Paramedic Interview
Questions

6. Tell me how you remain calm, in detail, during a crisis? If you have already gotten this far in the field of emergency healthcare, you have experienced stress. Think back on the training, testing and traumatic situations you have already faced. How did you handle it? By now it may have become second nature, because you're so focused on the procedures you need to do to get through it. A good example of how to respond to this question would be something along these lines: "In the face of stress on the job, I stay focused and stay in communication with my partner. Following the routine checks and moving quickly help me to stay present and use my energy effectively. If there is massive blood loss, I focus on stopping the bleeding, pressure points, and patient care. There is no time to be anxious or frantic." Here is an answer example: "In the face of stress on the job, I stay focused and stay in communication with my partner. Following the routine checks and moving quickly help me to stay present and use my energy effectively. If there is massive blood loss, I focus on stopping the bleeding, pressure points, and patient care. There is no time to be anxious or frantic."7. How do you handle death? Death can be common in your line of work. When answering this question, remain calm and collected. You're still human, so the interviewer doesn't expect you to behave like a robot. The important thing to keep in mind is that your behavior affects others, your team, and relatives of the patient. If you can find a way to share a silver lining or a lesson learned, those are great things to share. Here is an answer example: "It is extremely frustrating when I have done everything in my power to keep a patient alive. Those are the toughest times on the job, but you have to push through it and learn from it."8. How do you build relationships when you join a new team? In an office environment many get away with being antisocial or having superficial relationships with co-workers. In emergency medicine, you don't have that option. You'll get a crash course on each of the individuals you work with and by necessity, you'll learn how to work with them. Your interviewer wants to know that you're the type of person who will make the first move to build and mend relationships on the job. There can be miscommunication and confusion on the job in the midst of handling crisis situations. What do you do in order to ensure optimal cooperation and teamwork? Here is an answer example: "I think a great way to build professional relationships is to understand that everyone has something to learn from one another."9. How would you intervene with a frantic relative who is grieving over the injury of a child? You need to tend to the injured child, but you have a relative in shock that may interfere with your ability to stabilize the child. What do you do? Think back on some of your experiences working with multiple individuals in a traumatic situation. What have you learned that helped? What didn't help? Your interviewer is testing your skills to see how you can balance your role of being compassionate and also taking action. They also want to learn how you communicate under pressure. You might not be able to calm the relative, but you could certainly explain what you need from them so that you can effectively do your job to keep the child alive. Here is an answer example: 10. Have you ever suggested a improvement that was put into practice in the paramedic field? If you haven't made a suggestion that was implemented, maybe you started doing things in a different way or with a different attitude. This questions is inquiring about problem solving and leadership. Some people notice issues and complain about them. Others think about ways to improve them. And leaders will make suggestions and seek out ways to put them into action. The types of problems you want to think about are those that may decrease efficiency or accuracy. It could be a standard way of completing a report that you have found a better way to do. Or maybe you have noticed the way your team interacts with patients that you feel could be more careful and compassionate. Take it to the next level: How are you proactive in setting the standard for excellence on your shift? Here is an answer example: 11. How do you resolve conflict with co-workers? Working so closely with your team, it's inevitable that you will have moments where you're not getting along swimmingly. As issues arise, what will you do? The best thing you can do in answering this question is show your interviewer how you are consistent. Just as you follow rules and regulations, offer patient care and a great attitude, you prioritize your relationships with your co-workers. How does one do this, especially in the heat of those intense moments? Listen. Don't take anything personally. Communicate. Think about those small yet significant ways you maintain those work relationships. Here is an answer example: 12. 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? "I am consistent in completing my reports, communicating with the hospital staff and ensuring I have done ever test and procedure before passing off a patient. In the same way, I make sure the truck is prepared for the next person to take over my shift so that they have everything they will need." Explain to the interviewer that you are consistent and follow through. These qualities are essential. Listing off your routine tasks before and after shifts will also reassure your interviewer that you are familiar and comfortable with these transitions. Here is an answer example: "I am consistent in completing my reports, communicating with the hospital staff and ensuring I have done ever test and procedure before passing off a patient. In the same way, I make sure the truck is prepared for the next person to take over my shift so that they have everything they will need."13. What gives you the greatest joy as a