Put a finger down if you have ever got jitters while going to an interview. I bet 99% put their finger down. It is okay to feel this way.
What helps get rid of the jitters is when you are fully prepared for the interview. It is great that you’ve searched for this article shows you want to get the position as a patient transporter. Your role as a patient transporter will be to move patients together with equipment from one place to another within the healthcare facility. I’m here to help you ace the interview. Here are some interview questions with answers that can be of use to you.
1. Why Are You Interested In This Role?
This is a common question asked in most interviews, and I bet you that the interview is likely to ask you this question once you walk into the interviewing room. The question helps the hiring manager know why you want to take up the position you are seeking. If you want to stand out, you should highlight some of the responsibilities that caught your attention.
During my career as a patient transporter, I’ve had the chance to work in several hospitals. They all had different priorities and goals. This factor has allowed me to broaden my knowledge; it has also helped me be agile at making decisions. I look forward to putting these skills into practice.
2. What Are The Roles Of A Patient Transporter?
Let’s face it, this is an easy question, and some interviewers may ask you this to put you at ease. The interviewer may also ask this question to assess if you understand what is required of you in your job position.
I understand that my role is to promptly transport patients inside and outside the facility to the designated areas. If there are any equipment, supplies, or laboratory specimen required to get transported, I’ll take the role of doing it. I’ll also transport the deceased together with their belongings to the mortuary. My role as a patient transporter also requires me to lift the patients in or out of bed by ambulance or taxi and move them to their procedure rooms or treatment center.
3. What Are The Qualities That A Patient Transporter Need To Be Successful?
This is a great question you can use to show your interviewer what makes you unique.
My role as a patient transporter requires me to move the patients safely. I believe one quality that would help me succeed in this position is being a great time manager. Delaying moving the patient can be catastrophic, especially if they need urgent medical help. By being timely, it will help me be successful in my role.
4. What Major Challenges Did You Face In Your Last Role? How Did You Manage Them?
As a patient transporter, you are likely to face challenges from time to time. The interview understands this, and they may ask this question to assess how well you handle the challenges.
In my line of work, I’m bound to witness a lot of distress or even someone dying. Without a doubt, such occurrences have affected me. I handle this challenge is to talking to my colleagues as sharing this helps me feel I’m not alone. I also pop by the psychologist’s office once in a while to talk over what I might be going through. And I have come to accept both birth and death belong to life; it is hard to save everyone.
5. Describe Your Daily Routine?
This question will help the interviewer assess how well you prioritize your work. While answering the question, make sure to keep it brief.
I often try to get to the hospital before it opens. This gives me time to ensure that the wheelchairs in the hospital are clean. Once I’m done, I organize the wheelchairs for easy accessibility. Often than not, once the hospital is open, patients do clock in. It depends on how busy the day is; I may end up serving a total of ten or more patients. If the day is not too busy, I usually take this time to take up educational opportunities to help me be a better patient transporter.
6. Describe Briefly About Your Experience
The interviewer may want to know your prior experience as it will help them gauge if you are prepared for the role. Ensure that you study your job description as it will guide how you’ll answer the question.
I have some strong experience that will help me succeed in this job. I have worked in several hospitals as a patient transporter. Before I got my first job, I was a volunteer at X, where I helped take care of the elderly. I have ten years of work experience in this field. At times, taking care of people requires you to know how to smooth them and gently talk to them. This is why I took up a short psychology course to help me better understand how to console my patients. Looking forward to making use of my skills to help better your facility.
7. What Kind Of Strategies And Mindset Is Required In This Role?
This type of question will help the interviewer know how you think and operate as a patient transporter. Take this chance to sell yourself by showing them you have the excellent skills that make up an excellent patient transporter.
One particular strategy I use in my role as a patient transporter is being compassionate. Showing that I care about my patients helps them feel comfortable and valued. The mindset I stick to is having a calm mindset. I know I may interact with a frustrated patient or an angry. By remaining calm, it will help me not take in their emotions personally but understand that they are going through a lot, and all they need is some compassion for them to feel at ease.
8. What Is The Biggest Challenge That You Foresee In This Role?
Life has its challenges, so does being a patient transporter. While presenting your answer, ensure that you are honest. Also, ensure that you give out a solution to how you intend to deal with the challenge.
One challenge I foresee in this job is being emotionally drained. Over my experience, there are patients that I have seen passing away. Also, seeing other people suffering is never a good thing. It is part of being human; I’m allowed to feel. However, I’ll not let the challenge get the better of me. So if this happens, I can ask for leave as it will help me get my act together. Also, I have a personal psychologist who I confide in anytime I feel overwhelmed.
9. How Do You Stay Motivated In Your Work?
This is a prevalent question that most employers ask. They do this to assess your motives. While answering the question, avoid giving out answers such as money motivates you. While giving out your answer, try to assess why you chose to be a patient transporter. This will guide you on what to say.
It is always a great feeling when I see my patients discharged from the hospital. That precise moment when they are waving at me so happy while walking out of the hospital makes me happy.
This is what motivates me at work. I try my best to show care for my patients as I’d love them to get well very soon.
