Top 25 Paramedic Interview Questions
1. What was your schedule at your last position? Are you okay adjusting to a new shift?
Professional Answer
List of Paramedic Interview Questions
- What was your schedule at your last position? Are you okay adjusting to a new shift?
- What are a few traits you think a paramedic needs to have?
- How would you handle working with a teammate with less experience that caused you to carry the workload?
- What can you bring to the job that exceeds what other candidates can bring?
- What motivates you?
- Tell me how you remain calm, in detail, during a crisis?
- How do you handle death?
- How do you build relationships when you join a new team?
- How would you intervene with a frantic relative who is grieving over the injury of a child?
- Have you ever suggested a improvement that was put into practice in the paramedic field?
- How do you resolve conflict with co-workers?
- 24/7 operations are like relay races where you take the baton, run with it and then pass it on smoothly. How do you make seamless transitions on shift changes?
- What gives you the greatest joy as a Paramedic?
- What drew you to emergency medicine?
- Tell me about a mistake you made at work. How did you handle it?
- Tell me about yourself.
- What is your greatest achievement so far?
- What part of your duties as a Paramedic do you dislike the most?
- Tell me about your experience working in teams.
- If you are the first on scene and notice 3 almost fatal injuries, how do you react to each patient before help arrives?
- Why do you want to work for our organization?
- What are your career goals?
- How do you fill downtime?
- How do you handle situations that could cause you to be tardy or absent?
- Have you ever lost a patient en route to the hospital? What happened?
- What would your previous co-workers say about your work performance?
- How would you rate your skills at creating a patient care report?
- How would you handle a situation where a patient has expired, and you have to cover their body and wheel them into the vehicle while a crowd of people watch.
- How would you handle a shift when four emergency calls are made all within a two hour time.
- Tell me about your previous boss.
Paramedic Information
February 26th, 2014
A paramedic is a medical professional, usually working as part of the emergency medical services provision in a given area. Their primary role is to provide pre-hospital advanced medical and trauma care, followed, where appropriate, by transfer to definitive care. Although most paramedics are field based in ambulances or response cars, some may undertake hospital based roles, such as the treatment of minor injuries.
wikipedia.org/wiki/Paramedic
A paramedic is a medical professional, usually working as part of the emergency medical services provision in a given area. Their primary role is to provide pre-hospital advanced medical and trauma care, followed, where appropriate, by transfer to definitive care. Although most paramedics are field based in ambulances or response cars, some may undertake hospital based roles, such as the treatment of minor injuries.
wikipedia.org/wiki/Paramedic
Paramedic User Submitted Interview Answers
Question
1 of 30
1 of 30
What was your schedule at your last position? Are you okay adjusting to a new shift?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
I am used to working 9:15 until 3:25 where due to sixth form and I also work around 7 hours a week at my part time job but these shifts can change so yes I used to adjusting to new shifts.
2.
I worked shifts in my last position so would have no problem adusting.
Question
2 of 30
2 of 30
What are a few traits you think a paramedic needs to have?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
Courage. Ability to think on their feet. Calm mindset. Ability to be a team player.
2.
Caring, compassionate, skill full, emphatic.
Question
3 of 30
3 of 30
How would you handle working with a teammate with less experience that caused you to carry the workload?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
I would do what had to be done at the time whilst ensuring im showing the teammate exactly what im doing in case it is down to lack of knowledge. The more the person knows, the more weight they can pull.
2.
Talk in private and explain how you feel, however take the lead and do not let the quality of patient care decrease.
Question
4 of 30
4 of 30
What can you bring to the job that exceeds what other candidates can bring?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
Excellent communication skills after experience working with a variety of people. Experience of staying calm in a tense situation.
2.
I am a blank canvas, and a sponge for information and learning. I am keen to learn and develop new skills that I am compassionate about.
Question
5 of 30
5 of 30
What motivates you?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
When I was life flighted for a tracheal infection.
2.
Well, growing up with a brother who has golden har syndrome, I have developed a habit of helping those in need, it makes me content.
Question
6 of 30
6 of 30
Tell me how you remain calm, in detail, during a crisis?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
First of all I assess the situation. Danger is always first to be assessed, if danger is not present then we go in remembering that we have trained for these types of scenarios calming the patient and bystanders down. Once the patient is assessed we treat the patient accordingly and decide on an exit strategy either by ambulance or by family members.
2.
I would imagine myself in the patients shoes, and know that I must keep calm to help them efficiently.