Paramedic? Hopefully your first response to this is SAVING LIVES! Everyone has different motivations for working in emergency healthcare, but the most thrilling moments for many are when they're able to come to the rescue and keep their patients alive. Think about your favorite aspects of the job. "It's an amazing feeling when you are able to revive a patient just in the nick of time. The rush of assessing the patient as quickly as possible to keep them alive and identify what needs to happen when we get to the hospital is one of the things I love about the job." The nature of the job itself may be the very thing you like most about it. Giving an example of a time you worked with a patient is always the way to go. If you are fairly new to the field, you can share an observation from a time you worked with a Paramedic and how that motivated you to continue your training to become one. Here is an answer example: "It's an amazing feeling when you are able to revive a patient just in the nick of time. The rush of assessing the patient as quickly as possible to keep them alive and identify what needs to happen when we get to the hospital is one of the things I love about the job."14. What drew you to emergency medicine? Is it the adrenaline rush? Is it saving lives? Why do you do what you do? The interviewer is looking for your motivation and wants to get to know you a little bit. Personal experiences and classes you took are great examples to share that give the interviewer more insight into how you chose your profession. So share a brief intro about how you got to where you are now. "I have been interested in healthcare for a long time, and when I was in college I started took an anatomy and physiology class. It fascinated me, so I continued to learn as much as possible about how the body works. When my brother was hospitalized after a car accident I was with him every step of the way. My experience riding in the ambulance changed my perspective and I knew that was what I wanted to do." Here is an answer example: "I have been interested in healthcare for a long time, and when I was in college I started took an anatomy and physiology class. It fascinated me, so I continued to learn as much as possible about how the body works. When my brother was hospitalized after a car accident I was with him every step of the way. My experience riding in the ambulance changed my perspective and I knew that was what I wanted to do."15. Tell me about a mistake you made at work. How did you handle it? Making a mistake when working in emergency medicine can be lethal. When you think back on your work history, can you think of a time you made a mistake with lesser consequences? Talk about the mistake briefly, and then explain what you did once you realized you did something wrong. Show you took initiative in handling it. If the consequences were greater than frustrating your boss or having to apologize, show you handled it by being humble and calm. Next talk about what you learned from it and the actions you will take to make sure it never happens again. Here is an answer example: "I sent an email at work without proofing it and then later realized that there were two people copied who were not supposed to know the information I shared. As soon as I noticed, I spoke to my boss and asked what I needed to do to resolve the situation. At that point, all I could do was apologize and learn from my mistake. Ever since then I am extremely careful to double check everything, whether it is an email, report or the status of a patient in critical care."16. Tell me about yourself. Remember, this is not a date. You don't need to tell your life story. You also don't need to explain your whole work history. Your interviewer is interested in hearing about aspects of yourself and your career that pertain directly to the role you're interviewing for. For example, rather than discussing how you got from high school to where you are today, focus on your experience with training and working as an EMT. Share what motivates you or some of your accomplishments working in the field. Here is an answer example: "I am proactive with a high attention to detail. My partners use to make fun of me for being so meticulous on reports. I am strict about following routine procedures and giving patients the best care within my means. My proudest moments are when I am able to stabilize patients in the most critical conditions. Last year I saved a mother and two children from a horrific car accident. Those are the experiences that keep me going."17. What is your greatest achievement so far? Showing that you can set goals for yourself and achieve them is an important quality that appeals to employers for several reasons. It shows you take initiative. It shows you can follow through. It also shows that you are ambitious. Give an example of an achievement that shows these characteristics of yourself. "When I decided to become a paramedic, I knew that it would be a process. I gave myself a time frame for school and was realistic about how I would be able to complete the training while working full time. I set a deadline for when I wanted to complete my certification and studied hard to get there." Becoming a paramedic is an achievement. Graduating from college is also an achievement. Think about a project or a training you completed that was challenging and share your process for tackling the challenge. Here is an answer example: "When I decided to become a paramedic, I knew that it would be a process. I gave myself a time frame for school and was realistic about how I would be able to complete the training while working full time. I set a deadline for when I wanted to complete my certification and studied hard to get there."18. What part of your duties as a Paramedic do you dislike the most? Being a paramedic is a dirty job. You will see things that can be very disturbing. How do you cope with these challenges? It's okay to be honest, but as you share