How to Answer: Are you able to handle the physical requirements of the work of a Pediatric Critical Care Fellow?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a PICU Fellowship job interview.
14. Are you able to handle the physical requirements of the work of a Pediatric Critical Care Fellow?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Being a successful PICU Fellow has a unique blend of competing physical requirements. This can include being on your feet for typical 12-hour shifts with little time to sit because of the need to round on patients and the need to have gentle hands with the young patients that you will be working with on a daily basis. Your interviewers need to know that you will be able to handle all of the physical demands if they are going to seriously consider you to match into their program.
Written by Ryan Brunner on May 10th, 2022
How to Answer
Speak honestly and to the point about your ability to handle the long hours on your feet and the quick action of the PICU environment. If you can, talk about the long hours that you covered during your residency training and how you successfully managed them. Then, talk about your ability to work carefully with PICU patients and how you will prioritize being a gentle and caring physician if you were to match into this program. It can also be beneficial to discuss your self-care methods because being in physical shape can greatly benefit PICU Fellows on the job.
Written by Ryan Brunner on May 10th, 2022
Answer Example
"Yes, I can handle the long 12-hour shifts during PICU coverage during my fellowship training. I'm a very active person and found that working similar shifts during residency training came easily to me. As a father to two children, I am also very comfortable working carefully with pediatric patients of any age."
Written by Ryan Brunner on May 10th, 2022