How to Answer: Tell me about a time that there was an unexpected emergency at work. How did you handle the situation?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Surgical First Assistant job interview.
8. Tell me about a time that there was an unexpected emergency at work. How did you handle the situation?
How to Answer
With this question, the interviewer wants to see if you are capable of adjusting to unexpected things on the job. Be sure to mention that you are able to prioritize in order of importance and that, when emergencies do occur, you are able to return to your job once the issue is resolved.
Written by Darby Faubion on December 13th, 2018
Entry Level
"During my clinical rotation in an urgent care setting, a patient that I was seeing with my preceptor collapsed with an apparent cardiac arrest. At that point, instinct kicked in with my basic lifesaver training and I began to administer CPR while my preceptor went to grab the defibrillator. Upon his return, my preceptor administered shock with the defibrillator and the patient was transported to the hospital for recovery. Staying calm and relying on my training was key in that situation to help save a life that day."
Written by Darby Faubion
Answer Example
"In my current position, I have been called out to assist with a traumatic injury emergency. Upon receiving notification of the patient being brought in, my supervisor notified me that I needed to be in the trauma surgery room waiting for the patient and the rest of the team. Once the emergency situation was handled, I was able to return to the work I was doing before the call came in."
Written by Darby Faubion on December 13th, 2018
Experienced
"During my time working as a tech in a residential treatment facility, we worked with many patients who were detoxing from extreme alcohol and drug dependency issues. Late one night, a patient in the detox unit was threatening to harm either himself or staff and the unit was put on lock-down. Along with the charge nurse, I was able to use my de-escalation training to calm the patient down to a relaxed state through simple conversation. Had I not had that training, I wouldn't have known the proper things to say and attitude to have with him to calm him down. After the incident, it was back to business as usual on my unit."
Written by Darby Faubion