Interview @ MD office

[pistolchick]

I'm interviewing for a job in a doctor's office, and have no experience. I'm ready to be asked why I'm moving from LTC to doctor's office, and I think a poetic version of the truth is appropriate: Though I love the geriatric population, LTC industry does not allow me to be the nurse I want to be, or that my residents deserve.

All of that, of course, is true. I am aware that the "customer service" is very important to employers in all kinds of nursing nowadays, and though sometimes it's a pain in the you-know :) I do have a knack for it.

My question, other than comments/suggestions on the above, is this: What kind of questions can I expect from an interviewer in a doctor's office? I'd appreciate a chance to think them through! :) Thanks.

[thinkertdm]

Well, it is true about LTC not letting you be the nurse people deserve. However, the same problem exists everywhere- time and budgetary concerns (money) don't let anyone be the nurse that patients deserve.

Also, I wouldn't compare nursing with the fast food industry, even if you have customer service skills- you'll find yourself working at the front desk, checking people in. Let the MD see your people skills in the interview by how you interact with him.

[Guest27531]

Well, it is true about LTC not letting you be the nurse people deserve. However, the same problem exists everywhere- time and budgetary concerns (money) don't let anyone be the nurse that patients deserve.

Also, I wouldn't compare nursing with the fast food industry, even if you have customer service skills- you'll find yourself working at the front desk, checking people in. Let the MD see your people skills in the interview by how you interact with him.

That is exactly what I thought when I read this post. I suggest the original poster recognize that an analogy with the fast food industry is misplaced when wearing the "hat" of a nurse. It may appear the same to an outsider but a real nurse knows that there is much more behind the smile than courtesy. For example:

The nurse is always assessing and open to picking up on subtle clues that the patient is in need of something more than a smile. There are patients who are reluctant to tell the doctor about symptoms that confuse them, patients who have just received a frightening diagnosis and may need referrals to support systems, patients who have increased levels of stress because of dysfunctional family issues, etc. These are all things that a nurse may become aware of by continuing assessments as patients wait in the waiting room. This is an aspect of skilled nursing. Apart from specific licensed skills (injections, wound care, etc) this is a reason why a doctor should have a nurse rather than a secretary to help manage his/her office, not because of a nice smile.

[pistolchick]

I just wanted to clarify, I said food service industry, not "fast food,"... Not that there's anything wrong with it, but I've never worked in fast food. I'm talking about everything from hostess/cashier/server to line cook, sometimes in family, sometimes in upscale restaurants. And I can see how that kind of comparison could be confusing, which is why I asked for feedback (thank you!). I think what I am trying to communicate is that I understand that health care has become more than health care to hospitals, doctor's offices, even LTC facilities - we are "selling" ourselves to our patients and their families, bending over backwards to make them happy. (Ever see a doc write an order for an antibiotic or for a lab test at the insistence of a family member? How about how nursing management attitude has changed about what nursing job duties should include - anything/everything the patient wants and you're not allowed to say no?) I'm talking about health care that has also become a competitive customer service market. I'm good for that market. That's what I mean. I'm just not sure how to say it now.

Does anyone have any other ideas about what other questions might be asked, specifically for a job at an outpatient office?

[Guest27531]

I just wanted to clarify, I said food service industry, not "fast food,"... Not that there's anything wrong with it, but I've never worked in fast food. I'm talking about everything from hostess/cashier/server to line cook, sometimes in family, sometimes in upscale restaurants. And I can see how that kind of comparison could be confusing, which is why I asked for feedback (thank you!). I think what I am trying to communicate is that I understand that health care has become more than health care to hospitals, doctor's offices, even LTC facilities - we are "selling" ourselves to our patients and their families, bending over backwards to make them happy. (Ever see a doc write an order for an antibiotic or for a lab test at the insistence of a family member? How about how nursing management attitude has changed about what nursing job duties should include - anything/everything the patient wants and you're not allowed to say no?) I'm talking about health care that has also become a competitive customer service market. I'm good for that market. That's what I mean. I'm just not sure how to say it now.

Does anyone have any other ideas about what other questions might be asked, specifically for a job at an outpatient office?

You will likely be asked why you want to work in an outpatient office, about your clinical skills, about your experience related to the work you will be doing in the office (physical exams? venipuncture? IV insertion? EKGs? talking to patients on the telephone? organizing patient teaching materials?, etc). Your personality will speak volumes during the interview itself and the way you deal with the staff during the interview but, after you have described your clinical skills, you could mention that you feel well suited to work in an outpatient office because you like very much to work with people and that your experience in the customer service market has prepared you to multitask in such a way that makes people feel that they are being taken care of and that their concerns are being heard.

Keep in mind that if you are interviewing with an "old-fashioned" doctor, they may not be impressed if you "sell" yourself too hard. There are still some simple practitioners around. If, on the other hand, you interview with a dynamic office manager in a large outpatient facility, you may find the situation different. Use your nursing skills to assess the situation the best you can before you go and to continue your assessment as you enter the office...then behave accordingly. Good luck with the interview!

[netglow, ASN, RN]

Office is much about fitting in. When you get there watch the front desk, try to get a vibe. Take it all in. You can tell a lot by how they all look, and interact with each other.