Health Administrator Interview Questions

"My dad is a doctor, so I grew up always hearing about his patients and colleagues. I visited him a lot at the hospital he worked at as well. I knew I wanted to pursue a career in healthcare to help people, but wasn't interested in the extensive amount of schooling necessary for doctors and nurses. My dad suggested becoming a Health Administrator, so I did and really enjoy it."

"Communicating with people on my team is easy, as I will directly approach them with any news or questions. We also have short, daily meetings with everyone available to ensure we're all on the same page. If I need to talk to other departments, I will call or e-mail them and schedule a meeting if necessary. In my previous role, I implemented a monthly newsletter to keep the whole hospital informed."

"To stay up-to-date with current healthcare laws and regulations, I read the Canada Health Act Annual Report when it comes out. As I love to read, I also stay updated by reading healthcare magazines, such as Hands in Healthcare, Canadian Healthcare Technology, and Best Health Magazine. These magazines update me on any current trends and news in the healthcare industry."

"Before I started in my previous role as a Healthcare Administrator, I took a PIPEDA training course that taught me about the federal laws I must follow to keep patient information confidential. This course was optional, but it helped prepare me for my job. To keep patient information safe, I always use the company's encrypted computer to access patient files. If there are physical files, I ensure they do not leave the premises. If I make a call, talk to a patient, or a physician about a patient, I ensure to do so privately so no one overhears the conversation."

"To stay organised, I always put project deadlines in my calendar and daily planner to ensure I don't forget when they're due. Then, I create a daily to-do list based on these projects and my day-to-day tasks. This helps me stay on top of my work and ensures I get everything done on time."

"Before implementing any changes, I like to meet with other members of my team to see what kind of change they want to see in the workplace. I will then consult our existing policies and processes to see what's working and what's not. When I'm ready to implement something new, I will meet with my team and discuss the changes and how I plan to implement them. Throughout the rollout process, I make myself available to answer any questions about the changes so the transition goes smoothly."

"If an employee called in sick at the last minute, I would call other employees to see if someone could come in and cover the shift. If not, I would inform the rest of my team and tell them they may have to take on some extra work and to pace themselves so they aren't overworked."

"If a department was consistently over budget, I would investigate the cause. If it's from necessary costs, such as medical supplies, I would readjust the budget to accommodate the costs of running that department. If not, I would look at where I could cut costs, such as changing suppliers or cutting hours if necessary."

"In my previous role, I was the Health Administrator of a small clinic. I was responsible for managing the staff and ensuring patients got the best care possible. I handled administrative tasks, such as creating the schedule and budget, and maintaining patient files. I ensured our clinic was always following medical regulations and operating safely."

"I have had one disagreement with a team member that didn't show up for one of their shifts. I called asking where they were, and they insisted they weren't working. I e-mailed them the schedule again, and they accused me of altering it. I told them it was the schedule that had been out for a week already, so they came in. When they came in, they apologised and said they were looking at an old schedule."

"In my previous role, I used the Sapphire Hospital Management System for administrative tasks. I had to teach myself to use the software, so I am happy to learn how to use any other software you prefer."

"As I don't get involved with patient care directly, I help physicians to focus on their patients by ensuring all administrative tasks are taken care of. By staying organised, and creating efficient schedules and policies, I can help patients get the care they need."

"I have worked in two private clinics and a hospital. Both types of facilities had their upsides. I enjoyed the fast-paced environment the hospital provided, but also enjoyed getting to know my team and patients better in a smaller clinic setting. Ultimately, I couldn't choose a favourite as I enjoyed both workplaces."

"To stay organised, I keep detailed notes with my computer or planner. For example, if someone calls me, I will always take notes to ensure I get the message correct. If I have deadlines to meet, I will put them in my planner to ensure I don't forget. I also create a daily to-do list to keep track of all my tasks and get them done on time."

"My strongest skills as a health administrator are my leadership and organisational skills. As I typically have to manage a large team, having strong leadership skills is important to keep things running smoothly. Similarly, my strong organisational skills ensure I can stay on top of my tasks and delegate when necessary."