Top Patient Care Technician Interview Questions with Example Answers [2022]

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

Patient Care Technician Questions
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  • Question: What would you do if you saw someone violating the hospital policies?

    • Question Overview: This question is designed to show the patient care technician's level of commitment to the organization's policies and procedures. It also shows their willingness to follow the rules and their ability to handle stressful situations.

    Sample Answer: I would report it to my supervisor because I want to make sure that the hospital is a safe place for patients and employees.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Description of what they would do
    • - Explanation of why they would do it
    • - Ability to handle stressful situations

  • Question: Why do you want to work in the ICU?

    • Question Overview: This is a good question to ask because it will help you determine if the patient care technician is a good fit for your ICU. It will also help you determine if they are knowledgeable about the ICU. The ideal candidate will have a strong desire to work in the ICU and will be able to explain why they want to work in that area.

    Sample Answer: I want to work in the ICU because I enjoy working with patients who are critically ill. I am able to help them get better and return home.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Description of why they want to work in the ICU
    • - Knowledge of what the ICU does
    • - Ability to explain why they are a good fit for the position

  • Question: When was the last time you took a vacation?

    • Question Overview: This question will help you determine if the patient care technician has a good work ethic and if they are able to balance their work and personal life. The ideal patient care technician will have a healthy balance between the two.

    Sample Answer: I took a week off in August. I would like to take a week off in the summer.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Length of time since their last vacation
    • - Length of time they would like to take for vacation

  • Question: What is customer service to you?

    • Question Overview: This is a good question to ask because it will help you determine if the patient care technician has the same view of customer service as your organization. The ideal candidate will have the same definition of customer service as your organization.

    Sample Answer: Customer service is being able to provide excellent care for patients and their families.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Description of what customer service means to them
    • - Explanation of how they provide customer service

  • Question: Tell me about a time when you had to deal with difficult patients.

    • Question Overview: This is a good question to ask because it shows the patient care technician's ability to deal with difficult situations. It also shows their ability to handle stress and their level of patience. The ideal patient care technician will be able to handle difficult situations without losing their temper or getting frustrated.

    Sample Answer: I had a patient who was very upset and refused to let me help her. I asked for help from another nurse and we were able to calm her down and get her to cooperate.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Description of the situation
    • - Description of how they handled it
    • - Ability to remain calm

  • Question: Why do you want to work with us?

    • Question Overview: This is a good question to ask because it shows the patient care technician's interest in your organization. The answer will also show you if they are familiar with your organization and its reputation.

    Sample Answer: I am interested in working for your organization because I have heard that you are a great place to work and that you have a strong focus on patient care.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Description of why they want to work for your organization
    • - Explanation of why they are interested in the position

  • Question: What is one situation where you could have put a patient in harm's way had you not corrected the mistake?

    • Question Overview: This is a good question to ask because it shows the patient care technician's ability to recognize mistakes and their willingness to correct them. It also shows their ability to learn from their mistakes and to avoid repeating them.

    Sample Answer: I accidentally gave a patient a medication that was not prescribed for them. I realized my mistake and got the correct medication before the patient took it.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Description of the mistake
    • - Description of how they corrected the mistake
    • - Description of how they learned from the mistake

  • Question: Tell me about a time when you had to make an important decision quickly.

    • Question Overview: This is a good question to ask because it shows the patient care technician's ability to make quick decisions and their ability to think on their feet. It also shows you how well they can handle stressful situations.

    Sample Answer: I had to make a decision quickly when I was asked to help a patient who was in respiratory distress. I was able to assess the situation and call for help from a respiratory therapist.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Description of the situation
    • - Explanation of their decision-making process
    • - Description of the outcome

  • Question: What would you do if a patient is very rude to you?

    • Question Overview: This is a good question to ask because it shows the patient care technician's ability to deal with difficult patients. It also demonstrates their level of patience and their commitment to doing their job to the best of their ability. The ideal patient care technician will be able to handle difficult patients without losing their temper or becoming rude in return.

    Sample Answer: I would 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.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Explanation of what they would do
    • - Description of how they would handle the situation
    • - Ability to remain calm

  • Question: What do you think is your weakness?

    • Question Overview: This is a good question to ask because it will help you determine if the patient care technician is aware of their limitations and is willing to work on them. The ideal patient care technician will be able to identify a weakness and explain how they are working to improve it.

    Sample Answer: I sometimes get frustrated when I am unable to help a patient. I am working on my patience by taking deep breaths and counting to ten.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Description of their weakness
    • - Explanation of how they are working to improve it

  • Question: Why did you choose DaVita?