the parts you don't enjoy, be careful not to complain. The last thing you want to do is show the interviewer how much you don't enjoy your job. Try explaining your response like this example: "Car accident calls can be some of the scariest, because you don't know what you're getting yourself into, and the possibilities of injuries are endless. I've seen kids who flew through the windshield in horrible shape. When I get a call like this I just take a deep breath, brace myself and stay focused on patient care." Here is an answer example: "Car accident calls can be some of the scariest, because you don't know what you're getting yourself into, and the possibilities of injuries are endless. I've seen kids who flew through the windshield in horrible shape. When I get a call like this I just take a deep breath, brace myself and stay focused on patient care."19. Tell me about your experience working in teams. The interviewer wants to know that you are a team-player and that you have experience working in team environments. Share an example from work or school that shows you enjoy working with others. Better yet, if you have taken any leadership over a team, share that! "I have enjoyed my most recent position as a paramedic, because I have a great partner and we communicate well. Everyone on my team is focused on the same mission, to deliver quality care to all of our patients. I enjoy working with others because it is fun and challenging." Here is an answer example: "I have enjoyed my most recent position as a paramedic, because I have a great partner and we communicate well. Everyone on my team is focused on the same mission, to deliver quality care to all of our patients. I enjoy working with others because it is fun and challenging."20. If you are the first on scene and notice 3 almost fatal injuries, how do you react to each patient before help arrives? Fall back on your training and think about the first thing you need to do when you arrive on the scene. Show the interviewer your thought process as you think critically about how to rescue these three individuals. Here's an example of how you could respond: "First I would check for scene hazards to make sure traffic is controlled so that there are no additional injuries as we stabilize the patients. Next I would work to immobilize each patient and treat the life threatening conditions as I am able to either before or during transport." Use your knowledge. If you are an EMT transitioning into your first paramedic job, think about the actions you observed of the paramedics you worked with. How did they handle these types of situations? Here is an answer example: "First I would check for scene hazards to make sure traffic is controlled so that there are no additional injuries as we stabilize the patients. Next I would work to immobilize each patient and treat the life threatening conditions as I am able to either before or during transport."21. Why do you want to work for our organization? The interviewer wants to hear that you are passionate about some aspect of the organization. What do you like most about this company? Have you heard great things about it? Do they offer great benefits? Does the job have a unique aspect that appeals to you? Simply share what you like most about the company, and share that this is a big part of why you want to work for this organization. Always do your research before the interviewer to know as much as you can! "Your organization has a reputation for providing amazing patient care. I have also heard great things from past employees. It's difficult to find a paramedic job somewhere that respects their employees and works with their schedules, so I was impressed by what I heard about you guys." Here is an answer example: "Your organization has a reputation for providing amazing patient care. I have also heard great things from past employees. It's difficult to find a paramedic job somewhere that respects their employees and works with their schedules, so I was impressed by what I heard about you guys."22. What are your career goals? It's important to think about how the position you are interviewing for will fit into your long term goals even as you apply for jobs. As you know, it takes a lot of hard work and training to become a Paramedic. It is also the type of job that many burn out from early on. If you don't have any future plans beyond that job, you may be more likely to let the constant stress and adrenaline rush get to you. There are many options for you once you have reached the point of being a certified Paramedic. You may want to consider fields like nursing, becoming a physician's assistant or even a doctor. The exposure and experience you get while working in this field will open many doors. Think critically about what you really want for your future and share how this role will benefit you by helping you get to the next step. Here is an answer example: 23. How do you handle situations that could cause you to be tardy or absent? First things first, make sure you are on time to your interview! Plan your route and how long it will take to get there. Proper planning will get you far, but sometimes life happens and you'll need a plan B. Think about some of the variables in your life that could affect your attendance at work. Sick children, traffic, car breakdowns... the list goes on. Most likely one of these issues has affected you before. Your interviewer is looking to see that you are proactive and that you can handle the stress of unexpected situations that can arise. Here is an answer example: "In the same way I stay focused at work and quickly address the needs of my patient, I stay calm and composed when issues arise. I got rear-ended one time on the way to work. I called my boss immediately and then called one of my co-workers to see if they could fill in for me for the first couple hours of my shift."24. How do you fill downtime? Depending on your shift, you may need to rest or even sleep. If