Medical assistant interview questions to ask employer

If you’re looking for a career in the medical field, a medical assistant job may be the perfect fit. Medical assistants are responsible for a variety of tasks in a doctor’s office, from clerical work to assisting the doctor during exams. They work with patients, keep medical records, and may also be responsible for ordering and stocking supplies.

Medical assistant interviews usually focus on your customer service skills, as well as your knowledge of medical terminology and procedures. You’ll also need to be able to answer questions about your experience working with patients. To help you get ready, we’ve put together a list of medical assistant interview questions and answers.

Why do you want to be a medical assistant?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your intentions for applying to their open position. They want to know that you have a genuine interest in the role and that you’re qualified for the job. When preparing your answer, think about what led you to pursue a career in healthcare. Think about what you enjoy about being a medical assistant and what skills you have that make you a good fit for the role.

Example: “I want to be a medical assistant because I love helping people. I feel like I have a natural talent for assisting others in finding the right information, and I enjoy working in a fast-paced environment. I also enjoy being able to use my problem-solving skills to help patients. I feel like I have a lot of insight into what patients are going through, and I enjoy being able to share my advice with others.”

What do you hope to accomplish during your time here?

Employers ask this question to see if you have goals for your career. They want to know that you’re eager to learn and grow in your role. When you answer this question, think about what you would like to achieve in the next year or two. Think about what skills you would like to develop and what projects you would like to take on.

Example: “I hope to learn as much as I can about the medical assistant role. I know that I have a lot to learn, and I’m eager to learn from the other medical assistants in the office. I also hope to develop my skills as a medical assistant. I would like to become proficient in all of the tasks I’m asked to do. I hope to take on more challenging projects and tasks as I become more comfortable in my role.”

How would your previous coworkers or supervisors describe you?

This question can help employers learn more about your personality and how you interact with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a few positive things your coworkers or supervisors have said about you.

Example: “My previous coworkers would describe me as a hard worker who is always willing to help. They would say that I am friendly and compassionate, and that I always make sure to greet people with a smile. My previous supervisors would say that I am a fast learner and that I am always willing to take on new tasks. They would say that I am always willing to stay late if needed and that I am always willing to help out when they are short-staffed.”

Can you tell me about a professional achievement that you earned?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your work ethic and how you’ve used it to achieve success. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a time when you were able to accomplish a challenging task or meet a specific goal.

Example: “When I first started working as a medical assistant, I noticed that the doctor’s office was running out of supplies more quickly than usual. I asked the doctor if there was anything I could do to help, and he told me that he needed more patient files. I decided to organize the files in the office and create a filing system that would make it easier for the doctor to find the files he needed. By organizing the files, I was able to help save time and money for the office.”

Do you have any questions for me?

Interviewers often ask this question to gauge your interest in the position and your level of preparation for the interview. It’s important to take a moment to review the job description and your notes from the interview to make sure you’re asking questions that are relevant to the position.

Example: “I have a few questions, actually. First, I noticed that you have a high patient volume. How do you ensure that you’re able to keep up with the workload? Second, I noticed that you have a lot of patients who are elderly and have dementia. How do you help them remember their appointments and stay on track? Lastly, I noticed that you have a lot of patients who speak English as a second language. How do you ensure that they understand their diagnosis and treatment plan?”

Are you licensed to work in this state?

If you are applying for a medical assistant position in a state that requires a license, the employer may ask this question to ensure you have the appropriate credentials. If you are not licensed in the state where you are applying, you should explain why you are not and what steps you are taking to get your license. If you are licensed, you should provide the name of your state and the type of license you have.

Example: “I am licensed to work as a medical assistant in the state of California. I plan to renew my license in two years.”

Where did you complete your training?

This question can help employers learn about your educational background and how long you’ve been in the field. If you have a degree or certificate, you can mention that. If you don’t, you can still talk about your training and experience.

Example: “I completed my medical assisting training at a community college. I chose this program because it was affordable and offered a certificate. I learned a lot about the medical field and how to work in a doctor’s office. I also completed a certification program through the American Association of Medical Assistants to become an AAMA-certified medical assistant.”

