, and gain valuable medical experience to advance their careers. Describe what aspect you like most about your job, so the interviewer can determine if you will be a good fit for their company and its culture.

What do you like to do for fun?

"I enjoy a variety of activities and hobbies. I like to stay active on my days off and enjoy mountain biking, kayaking, and trail running with my two dogs. I also like gardening, cooking, and reading true crime novels."

Interviewers ask this question to learn more about your personality and see if you would be a good fit with other employees. What activities you enjoy for fun also gives insight into your character, energy, and ambition. What you do on your days off also shows how you destress and enjoy a healthy work/life balance. Describe activities and hobbies you enjoy doing for fun.

"My mentor is my grandfather on my mother's side. When I was six years old, my father left our family, and we never saw him again. My mom, brother, and I moved in with my grandparents, and my grandfather became my mentor. He taught me and my brother the importance of being honest and dependable, doing well in school, and working hard to achieve our goals. My grandfather worked two jobs to help support us, but he was always emotionally and physically available. He taught me that I could achieve whatever I wanted in life and supported me in every way."

A mentor is someone who has experience and guides a person to develop professionally. Interviewers want to hear who you consider a mentor and how they have taught you life and work-related lessons. Your mentor could be a relative or friend, a professor, colleague, guidance counselor, former boss, or anyone else you respect and have learned from. Try to avoid using a spiritual figure, animal, public figure, or inanimate object in your response since it may be offensive to the interviewer.

How would your former employer describe you?

"In several of my past performance reviews, my former employer described me as being energetic, dependable, honest, and eager to learn. I have received nothing but praise from my former employer."

The interviewer will most likely call your former employer for a reference, so they will discover how your former employer would describe you. If you have a letter of recommendation or past performance reviews, you can use those to explain what your former employer wrote about you. If you do not have either of those, think of times when your former employer praised you for a job well done, and think of keywords they used.

Tell me about yourself.

"Well, I decided at 18 years old that I wanted to work in orthopedics after becoming injured in a motorcycle accident. After breaking my femur and pelvis, I had an incredible orthopedics team that I worked with for five months. After I recovered, I was hired by the orthopedic's office and started working as an orthopedic technician, where I worked for two years. I am now interviewing with your company because the office I was working in closed down when the physician retired."

Interviewers will typically ask this as their first question to ease into the interview. Some interviewers will then ask the following questions based on your response. The goal of asking this question is to quickly get to know more about you and determine if you are the right candidate for the position. How you respond also shows the interviewer your communication skills and how you connect and react to others. One suggested way to answer is to briefly talk about the past, present, and future of your profession.

What have you done in the past year to better yourself as an orthopedic technician?

"I have done several things in the past year to improve myself as an orthopedic technician. I attended a four-day orthopedic conference two months ago, where I learned about evolving techniques and technologies. I subscribed to an orthopedic magazine last year, where I stay up-to-date on the latest orthopedic practices. I also volunteered for a month overseas, where I assisted surgeons with surgical procedures in less developed towns."

You could have done many things in the past year to better yourself as an orthopedic technician. You may have taken special courses to advance your career, attended orthopedic conferences, subscribed to newsletters or journal publications, or volunteered at orthopedic clinics. The interviewer wants to hear that you take your profession seriously and recognize the importance of improving yourself.

What kind of work environment do you thrive in?

"I thrive in a work environment that is casual, yet professional. My ideal work environment is one that inspires and encourages its employees to grow and has a patient-centered approach. I thrive working with others that are like-minded with a strong work ethic and moral principles."

Interviewers will ask this question to see if your ideal work environment fits with their company culture. It also shows them what will be your most productive work environment. The different types of work environments include a formal, traditional work environment or a casual approach. When researching the company, see if you can get a feel for their type of work environment and tailor your response to align with their philosophy. If you do not thrive in the kind of environment they offer, you may not be a good fit.

How would you define great patient care?

"I define great patient care as always putting the patient first, greeting them with a smile and by name, being respectful of their privacy, and taking the time to listen to their concerns. I treat every patient as if they are a family member, and how I would want to be treated."

Great patient care can be defined in many ways. The interviewer wants to hear in your words what great patient care looks like to you and if you will be a good fit for the position. You can answer that great patient care is actively listening to the patient, greeting them with a smile, being compassionate and empathetic to their needs, and taking the time to answer their questions. Give an example of how you define excellent patient care.

What are your career goals?

"My career goals are to become an orthopedic nurse. In the next two years, I will receive my associate's degree in nursing. I then have to pass the NCLEX-RN exam, gain 1,000 hours of experience in orthopedics, take my Orthopedic Nurse Certification exam, and then will be an orthopedic nurse. I see that you have many openings for orthopedic nurses and hope to gain experience and continue working with your company."

