List of 25 Physician Assistant Interview Questions & Answers
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1.
What are some of the challenges of working as a physician assistant?
How to Answer
This question is similar to the interviewer asking what your weaknesses are. Because this is one of the most common interview questions, you'll want to have a few examples prepared. Consider a few examples of patients coming in with a variety of unexpected ailments, technology going wrong or a coworker showing up late for work. Tell the interviewer how you handle these situations.
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Anonymous Answer
"Any time you are working with people, there is always the challenge of communicating effectively. Whether it's with patients or co-workers, it's important to take time to ensure both parties are on the same page working in the same direction. Patients with unexpected ailments present a unique challenge. I may have to refer them out or take extra time to contact my supervising physician."
Rachelle's Answer
This is a very well thought out response.
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"As a PA, you are trained as a generalist provider, and possibly a given specialty if you so choose. However, as a PA, you may encounter cases that are complex and beyond what you may feel comfortable treating and diagnosing. You can collaborate with other providers and do the best you can to treat the patient. Sometimes patients may be too complicated, and you may have to refer them to another provider. Also, in any health profession, patients maybe not wanting to deal with their health condition, and you have to do the best you can to treat, educate, and provide resources. It is challenging to figure out how to best manage and help each patient, but as a provider, you should do your best to provide individualized care to have the best outcomes for patients."
Rachelle's Answer
These are real work challenges, indeed. You do a nice job offering up options on how to overcome situations like this.
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"A lot of people complain that physician assistants might not get the autonomy that they may crave, or get from attending medical school. However, physician assistants get autonomy working in rural populations or areas where health care professionals are lacking."
Rachelle's Answer
This is an understandable challenge indeed; however, you make an excellent point when it comes to the opportunities present for PAs in rural areas. Well thought out answer!
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"One challenge working as a PA that comes to mind is having to center your treatment approach depending on the patient's insurance and medical coverage. Sometimes the best treatment option is not covered and is not affordable for the patient making it frustrating as you can't provide the best quality care."
Rachelle's Answer
This situation sounds challenging! If it were up to you, what would you do to improve this situation? As a PA, what can you do to help alleviate this challenge? These are additional thoughts you may want to consider including in your response.
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"It can be challenging, especially in the last year, when every team member has been stretched. We have been for years understaffed, but we have managed to collaborate successfully and make the best of the situation."
Rachelle's Answer
It's wonderful that you have collaborated and worked together despite the intense challenges this year has brought. Do you expect to face the same challenged in this new role? That will be an important thought to approach in your answer.
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2.
Tell me about yourself.
How to Answer
When an interviewer asks an open-ended question like this, it can be difficult to know where to begin...and end! This question haunts many individuals who may accidentally go a little too in-depth into their personal lives. It happens. Keep your reply light, and work relevant. Share how you became interested in this career path and what you enjoy about it. This is an excellent opportunity to describe yourself by discussing the strengths and qualities that you bring.
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Anonymous Answer
"I am a newly licensed and certified physician assistant. I am seeking opportunities that will allow me to continue learning and working as part of a team. I have obtained a Master's of Medical Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies from Augsburg University. Aside from a PA licensure, I have current active certifications in ACLS and BLS. Outside of practicing my passion for being a healthcare provider, I enjoy traveling and shopping."
Rachelle's Answer
This answer is a good start! I like to teach the 'Past, Present, Future' framework when it comes to the common 'Tell me about yourself' question. This framework will help you to build a more robust response. Here is a guide if you're interested: https://www.mockquestions.com/articles/How To Answer: Tell Me About Yourself/
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"I came from a family of nurses and physicians, so it was an early dream for me to treat my own patients. I consider myself as a passionate, enthusiast, hard worker, and team player who loves to learn on the go. I am looking forward to a successful PA career where I could provide the best care, so I am ready for the next challenge. Outside of work, I am a husband and a father to 2 boys. I love fishing, ice skating, and photography."
Stephanie's Answer
Excellent response! This clearly highlights your passion for the medical field, while also providing some helpful context into who you are as an individual outside of work.
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"I have always had an interest in problem-solving and science. As you may have noticed, I have a bachelors degree in Pharmaceutical science, Doing this degree, the plan was to go into the pharma industry, however, I found there to be something missing, I could not put my finger on it, so I decided to take a year out to further explore my interests. During that year, I funded myself by working in administration at the local primary care general practice. I became fascinated by the job of the Doctors there, I found myself asking to shadow the Doctors in my free time and that was when I realized what was missing with the pharmaceutical lab work. I realized I loved interacting with patients! The immense satisfaction I felt working with people of all walks of life, how I was able to see myself using my love for science, my critical thinking and problem-solving skills to make a positive impact in the lives of others. With that realization, I invested everything I had and moved to Manchester to pursue the PA course. I am happy to say that it all paid off as I am here, fully qualified, speaking to you, and ready to kickstart my dream career."
Chad's Answer
Excellent response! You have done well to summarize your career journey and highlight how you first became interested in the profession. Consider concluding your response with a splash of personal information to provide the interviewer with a more complete picture of who you are as an individual outside of work. Open-ended questions like this are best answered using the Past, Present, Future framework. Here is a guide if you're interested: https://www.mockquestions.com/articles/How To Answer: Tell Me About Yourself/
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"I have been a PA for approximately 5 years. Most of that time has been spent in the emergency department which was a great foundation of medicine and I was exposed to a variety of specialties which led to my interest in dermatology. I was able to transfer to dermatology where I received extensive hands-on training from the other providers in the group. Now, I am looking to move into a predominately medical dermatology role and I am very excited about this opportunity with your practice."
Chad's Answer
This answer is a great start! You have done well to keep your response light and work relevant. While the interviewer will have a good sense of your career journey, and future career aspirations, I suggest expanding on your current career situation. Are you currently working in dermatology? If so, are you able to discuss some of your primary responsibilities as they relate to the new opportunity you are applying to? Open-ended questions like this are best answered using the Past, Present, Future framework – we have a guide you may find useful: https://www.mockquestions.com/articles/How To Answer: Tell Me About Yourself/
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"I love medicine as we are constantly learning new things about diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of ailments. I love challenges and am looking for avenues to grow and learn in the field of medicine. This passion is what made me want to come back after a hiatus."
Stephanie's Answer
Your passion for medicine is very evident, which is wonderful. However, since this question is a bit broad ("Tell me about yourself,") I suggest adding a bit more about your professional background and the skills and positive characteristics that you'd bring to a workplace setting. I have created an example in the "Revised Answer" section to show what this might look like.
"I'm a hard-working physician assistant who is passionate about the evolving field of medicine. I love learning new things about diagnoses, assessment, and treatment of ailments. I am energized by challenges, and I am seeking a new avenue to grow and learn within the field of medicine. My passion for this career field is what made me want to return to work after a hiatus. My colleagues and former supervisors would describe me as being inquisitive, relational, and an active problem-solver. I bring my best self to work every day."
