Have you heard of Kaiser Permanente, one of the biggest integrated managed care consortiums in the United States? You definitely know that it is one of the most lucrative places to work as a healthcare professional you’ve heard of them. It boasts of one of the largest nonprofit healthcare plans in the United States, with a record-breaking 12 million members.
We have decided to cover a few interview questions whose answers you need to have at your fingertips if you choose to work with this entity. Take some time before your interview and brainstorm the following:
1. Why Are You Interested In Working With Us?
I have been your customer for several years now. I love your health care plans, which I got for my entire family. As a healthcare expert with extensive experience, I would love to work with you since this establishment has served my family and me well. I want to help other people and families enjoy the quality of healthcare I have received through your plans. This job will also give me the new career challenges I am currently looking for, giving me a chance to advance career-wise. I am looking forward to being part of your workforce.
2. What Do You Know About Us?
I know that this is one of the largest managed care consortiums in the United States. This entity was founded in 1933 by Henry J. Kaiser and other large construction contractors as a small hospital in Desert Center, California. You are made up of three interdependent entities: The Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, with over twelve million customers, the Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, and the Permanente Medical Groups. You are responsible for employing over 300 000 professionals, a third of them being nurses and doctors.
3. Why Do You Think You Are A Good Fit For This Company?
I have extensively gone through your website and discovered your overall work culture. I am a healthcare professional with over thirteen years of experience. I have worked both as a nurse and head nurse in several nonprofit establishments all over the country. I am empathetic and dedicated to the betterment of healthcare. I have also volunteered on many healthcare-related projects, which come in handy since this entity believes in doing good to humanity.
4. How Do You Motivate Your Colleagues?
I normally love working with highly motivated people as they are usually more productive. To motivate my colleagues, I normally play my part to avoid weighing down on the cumulative team effort. As a head nurse in my former establishment, I led by example, taking active roles in different healthcare projects. I also ensure that my colleagues feel heard and valued through public recognition and other means. Lastly, I normally liaise with the employer to ensure that every person has adequate resources needed for their roles. I normally end up working with a motivated and highly productive team.
5. How Would You Respond To A Difficult Situation?
Kaiser Permanente deals with healthcare, a field that has several challenges. I have met several difficult situations at work; some that almost made me reconsider my career choice. With experience, I learned that the best way to deal with such situations is to stay calm and think through them. After giving them careful thought, I think about all the possible solutions and only pick the best. Depending on the situation, I may also involve my team members by asking them to weigh in.
6. Mention Your Experience
This is my eighth year in the healthcare industry. I am a registered nurse who has worked in clinics, hospitals, and nonprofit healthcare organizations. After three years, I became a head nurse, responsible for a team of thirty nurses, an experience that defined my career. I have worked in different departments also, including the accident and burn victim’s department, where I learned the importance of empathy in nursing. My experience has also made me a perfect phlebotomist.
7. What Influenced You To Choose The Healthcare Industry?
I grew up with sickly grandparents, an experience that made me decide to be a physician. We visited tens of doctors to find the right diagnosis and treatment. Meanwhile, they were constantly on medication, which had serious side effects given their age. I, therefore, decided to be an outstanding physician who can make the right diagnosis and come up with the right treatments for people in the same boat as my grandparents. I am glad that I succeeded.
8. We Value People Who Are Informed About Current Health Care Advancements. How Do You Normally Ensure That You Know What’s Going On In The Healthcare World?
All healthcare professionals will tell you that education never ends in the medical world. You have to update yourself, given the constant impact of technology and research on this field. To stay at par with these developments, I have subscribed to several medical-related newsletters such as your very own Kaiser Health. I am also part of several credible medics’ forums, where we get updated on recent developments in the medical world.
9. In Your Opinion, What Is The Future Of Healthcare?
Healthcare’s future is bright, owing to the advancement of technology and continuous research. Scientists are currently working on several vaccines and better medications that will greatly improve the level of healthcare we advance to our patients. Several medical-related inventions have improved patient monitoring and medication administration. We can expect more sophisticated machines and vaccines, proving that healthcare’s future is bright.
10. Your Resume Says That You Have Dealt With Elderly Patients. In Your Opinion, What Are The Types Of Care They Need?
Elderly patients may need advanced care. However, since they value their independence and feel a little sad if everything is done for them, I believe they need more occupational therapy. They should also get someone to visit and talk to them more to prevent them from feeling lonely. Lastly, it is important to listen when dealing with them. I am always happy dealing with older patients.
11. How Will You Ensure That Your Patients Disclose All The Important Information Needed?
Before beginning any treatment or diagnosis, I normally advise my patients to be as honest as possible to get the proper care. I further assure them that all the divulged information is confidential. If I notice that a patient isn’t willing to disclose important information, I will make them feel comfortable and, if possible, change settings. If someone accompanies them, I will ask for a private examination. Patients are normally willing to talk freely when they feel comfortable.
12. Can You Work In Team Settings?
Yes. I believe that teamwork is necessary for the healthcare industry as roles are interdependent. As a nurse, I depend on the doctor’s directions to develop proper ways of caring for the patient. The doctor also depends on my monitoring reports to determine whether a given medication is effective or needs to be changed. I am a good team member, owing to my experience in this field. I am positive that I will blend in well with your current team and thrive given a chance.
13. We Are A Big Organization, And Therefore, You May Have To Deal With Lots Of Pressure In Your Job. How Will You Handle Such Instances?