10. Describe A Time You Failed In This Role And The Lesson You Learned?
There is this incident that happened as I was working at facility X. I clocked in as usual. The problem was I did not do my daily routine. One important routine was to check if all the wheelchairs or stretchers were safe. The day seemed normal, and I got the chance to transport a patient.
The wheelchair I chose had some problems. And I only learned of this when one of the wheels fell off, and my patient got injured. I almost lost my job for this. I apologized to my patient later that day. And as of that day, I chose to be keen and always check if everything is safe to use.
11. Why Do You Feel Most Suited For This Role?
The employer may ask this to assess what makes you unique. Take this chance to sell yourself. Over the years, I have worked hard to develop the necessary skills for this position. I have great people skills which come in handy anytime I relate with my patients.
I try to volunteer once a week at my local clinic and take care of the patients. I’m confident that my experience and skills will be of use to your facility. I hope that I’ll move the facility towards a proactive approach.
12. Share With Us Your Greatest Achievement
Employers tend to ask this question for them to assess if your work ethic matches their needs. Your answer will show the employer what you consider essential. And telling the interviewer how you achieved will help them know how you get things done.
As I was working at facility Y. My employers awarded me as the employee of the month three times in a row. I achieved this by always being on my toes. My supervisors always congratulated me as they knew I needed no supervision. I was kind to patients, which also helped me earn the award as most patients would often ask for my help. My integrity and ethic helped me get the award.
13. Why Did You Leave Your Previous Job?
Be careful while answering this question. This question could make you lose your chance of getting the job or improve your odds. Also, ensure that you are honest.
I was working at facility X, which was a private hospital. Late last year, the facility had some difficulties with its finances. They laid off some employees. I was fortunate to remain, although, after a few months, the facility had to close down.
14. What Kind Of Work Environment Best Works For You?
Interviewers tend to ask this to assess how well you’ll fit with the company’s culture. The question also helps the employer know which work environment helps with productivity.
I love working in an environment where all the employees work as a team. As a patient transporter, there are times I may need help from my colleagues. This could either help me lift a stretcher. With great teamwork, it is often easy for me to improve my productivity.
15. Tell Me How You Think Your Colleagues Describe You?
The question helps the employer to have a general sense of your personality.
My colleagues have told me that they love that I’m always punctual. My goal is always to take care of many patients, and this is why I try my best to manage my time well. While working at hospital X, my supervisor would always rely on me. He knew that I would always be present during an emergency as I know how to manage my time.
16. What Do You Say To A Patient Who Is Scared About An Upcoming Procedure?
The interviewer may ask you this to assess your ability to provide comfort.
As I was working at hospital X, I took care of patients who told me they were a bit scared of going through the surgery. I always ensured that I did not disrupt them while they were talking. This helped me know their particular fears. Some may have googled about the success of the surgery and realized that some did not survive.
It scared them; who wouldn’t. If this is the case, I would try and let them see the search from a positive point of view. I would tell them the competency of the surgeon and the number of success stories they have. I’d also make them feel that it is okay to get scared and make them feel valued. I would also ask them if they would want to talk to a family member or if they want a snack. I’d always try my best to cheer them up before leaving.
17. How Do You Make Certain That You Are Always Punctual?
As a patient transporter, it is essential to know how to manage your time. Every employer needs a patient transporter to be punctual. When the interviewer asks this, they wish to assess your punctuality.
While working at hospital X, my shift would often start at 8:00 am. So I’d try and get to the hospital 30 minutes earlier. This allowed me to have enough time to prep myself. Also, I’d often position myself close to the entrance of the hospital. This allowed me always to be punctual whenever my services would be of help.
18. Do You Have The Ability To Stay On Your Feet For Long Hours?
As a patient transporter, most of your day will require you to be on your feet. When the interviewer asks this, they wish to assess if you can handle the position’s challenges.
I have over five years of work experience. My experience has helped me adapt to being on my feet for long hours. My job is important, and it is hard to foretell when a patient may need my services. So I often ensure I wear comfortable shoes to help improve my comfort.
19. Let’s Say You Bring A Patient To A Surgery Room That Is Already Occupied. How Do You Proceed?
The interviewer may ask this to assess the candidate’s ability to solve problems. The question may also help the interviewer evaluate if the candidate is keen to detail.
While working with facility Y, I had a similar incident. The nurse advised us to head to a particular surgeon room. The problem was that she had not fact-checked to see if the previous surgery was over. So we marched in the surgery bay area only to find the surgery was going on. Luckily other nurses had accompanied me, so I left to go to the desk and inform them. I requested the nurse to communicate with the surgeon as we were looking for a room. The nurse found one which best suited the patient’s needs, and I transported her to the room.
20. Do You Think You’d Be Able To Transport A Deceased Patient To A Mortuary?
In some cases, a patient transporter may need to transport a deceased patient. When the interviewer asks this, they want to assess how you handle this emotionally taxing task.
Yes, I can transport a deceased patient to the mortuary. There are a couple of times I have done this. I cannot say it is easy as it has an emotional burn. I can attest that it somewhat gets easier when you are used to doing the task. Also, when I’m overwhelmed, I talk to my colleagues and ask them how to handle the situation.
Conclusion
Taking care of patients requires dedication. The good thing about being a patient transporter is that you get to bring smiles to the patient. You are doing a great job. Good luck with your interview!
