The hiring process at Select Medical typically involves the following steps: 1. Application: Applicants are asked to submit an online application with their resume and cover letter. 2. Phone Interview: Candidates will be contacted for a phone interview with a hiring manager. 3. In-Person Interview: If the applicant does well in the phone interview, they will be asked to come in for an interview with the hiring manager and other members of the hiring team. 4. Assessment: Depending on the job, applicants may have to take a skills test or some other kind of test. 5. Reference Check: The hiring team will conduct a reference check with past employers. 6. Background Check: A background check will be conducted to verify the accuracy of information submitted on the application. 7. Offer: If the candidate is selected for the position, the hiring team will make an offer.
With over 36000 employees across the United States Select Medical is one of the largest providers of post-acute care services. They operate critical illness recovery hospitals, rehabilitation hospitals, outpatient clinics and occupational health centers across the country.
If you have an interview coming up with Select Medical, solid preparation is key. The competition is often stiff for roles at such a reputable healthcare organization.
We’ve compiled a list of the top 25 most common Select Medical interview questions to help you get ready. From behavioral and situational questions to technical medical knowledge, these are the key questions candidates report being asked most frequently.
Let’s look at each one in-depth:
General Interview Questions
1. Why do you want to work for Select Medical?
With this common first question, interviewers want to see how interested you are in working for Select Medical and why you want to join. In your response, stress how much you agree with their goal of providing high-quality rehabilitation care. Talk about how you were drawn to their team-oriented culture, growth opportunities, and dedication to patient outcomes.
2 What strengths would you bring to this role?
The employer wants to understand the unique attributes you possess that make you well-suited to the position. Choose 2-3 relevant strengths to highlight that match the role’s requirements, like communication skills, diligence, empathy, positivity, etc. Provide specific examples of demonstrating these strengths in past healthcare jobs.
3. Why should we hire you over other applicants?
Here’s your chance to sell yourself. Share the most pertinent qualifications, certifications, healthcare experiences and soft skills that make you an exceptionally strong candidate for this opening. Be sure to connect your value directly to their hiring needs.
4. What motivates you in your work?
Interviewers aim to gauge your work ethic and passion. Effective responses mention helping patients heal and recover, collaborating with colleagues, continuously improving processes, solving complex problems, and growth opportunities as key motivational factors.
5. How do you handle high stress situations?
Healthcare roles inevitably involve pressure. Share examples of remaining calm under difficult circumstances like emergencies, conflicts or heavy workloads. Emphasize any stress management techniques you use and how you maintain focus on patient priorities.
6. Tell me about a time you failed at work and how you handled it.
Revealing a past mistake or failure shows self-awareness and growth mindset. Choose an example relevant to the role and explain the situation objectively. Most importantly, focus on the constructive lessons you learned and how you improved processes going forward.
7. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
With this inquiry about career plans, interviewers aim to gauge your aspirations for professional development and likelihood of longevity with Select Medical should they hire you. Respond highlighting your eagerness to grow skills, take on more responsibility, and earn promotions within the organization.
8. Do you have any questions for me about the role or company?
Always close with questions to demonstrate engagement. Inquire about challenges of the role, goals for the department this year, training programs, or company culture. Avoid questions about salary and benefits at this stage.
Patient Care & Medical Questions
9. How do you ensure every patient feels cared for?
Compassion is paramount. Share how you listen attentively to understand patient needs and concerns, explain treatments in a reassuring way, respond promptly when called upon, and look for small ways to go above-and-beyond to comfort them.
10. How do you stay up to date on the latest medical best practices and protocols?
Current expertise is expected, so discuss reading industry journals, taking continuing education courses, attending conferences, reviewing new research, and asking doctors clarifying questions about new developments.
11. You notice concerning changes in a patient’s condition. What should you do?
Vigilance and quick response is key. Explain that you would immediately consult the care team and notify the doctor to have them urgently assess the patient. Don’t downplay or delay responding to any observed deterioration.
