Top Medical Scribe Interview Questions with Example Answers [2022]

Prepare for your Medical Scribe interview by going through these most asked Medical Scribe interview questions. Additionally, get access to sample answers and interviewer's expectations.

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  • Question: Tell me about a time when you felt overwhelmed and how did you overcome that?
  • Question Overview: This question is designed to see how the candidate reacts to stressful situations. Medical scribes often have to deal with a lot of information and a lot of people in a short amount of time. This question will help you determine if the candidate can handle the stress of the job and if they're able to work well under pressure.

    Sample Answer: I was working with a doctor who was very demanding and kept changing his mind about what he wanted me to do. I just kept reminding myself that I was there to help him and that he was just having a bad day. After a while, he calmed down and we were able to get back on track.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to stay calm in stressful situations
    • - Confidence in ability to handle pressure
    • - Quick thinking that shows problem-solving skills

  • Question: What is your experience working with a difficult coworker?
  • Question Overview: This question helps you to understand how the candidate will respond to a difficult situation with a coworker. You want to hire someone who can work well with others and who will not cause problems in the office.

    Sample Answer: I've never had a problem with a coworker, but I'm always willing to help out when someone needs it.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Positive attitude toward coworkers
    • - Willingness to work with others
    • - Ability to resolve conflicts

  • Question: How will you contribute to the company?
  • Question Overview: This question is designed to get a sense of the candidate's personality and work ethic. You want to hire someone who will be a good fit for your team and contribute to the overall success of your business.

    Sample Answer: I'm a hard worker who's always willing to learn new things. I'm excited about the opportunity to work with your team.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Examples of past contributions to a team
    • - Desire to contribute to the company's success
    • - Willingness to work hard and learn new skills

  • Question: How do you react to criticism?
  • Question Overview: This question is a good way to assess how well the candidate will respond to criticism from a supervisor or doctor. You want to hire someone who can take criticism and use it to improve their work.

    Sample Answer: I like to think of criticism as a way to improve my work. I try to learn from my mistakes and use that feedback to do better in the future.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Positive attitude toward criticism
    • - Willingness to learn from mistakes and improve
    • - Ability to take direction and work on a team

  • Question: Tell me about a time when you went above and beyond in patient care/customer service.
  • Question Overview: This question is designed to assess the candidate's work ethic and commitment to the job. You want to hire someone who is willing to go above and beyond the call of duty to help your patients and their families.

    Sample Answer: I've always been a people person, so I love interacting with patients and their families. I've volunteered as a mentor for kids with cancer, and I've helped out with fundraising events for the American Cancer Society.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Examples of going above and beyond
    • - Commitment to customer service
    • - Willingness to do whatever it takes to help a patient

  • Question: Tell me about your self.
  • Question Overview: This question is a great way to learn about the candidate's personality and interests. It's also a good way to find out if they're a good fit for your agency and the job.

    Sample Answer: I like to read, play video games, and spend time with my friends.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Sense of humor
    • - Interests outside of work
    • - Personality traits that will make them a good fit for your agency

  • Question: Why is it important to have a note taker?
  • Question Overview: This question is a great way to gauge the candidate's understanding of the role of a medical scribe. It's important for them to understand that the job is not just about typing, but also about observing and recording the interactions between doctors and patients.

    Sample Answer: It's important to have a scribe because it helps doctors focus on their patients instead of on writing down notes.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Understanding of the importance of note taking
    • - Ability to explain why note taking is important
    • - Ability to explain how note taking helps doctors and patients

  • Question: How has your previous experiences lead to your interest in the medical field?
  • Question Overview: This question is a good way to learn more about the candidate's motivations for applying for a medical scribe position. If they have no experience in the medical field, you can ask them about their interest in the field and how they plan to pursue it.

    Sample Answer: I've always been interested in medicine, and I've worked as a medical assistant for several years. I'm excited to learn more about the field from a different perspective.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Desire to work in a medical environment
    • - Interest in the medical field
    • - Experience working with patients

  • Question: What are your thoughts about working from home?
  • Question Overview: This question is more about your applicant's personal preferences than it is about their ability to do the job. You can use this question to find out if they're willing to work from home or if they prefer to be in an office setting. If you're hiring a remote scribe, you'll want to make sure they have a quiet place to work and a reliable internet connection.

    Sample Answer: I prefer working from home, so I'd be happy to do that.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Willingness to work from home
    • - Desire for an office setting

  • Question: What would you do if a patient dies?
  • Question Overview: This question is a bit morbid, but it's important to know how your potential hire will react to the unexpected. Medical scribes are often the first point of contact for a family in crisis, and you need to know that your applicant will be able to handle the emotional stress of such a situation.