Which types of facilities have you worked in before?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your experience level. If you have experience working in a hospital, they might be more likely to hire you. If you have experience working in a doctor’s office, they might still be willing to hire you, but you might need to prove that you can handle the responsibilities of the job.

Example: “I have worked in a hospital setting for the past five years. I enjoy working in a hospital because I like the fast-paced environment and helping people. I feel like I have a lot of experience working in a hospital setting and would be able to help your office.”

Tell me about a time when you handled a stressful situation at work.

Interviewers ask this question to see how you handle stress. They want to know that you can handle stress and still perform your job well. When answering this question, try to focus on a time when you overcame a stressful situation and the positive outcome.

Example: “When I worked as a medical assistant, I was in a situation where I had to take care of many patients at once. This was a stressful situation, but I knew that I could handle it. I focused on my work and did everything I could to help my doctor. In the end, I was able to help my doctor and all of my patients received the care they needed.”

Have you ever needed to perform emergency procedures?

This question can help interviewers understand your experience level and how you respond to challenging situations. You can use your answer to highlight your skills and abilities, and you can also explain any training you’ve received in emergency procedures.

Example: “I’ve never had to perform emergency procedures, but I have assisted with medical emergencies. In my previous role, I was trained in CPR and the Heimlich maneuver, which helped me respond to an emergency situation when a patient started choking on their food. I was able to call for help and perform the Heimlich maneuver until the patient was able to breathe on their own again. I understand that emergencies can happen, so I’m always prepared to respond when needed.”

Describe a time when you helped a doctor or nurse with a task that they were having difficulty completing.

This question provides the interviewer with an opportunity to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to work as part of a team. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of a time when you helped a doctor or nurse complete a task, but it can also be helpful to provide an example of a time when you helped another medical assistant with a task.

Example: “In my last position, I noticed that the doctor was having difficulty entering patient information into the computer. I asked if I could help, and he said yes. I helped him enter the patient’s information into the computer, and he was grateful for my help. He said that he appreciated having another set of eyes on the task because it allowed him to focus on other tasks.”

Have you ever processed lab results?

This question can help interviewers understand your experience with lab results and how you processed them. If you have processed lab results in the past, you can share an example of how you did it. If you have not processed lab results, you can share an example of a time when you helped someone else process lab results.

Example: “In my last position, I processed lab results for my medical assistant. I would enter the results into the computer system and then check the results to make sure they were accurate. I would also verify that the results were within the normal range. I feel that this experience has helped me understand how to process lab results and how to check them for accuracy.”

Tell me about a time when you interacted with an unhappy patient.

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle challenges in your work. When answering, it can be helpful to focus on a time when you helped a patient feel better and successfully completed your work.

Example: “In my previous position, I worked with a patient who was unhappy about their diagnosis. I tried to reassure them that we would do everything we could to help them. I also made sure to give them a copy of their diagnosis so they could take it home and read it over. After they left, I checked in with the doctor to see if there was anything else we could do for the patient. The doctor and I decided to change their appointment time to a later time so they could rest before their next appointment.”

Tell me about a time when you made a mistake at work and how you fixed it.

Employers ask this question to see how you respond to challenges and learn from them. When answering, try to focus on a time when you made a mistake, but also how you fixed it and what you learned from the experience.

Example: “In my last position as a medical assistant, I was working with a doctor who was very busy. One day, I was helping him with a patient who had a lot of questions. The patient asked me a question, and I answered it without thinking. The doctor then asked me the same question, and I didn’t know the answer. I apologized to the doctor and told him I would look up the answer. He told me not to worry about it and that he would look it up later. I learned from this experience to always double-check my work.”

What are some common injuries or illnesses that patients visit a medical assistant for?

This question can help the interviewer better understand your medical assistant experience and how you’ve used it to help others. Use your answer to highlight your knowledge of common medical conditions and how you helped treat them.

Example: “Some common injuries or illnesses that patients visit a medical assistant for include colds, the flu, allergies, scrapes and cuts, headaches, muscle pain and even minor burns. In my previous role, I was trained to help patients with all of these conditions, as well as more serious ones like heart attacks and strokes. I learned how to administer first aid, clean wounds and help patients recover from their illnesses or injuries.”