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3.
How would you rate your performance in this interview so far?
How to Answer
This question is a stress test! You need to be honest about your feelings about this meeting while maintaining an air of confidence at the same time. Be honest. It's okay to ask the interviewer to circle back if you aren't pleased with your initial response.
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Anonymous Answer
"I believe that this interview has been going great and has been quite informative for me. I am happy to provide further explanation or clarification on anything you would like to know more about or if you have any other questions or concerns."
Rachelle's Answer
Good response! Your approach is to the point and confident while keeping the door open for feedback or further queries.
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"I believe that the interview is going well and that we have had an informative exchange. Is there anything I can provide clarity on?"
Rachelle's Answer
Excellent!
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"This interview has been going very great and informative for me. I feel very comfortable. I will be very happy to provide an answer or explanation to anything that you would like to know about me."
Stephanie's Answer
Great response! This shows that you are enthusiastic about the role, feel confident in your responses, and are open to further discussion.
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4.
How do you feel when a physician criticizes your work?
How to Answer
The interviewer is asking this question for a few different reasons. They want to hear how well you handle criticism if you name drop or speak poorly of the one that challenged you and if you seem to hold a grudge over the situation. If you choose to give an example, be sure it allows you to demonstrate your ability to handle criticism with style.
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Anonymous Answer
"While it is never easy to receive criticism as a new provider, I expect to receive a lot of feedback. I have found that when I can take a step back from criticism or feedback, I can usually grow and become a better provider."
Rachelle's Answer
Perfect response!
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"I appreciate constructive feedback; it is an opportunity to learn from your mistakes. I am thankful for it. I usually don t hold any grudges against anybody, but if I believe that I have done a good job, I will definitely, politely and calmly, defend my position and work."
Rachelle's Answer
It's great that you are open to feedback and the learning opportunities that come from criticism. It's also awesome that you defend your work when you know that you are right :) I have offered a slight tweak to ensure that your wording remains personal (eliminating 'royal you' language). I have provided an example below of some ways that you can strengthen your response.
"I appreciate constructive feedback as it is an opportunity to learn from my mistakes. I am thankful for feedback, but if I believe that I have done a good job, I will politely and calmly defend my position and work. For instance...(include an example of when you received helpful feedback and another example of when you politely defended your work)."
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"As I am a new graduate, I will use criticism to improve my work. I will use it as a learning opportunity to better myself as the provider."
Stephanie's Answer
It's great that you're open to constructive feedback. To strengthen this response, I suggest including a specific example of a time when a physician provided constructive criticism. What did you learn? How did you use that feedback to improve?
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"I consider criticism as learning opportunities and additions to professional experience. For example, a physician once criticized my patient notes, telling me it was very brief. I was frustrated because I always do my best to write informative notes. I was able to control my frustration and learn from her how to write a good note. As a result, there was a marked improvement in my patient notes."
Stephanie's Answer
Great response! This really shows a "growth mindset" and your own commitment to receiving feedback and using that as a tool to better yourself.
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5.
What qualities does a great leader have? Which do you possess?
How to Answer
The interviewer would like to know that you understand the qualities that a great leader should possess. Highlight your ability to work with a team, and actively communicate. If you had a great mentor or supervisor in your past, feel free to mention something specific about what you learned from them.
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Anonymous Answer
"In my opinion, a great leader is someone very passionate, patient, cooperative, and a great listener. Working throughout the different clinical settings, especially as a medical assistant, I have developed these skills. As a medication assistant, I am always working in a team and sharing ideas with PAs, NPs, MDs, nurses, social workers, and my medical assistant colleague. I work with people who speak different languages; It required a great deal of patiently listening and communicating with them. I am always collaborating with teams and finding a way to help each other to succeed."
Rachelle's Answer
Very nice answer! You are thorough and do a wonderful job highlighting the ways that you possess these qualities.
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"To me, an exceptional leader is someone who can take initiative while being confident in their decisions and practice. Being a team player also plays a role in leadership."
Rachelle's Answer
These leadership traits are essential, indeed! When it comes to the leadership traits that you possess, be sure to mention your specific characteristics, and how you utilize them in the workplace/how these traits will benefit the hiring company.
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"Great leaders have the ability to bring together the skills and expertise of their team members to reach goals in the best way possible. They take into account the strengths and weaknesses of the people they lead and drive a productive environment through a compassionate, empathetic, and encouraging manner. I have always deemed myself to have those qualities. Throughout my training as a Physician Assistant, I have formed strong relationships with my colleagues both at University and clinical placements. I did this by being personable with the people I work with. I employed compassion and respect when dealing with their strengths and weaknesses. An example of when I did this was during Problem Based Learning exercises, on a regular basis effectively chairing the meetings when discussing patient cases, together with my team of Physician Assistants, we effectively unraveled undifferentiated cases to reach a working diagnosis."
Chad's Answer
Excellent! You thoroughly describe the leadership traits of a great leader and do a great job highlighting the ways that you have utilized these qualities in your work so far.
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6.
Are you available to work nights?
How to Answer
This could be a tough question to answer if you are not able to work nights. Answering this question with a 'no' isn't necessarily a deal breaker. The interviewer may know of a day shift opening in a few weeks and will keep your name on the back burner until then. Or, the interviewer may be able to work with your shift request. You need to be honest so that you guarantee you're ending up in a role that will suit your scheduling needs.
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Anonymous Answer
"Yes, I am available to work nights and a variety of shifts. I am currently working in a 12 hours shift pattern of days and nights."
Rachelle's Answer
Excellent! Your answer is to the point, and it's great that you express your current exposure to shift work.
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"I am eager to obtain all of the experiences as a new PA. I believe working some night shifts will allow me to get a broader perspective."
Rachelle's Answer
Very positive response! Although night shifts may not always be ideal, you do a fantastic job spinning the situation into a positive one. Your interviewer should greatly appreciate this trait!
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"As being new to my PA career, working on night shifts is an experience that I need. I will be more than happy to attend night shifts."
Stephanie's Answer
Great response! This shows a high level of flexibility and a "can-do" attitude.
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7.
What will you do if you have a client that refuses to take care of their health?
How to Answer
There are many challenges in the healthcare field, and one of them is treating patients who lack the desire to make healthy choices. You may encounter individuals who repeatedly visit your office with the same symptoms, asking for a pill rather than making the effort to live a healthy lifestyle. As you know, lifestyle choices greatly impact specific conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease. Tell the interviewer how you would handle a patient when they continue to complain of the same symptoms without taking the initiative to help themselves.
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Anonymous Answer
"I would do my best to met them where they are. I would continue with education and treatment options. I would work with the patient to come up with even one small lifestyle change they could make to better their health. It's important for patients to be involved in their own healthcare decision-making process."