    Sample Answer: I'd ask the family if they needed any help or if there was anything I could do for them. Then, I'd make sure the family had all of the information they needed about the patient's death and what would happen next.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to remain calm and collected in stressful situations
    • - Willingness to help families in need
    • - Confidence in ability to handle unexpected situations

  • Question: What have you been working on to improve?
  • Question Overview: This question is a great way to find out what the candidate has been doing to improve their skills. This can be a great indicator of their commitment to the job and their desire to improve their performance.

    Sample Answer: I've been taking a lot of online courses to improve my medical terminology and typing skills.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Examples of personal improvement
    • - Examples of professional growth
    • - Examples of personal growth

  • Question: Who inspired you the most in your life?
  • Question Overview: This question is designed to get a sense of the candidate's personality and values. The answer can tell you a lot about their work ethic, their ability to work with others, and how they might fit into your team.

    Sample Answer: My mom was always my biggest fan, and she always told me I could do anything I set my mind to.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A parent
    • - A teacher
    • - A mentor
    • - A coach
    • - A celebrity

  • Question: What goals do you have in healthcare?
  • Question Overview: This question helps you to figure out whether the candidate is interested in a long-term career as a medical scribe or just using the job as a stepping stone to another field. Some background in medicine or an interest in the field does make someone a better scribe, but it's also important to find someone who demonstrates an interest in a long-term commitment to your agency and will not leave to start medical school or another career in a few short months.

    Sample Answer: I do plan to go to medical school eventually, but currently, my main focus is just working in a medical environment.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Desire for a long-term commitment to your agency
    • - No immediate plans to begin a new educational endeavor incompatible with the hours needed
    • - Desire for a long-term commitment to your agency

  • Question: How would you introduce yourself to a patient?
  • Question Overview: This question is a good way to see how the candidate interacts with patients. You can also use it to gauge their ability to communicate effectively and build rapport with patients.

    Sample Answer: I'd introduce myself as a medical scribe and let the patient know that I'm there to help them communicate with the doctor.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to introduce self in a professional manner
    • - Comfort with talking to patients
    • - Confidence when talking about communication skills

  • Question: What was the last piece of feedback you received, and how did you respond to it?
  • Question Overview: This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate's work ethic and how they respond to criticism. It's also a good way to get a sense of how they handle constructive criticism, which is a must for any medical scribe.

    Sample Answer: I was told that I needed to be more aware of my surroundings and not get so wrapped up in my work that I forget about the people around me. I took that as a challenge and made sure to be more aware of my surroundings.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to take criticism and use it to improve
    • - Desire to improve their performance
    • - Willingness to accept feedback

  • Question: If hepatomegaly is enlargement of the liver, what is cardiomegaly?
  • Question Overview: This question is a good way to assess the candidate's understanding of medical terminology. It's also a good way to see how well they can think on their feet. You can ask about any medical terms you're unfamiliar with and see how well they can explain the meaning.

    Sample Answer: Cardiomegaly is enlargement of the heart.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Knowledge of medical terminology
    • - Ability to think quickly and respond confidently

  • Question: How do you plan to be successful in this role?
  • Question Overview: This question is a great way to gauge the candidate's motivation and commitment to the job. It's also a good opportunity to see how well they understand the role of a medical scribe and what they can bring to the table.

    Sample Answer: I plan to be successful by making sure I'm always on time, taking good notes, and staying organized.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to articulate a plan for success
    • - Commitment to the job
    • - Desire to be successful in the role

  • Question: What would you do if a patient is difficult?
  • Question Overview: This question is a good way to assess the candidate's ability to handle stressful situations. As a medical scribe, you'll be working with patients who may be in pain or experiencing some sort of discomfort. You need to make sure your scribe will be able to handle difficult patients without losing their cool.

    Sample Answer: I'd try to find a way to make the patient feel more comfortable. If that didn't work, I'd ask someone else for help.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to remain calm and professional in stressful situations
    • - Willingness to work with difficult patients
    • - Capacity to maintain focus during distractions

  • Question: What kind of environment are you looking for?
  • Question Overview: This question is a good way to get a sense of the candidate's personality and work style. It can help you determine if they'll be a good fit for your agency.

    Sample Answer: I'm looking for a place where I can work with other medical professionals and learn from them.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Desire to work in a team environment
    • - Interest in working with other medical professionals
    • - Desire to work in a clinical setting

  • Question: What was the biggest mistake you made recently?
  • Question Overview: This question is a great way to assess how the candidate handles mistakes. It's important to find someone who can take responsibility for their errors and learn from them. You can also use this question to see if the candidate has a tendency to blame others or make excuses for their mistakes.

    Sample Answer: I was supposed to take a patient's blood pressure, but I accidentally recorded the wrong number. I was embarrassed because I knew it was my fault, but I learned from my mistake and made sure it didn't happen again.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to take responsibility for mistakes
    • - Willingness to learn from mistakes
    • - Confidence in ability to improve