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: What made you choose healthcare?

    • Question Overview: This question will help you determine if the patient care technician is interested in the field of healthcare. The answer will also reveal their motivation for working in healthcare and their desire to help others.

    Sample Answer: I chose healthcare because I like helping people and making a difference in their lives.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Description of why they chose healthcare
    • - Description of their interest in the field
    • - Description of their desire to help others

  • Question: What are you studying in school?

    • Question Overview: This is a good question to ask because it shows you the patient care technician's commitment to their education. The answer will also reveal their level of interest in the field and their desire to continue learning.

    Sample Answer: I am studying to become a nurse. I am interested in this field because I want to help people and I enjoy working with others.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Description of their course of study
    • - Level of interest in the field
    • - Description of how they plan to use their education

  • Question: How do you handle stress?

    • Question Overview: This is a good question because it shows the patient care technician's ability to deal with stressful situations. It also reveals their level of patience and their ability to work under pressure.

    Sample Answer: I take a deep breath and count to ten. I also ask for help from my co-workers if I feel overwhelmed.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Description of how they handle stress
    • - Explanation of their coping mechanisms
    • - Ability to remain calm

  • Question: If you saw someone at your job doing something wrong, did you say something and if you did, what did they do?

    • Question Overview: This is a good question to ask because it shows the patient care technician's ability to speak up when they see something wrong. It also shows their willingness to do the right thing even if it means going against the wishes of a co-worker. The answer will also show you how well they handle conflict and criticism.

    Sample Answer: I saw a co-worker not washing their hands before entering a patient's room, so I told them that it was not safe and that they needed to wash their hands. They did not listen to me, so I went to the supervisor and told them what happened. The supervisor spoke to the co-worker and they started washing their hands before entering a patient's room.

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

  • Question: What is something your clinical instructor said you need to improve on?

    • Question Overview: This question will help you determine if the patient care technician has the ability to recognize their own weaknesses and work to improve them. It will also show you if they are open to criticism and suggestions for improvement.

    Sample Answer: My clinical instructor said I need to improve my ability to communicate with patients. I am taking a communication course at a local college.

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

  • Question: How do you handle pressure?

    • Question Overview: This is a good question to ask because it shows how the patient care technician handles stressful situations. It also reveals their ability to remain calm and focused. The ideal candidate will be able to explain how they handle pressure and will be able to demonstrate their ability to remain calm and focused.

    Sample Answer: I handle pressure by taking a deep breath and focusing on the task at hand. I am able to remain calm because I know that I have the skills and knowledge to complete the task.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Description of how they handle pressure
    • - Ability to remain calm
    • - Description of their coping mechanisms

  • Question: What would you do if you saw a patient in the hall ambulating and looked into a room to see another patient who is a fall risk attempt to get up and start to fall?

    • Question Overview: This is a good question to ask because it shows the patient care technician's ability to react quickly and appropriately. The answer will also reveal their level of awareness and their understanding of the importance of safety.

    Sample Answer: I would stop the ambulating patient and ask them to wait while I assisted the patient who is a fall risk.

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

  • Question: Tell me about a time when you worked as a patient's advocate.

    • Question Overview: This is a good question to ask because it shows the patient care technician's ability to work with patients and their families. It also shows their commitment to doing their best for each patient. The ideal patient care technician will be able to give you an example of a time when they were able to help a patient or their family.

    Sample Answer: I helped a patient who was in pain by getting him a pain reliever and helping him get comfortable.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Description of the situation
    • - Description of how they helped
    • - Explanation of how they were able to help

  • Question: Tell me of a time you felt an administrator made an unpopular decision and how did you respond to it?

    • Question Overview: This is a good question to ask because it shows the patient care technician's ability to handle difficult situations. It also reveals their willingness to work with others and their ability to accept criticism. The answer will also show you how they handle stress and pressure.

    Sample Answer: I was upset when my supervisor decided to lay off one of the other technicians. I was able to work with the other technicians and help them learn the tasks that were now being assigned to me.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Explanation of the situation
    • - Description of how they handled it
    • - Willingness to work with others
    • - Ability to accept criticism

  • Question: What made you choose Northside to work for?

    • Question Overview: This is a good question to ask because it shows the applicant's interest in your organization. It also shows their willingness to work for your organization. The answer will also give you an insight into their knowledge of your organization and your competitors.

    Sample Answer: I chose Northside because I was impressed with the reputation of the hospital and the opportunities for advancement.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Description of why they chose Northside
    • - Knowledge of the organization
    • - Ability to compare Northside to other organizations