Rachelle's Answer
Very well stated! I have changed the order just a touch, to help with the flow.
"It is important that patients be involved in the health care decision-making process. For this reason, I do my best to meet them where they are at; meaning, I would continue with education and treatment options. Working with a patient to come up with even one small lifestyle change could be enough to make an impact on their health."
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"In general, all health care professionals have a duty of taking care of their patients and making sure they comply with their medications and health advice. However, THE PATIENT is accountable for their health and their bodies. We can't force-feed them medications: the only thing we can do is keep following up with care and advice, but it takes listening and compliance for results to be seen."
Rachelle's Answer
Your answer shows a great deal of professionalism as well as boundaries that are necessary while working with patients and inside the healthcare system in general. Good work!
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"My job as a healthcare provider is to promote the health and well-being of my patients. In this case, I would counsel my patient about their wellbeing, and I would tell them about the consequences of not following their physician’s advice. I do my best to convince them to better take care of their health. At the end of the day, patients have their own autonomy and they have the right to make the decision of not listening to advice."
Stephanie's Answer
It's evident that you take the health of your patients very seriously! I have suggested a slight rewording of your response to shifting away from terms like "convince" them and move more towards terms like "encourage them." See my suggested updated response in the "Revised Answer" section.
"My role as a healthcare provider is to promote the health and well-being of my patients. In this case, I would counsel my patient about their wellbeing, and I would make sure they understood the potential consequences of not following their physician’s advice. While I would do my best to encourage them to better take care of their health, at the end of the day, patients have their own autonomy and they have the right to make the decision of not listening to advice."
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"It is sad to see when a patient does not want to help themselves and often it is overwhelming for them to make decisions but I would encourage and explains the best possible way to help them make a decision. At last, it is my job to care for patients."
Rachelle's Answer
It's wonderful that you are so understanding of your patients and empathetic to their situations. Going into further detail, what kind of communication approach and/or follow up do you put in place for patients like these?
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"This is a great challenge, and we often come across situations like this as healthcare professionals. Ultimately the patients are accountable for their own health once they leave our care. I personally try to show the patient that small steps and improvements can be made and that it makes a difference in their daily routine. Regardless of the patients' actions and decisions, it is my primary duty to advise and deliver the best care possible."
Rachelle's Answer
It sounds as though you have a professional, calm, and empathetic approach based on understanding and a focus on care. This is good!
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8.
How do you plan to continually grow as a physician assistant?
How to Answer
You have an elevated degree; however, that doesn't mean that you stop learning once you have reached the top. Discuss your plans to take professional courses, obtain new certifications or focus on personal growth. You may also want to mention a class or volunteer position to highlight your commitment to professional growth.
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Anonymous Answer
"I believe that working in healthcare is a non-ending learning experience. I would love to start by renewing my ACLS and ATLS courses. I love to attend national and international meetings that would discuss new trends in the field of primary care. I would keep my medical and clinical skills up to date by consistently reading new literature. In addition, I would love to have crash courses on performing and interpreting ultrasounds. I will be more than happy to listen to more suggestions that you might offer."
Stephanie's Answer
Great response! My only feedback is that I suggest you change the phrase "non-ending learning experience" to "never-ending learning experience."
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"What I like about being a physician assistant is that you are continually learning about different specialties, and you continuously learn on the job. I plan to continue growing by reading current medical journals, taking courses, and possibly getting my doctorate in physician assistant studies."
Rachelle's Answer
It sounds like you have a great plan already in place for flourishing in this career. Well done :)
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"I could say that I am interested in taking additional course work and specialised training in post-surgery anaesthetic care. It is important to me that I continue to learn and develop my skills."
Rachelle's Answer
It's nice that you offer a specific area of study since this will help the interviewer better understand your areas of interest. If you were to receive specialized training in post-surgery anaesthetic care, what difference would this make for your career, and what you could offer the hiring company?
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"Being a PA means committing to a lifetime of learning. Given that medicine is constantly changing, I believe that it is essential to consistently learn by reviewing new literature pertaining to practicing evidence-based medicine. I plan to continue my learning on the job site by asking questions and doing literature research including using UptoDate."
Rachelle's Answer
This answer is a nice start! I encourage you to add even more detail. For example, what topics would you find most interesting or pertinent in your continued learning? What literature do you lean on for deeper dives into evidence-based medicine? How do you plan to utilize UptoDate, and how will all of this professional growth benefit you and the hiring company in the future?
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9.
How do you gain a physician's trust and respect?
How to Answer
Professional working relationships are essential as a health care provider who regularly works on a multidisciplinary team. You can be specific about your process or stay general by sharing some of your best practices around building trust. If possible, share an example of how you gain trust within the patient care team or how you relate to others.
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Anonymous Answer
"Trust can be gain over time, and it takes, in my opinion, regular commitment and involvement so that the person you are working with knows that they can rely on you. Trust and respect are earned when you constantly show effort and initiative. As a team having trust and respect in each other, you can accomplish a great deal."
Rachelle's Answer
You make some terrific points! I suggest taking this answer from 'You' phrasing to 'I' phrasing. I have offered a suggestion for you below.
"I gain trust with physicians over time through regular commitment and involvement so that the person I am working with knows that they can rely on me. I earn trust and respect by showing constant effort and initiative. I understand that as a team, it is important to have trust and respect in each other because it allows us to accomplish our goals."
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"I believe the best way to gain a physician's trust and respect is to display strong dedication and reliability. If a physician is confident that they can rely on you, then you gain their trust. Another way to build trust is to practice an open and honest communication method."
Rachelle's Answer
These are terrific ways to build trust with the physicians around you. When it comes to your specific experience, it may be a nice touch to tell a brief story of a time when you used these approaches to gain the trust and respect of a physician.
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"The best way to gain a physician’s trust is to show commitment, reliability, and the will to learn. I was once on a night shift and I was called on a patient who was not feeling ok. The attending physician wasn’t able to answer for consultation. After history and investigations, I diagnosed the patient with MI and I transferred her for urgent PCR that saved her life. By making the right choice, I showed the attending physician that I’m a reliable person. The attending physician was very glad of my reaction."
Stephanie's Answer
Excellent response! This shows that you've given careful thought to how to cultivate a relationship with physicians and how to gain trust. The specific answer you provided really helped your response come alive!
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10.
What are your weaknesses as a physician assistant?
How to Answer
Preparing for this question requires a great deal of self-awareness and strategy. Focus on a weakness that you could turn into a strength or take action on to improve. Always share what you are learning, or have learned, from your weakness. This shows your interviewer that you are adaptable and willing to grow.
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Anonymous Answer
"My biggest weakness is that I tend to become emotionally attached and affected by patients' medical outcomes. It is hard for me not to show great empathy when talking to a patient about catastrophic medical conditions."
