Patient Care Technician Interview Questions

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What types of direct patient care activities have you performed in your current job? See answer
What is the most challenging part of direct patient care, and how do you handle that challenge? See answer
What do you think is the most important skill for a patient care technician to have? See answer
How do you deal with patients who refuse to listen to you when you are trying to care for them? See answer
What types of tools and equipment have you used as a patient care technician? See answer
Patient care technicians may have to provide social and emotional support for patients who are dealing with stressful medical issues or isolation. How would you comfort a patient who seemed upset or despondent? See answer
What strategies do you use to keep track of each patient’s unique dietary, medical and other care needs?
Ongoing training is an important part of being a patient care technician. Do you have current CPR and first aid certifications?
Patient care technicians may have to deal with bodily fluids as part of keeping patients clean and comfortable. Are you comfortable helping patients use the restroom and upkeep hygiene?
How do you perform routine patient care tasks quickly so that you can finish your rounds efficiently?
How do you manage your emotions and your own mental health when a long-term patient gets sick or dies?
What methods do you use to communicate with other medical support staff and follow a clear chain of command when it comes to patient care?
How do you prevent bed-ridden patients from developing bed sores and other complications related to not being able to move around?
What would you do if a patient’s family disagreed with their care plan and interfered with your responsibilities?
Are you familiar with the cognitive and physical disabilities that commonly occur in patients in long-term care?

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6 Patient Care Technician Interview Questions and Answers

Q:

What types of direct patient care activities have you performed in your current job?

A:

You should ask this question because it will help you determine if the patient care technician is familiar with the required job duties. Although each facility may require certain tasks, a patient care technician who knows the safe ways to lift or move a patient will require less training and be able to start working independently in less time.

What to look for in an answer:

List of duties performed
Knowledge of safety procedures for lifting and transporting patients
Ability to use assistive devices for maneuvering

Example:

“My duties included lifting patients weighing up to 400 pounds and helping them get into a wheelchair or onto a gurney for transport.”

Q:

What is the most challenging part of direct patient care, and how do you handle that challenge?

A:

This is a good question to ask because it demonstrates the patient care technician’s ability to perform under stress and pressure. It also shows the candidate’s willingness to handle duties that they might not like and their commitment to doing all of their work to the best of their ability. The capacity to recognize one’s challenges shows the applicant’s work ethic.

What to look for in an answer:

Explanation of their most challenging job duty
Description of why they find it challenging
Ability to work in difficult situations

Example:

“I find patients with dementia to be my biggest challenge, and I handle this by speaking slowly and looking at the person while speaking.”

Q:

What do you think is the most important skill for a patient care technician to have?

A:

This is a key question to ask because it shows the patient care technician’s ability to understand what is required of the job. The answer should also reveal their ability to develop and maintain those skills. The ideal patient care technician will have the same belief as your organization about which skills are essential to doing an excellent job in their position.

What to look for in an answer:

Description of one or two key skills
Explanation of their expertise at those skills
Knowledge of how those skills help

Example:

“I think the most important skill is compassion because it allows me to provide the best possible care for patients who are under stress.”

Q:

How do you deal with patients who refuse to listen to you when you are trying to care for them?

A:

This is a good question because it highlights the patient care technician’s level of patience and their ability to ask for help. It also shows you how well they handle the demands of the job. The answer will give you an insight into their temperament and will help you determine if their personality is a good fit for your organization.

What to look for in an answer:

Willingness to try multiple approaches
Understanding of why patients may not listen
Ability to ask for help from co-workers

Example:

“I explain why I need to do it and what could happen to the patient’s well-being if they do not do the refused activity.”

Q:

What types of tools and equipment have you used as a patient care technician?

A:

A patient care technician’s familiarity with tools and equipment for the job ensures that they can work without needing a long training period. You should ask this question in order to ascertain their level of experience with the types of devices that are in use at your organization. The ideal patient care technician will have a working knowledge of most of the equipment your facility uses.

What to look for in an answer:

List of equipment and tools they know how to use
Level of experience with the equipment
Familiarity with job-related software

Example:

“I enter data into EHRs and use scanners for patient identification. I am able to perform an EKG test, a blood pressure check and a heart rate test.”

Q:

Patient care technicians may have to provide social and emotional support for patients who are dealing with stressful medical issues or isolation. How would you comfort a patient who seemed upset or despondent?

A:

While the main role of patient care technicians is to provide support for a patient's physical needs, they should also be mindful of how mental health and mood can impact a patient's health. Top patient care technicians form friendly relationships with their patients, especially since they may be one of the only sources of social interaction for long-term infirm patients. Interviewers can learn what candidates know about social-emotional health and how to best support their patients.

Good responses feature:

Empathy
Active listening skills
Holistic view of healthcare

Here's an example of what a great answer could look like:

Example:

"At my last position in a nursing home, I learned how much loneliness can impact long-term patients, especially if they do not have regular visitors or can't leave their room due to health reasons. I find that taking some time to chat during a meal or reading aloud a chapter of a book can make a big difference in a patient's spirits, which in turn can help them focus on their physical health."

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