- Tell me what makes a good physician liaison, or why do you think you would be a good PL?
- Why do you want to work at this practice?
- What are you looking to achieve in this position?
- What are some of your goals, and how do you plan to achieve them?
Physician Liaison Training: Effective Physician Liaison Marketing Strategies!
What steps would you take if a physician missed your scheduled meeting?
Demonstrates candidates interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills.
How would you react if you received negative feedback from a physician?
Demonstrates candidates problem-solving and analytical skills.
Interview Questions for Physician Liaisons:
Demonstrates candidates knowledge of the positions requirements.
In-depth questions
Employers could ask you in-depth questions to see how you would handle certain situations. Here are some in-depth clinical liaison interview questions:
Clinical liaison interview questions and sample answers
Here are five interview questions with response strategies and example answers:
General questions
Many interviewers start with general questions to learn more about you as a professional. Here are some basic interview questions to consider:
Read more: 100 Common Job Interview Questions
Example: “I believe that communication skills are one of the most important qualities for a physician liaison. This is because I would need to communicate with physicians about various issues or concerns. In my previous position as a medical records clerk, I developed strong communication skills by working directly with patients and their families. I also learned how to effectively relay information to other staff members so they could provide excellent care.”
Example: “If I encountered a physician who was using one of our products unsafely or non-compliantly, I would first try to educate them on the proper use of the product. If they continued to use the product improperly after my initial conversation with them, I would report the incident to my supervisor so that we could take appropriate action.”
Example: “I believe that it’s important to share as much information as possible with a physician so they have all of the facts when making decisions about their patients. However, I also understand that there are privacy concerns for some patients, which means we may not be able to share certain details. In these situations, I would encourage the physician to speak with the patient directly to get more information.”
Example: “I would first ask the physician if they have heard of this treatment before approaching them. If they haven’t, I would explain why it’s beneficial for their patients and provide any research or information that supports its use. I would also offer to accompany the physician on rounds so they could see firsthand how effective the treatment is.”
Example: “I’ve worked with several hospitals in my career as a physician liaison. I also have experience working with pharmaceutical companies on developing new medications and treatments. In both of these positions, I learned valuable communication skills that helped me work well with different types of people. These skills are what led me to apply for this role at your company.”
This should be one of the first questions you ask during an interview because it will immediately let you know if the candidate has a good understanding of the role. Listen for words and phrases like “detail-oriented”, “adaptability”, “strong communication skills” “referral retention” and “clinical knowledge”.
A physician liaison should have a dogged passion for all aspects of the healthcare industry. Having a multifaceted level of experience working in healthcare is vital when looking for a physician liaison. They should understand the medical terminology and all the varying components that are required to successfully drive business.
As your business thrives in the healthcare market, looking for employees whose goals align with your organization’s is a great way to maintain a valuable reputation the medical community. For more tips and tricks on how to navigate the healthcare industry, stay tuned here for our weekly blog posts!
This is a great way to learn more about how this candidate can problem solve. For example, a candidate may mention that it can be difficult to get a hold of the doctors directly due to all the overhead at the practice. If they can persevere and come up with unique ways to get their foot in the door, such as establishing relationships with all the office staff who would be able to get them face to face with the doctor, this lets you know that are a driven individual who meets and exceeds the goals of your organization.
If your medical marketing agency is need of a physician liaison, congratulations! The more help you have, the more your business can flourish. However, there is no denying that hiring new employees can be a bit of a hassle. Shuffling through resumes, coordinating meetings & multiple rounds of interviews to find the perfect candidate can be a long, arduous process. To lighten your load, look at some of these interview questions that should help you find a perfect new hire!
Marketing a healthcare organization can be challenging – even painful if you dont approach it with the right knowledge, tools, and guidance. By reading about mistakes and lessons others have learned the hard way, you can boost your marketing effectiveness and take a shortcut to success. Discover how to avoid these “Seven Deadly Sins”. Plus, join over 30,000 of your fellow healthcare providers with a free subscription to our Insight Newsletter.
The highest and best value of a practice rep or physician liaison is evident in the new business that they generate. Consider that an effective rep will typically be responsible for about a million dollars in practice revenue. To achieve that goal—and keep the inbound referral system flowing smoothly—a hospital or practice leadership recognizes that achieving new revenue goals are the primary test.
Have a clear understanding of the job description and performance expectations. Excellence in a sales position is recognized by the achievement of specific new business—measured in revenue dollars—which they generate. On occasion, doctors and business managers mistake this outside sales position for a classic marketing person. Don’t judge their performance on “creating a brochure” or creative product for example, but on their performance in creating measurable new revenue.
Here’s a brief but revealing tale—and a first-class, red-flag warning—that you have the wrong person in mind to be your physician liaison. We knew this wasn’t going to work when the practice rep candidate wanted to know how big their office was going to be. It’s not a trick Q&A the work of a practice rep is in the field.
We don’t want to step on anyone’s toes with this post. But marketing savvy doctors and skilled physician liaison people will agree about these common and costly mistakes. Nothing personal here—but we discover this business blunder all too often.
FAQ
What does a physician liaison do?
What are some examples of professional skills and personal characteristics that a patient liaison should have?
How should I prepare for a physician interview?
- Communication.
- Collaboration.
- Leadership.
- Conflict resolution.
- Public speaking.
- Attention to detail.
- Medical billing.
- Healthcare insurance.