Rachelle's Answer
It certainly would be very challenging to avoid emotional attachment with patients and outcomes. Next, be sure to include what you plan to do to improve on this perceived weakness. If you would like further resources, you can check out the answer advice in this article (Question 3): https://www.mockquestions.com/articles/How to Answer 5 of The Most Common Interview Questions/
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"My greatest weakness as a physician assistant is that I am an over worker. I tend to accept all types of shifts on any day of the week. I have to learn how to have a break and say no when shifts are offered to me."
Stephanie's Answer
It's clear that you're a very hard worker! You do a good job of highlighting a weakness that could also be viewed as a strength, however, the wording could be a bit clearer, so I have included a suggested way to restate this in the "Revised Answer" box below.
"I am an extremely hard worker! While I consider this a professional strength, it can also present as a weakness, as I tend to accept all types of shifts on any day of the week. I have had to learn how to take a break and say no to shifts that are offered to me. While I am passionate about the profession, I am also learning the importance of balance and self-care."
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"As a new provider, I am still learning how to maximize the EHR. I plan on continuing to grow my knowledge with tutorials and any available resources from the practice."
Rachelle's Answer
Perfect response! You show that you seek growth while also being confident in your abilities.
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11.
Who is your mentor in the healthcare industry?
How to Answer
In this particular situation, your interviewer is looking for a mentor in the same career field. If your crazy best friend is who you look up to, you may want to censor and save those stories for another time. The interviewer wants to know who you get your professional direction and advice from. Did a professor take you under their wing and guide you? Perhaps a family member has overcome challenges in life and has pushed you to become the person you are today.
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Anonymous Answer
"I had the opportunity to have a PA as a mentor in my senior year of college. She worked as a family medicine PA at a small clinic in an urban suburb of Minneapolis. She very much inspired me to want to go into primary care, and help provide healthcare to populations that do not have adequate access. She made a difference in people of all ages and backgrounds lives, from children's physicals to older adults with hypertension, she impacted the health outcomes of individuals."
Rachelle's Answer
It sounds like you had an excellent mentor which is an experience that can offer up a significant advantage as you grow in your own PA career.
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"My mentor in healthcare is the pericardiologist who I worked for at Cleveland Clinic. I learned a lot from his professional experience. I was able to learn from him how to be resilient, manage priorities, work efficiently under stress, and is a great and kind leader. I was able to experience success under his supervision by having 15 publications and 3 professional presentations at international conferences."
Stephanie's Answer
Great response! This is an excellent specific example of an individual who has mentored you and encouraged your professional success.
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"I was fortunate enough to obtain a mentor during the academic phase of my PA program. I worked with her consistently throughout the year. During rotations, I was lucky enough to do two separate rotations with her at a family clinic. She has taught me a great deal about medicine and allowed me to become more confident when applying that knowledge independently in practical settings. She inspired me to perfect my patient education skills and she was phenomenal at doing so. I was able to observe the positive impact on patients' health solely from her education skills."
Rachelle's Answer
Excellent answer! You show great enthusiasm and appreciation when discussing your mentor and the ways that she has enriched your professional path. Well said :)
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12.
What is a dependent practitioner, and how do you feel about practicing as one?
How to Answer
As a physician assistant, you are by definition a dependent practitioner. You rely on your supervising physician to make decisions about your patients. Many PA's are given the liberty to handle a variety of situations with patients, making recommendations similar to a doctor. However, ultimately you will be referring to the doctor on final decisions.
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Anonymous Answer
"A dependent practitioner, like PA, is a person who works under the supervision of a licensed MD. I feel very comfortable reporting to the physician who will have the final say in the management of my patient. The patient is always the center of what we do and a good collaboration, where everyone knows the limits of his role, will end up with a positive outcome on our patients."
Stephanie's Answer
Great response! This shows your openness to feedback and collaboration.
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"A dependent practitioner is someone who works on a team with a physician as a supervised practitioner. I am excited to work as a dependent practitioner with the XYZ team. I am expecting the practice agreement to be a progressive document that with expand with my increased knowledge and skills."
Rachelle's Answer
Great answer!
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"A dependent practitioner is someone that works under supervision or in collaboration with a doctor. I am extremely excited to take on this opportunity and work with brilliant minds and gain a new perspective on various topics. I love to learn! I have worked as a medical assistant with NPs, PAs, and doctors, and as a CNA under the supervision of nurses. I love having a team that I can count on."
Rachelle's Answer
Your passion shines through in this response! It's great how your answer came to life, showing just how eager you are for this type of opportunity.
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"A dependent practitioner means you practice under the supervision of an MD. I think collaboration in healthcare is very important because you are ultimately making decisions that impact others' health outcomes. Even though you are practicing under an MD, you still have autonomy in situations you are trained in, and confident to address. However, I very much like the idea of being a dependent practitioner, because I will always have the opportunity to collaborate with an MD if I want a second opinion on the best solution for a positive outcome for a patient."
Rachelle's Answer
You sound highly collaborative with an interest in learning and growing while leaning on the support of a MD. Great response!
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"I am very happy and comfortable with the idea of working as a dependent practitioner. As a Physician Associate, we are often given the liberty to handle a variety of patients, making similar recommendations as a doctor."
Rachelle's Answer
It sure sounds like you are confident - a quality that any interviewer should be happy to see. With multi-part questions, be sure to address them wholly. For instance, the first part of this question should be answered more directly.
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13.
What department of the healthcare field most interests you?
How to Answer
Tell the interviewer what type of patients you enjoy working with or particular department you prefer to work in. This preference may be related to your educational expertise. Tell the interviewer if you enjoy assisting the elderly or working the neo-natal unit. Talk about your experience regarding your area of specialty. Elaborate on why you enjoy it.
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Anonymous Answer
"I am most interested in working with Cardiac patients. I love watching cardiac patients enjoying a better quality of life after providing them with the right advice. That’s why I chose to do cardiovascular medicine research where I was able to publish 14 cardiac-related papers in prestigious journals."
Stephanie's Answer
Great response; you clearly articulate the department of the healthcare field that interests you most and why.
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"I am most invested in Orthopedics. Ortho was my primary interest going into PA school, and I particularly enjoyed my ortho rotation."
Rachelle's Answer
Great! Your answer will help guide the hiring authorities when it comes to finding placement and opportunities for you.
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"I am extremely interested in emergency medicine as well as dermatology. I am currently volunteering at Mercy Hospital in the emergency room department, and I love that it is fast-paced. I am always assisting and addressing patient needs; I fill up pediatric IV start kits, fill lab tube trays, restock blankets, and make urine specimen kits. I also am interested in dermatology because my sister had severe eczema. I want to help others with skin issues they may be insecure about."
Rachelle's Answer
You have excellent reasoning behind your desire to focus on either one of these areas of health care. Nicely said.