you want to stay alert during your patient calls, you'll need to come back to a place of calm. Express to your interviewer that you use your downtime wisely. After a frantic call, you'll need to reestablish control, making sure you are organized and can come back to a place of calm. You will need some time to recover after experiencing something traumatic. Downtime gives you a chance to reset and regroup. Let your interviewer know that you understand how valuable your time is. You never know what to expect. You may only have a few minutes between calls, so take a few deep breaths and practice self-care in order to do an optimal job with the next patient. Here is an answer example: "I use my down time to relax, work on my hobbies and spend time with my family."25. Have you ever lost a patient en route to the hospital? What happened? If the answer is "yes" explain the situation and what you did. When you get an emergency call you don't always know what you're about to get into and every second counts once you've arrived at the scene. Bear in mind that the interviewer isn't necessarily looking to hear that you made a mistake. They are looking to see how you would handle this type of situation. For example, the issue could have been an elderly person who had a heart attack. Some cases are so unpredictable you have a 50/50 chance of keeping the patient alive. Tell the interviewer how you consistently work to make sure each patient has a chance. Here is an answer example: "yes"26. 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. This is a tough scenario. It could be highly emotional and challenging to keep your cool. If an interviewer were to ask a question like this, they are giving you the worst case scenario to test you. They want to see how you would react and if you have experienced a situation of a similar level of difficulty. Depending on what you have been through on the job, you may be able to relate. If this situation sounds foreign to you, think about responding like this: "Losing a patient is the most difficult aspect of the job for me. But in the same way that I stay focused while stabilizing and treating a patient, I would handle this type of situation by focusing on going through the process and keeping my calm." Here is an answer example: "Losing a patient is the most difficult aspect of the job for me. But in the same way that I stay focused while stabilizing and treating a patient, I would handle this type of situation by focusing on going through the process and keeping my calm."27. How would you handle a shift when four emergency calls are made all within a two hour time. If you haven't been in this situation before, think about the amount of energy and adrenaline it will take to get through two hours of non-stop patient care. One might be a stomach ulcer. One could be the aftermath of a gang fight. The intensity and unpredictability will generally be your greatest challenges. Here's a good example response: "Before every shift I mentally prepare myself to be alert and engaged for the entire shift. I would stay calm and continue to go through the routine procedures for each patient, giving them my full attention. If I rush through it there is chance for mistakes, so I stay consistent and double check my reports every time." Here is an answer example: "Before every shift I mentally prepare myself to be alert and engaged for the entire shift. I would stay calm and continue to go through the routine procedures for each patient, giving them my full attention. If I rush through it there is chance for mistakes, so I stay consistent and double check my reports every time."28. What would your previous co-workers say about your work performance? The interviewer can see your work history on your resume, now they want to know what your coworkers would say about your work ethic and personality. If you made a huge mistake or were reprimanded, your future employer can still find out when they check your references. You also may have some great relationships with co-workers but you and your boss didn't really get along. Here is an answer example: "My coworkers would say that I did my best to work well with everyone and I always put in 100%. They would say that I was consistent, dependable and driven."29. How would you rate your skills at creating a patient care report? "I am meticulous when it comes to creating a report. I make sure that I complete it after every patient call, double check spelling and dates as well as accuracy. I would definitely rate myself the highest." Double-check everything! It is your responsibility to provide detailed, accurate reports. The interviewer wants to know that you can be relied upon to be consistent about your reports. Stress your attention to detail and that you always double-check! Here is an answer example: "I am meticulous when it comes to creating a report. I make sure that I complete it after every patient call, double check spelling and dates as well as accuracy. I would definitely rate myself the highest."30. Tell me about your previous boss. No matter how difficult, unfair or terrible your previous boss was, use this question as an opportunity to share what you learned from them and what you learned from your previous role. If your boss was rigid to the point of frustration, you could say, "My boss taught me the importance of precision. He was particular about every little detail, from preparing the truck for the day to filling out reports. I learned how to fine tune my skills and identify the slightest details that could make all the difference in a life or death situation." Maybe your boss was a stickler on being on time. Here is an answer example: "My boss taught me the importance of precision. He was particular about every little detail, from preparing the truck for the day to filling out reports. I learned how to fine tune my skills and identify the slightest details that could make all the difference in a life or death situation."