The interviewer wants to hear if you have professional goals and if they include the company you are interviewing with. It takes a lot of money to hire and train new employees, and they want to see if you will be a long-term or short-term employee. Since the interviewer wasn't specific with a time frame, talk about your career goals in two to five years.

Why did you choose to pursue a career as an orthopedic technician?

"I chose to pursue a career as an orthopedic technician after attending a job fair at my high school. I was interested in pursuing a career in the medical field but wasn't sure what I wanted to do. An orthopedic group had a booth set up, and I discovered what a great career this could be. I like that I can start working right out of high school and gain experience and on-the-job training that will go towards becoming certified."

The interviewer wants to hear what motivated you to become an orthopedic technician. It may be that you have a professor or guidance counselor who suggested this career, a friend or family member in the field, a job fair or career day you attended, or you may have been exposed to this field by an interaction you had with an orthopedic technician. Describe how you chose to pursue a career as an orthopedic technician.

What relevant professional courses have you taken? What are your certifications?

"I recently completed my Orthopedic Technician certification through a technical college, and have First Aid, CPR, and AED certifications."

Some agencies require a high school diploma or equivalent to apply, while others require their orthopedic technician applicants to be certified. Some agencies also require CPR and First Aid certification. If you made it to the interview, you must have met the company's requirements. Describe any relevant courses you have taken and any certificates or degrees you have. If you plan on advancing your education, explain what your educational goals are.

Tell me about your education.

"I graduated last year from Dos Pueblos High School where I received my diploma. I am currently enrolled at Rio Hondo College and will receive my associate's degree in orthopedic technology in two years."

Some agencies require a high school diploma or equivalent to apply, while others require their orthopedic technician applicants to be certified. If you made it to the interview, you must have met the company's requirements. Describe your education and any certifications or degrees you have. If you plan on advancing your education, explain what your educational goals are.

Do you have any questions about the position?

"The only question I have at this time is one that wasn't answered on your job announcement. Is this a full or part-time position? I am available for both but would prefer full-time if it is offered."

Before any job interview, you want to research and learn as much as possible about the company and the position you would fill. Find out how large the practice is, who the primary physician is, how many employees they have, their mission or vision statement, what clientele they serve, etc. Visit the company, talk to the staff, review their website and social media, and read online reviews. If the interviewer asks if you have any questions about the position, it is always good to ask a question. It shows you are eager to learn as much as you can about the position. Be sure the question you ask cannot be answered from the job announcement or their website.

How did you hear about this position?

"I heard about this position from a job fair at the local college. I was attending orientation day, and there was a booth from your company set up at the fair. I spoke with Nancy, who is a recruiter for your company. After showing an interest in orthopedics, she encouraged me to apply."

The interviewer wants to hear how you heard about the position for several reasons. First, the company pays money to advertise their job announcement and wants to know what methods get the most exposure. Second, some companies pay their employees a referral fee when they refer quality candidates. Explain how you heard about the position.

If hired, are you available to work an occasional weekend?

"If hired, I would be available to work an occasional weekend with a little notice beforehand. I have a three-year-old daughter that I need to find childcare for, but I have two people who can watch my daughter on the weekends. I just need to give them a few days' notice to make sure they are available."

The interviewer is looking to see your availability and flexibility with your schedule. If you answer that you are available to work weekends when needed, it shows that you are a team player and will be accommodating. If you cannot work weekends for some reason, explain why you would not be able to work occasional weekends. However, it might make you less likely to get hired if the interviewer needs an employee who can work weekends.

When did you decide you wanted to be an orthopedic technician?

"I decided to pursue a career as an orthopedic technician after taking a basic first aid class while in high school. I discovered I enjoyed splinting and bandaging, and my instructor suggested that a career in orthopedics might be a good choice for me. I researched different orthopedic careers and decided to start as an orthopedic technician before going to school to become an orthopedic physician assistant."

The interviewer wants to hear what made you decide to become an orthopedic technician. Describe how you determined that you wanted to pursue a career as an orthopedic technician. It may be that you have a friend or family member in the field, a professor or guidance counselor might have suggested this career, or you may have been exposed to this field by an interaction you had with an orthopedic technician.

Do you have any questions for me?

"Yes, I do have one question, thank you. When do you think you will be filling this position?"