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"As a type 1 diabetic, I have a bias towards endocrinology. I very much appreciate the long term connection you can make with patients and the help you can provide at various stages of managing their chronic condition. My motivation for becoming a PA was positive connections I had with providers, and as a PA, I would like to have similar impacts on my patients' long term."
Rachelle's Answer
Your desire to work in endocrinology comes from a personal reality that gives your answer so much meaning. Well said.
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"I have been most interested in family medicine/primary care even before starting PA school. Throughout PA school, my interest in family medicine has increased. What interests me about family medicine/primary care is that it allows me as a PA to have the opportunity to treat patients from different walks of life with various medical complaints. I love that it requires me to stay on top of things since it is a comprehensive practice. I believe starting in primary care as a new PA will lay the groundwork for knowing all generalized medicine, which will further qualify me for other specialties if I choose to change career paths."
Rachelle's Answer
It's terrific that you know where your interests are! Great edits and adds regarding your passions and what drives you in your career as a PA.
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14.
How would you describe your work ethic?
How to Answer
You may be carefree and fun-loving with your friends on the weekends, but at work, you are focused and professional.The interviewer is interested in your personality and how you will fit with the team. Give specific examples or keywords they can relate to. When you read the company job, posting or job description do they refer to particular ethics? Talk about their values and how those align well with your work values.
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Anonymous Answer
"I consider myself a very hard working individual—a dedicated nurse. I am passionate about my work; I would describe myself as a kind and positive person. I am excited about my job, my patients and my role as a physician assistant."
Rachelle's Answer
These are great descriptors! I recommend changing the order of your sentences slightly so that your answer sounds more direct. Also, it would help to include measurable examples of these traits in action. I've offered a suggestion below.
"I describe my work ethic as dedicated, passionate, and positive. I am a dedicated nurse, and I display this by...(describe this ethic in action). I am passionate about my work and excited about my job. I show this in the workplace by...(describe this ethic in action). I am described as a kind and positive person which I show by...(describe this ethic in action)."
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"I am an extremely dedicated and enthusiastic individual with a professional demeanor and appearance. I have a compassionate approach and commitment to assisting mentally and physically ill patients, which allows me to build solid, trusting relationships with patients and their loved ones. I am eager to start applying the knowledge and skills I have gained and learn new skills in a primary care setting."
Rachelle's Answer
Excellent response! You sound confident and are very well-spoken. Your professionalism shines through, and it's apparent that you take pride in your work. At the end of your response, I recommend adding a 'qualifying statement' that addresses how your work ethic will benefit the organization, should they hire you.
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"I regard myself as a highly disciplined individual. I carry a sense of great responsibility in my role. Even as a student PA I made sure to organize my time and prioritize my workload impeccably. For example, in my GP placement, I would arrive early in order to complete DOCMAN tasks before my 9 am clinics. Ensuring I complete the pending list of clinical procedures such as urine analysis before my afternoon clinics. Going above and beyond my routine tasks, such as visiting care homes/home visits to make observations as well as aiding clinicians with their clinical workload."
Chad's Answer
Good answer! It’s clear from the examples you provide that you have a strong work ethic, are disciplined, and are highly accountable. I have offered a slight revision below to improve clarity and help make your response more accessible to the interviewer.
"I regard myself as a highly disciplined individual. I carry a sense of great responsibility in my role. Even as a student PA, I made sure to organize my time and prioritize my workload impeccably. For example, in my general practice placement, I would arrive early in the morning in order to complete DOCMAN tasks before my 9 am clinics, and complete the pending list of clinical procedures, such as urine analysis, before my afternoon clinics. I pride myself on going above and beyond my routine tasks and often visit care homes/attend home visits to take observations, as well as aid clinicians with their clinical workload. I am excited at the prospect of applying my work ethic to a successful career as a physician assistant."
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15.
What are some highlights from your clinical rotations?
How to Answer
You may have a long list of experiences worth sharing, but see if you can narrow it down to three. After logging over 2,000 hours worth of rotations, you have learned about treating everything from broken bones to infectious diseases.
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Anonymous Answer
"Throughout my clinical rotations, I have received excellent feedback about the quality of my care from preceptors, patients, and their loved ones. I have displayed a strong commitment to providing high-quality and efficient medical care. I believe I possess the ability to practice comprehensive primary healthcare such as performing exceptional history and physical exams, formulating a proper differential diagnosis, providing thorough patient education, and conducting adequate treatment and management plans."
Rachelle's Answer
Your answer is very robust, and you provide excellent detail. It seems you had many strong takeaways from your clinical rotations. Your confidence shines through!
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"The highest quality of patient care is met when everyone works together During my OBGYN rotation, I encountered a patient with a learning disability who had failed her IUD removal multiple times in the office as she was scared of the procedure. During the office encounter, my preceptor was about to give up as the patient was non-cooperative at which time I stepped in. With my encouragement and reassurance, she gathered the courage to go ahead with the procedure again. The device was successfully removed in the office and thereby, we were able to avoid scheduling the procedure in the OR which would have been time-consuming and expensive."
Stephanie's Answer
The specific example that you shared here really highlights your ability to connect with patients in a manner that is compassionate, as well as your willingness to collaborate closely with colleagues to provide a high level of care. I suggest adding a closing sentence to this response, to connect your ideas together and share why this was a highlight (for example: "This experience was the highlight of my clinical rotations as it illustrates my ability to collaborate with colleagues in order to provide the highest level of care to patients from all backgrounds."
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"I’m very proud of the positive feedback that I received from peers, patients, and their beloved ones. Throughout my rotations, I learned how to best treat different patients in different situations. I’m very glad of my strong ability to reach a diagnosis after doing thorough history, physical examination, and listing differential diagnosis. In addition, I was always on the right track when it comes to treatment and follow-up."
Stephanie's Answer
It sounds like your clinical rotations went very well for you! The only feedback I have for improvement is that you may want to change the wording from "I learned how to deal with different patients" to "I learned how to best treat different patients"
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16.
Why should we hire you to be our next physician assistant?
How to Answer
Review the job description to help you highlight accomplishments that are relevant to the expectations. Consider the challenges of your future role. How will you go above and beyond to tackle the most difficult tasks? One way to show off your skills is to talk about your accomplishments from your clinical rotations or your current job. Tell the interviewer how you contributed to helping your supervising doctor make sound decisions.
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Anonymous Answer
"You should hire me because I have a very strong interest in the field of primary care. My clinical rotations were intended to be for a primary care practice, where I was trained in all medical fields. In addition, I have very strong medical knowledge and clinical skills which I could invest in your facility by providing superior primary care to your patients. In addition to that, I am a team player, and I am also a person who can work and report under minimal physician supervision."
Stephanie's Answer
Excellent response! You clearly and confidently explain why you would be the perfect hire.