How would you handle a situation where two patients requested your attention at the same time?

This question helps employers determine how you prioritize tasks and manage your time. It also helps them understand how you would interact with patients who might be in conflict with one another. In your answer, try to demonstrate your communication skills, ability to multitask and respect for other people’s time.

Example: “I would first ask both patients to wait while I attended to the more urgent matter. I would then prioritize the task based on the urgency of the situation and the urgency of the patient’s needs. If both patients were in need of immediate attention, I would ask one to wait in a separate room while I attended to the other.”

How do you maintain confidentiality in your work?

Confidentiality is an important part of being a medical assistant. Employers ask this question to make sure you understand the importance of keeping patient information private. Use your answer to show that you understand the importance of confidentiality and how you maintain it.

Example: “I understand that confidentiality is a big part of being a medical assistant. I keep patient information private by not discussing it with anyone unless I have permission from my supervisor. I also make sure that I don’t write down any patient information anywhere I can be seen. I keep all paperwork in a secure location and shred it when it is no longer needed. I also make sure to keep my phone conversations brief when discussing patients.”

What do you think are the most important skills that a medical assistant can have?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better by learning what you value in a medical assistant. It can also help them see how you might fit in with their team. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about what you feel are the most important skills for a medical assistant to have and why.

Example: “I think that the most important skills a medical assistant can have are communication and organization. These skills are important because they allow you to effectively communicate with patients and other medical professionals, and they help you stay organized and on task when working with patients.”

Have you ever had a conflict with another staff member?

Employers ask this question to see how you resolve conflicts with others. They want to know that you can work well with others and that you can resolve conflicts in a professional manner. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a time you had a conflict with another staff member and how you resolved it.

Example: “I once had a conflict with a coworker over who was supposed to do a task. I talked to my coworker about the issue and we both agreed that we would alternate doing the task each week. This helped us both get the task done and ensured that we each got a week off from doing the task.”

What methods do you use to monitor a patient’s progress?

This question helps the interviewer determine how you monitor a patient’s health and wellness and how you communicate information to your medical assistant team. Use examples from your previous experience to demonstrate your ability to keep track of patient information and communicate with your team.

Example: “I use a patient’s medical history, current symptoms, lab results and other information to monitor their progress. I also use the electronic medical record system to communicate with the rest of the medical assistant team about a patient’s progress. For example, I may send a message to the doctor or nurse about a patient’s condition or ask for advice on how to handle a situation. This helps me communicate important information about a patient’s progress and ensures that the rest of the team is aware of what’s happening.”

Tell me what you know about our local community outreach programs.

Community outreach programs are a great way to show that you care about the community you live in. Employers may ask this question to see if you have any experience with community outreach. In your answer, share your knowledge of the local community programs and how you’ve benefited from them. If you haven’t participated in any community outreach programs, you can still answer by telling the employer about the community you live in.

Example: “I know that our hospital has a lot of community outreach programs. I’ve heard about the free blood pressure screenings the hospital offers once a month at the local library. I also know that our hospital has a program for low-income families where they can get free healthcare for their children.”

Have you ever performed tests on a patient?

This question is an opportunity for you to show the interviewer that you have the skills to perform basic medical assistant duties. If you have experience performing tests, describe a time when you did so. If you don’t have experience, you can explain that you are willing to learn how to perform these tests.

Example: “In my last position, I performed blood pressure tests on patients. I would take their blood pressure and record the results. I also performed pulse checks on patients. I would take their pulse and record the results. I found that performing these tests helped me learn more about the patients and understand their health conditions.”

What steps do you take to sanitize or disinfect items?

This question can help the interviewer determine how much experience you have with this important medical assistant task. Use your answer to highlight your knowledge of the process and how you use it to protect patients and other medical professionals.

Example: “The first step I take when sanitizing or disinfecting items is to make sure I have the right supplies. I check the labels on the cleaning products to make sure they’re appropriate for the task at hand. Then, I make sure I have the right tools, such as a clean rag or paper towel, a bucket and a disinfectant or sanitizer. I use a one-step method for sanitizing or disinfecting items, which involves washing, disinfecting or sanitizing and then drying.”

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