I have worked in fast-paced and highly demanding environments, which have taught me to work well under pressure. Whenever I am faced with several tasks or tight deadlines, I take time to breathe in and out as I strategize. I normally consider all my options and choose the one that promises the highest results. I also ensure that my work is organized to help me in such situations. I may also delegate tasks to focus on the most critical.
14. We Highly Value Confidentiality. How Will You Ensure That Patient Information Is Kept Private?
I am aware of all the HCPPA guidelines, which help keep patients’ information confidential. Also, I normally ensure that diagnoses are made in a private room to prevent other patients or any unwarranted person from knowing personal details about a patient. All conversations are normally one behind closed doors. I don’t also talk to anyone about my patient’s conditions, medications or details unless permitted by my profession’s rules and the law. Divulging patient information infringes their dignity and makes the hospital or healthcare facility vulnerable to lawsuits, which I avoid.
15. What Do You Love Most About The Healthcare Industry?
I love helping patients get better, whether directly or indirectly. I grew up taking care of my disabled brother, an experience that taught me the importance of being there for the vulnerable. I love seeing patients walk again and hearing ‘thank you from people who have lost hope. This career is highly fulfilling as I witness people get a new chance in life and help them adjust to their new lives. I am glad that I chose this industry.
16. What Don’t You Like About The Healthcare Industry?
After being a healthcare professional for over seven years, I haven’t known how to come to terms with losing a patient. Even though I don’t normally let such experiences interfere with my job, I still feel the raw hurt I felt when I lost my first patient. Divulging bad news to tensed and sad families is also an aspect of this career that I don’t like. Looking someone straight in the face and telling them that their friend, son, or daughter has passed on is not easy and requires lots of strength. That aside, I enjoy everything else about this career.
17. What Is Your Longest Shift?
I once had a fifteen-hour shift. A tragic accident happened near my hospital just as I was about to end my shift. I had to stay for seven more hours attending to the victims and loading with physicians. I almost passed out when I had the chance to go home. Even though I was exhausted, I knew that I had helped save lives, the greatest calling for every healthcare practitioner. My efforts were recognized, and I got some days off work.
18. How Do You Normally Relay Bad News To A Patient Regarding Their Health?
Relaying bad news to patients and their families is one of the most difficult things to do as a healthcare practitioner. One must gather all the necessary clinical information before taking a step, as patients will want more. I normally start by apologizing to the patients and telling them that I have bad news before explaining the situation frankly and in plain language. I then give the patient time to process the information before repeating the important things and writing them down. The patient will ask questions, which I will adequately answer.
19. How Do You Normally Deal With Demanding Patients While Still Attending To Others?
Some patients require more care than others, especially those with severe conditions. However, we also have to care for other patients as healthcare practitioners. To deal with such patients while ensuring that others are cared for, I normally delegate duties among my team members by prioritizing those with life-threatening conditions. I am glad that most of the facilities I have worked in are properly staffed, and therefore, all the patients are cared for at the end of the day.
20. How Do You Normally Ensure That You Are Safe While In The Healthcare Facility?
I normally wear all the protective gear and adhere to the safety precautions while handling patients. I understand that some diseases are infectious and have my mask on when dealing with patients. I also normally ensure that different healthcare equipment is sterilized before and after usage to prevent contamination. Lastly, I am generally through and take nothing to chance around the healthcare facility, which has always helped me stay safe.
21. How Would You Handle A Patient Who Refuses Medication?
Some patients refuse to take medication due to several reasons. I normally talk to them, outlining the importance of taking their medication and how non-adherence would affect their health. Even though a good number understand and start taking their medications, some don’t. I normally contact their close ones to talk to them in such instances. Family members and friends can better handle some issues. I am glad that those who refuse medication start taking them after intervention from their family and friends in most cases.
22. What Would You Do If A Patient Refuses To Consent To A Medical Procedure?
As healthcare practitioners, we are normally expected to respect the patient’s autonomy, which empowers them to make decisions regarding their health. Provided that the patient is sane and can consent, our hands are tied. Our job is to lay down all the necessary information regarding the medical procedure, including its success rate, and let the patient consent. Since humans are autonomous beings, we cannot impose our preferences on them, or else it will be a case of medical paternalism. However, it would be wise to let their family members talk to them. If they don’t consent in the end, we are obligated to respect their wishes.
23. How Does Your Job Impact Society?
My job helps people get better and regain productivity or reconnect with their friends and families. I help put smiles on people’s faces and return hope where it had been lost. I am proud of my career since a job in the healthcare industry has helped me touch many families. All my activities are tailored toward the patient’s best interest and have a far greater impact.
24. Do You Have The Skills Needed To Work With Us?
I have all the skills needed to thrive in the healthcare industry. I am empathetic, which is important as it helps me understand the plight of patients, which is important when taking care of them. I also have verbal and written communication skills, which is important when relaying information to the patient, family members, and colleagues. Other skills that have helped me flourish in my career include teamworking, time management, and stress management skills. I believe that my flexibility and positive attitude have helped me become a good healthcare manager.
25. What Is Your Greatest Weakness?
The healthcare industry is one of the most rewarding yet potentially traumatizing fields. I am extremely empathetic, which comes with its disadvantages even though it is a requirement in this field. I am still struggling with processing the loss of patients and delivering bad news to families. I had to seek therapy the first time I watched a young patient die. However, it is also worth mentioning that I am making improvements, however subtle, and with the help, I am constantly seeking, this will cease to be an issue.
Conclusion
These are some of the questions you should expect in your Kaiser Permanente Interview. It is a big corporation, and therefore, ensure you prepare adequately for your upcoming interview. Remember to learn more about their work culture and values, as some questions may touch on them. We wish you all the best.