Question
7 of 30
7 of 30
How do you handle death?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
I have had loss in my life and personally I believe that death needs to be treated with a huge amount of respect and dignity. However I understand that in this profession death can play a big part and understand that there cannot be anything that gets in the way of doing the job and so I have and would face death with a brave and professional face but also make sure that my empathy for relatives is felt.
2.
I see death as a place of peace and it is unavoidable. What can make it hard are the circumstances in which the person passes away. I am good at detaching myself from emotions whilst still being able to comfort those effected.
Question
8 of 30
8 of 30
How do you build relationships when you join a new team?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
By respecting others experience and working as part of a team.
2.
Contact your senior men and take advice.
Question
9 of 30
9 of 30
How would you intervene with a frantic relative who is grieving over the injury of a child?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
I would pull them aside and calm down the relative, letting them know that the calmer they stay the better the outcome will be. Inform them that being calm will calm the child down and will help the situation.
2.
Calm them down and have dignity and respect for the child. Have an empathetic approach.
Question
10 of 30
10 of 30
Have you ever suggested a improvement that was put into practice in the paramedic field?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
Conduct, attire, uniform, cleanliness.
2.
This is difficult to give a straight answer. There are a lot of improvements that could and should be made in the EMS profession. I have known volunteer corps that have the utmost professional volunteers where big city for-profit ambulances that have some of the most unprofessional acting EMT's I have ever met. I think its a by-state issue where each state needs to enforce their standards of EMS and that often companies should be more proactive in selecting better-suited EMT's as well as training them to be more professional outside of knowing their protocols. They could also offer incentives to attract more of the better qualified candidates rather than just accepting all the basics straight out of class newbies. But then again this profession has a high turnover rate so this isn't a fix it solution. It really depends on the area. There isn't a one-size-fits-all solution.
Question
11 of 30
11 of 30
How do you resolve conflict with co-workers?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
Fine, I have good coping mechanisms.
2.
Take your time or be careful of what you are doing to prevent accident.
Question
12 of 30
12 of 30
24/7 operations are like relay races where you take the baton, run with it and then pass it on smoothly. How do you make seamless transitions on shift changes?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
I make sure that a following truck is prepped and ready for a call. I would make sure all base duties are done with time to spare before shift change. I make small talk with on coming crew, discuss how the day was, relay any information work related if necessary. Prior to leaving I double check with oncoming crew if there is anything they need before we leave shift.
2.
Have a systematic transition. Always thorough, have clear communication.
Question
13 of 30
13 of 30
What gives you the greatest joy as a Paramedic?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
Being able to treat someone straight away if needed rather than waiting for back up.
2.
At the end of the day, regardless if its a good day or a bad day, I can always say I am proud of what I do. It brings me much joy knowing I am making a difference in the world, and that gives me great meaning to my life.
Question
14 of 30
14 of 30
What drew you to emergency medicine?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
As a young adult there is something thrilling about emergency medicine, not knowing what will happen next. Now that I am older, I realize emergency medicine is very important, sometimes making the difference between life and death. Not many people can handle a job that is so demanding and that requires so much devotion. After playing high level sports my whole like, I truly understand the meaning of commitment, and I am committed to making emergency medicine better.
2.
Natural progression, this has naturally happened through my working life.
Question
15 of 30
15 of 30
Tell me about a mistake you made at work. How did you handle it?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
When learning to operating heavy machinery I was required to perform a task I was unfamiliar with, I calmed myself, took a deep breath and ran through the steps in my head before proceeding . I kept myself very aware of my surroundings to ensure I had not missed anything and proceeded with the task. Once completed I checked in with the other operator to ensure I had done it properly.
2.
I attended an emergency at an airfield and due to the nature of the emergency I needed to see all of those people aboard the aircraft. They were all more superior than myself and did not consent straight away. I was under a lot of pressure first of all to attend the emergency quickly with all the kit I required. Secondly, I had a duty of care to those who refused my treatment so I managed to convince them to be seen.
Question
16 of 30
16 of 30
Tell me about yourself.
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
Check the scene safety for danger, approach patient and check for level of consciousness.
2.
Notify dispatch, decide which bags seem necessary. Attempt to make patient contact as my partner and I eye up the scene for any unsafe/suspicious findings. As we proceed we make patient contact and run our call.
Question
17 of 30
17 of 30
What is your greatest achievement so far?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
Working with heavy machinery and never having an accident or incident.
2.
My greatest achievement is my level of independence that I've acquired. At a younger age than most, I've become a paramedic, moved to isolated aboriginal land, and gained work experience. I am now demonstrating that exact independence by being ready to move on to the next step of my life with NEMS
Question
18 of 30
18 of 30
What part of your duties as a Paramedic do you dislike the most?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
The time wasters, going out to people who abuse the NHS
2.