Before any job interview, you want to learn as much as possible about the company and the position you would fill. Find out how large the practice is, who the primary physician is, how many employees they have, their mission or vision statement, what clientele they serve, etc. Visit the company, talk to the staff, review their website and social media, and read online reviews. If the interviewer asks if you have any questions, it is always good to answer in the affirmative. Asking a question or two shows you are eager to learn as much as you can about the company. Be sure the question you ask cannot be answered from the job announcement or their website, and try to avoid questions about salary or benefits. Those questions are typically answered by Human Resources when offered the job.

How would you describe your communication skills?

"I would describe my communication skills as excellent. I can communicate to my patients and coworkers in written and verbal form. I understand the importance of communicating in a way so that patients will understand my instructions for taking care of their injuries. I will often ask the patient to repeat the instructions I have told them to make sure they fully understand."

One of the qualities orthopedic technicians require is excellent verbal and written communication skills. You will be speaking with patients and family members, working with physicians and other coworkers, documenting in patients' medical records, and instructing patients on how to care for their injuries. The interviewer wants to hear that you have the skills needed for the job.

How would you describe your work style?

"I describe my work style as team-oriented, with effective communication, and the ability to adapt. In this profession, one must be able to work effectively on a team, communicate clearly in written and verbal form, and adapt to each patient's needs."

The interviewer asks this question to see how you will fit with the company culture and existing team. They want to see your attitude, work ethic, and ease to work with and manage. When researching the company, see if you can identify its work style, such as fast-paced, relaxed, team-oriented, or patient-centered. Choose two to three traits that align with the company culture to form your response, and explain why you used those traits to describe your work style.

Orthopedic Technician Interview Questions

Go Back

1. Tell me about the most difficult patient you had to treat.
2. Do you work well under pressure?
3. Describe an emergency situation you have experienced with a patient.
4. What would you do if you found out you were scheduled on a day you typically had off, and you had already made plans for that day?
5. What is your greatest weakness? What are you doing to improve it?
6. What is your greatest strength?
7. Tell me about a time you had a disagreement with a coworker. How did you handle the situation?
8. Why are you the best candidate for us?
9. What experience do you have in this field?
10. Can you tell me what our company's mission statement is?
11. Why do you want to work for our company?
12. What do you know about our practice?
13. What makes you qualified for this position?
14. Why did you leave your last job?
15. This position calls for standing for long periods and lifting up to 35 pounds. Are you able to fulfill those requirements?
16. If hired, when could you start?
17. What do you like most about being an orthopedic technician?
18. What do you like to do for fun?
19. Who is your mentor?
20. How would your former employer describe you?
21. Tell me about yourself.
22. What have you done in the past year to better yourself as an orthopedic technician?
23. What kind of work environment do you thrive in?
24. How would you define great patient care?
25. What are your career goals?
26. Why did you choose to pursue a career as an orthopedic technician?
27. What relevant professional courses have you taken? What are your certifications?
28. Tell me about your education.
29. Do you have any questions about the position?
30. How did you hear about this position?
31. If hired, are you available to work an occasional weekend?
32. When did you decide you wanted to be an orthopedic technician?
33. Do you have any questions for me?
34. How would you describe your communication skills?
35. How would you describe your work style?

Orthopedic Technician Interview Questions

1. Tell me about the most difficult patient you had to treat.

2. Do you work well under pressure?

3. Describe an emergency situation you have experienced with a patient.

4. What would you do if you found out you were scheduled on a day you typically had off, and you had already made plans for that day?

5. What is your greatest weakness? What are you doing to improve it?

6. What is your greatest strength?

7. Tell me about a time you had a disagreement with a coworker. How did you handle the situation?

8. Why are you the best candidate for us?

9. What experience do you have in this field?

10. Can you tell me what our company's mission statement is?

11. Why do you want to work for our company?

12. What do you know about our practice?

13. What makes you qualified for this position?

14. Why did you leave your last job?

15. This position calls for standing for long periods and lifting up to 35 pounds. Are you able to fulfill those requirements?

16. If hired, when could you start?

17. What do you like most about being an orthopedic technician?

18. What do you like to do for fun?

19. Who is your mentor?

20. How would your former employer describe you?

21. Tell me about yourself.

22. What have you done in the past year to better yourself as an orthopedic technician?

23. What kind of work environment do you thrive in?

24. How would you define great patient care?

25. What are your career goals?

26. Why did you choose to pursue a career as an orthopedic technician?

27. What relevant professional courses have you taken? What are your certifications?

28. Tell me about your education.

29. Do you have any questions about the position?

30. How did you hear about this position?

31. If hired, are you available to work an occasional weekend?

32. When did you decide you wanted to be an orthopedic technician?

33. Do you have any questions for me?

34. How would you describe your communication skills?

35. How would you describe your work style?