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: How do you handle stressful situations?
  • Question Overview: This question is a good way to find out how the candidate handles pressure. Medical scribes are often in stressful situations, and you need to make sure your applicant can handle the pressure of working in a clinical setting.

    Sample Answer: I'm pretty good at staying calm and focused on the task at hand. I've never had a problem with stress.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to remain calm and focused
    • - Confidence in ability to handle stressful situations

  • Question: What makes you think that you are fit for this job?
  • Question Overview: This question is a great way to see how the candidate will respond to a question that requires them to sell themselves. You can use this question to assess their confidence and ability to communicate effectively.

    Sample Answer: I'm a quick learner and I'm very detail-oriented. I've been told that I'm very good at following directions and working independently.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Confidence in their ability to do the job
    • - Ability to communicate effectively

  • Question: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
  • Question Overview: This question is a bit more personal than some of the other questions on this list, but it's a good way to gauge the candidate's commitment to the job. If they're looking for a short-term gig, they may not be as invested in the position as someone who has a longer-term outlook.

    Sample Answer: I'd like to be working as a medical scribe full-time.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Desire for a long-term career in medical scribe work
    • - Commitment to your agency and the medical scribe profession

  • Question: How will you tell a patient bad news?
  • Question Overview: This question allows you to see how the candidate will react to a difficult situation. It's important to have a scribe who can handle the stress of delivering bad news to a patient and their family.

    Sample Answer: I would explain the situation as clearly as possible, then ask if they had any questions. I'd also offer to contact family members or friends if they needed help.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to remain calm and compassionate in stressful situations
    • - Willingness to take on the emotional burden of delivering bad news
    • - Ability to communicate difficult news in a clear and compassionate manner

  • Question: How would you contribute to our mission?
  • Question Overview: This question is a great way to find out how the candidate thinks about their role in the company. It's also a good way to see how well they understand the company's mission and goals. You can use this question to assess whether they're interested in your company's mission and whether they understand what you're trying to accomplish.

    Sample Answer: I've worked as a medical scribe for several years, and I've always been interested in helping doctors and nurses provide the best care possible for their patients.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Examples of past work that align with your company's mission
    • - Acknowledgement of the importance of the company's mission
    • - Desire to contribute to the company's goals

  • Question: Tell me about a time you had conflict with your team.
  • Question Overview: This question is a good way to assess how well the candidate will work with other people. You want to hire someone who can work well with others, and this question can help you find out if they'll be able to do so in your office. You can also ask about the candidate's past experiences to get a better idea of how they handle conflict.

    Sample Answer: I've never had any conflicts with my team members. We all get along really well and are always willing to help each other out.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to work well with others
    • - Willingness to work on a team
    • - Confidence in ability to work with others

  • Question: What would you do if the wifi went out?
  • Question Overview: This question is a great way to see how the candidate handles unexpected situations. You can use this question to see how they respond to a problem that's out of their control and how they handle it. This question is also a good way to see how they react when they're not in a familiar setting.

    Sample Answer: I'd ask someone else if they could help me find a solution, or I'd try to find a workaround on my own.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to remain calm in stressful situations
    • - Willingness to improvise and adapt
    • - Ability to take initiative

  • Question: Why should Scribe America hire you?
  • Question Overview: This is a common question that gives you a chance to learn more about the candidate's personality and how they might fit into your team. You can ask this question at the end of the interview to give the candidate a chance to sell themselves and show off their best qualities.

    Sample Answer: I'm a hard worker who's committed to doing my best. I'm also very detail-oriented, so I know I'll be able to handle the job well.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Confidence in their abilities
    • - Willingness to work hard
    • - Ability to work well with others

  • Question: Tell me about yourself, what is cardiomegaly?
  • Question Overview: This question is a great way to see how well the candidate understands the medical terminology they will be using on a daily basis. You can ask about any medical conditions they may have had in the past, and you can also ask about any medical conditions they are currently treating. This question will help you gauge their understanding of medical terminology and their ability to communicate with patients and doctors.

    Sample Answer: Cardiomegaly is a condition in which the heart becomes enlarged. It can be caused by a number of different factors, including high blood pressure, heart disease, or heart failure.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Knowledge of medical terminology
    • - Ability to communicate effectively with patients and doctors
    • - Confidence in ability to communicate with patients and doctors

  • Question: What are some qualities a scribe should have to be successful?
  • Question Overview: This question is a great way to get the candidate talking about what they think makes a good scribe. You can use their responses to figure out if they have the qualities you're looking for in your ideal candidate.

    Sample Answer: A good scribe should be able to work well with others and take direction from supervisors. They should also be able to quickly learn new skills and adapt to different situations.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to work well with others
    • - Desire to be a team player
    • - Willingness to learn new skills