Being called to time wasting call outs.
Question
19 of 30
19 of 30
Tell me about your experience working in teams.
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
I believe I am a great member of a team. I understand everyone is an individual with strengths and weaknesses and will recognise these areas and ensure the team is as strong as possible. Being a team player is critical in this job to succeed and have the best outcomes for our patients.
2.
I enjoy teamwork, I value other peoples ideas and enjoy making group decisions as much as I enjoy making my own. I feel as though I work well in the group dynamic as I can also bring new ideas to the table and I feel as though my personality helps me to work in harmony with other members of staff.
Question
20 of 30
20 of 30
If you are the first on scene and notice 3 almost fatal injuries, how do you react to each patient before help arrives?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
Triage and assess each patient.
2.
Ensure open airway and catastrophic injuries are addressed.
Question
21 of 30
21 of 30
Why do you want to work for our organization?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
Teaching hospital since 1700's, teaching midwifes, other health care professinals, you have simulated ambualnces and patients houses, lecturers.
2.
Is life saving organization and is very good.
Question
22 of 30
22 of 30
What are your career goals?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
I want to become senior cordinator paramedic.
2.
I hope for this to be a life long career plan.
Question
23 of 30
23 of 30
How do you fill downtime?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
I surf, teach boxing, box, play golf, support the GWS giants and hang out with my friends and girlfriend at the beach etc.
2.
I spend time with my family, enjoy the beach and camping and I enjoy cooking.
Question
24 of 30
24 of 30
How do you handle situations that could cause you to be tardy or absent?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
I would speak to a line manager.
2.
Roll up my sleves and get the job done.
Question
25 of 30
25 of 30
Have you ever lost a patient en route to the hospital? What happened?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
It's probably unavoidable. In my case, resuscitaiton procedures are well set out and implemented as long as there are no DNAR orders in place.
2.
I have never lost a patient en route to hospital although I have experienced a patient going into cardiac arrest on scene, before transport to hospital. Full ALS protocol and swift transport followed.
Question
26 of 30
26 of 30
What would your previous co-workers say about your work performance?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
Yes. I remember missing many IVs, but especially one on a critical patient that had huge veins. I then heard from my preceptor a tip for putting in the IV and since then I have been able to get the IV nearly every time. It pays off to listen to constructive criticism.
2.
I have, and reflection allows for full understanding of any mistake to be made and reduces the possibility of repetition.
Question
27 of 30
27 of 30
How would you rate your skills at creating a patient care report?
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
I feel very comfortable creating Patient Care Reports, after 6.5 years of experience I have solidified a good method that works for me and have received lots of good feedback with regards to my documentation.
2.
Good but there is always room for improvement.
Question
28 of 30
28 of 30
How would you handle a situation where a patient has expired, and you have to cover their body and wheel them into the vehicle while a crowd of people watch.
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
With respect and try not to take any notice of the crowd.
2.
Hi would cover them up giving the dignity and respect.
Question
29 of 30
29 of 30
How would you handle a shift when four emergency calls are made all within a two hour time.
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
Take each one as they come until we completed them all.
2.
I would request to speak to a line manager and speak with my peers.
Question
30 of 30
30 of 30
Tell me about your previous boss.
User Submitted Interview Answers
1.
I am not a paramedic yet, I know there is a lot more to being a paramedic than saving lives that is a small part of the role.
2.
Yes and make a difference in the community.
Video
Paramedic and EMS Interview Questions, created to be unique and challenging. These questions were voted our best, by our users. Enjoy! Created on February 19th, 2016
Paramedic Pros
1. The sense of doing something good for the community and saving peoples lives. May 30th, 2012
2. Autonomy in the work place which could also be a negative if you are young in the field and do not have the experience May 30th, 2012
3. You get to help people during a emergency. May 30th, 2012
4. Being able to help people and knowing you can make a difference for somebody. May 30th, 2012
5. You get to help people and make them better. July 19th, 2012
6. A well respected profession where the public look up to you and put their trust in you to help them, their friends or family, a profession where you are always learning and everyday is different. April 2nd, 2014
7. The pros for me graduating the paramdeic program is that I am one step closer into getting into a fire dept and that I have just increased my ability to save somebodies life even more because of the information that I have been taught. April 2nd, 2014
8. The uniqueness of the job, the patient contact, having the ability to change someones life for the better. April 2nd, 2014
Questions to ask at Interview
Why did you choose this Profession?
I was just curious is to why the position was open if you could elaborate a bit for me please.