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"I am passionate about orthopedics, and I completed my elective orthopedic rotation with a foot and ankle surgeon. I am a dedicated team player who enjoys collaboration, and I am eager to work with the cutting-edge surgical team here."
Rachelle's Answer
The specifics on your skills is a nice touch. Well done!
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"During my clinical rotations, I participated for eight weeks in primary care settings. I provided appropriate acute, chronic, and preventive care while promoting comprehensive wellness and treatment adherence through patient education. I assisted my preceptors with complex medical decisions and cases such as coordinating patient-centered care with providers of other sub-specialties."
Rachelle's Answer
It seems that you have the skills necessary to be a successful PA, and it sounds as though you have had some enriching experiences throughout your education. When it comes to answering, 'Why should we hire you?' it's crucial to also tie in how hiring you will be a direct benefit to the employer. We have a guide here if you'd like to learn more: https://www.mockquestions.com/articles/How to Answer: Why Should We Hire You?/
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"I am passionate about dermatology. I worked in dermatology as a medical assistant and completed my elective clinical rotation in dermatology as well. I am dedicated, hard-working, a team-player, and I am eager to serve the patients of [practice name]."
Marcie's Answer
Excellent answer! It's great that your reply is passionate and filled with words that describe you positively. Consider adding more details to your answer as this will help to make it - and you - more memorable to your interviewer. This kind of question is a real opportunity to sell yourself. Explain more about why you're so passionate about dermatology in particular. Did this passion start at a young age? Did you have an experience that led you to develop an interest in this area? Do you have a desire to help people feel better about themselves? Provide the interviewer with more insight into why you want to work in this field so they really remember you and think you'll be the best candidate to fill this role.
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17.
Tell us about your community involvement.
How to Answer
Most hiring authorities prefer candidates who have some volunteer experience. As a physician assistant you have a love for helping others, but do you support your community through volunteering? Share a bit about your core values or your commitments outside of work.
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Anonymous Answer
"I enjoy being involved with the community whenever I have a bit of time off. Currently, I have joined the Flu vaccinators community team to help out delivering free flu vaccines for the entire community. It is important to me that I use my knowledge and skills to help others."
Rachelle's Answer
This volunteer experience/community involvement is very important :) What initially drove you to join the flu vaccinations community team? Is there a specific personal or professional driver?
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"My grandmother was the epitome of service. She was not in the medical profession but she always would visit/help her neighbors in need. This has left an impression on me from a younger age. As I have a lot of time on my hand, I have been volunteering/shadowing health providers at the psychiatric office to learn more about mental illness in my community. I hope to use this experience/knowledge to serve my community better in the coming days"
Stephanie's Answer
That's wonderful that you're so engaged in the community! If possible, I suggest tying your current community engagement to your future work as a physician assistant. How will the knowledge and skills you've gained help you in this clinical role?
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"I was raised to believe that giving back to the community is important, so community work is a key value of mine. I've been able to engage in a variety of volunteering opportunities, Most recently, I spent Sunday mornings volunteering as a meal companion to patients at Concordia Hospital, which was a meaningful and eye-opening experience. Reading about your facility's commitment to supporting the Winkler and District board really resonated with me and made me even more interested in joining your team."
Stephanie's Answer
It's wonderful that you've had so much engagement in the community! I would caution against using the phrase "noble practice" to refer to volunteering, as some interviewers might think this comes across as "othering" to the communities you're serving. I am suggesting a slight rewording for this response, which I've added to the "Revised Answer" box.
"I was raised to believe that giving back to the community is important, so community work is a key value of mine. I've been able to engage in a variety of volunteering opportunities, Most recently, I spent Sunday mornings volunteering as a meal companion to patients at Concordia Hospital, which was a meaningful and eye-opening experience. Reading about your facility's commitment to supporting the Winkler and District board really resonated with me and made me even more interested in joining your team."
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18.
What are your strengths as a physician assistant?
How to Answer
The strengths and weakness interview question is one of the most popular questions so it is imperative that you have your answer rehearsed and ready to go. Being a good physician assistant means that you are observant, decisive and knowledgeable. Tell the interviewer a few of your strengths and how they help you do your job. Use strengths that are unique so that you are a stand-out candidate.
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Anonymous Answer
"One of my strengths is my ability to observe and assess others' needs and my ability to be empathic and understand what someone is facing, their struggle and their pain."
Rachelle's Answer
These are fabulous strengths for a Physician Assistant to possess! Next, be sure to describe how you put these strengths into action. If you have a story-based example of times when you have successfully observed and assessed others' needs and shown empathy toward their struggle, be sure to include that information.
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"I am a hard worker, focused, and capable of producing high-quality and thorough work under time constraints. I am highly emphatic to patients and their healthcare. I also pay close attention to even small details."
Rachelle's Answer
These are all fantastic strengths for a PA to possess. To round out your answer, I recommend discussing how these strengths will come into play should you be hired. I have provided a starter, below.
"What highlights my strengths is that I am a hard worker, focused, and capable of producing high-quality and thorough work under time constraints. I am highly emphatic to patients and their healthcare. I also pay close attention to even small details. When it comes to my work as a PA, these strengths are beneficial since (discuss the ways that your strengths benefit you as a PA)."
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"One strong strength of mine is perseverance. I am a very determined person. Once I set my goal, I work hard towards achieving it and I don’t quit until I reach that goal. I am eager to learn new things every day and am constantly looking for ways to update my skills."
Stephanie's Answer
That's wonderful that you persevere through challenges and work hard toward your goals. To improve this response, I suggest personalizing it a bit more. What exactly sets you apart from another candidate that is also hardworking and determined? Why is perseverance necessary as a physician assistant? If you can provide a specific example of a time when you worked hard toward a goal at work and achieved it as a result, this would considerably strengthen your response.
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"What underlines my strengths is that I am an excellent performer when it comes to the patient encounter. I’m very proud of my medical knowledge and clinical skills, I can easily reach a diagnosis after doing history, physical and investigations, and efficiently report findings to physicians. I have excellent communication skills and I can comfortably counsel patients about different medical conditions. I am unbreakable under stress and observant of the needs of others. I am an excellent team player. I can work under minimal supervision. I am very passionate about my role, which explains why I had a record of zero sick days during my clinical rotation."
Stephanie's Answer
You highlight many important qualities here! Since these are mostly "soft skills" that you mention here, you may wish to consider deepening your response by mentioning any specific hard skills (is there a specific clinical job function that you're especially good at?)
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19.
What is an issue in the current healthcare system that you would like to see change?
How to Answer
The interviewer is looking for you to identify a struggle you may have and share how you constructively handle this challenge in your typical workday. Be careful not to complain. Instead, present a solution to a challenging situation.