    • Question Overview: This is a good question to ask because it shows the applicant's interest in your organization. It also reveals their knowledge of your organization and its reputation. The ideal candidate will have researched your organization and will be able to tell you why they are interested in working for you.

    Sample Answer: I chose DaVita because I have heard that you are a great place to work and that you have a strong commitment to patient care.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Description of their interest in the organization
    • - Knowledge of the organization's reputation
    • - Ability to explain why they are interested

  • Question: What is the most difficult patient/family experience you have dealt with?

    • Question Overview: This is a good question to ask because it shows how the patient care technician deals with difficult situations. It also shows the applicant's ability to empathize with patients and their family members. The answer will also give you an idea of how they handle stress.

    Sample Answer: I had a patient who was in a lot of pain and was very angry. I stayed calm and explained what I was doing and why. I was able to get him to relax and accept my care.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Description of the situation
    • - Description of how they handled it
    • - Ability to remain calm in stressful situations

  • Question: Tell me about a time you were late to work.

    • Question Overview: This is a good question to ask because it shows the patient care technician's ability to be on time and their commitment to doing their job. It also shows their level of responsibility.

    Sample Answer: I was late one time because I got lost on my way to work. I realized that I needed to get a map and be more familiar with the area.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Explanation of the reason for being late
    • - Ability to recognize the importance of being on time
    • - Description of how they handled the situation

  • Question: How would you handle negativity?

    • Question Overview: This is a good question to ask because it shows the patient care technician's ability to handle stress and pressure. It also shows their ability to work with others and their willingness to do whatever is necessary to complete their job. The ideal patient care technician will be able to handle negativity in a professional manner.

    Sample Answer: I would ask the person what was wrong and then try to fix the problem.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Description of how they would handle negativity
    • - Explanation of how they would handle it
    • - Ability to work with others

  • Question: What is a difficult patient encounter you have had and how did you handle it?

    • Question Overview: This question is a good one to ask because it shows the patient care technician's ability to handle difficult situations. It also shows their level of commitment to the job and their ability to work well with others.

    Sample Answer: A patient was very upset and refused to let me take his blood pressure. I asked him if he would let me try again later and he agreed. I came back later and took his blood pressure.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Description of the situation
    • - Description of how they handled it
    • - Explanation of how they handled it

  • Question: How would you handle an angry family member of a patient?

    • Question Overview: This is a good question to ask because it shows the patient care technician's ability to handle difficult situations. It also shows their level of patience and their ability to remain calm under pressure.

    Sample Answer: I would listen to the family member's concerns and try to find a solution that is agreeable to both of us.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Description of how they would handle the situation
    • - Explanation of why they would handle it that way
    • - Ability to remain calm

  • Question: How do you feel about dialysis?

    • Question Overview: This is a good question to ask because it shows the applicant's knowledge of the job and their ability to work with patients who are in need of dialysis. It also shows the applicant's level of comfort with patients who are in a vulnerable state.

    Sample Answer: I feel that dialysis is a very important part of the patient care process. I know how to treat patients who are on dialysis and how to keep them comfortable.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Description of their feelings about dialysis
    • - Explanation of why they feel that way
    • - Knowledge of how to treat patients with dialysis

  • Question: What would you do if a customer/patient is screaming and yelling at you on the treatment floor?

    • Question Overview: This is a good question to ask because it shows the patient care technician's ability to remain calm and collected in an emotionally charged situation. It also shows their ability to think quickly and to find a solution to the problem.

    Sample Answer: I would try to find out what the problem is and then try to solve it by asking questions or getting help from a co-worker.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Description of their response
    • - Ability to remain calm
    • - Description of how they would solve the problem

  • Question: What do you expect from your supervisor?

    • Question Overview: This question will help you determine if the patient care technician is a good fit for your organization. The answer will reveal their expectations of their supervisor and how they will work with them. The ideal patient care technician will have the same expectations as your organization for the supervisor's role in their work.

    Sample Answer: I expect my supervisor to be available when I need them and to provide guidance when I am unsure of what to do.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Description of what they expect from their supervisor
    • - Explanation of how they expect to be supervised

  • Question: What kind of things have you done that got your previous employer in trouble?

    • Question Overview: This is a good question to ask because it shows the patient care technician's ability to learn from mistakes and their willingness to take responsibility for their actions. It also shows you if they are a good fit for your organization.

    Sample Answer: I was not following proper procedure when I was assigned to a patient who had a contagious disease. I did not report it to my supervisor and I did not wear the proper protective gear.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Description of what they did
    • - Explanation of why they did it
    • - Ability to learn from mistakes