12. How do you explain treatment plans to patients and educate them about their health status and care?
Communication abilities are tested with this question. Highlight using simple, everyday language to explain technical medical issues in an easy to comprehend way. Also discuss checking for patient understanding and encouraging their questions.
13. A patient gets angry that you won’t give them medication right away. How do you respond?
This scenario reveals your conflict resolution skills. Remain calm and acknowledge their frustration. Explain policies prohibit you from distributing medication without proper physician orders and oversight. Offer to contact their care provider to reassess their pain and determine suitable options.
14. What are some ways you provide emotional support to patients going through rehabilitation?
Emphasize building trusting relationships through compassionate listening, celebrating small wins, motivational encouragement after setbacks, and respect for each patient’s mental state and challenges. Your aim is to uplift them.
15. How do you safeguard patient privacy and confidential information?
Healthcare ethics demand discretion. Describe your meticulous charting, securing sensitive documents, verifying identities before sharing info, encryption practices, and gaining patient consent appropriately. Know key laws like HIPAA that guide conduct.
Nursing & Clinical Interview Questions
16. Tell me about your experience as a nurse working in a hospital, clinic or rehab setting.
Interviewers want to assess your capability to transition into the specific nursing role. Tailor your response with examples of assessments, interventions and other responsibilities you have successfully handled that directly relate to the job requirements.
17. How do you ensure accuracy when administering medications and treatments?
Vouch for your diligence by describing best practices like verifying patient identity, cross-checking charts, validating dosages and medications against orders, confirming expirations dates, and reviewing the care plan with patients before administering treatment.
18. What’s your experience with electronic medical record systems and documentation?
Emphasize proficiency with key EMR applications and nuances of thorough charting such as timely entries, objective language, sign offs, inclusion of observations and interventions, etc. Mention any relevant training certificates.
19. You have a conflict with another nurse on your approach to a patient’s care. How do you resolve it?
Conflicts occur in high-stress environments. Share how you initiate a respectful dialogue to understand their rationale, find common ground, consult other medical team members, and ultimately establish the approach that prioritizes the patient’s wellbeing.
20. How do you ensure safety when moving or transferring patients?
Patient falls risk lawsuits and injury. Detail your diligent use of protocols like explain the maneuvers, ask if they need assistance, ensure cleared walkways, use sufficient help, employ wheelchairs or lifts properly, and take preventative measures like grip socks and bed alarms.
Leadership Interview Questions
21. What experience do you have mentoring, training or onboarding new medical staff?
If interviewing for a management role, onboarding skills are valued. Discuss how you educate new hires on processes, monitor their progress, encourage questions, motivate them, and provide constructive feedback to aid their development.
22. How would you go about improving efficiency or streamlining processes in your department?
As a leader, optimizing operations is key. Share how you would proactively identify issues slowing productivity, engage staff for ideas, research best practices, implement changes methodically, and track results. Change management skills are key.
23. How do you maintain high team morale and engagement as a healthcare manager?
Keeping staff motivated maximizes care quality. Discuss tactics like fostering open communication, recognizing achievements, leading by example, Infusing camaraderie through team building activities, and regularly checking in with employees.
24. You notice one unit coordinator makes errors frequently that impact patient care. What do you do?
Coaching struggling employees is expected. Explain how you would have a direct yet compassionate discussion focused on the behaviors to change, provide additional training materials, set goals, increase oversight temporarily and monitor for improvement.
25. Why do you feel you are ready to take on a leadership role in our organization?
Close by reiterating your enthusiasm and fit for the management role. Reference your experience, skills and leadership outlook. Express eagerness to help Select Medical continue delivering outstanding patient-centered care.
Preparing responses to these common Select Medical interview questions will help you articulate your qualifications and key strengths as an applicant. Use the STAR method – Situation, Task, Action, Result – to construct impactful examples that showcase your abilities on the job. Come armed with thoughtful questions of your own as well. With practice and confidence, you will impress interviewers and land the healthcare job you want!
Medicine Interview Questions – How to answer “Why should we choose you?”
FAQ
What is a generic interview question?