Don't be afraid to share a controversial topic, but be aware of your audience. If you know that your interviewer is passionate about nutrition, consider sharing how you have researched the ingredients included in feeding tubes for patients who cannot swallow or are in a coma. Talk about how nutrition needs to be a higher priority, and how the food quality needs to change.
Whatever it may be, share your knowledge and experience about the topic. Tell the interviewer how you are going to help change this particular issue in healthcare.
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Anonymous Answer
"I believe that most people working in the healthcare field would like to change at least one aspect of their job. For myself, if I could change anything in my profession, I would make sure that healthcare professionals, nurses and carers, are given more appreciation and recognition for their hard work, including more career development opportunities."
Rachelle's Answer
Terrific idea! If you could wave a magic wand and give these healthcare professionals any career development opportunities, what areas of focus do you feel are most important?
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"One issue in the current healthcare system is the lack of diversity among providers which contributes to healthcare disparities. As a Somali native, I have seen and experienced firsthand how communication barriers and cultural differences can cause frustration and misunderstanding for underserved communities when accessing healthcare."
Rachelle's Answer
You make an excellent point in your response, and you deliver your thoughts very well. If it were up to you, what would you do to help create positive change when it comes to this concern?
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"As we are in the middle of a pandemic, virtual patient visits are more popular than in-person visits. I believe that our healthcare system is still lacking an efficient platform that would allow healthcare professionals to properly follow up with patients. I would suggest hiring software developers who could work together with healthcare professionals on developing a new platform that would allow virtual visits to be a more pleasant experience for patients and providers."
Stephanie's Answer
You raise an important issue here! However, to strengthen your response, I would suggest being a bit more specific. Where exactly is there a gap? What features would this improved platform need to have? More specific details will make your answer really shine.
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20.
What do you like about being a physician assistant?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to know what keeps you motivated to do a good job, even on the tough days. Why are you in this career? Perhaps you like working with children or diagnosing complicated issues. Discuss your commitment to providing exceptional patient care. Everyone has different motivations for working in the medical field, but the best moments usually involve solving patient health issues and helping them towards the road to recovery.
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Anonymous Answer
"I like the patient-facing experience of the profession. I find that guiding a person towards better health and prosperity is very rewarding. The PA role provides me with the ability to do that. I have come to realize how closely the qualities of this profession align with my own personality. I love being able to apply my medical/clinical knowledge in a compassionate way. Being able to investigate undifferentiated presentations and being able to analyze and investigate signs and symptoms makes this role feel less like a job and more like a passion and hobby for me."
Chad's Answer
Great! Your answer comes across as genuine, and it sounds like you are a compassionate person who cares a lot about the health and well-being of others. The interviewer will get a good sense of your motivation for pursuing a career as a physician assistant. Good job!
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"What I love most about being a physician assistant is spending quality time with patients while thoroughly educating them and advocating for their health. Making a difference in a patient's health and life while building a trusting relationship is the most rewarding feeling."
Rachelle's Answer
Your answer sounds very genuine, and it seems that you care a lot about the well-being of others. At the end of your response, I recommend including a bit of detail surrounding what you believe you will enjoy most about this PA position, specifically.
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"I love the team-based approach to solving complicated patient-centered problems. I love to use my knowledge to help people in their times of need."
Stephanie's Answer
This is a great start, but to strengthen your response, I suggest being a bit more specific. What do you like about being a physician assistant that you might not be able to achieve or experience in other professions? What are some examples of complicated patient-centered problems that you solve? Being a bit more specific will help your response stand out.
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"Back when I was 7 years old, I was transferred to ER for favism. I was in a critical status until a physician diagnosed and treated me. Since then, I had that dream of supporting the physical and mental health of those who are in need. I enjoy spending quality time helping those in need. I feel very proud when I make a difference in the patients well being. Because of that, PA was a definite job for me."
Stephanie's Answer
Great response! You use your childhood experience to clearly articulate why you chose to become a physician assistant and what you value most about the job.
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21.
Healthcare professionals are under a great amount of stress. How do you manage your work stress?
How to Answer
We all experience stress on a daily basis but how you relay this to the interviewer will say a lot about you. Steer clear from the time that you lost your cool and raised your voice- we all have days like that but now is not the time to bring it up. Tell the interviewer how you manage your work stress and keep a healthy balance between home and work.
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Anonymous Answer
"I could say I handle stress quite well. At my current job, whenever I am under pressure, I try to focus on the patient,on the task I have been given by the senior nurse or doctor, and I make sure I don t get distracted. Sometimes I will delegate tasks to members of my team in order to relieve me of some pressure."
Rachelle's Answer
It sounds like you handle work stress very well! If you have a specific story about a time when you deployed these stress-management techniques, that would be a nice addition to help bring your story to life.
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"When I find myself under pressure and feeling overwhelmed, I focus on giving myself some time to take deep breaths and reassess the priorities of the day. That helps me focus on what's most relevant first and move on to the next task. The biggest thing that alleviates my stress is taking the time to take deep breaths and telling myself everything will be okay. If I don't do that, then the anxiety caused by the pressure will take over which will lead to decreased productivity."
Rachelle's Answer
It seems that you know yourself very well, and the techniques that you use to overcome stress and very smart and helpful! If you have an example of a time when you deployed this stress-management technique, you could also add in a brief story based example.
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"I handle stress very well. Whenever I feel overwhelmed I just think to myself that breaking now will make things worse. I just take a deep breath, prioritize my work, and make a fresh start. I remember back on my rotations, a colleague of mine called sick on his night shift, and I ended up taking care of 40 patients on 2 floors. I was overwhelmed at first, but then I decided to beat the stress and do my job. As a result, I did very well and it was a night shift that I would never forget."
Stephanie's Answer
It's evident that you're very skilled in balancing competing priorities and navigating highly stressful situations! To round out your response, you may wish to consider including a sentence or two about how you practice self-care or how you work to recharge when you're stressed.
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22.
Talk to me about your GPA while completing your Masters' Degree.
How to Answer
The interviewer would like further details on the grades you received during University. Competition is tough as a PA and you need to show your diligence and ability to exceed. Discuss your GPA and be sure to mention any special awards, individual accolades, or scholarships that you received. You can also mention anything that makes you a stand-out such as sitting on a student committee while attending University.
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Anonymous Answer
"I have always maintained a GPA greater than 3.0 during my undergrad; however, once I started pursuing my MS, my GPA increased to 4.0. I believe, I was more in tune with my career goals and saturating myself with all the educational requirements are means of becoming successful to pass my board exam and apply my didactic skills at my job."
Chad's Answer
Wow! That is an incredible improvement in your GPA, and you should be very proud of achieving a 4.0. Be sure to also mention to the interviewer any awards, accolades, or scholarships that you received while completing your Masters' degree.
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"I completed my master's degree in physician assistant studies with a cumulative GPA of 3.2. I managed to keep up with the program despite how extremely rigorous it was. It's kind of hard to take credit for the success of my GPA though, as most classes were based on a pass or fail grade. I think I did exceptionally well and mastered the content I learned, proven by how well I did in my clinical rotations, where I had a cumulative grade of 94%."
Rachelle's Answer
Wonderful answer! You sound very confident in your GPA and all that you learned while completing your master's degree. Your accumulative grade of 94% is exceptional - well done!
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"It was very hard and competitive to attend medical school in Lebanon, but I managed to succeed and pass through it. I graduated top of my class with a GPA of 3.3. During my studies, I was able to present my school in many national presentations. After graduation, I was one of 2 who was selected for a research grant at Cleveland Clinic. Overall, I’m very proud of my accomplishment."
Stephanie's Answer
Great response; it's clear that you worked hard and deserve to be proud of your accomplishment. The only feedback I have would be including any academic growth areas and how showed improvement in those areas. (I am assuming the 3.3 GPA is out of 4.0, which means there were likely some courses you didn't earn a perfect score in. What were those content areas and how have you worked to improve yourself?)
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23.
Are you comfortable making tough decisions in regards to a patients care?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to know how you handle stressful situations. Be sure to highlight your ability to think strategically and to make quick, thoughtful decisions. Provide an example of the confidence you have in your decision-making skills when it comes to patient care and the tough choices that go with it.
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Anonymous Answer
"Yes, I could say I am comfortable making a tough decision. As a registered nurse, I often find myself in a position where I need to make tough decisions for my patients for their safety and quality of care. Furthermore, I often make recommendations to the doctors based on my patients' assessments, so the best decision regarding patients care it is being taken."
Rachelle's Answer
It's wonderful that you feel comfortable making recommendations and speaking up for patient care. I recommend including a brief story of a time when you made a tough decision regarding a patient's care. This addition to your answer will show the interviewer your decision-making skills in action.
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"During my clinical rotations, I learned how to make tough decisions by using resources such as collaboration with other providers and literature research while maintaining a patient's medical history and preferences. I have also learned to compartmentalize my emotions from evidence-based medical management."
Rachelle's Answer
Solid response - well said! When it comes to the tough decisions you have made, it may be a good idea to briefly include a few examples of the type of tough decisions you have faced recently. This information will give the interviewer a better scope of the challenges you are accustomed to overcoming as a PA.
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"As a Physician Assistant, I am aware that I will have a team of other healthcare professionals working with me to provide excellent patient care. In instances where I may be faced with tough decisions, I would consult with my peers and supervising physician. I would consider all angles to a given situation and make the best decision based on that. I am aware that tough decisions can certainly impact the wellbeing of my patients, therefore I would base all decisions against the local governing guidelines of where I work."
Chad's Answer
You have provided a considerate and logical approach to making difficult decisions at this stage of your career. Good job! However, you also want to assure the interviewer that you have confidence in your own decision-making skills and can handle stressful situations. To strengthen this response, I recommend including a brief story of a time when you made a tough decision regarding a patient's care.
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24.
What do you know about our facility?
How to Answer
The interviewer is asking you this question to see if you did your homework on the organization or if you are merely floating your resume. Be sure to read up on the organization that you are interviewing with and have a few questions prepared. The interviewer is looking for a baseline of your knowledge and level of interest.
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Anonymous Answer
"You have been delivering this course for a number of years now with excellent results. Your campus and medical facility are one of the biggest and oldest in the country, and it would be an honour to become a part of this establishment."
Rachelle's Answer
Good start! Are you able to be more specific in your answer? For instance, which course and how many years? What are the excellent results?
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"I know that your facility aims to provide quality, efficient, and cost-effective care with a compassionate approach towards the patients. One thing that resonates with me is that your facility finds it essential to involve patients in their treatment plan to make it as efficient as possible. The best part about Centracare in Saint Cloud is that they achieved the “Truven Top 100” hospital designation 11 times. St. Cloud Hospital is the only hospital in Minnesota that has received the Top 100 hospitals distinction 11 times. I believe that I would be a great asset to the team. I can bring a unique approach based on my experience living with inadequate healthcare thanks to language and cultural barriers. I want to be part of bridging the gap between non-English speaking Somali patients and their healthcare."
Rachelle's Answer
You certainly have done your research! It sounds as though Centracare in St. Cloud is a fantastic place to be, and your enthusiasm shines through. With your final qualifying statement you may also want to touch on compassion, as you mention their compassionate approach at the start. I have provided an example, below.
"I know that your facility aims at providing quality, efficient, and cost-effective care with a compassionate approach towards the patients. One thing that resonates with me is that your facility finds it essential to involve the patient in their treatment plan to make it as efficient as possible. The best part about Centracare in Saint cloud is that they have received the following achievement “Truven Top 100 Hospital" eleven times. St. Cloud Hospital is the only hospital in Minnesota that has received the Top 100 distinction 11 times. I believe that I would be a great asset to the team as I can bring a uniquely compassionate approach as I have experienced living with inadequate healthcare resulting from language and cultural barriers. I want to be part of bridging the gap between non-English speaking Somali patients and their healthcare."
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"I know that your facility was named after Dr. Wiebe, who was the first Mennonite to qualify as an MD in Manitoba. Your facility provides quality healthcare services to a wide variety of populations in Winler and surrounding areas. It also provides alternate services in mental health, nursing, and dieticians. in addition, your facility is a clinical teaching site affiliated with U of M. I’m looking forward to learning more about your facility by joining your progressive team."
Stephanie's Answer
It's evident that you've done your research on this facility! I'd suggest rounding out your response by acknowledging that you're looking forward to learning more.
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25.
What are your salary requirements?
How to Answer
The best thing that you can do when asked about your salary expectations is to be open and honest about what you are currently earning, and where you want to be in the future.
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Anonymous Answer
"According to AAPA, the mean salary for a new graduate in a primary care setting in Minnesota is within the range of $110,000-$120,000 which is what I am expecting."
Rachelle's Answer
Good work! You come armed and prepared based on research and evidence. This approach perfect.
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"I’m comfortable with compensation that’s in line with the industry average, and that can reflect my education and skills level. I am however flexible and open to hearing about the facility’s compensation expectations for this level."
Stephanie's Answer
Salary is always a really tricky question, and you do a great job of deflecting the question while showing genuine interest in the opportunity. I would suggest having a range in mind, in case you're pressed for a specific number. (I always suggest to only provide this if pressed, and never provide an actual number, but rather say, "My target range is XYZ..."
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"As a newly qualified Physician Assistant, I would expect to start on the NHS band 7 of their Agenda for Change pay scale. I would, of course, prioritize fulfilling all competencies required of me in this position and I welcome annual reviews and appraisals to progress further."
Chad's Answer
Great answer! You have done your research and have the information required to support your salary expectation. Nice work!
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