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Summary. Patient care technician candidates should review common PCT job interview questions and research the company and their interviewer before the interview. Interviewers should review the resume of the candidate before the interview to have an understanding of their qualifications and experiences.
Working closely with nurses, doctors, and other medical staff, Patient Care Technicians (otherwise known as PCTs) play a crucial role in managing patients. Overall, a PCTs ability to provide patients with blood draws and other vital procedures is an important part of what makes any medical facility successful.
With that in mind, it’s no wonder hospitals and other facilities are always looking for capable and qualified candidates.
While receiving an interview for a PCT position is an exciting achievement in and of itself, you’ll want to be on your A-game when you’re sitting in front of the hiring manager. After all, he or she will want to ensure that you have the passion, motivation, and qualifications needed to properly care for patients.
Therefore, it’s important that you go into your interview fully prepared to answer any related questions thrown your way.
Fortunately, because hiring managers often ask similar questions and look for similar answers, the samples in this article can help you strategize for your interview.
Key Takeaways:
Candidates should review their qualifications and skills and come up with specific examples to help them answer interview questions.
Interviewers should create a list of questions that are tailored to the position to help find their ideal candidate.
Looking for a job? These position are hiring now near you:
As the Candidate:
Dress professionally. Dressing professionally helps make a great first impression. Your interview outfit should be free from holes or stains. You should also try to match your outfit to the dress code and company culture that you found with your research.
As the Interviewer:
Review job description. Reviewing the job description will help you have a better understanding of who your ideal candidate is. This will also help you know what specific qualifications and experience is needed for the position.
Create a list of questions. The questions you create should be specific to patient care technician positions and to the specific role you are trying to fill.
Review the candidates resume. Right before the start of the interview, you should review the PCT candidate's resume to refresh their qualifications and experiences. This will also help you come up with questions that is specific to their resume.
With those tips in mind, here are 16 common PCT interview questions and recommended sample answers. Keep in mind that you should try to personalize them as much as possible when you’re answering questions.
Tell me about yourself
Employer's Intent: To get a better understanding of who you are as a person. You should highlight your relevant qualifications and experience for the position. Keep your answer concise and focused on your professional experience when answering.
Example Answer: I am a dedicated and compassionate patient care technician with eight years of experience of providing high quality care to patients. In previous roles I have had the opportunity to work with a diverse group of patients and their families and helping them to navigate through their healthcare journey with empathy, professionalism, and respect.
What are the limitations of someone who works as a PCT?
Employer’s Intent: While this question is typically asked to less experienced PCTs, it’s still an important one. The employer wants to know if you understand the full scope of your role, so simply provide the appropriate answer.
Example Answer:
As much as we specialize in reading even the most minor changes in our patients, I know that doesn’t mean we can diagnose illnesses. I’m also aware that I can’t administer medications that aren’t oral medications, especially if a nurse isn’t present.
How do you ensure that you notice changes in a patient’s condition? Even if they’re minor.
Employer’s Intent: To assess your attention to detail and dedication to your patients. If you can, use an example of a time you pinpointed a change in a patient’s condition that wasn’t obvious.
Example Answer:
I think it’s all about knowledge and attention to detail. If I have the appropriate medical knowledge and patient history, I can better predict what might happen. For example, I once took care of a patient who had a history of fainting when they had their blood drawn.
While the initial draw went well, I noticed that he began to look slightly pale. Instead of waiting, I immediately laid him down and got him some apple juice. He said that he narrowly avoided passing out, and I was relieved that my perception paid off.
What skills are most important for a PCT to have?
Employer’s Intent: To evaluate what skills you think are the most critical for your success in your field and why. Make sure you not only list the skills but provide clear reasons as to why they’re important.
Example Answer:
I believe patience, combined with adept communication and attention to detail, are the most important skills for a PCT to have. Even if a patient is being difficult or struggling with their diagnosis, PCTs need to have the patience to handle these instances and the communication skills to resolve them.
Communicating with other staff members is also important. Besides that though, having enough medical knowledge and clear attention to detail is also important for catching changes in a patient’s condition.
Tell me about a time you faced a challenge while working as a PCT. How did you handle it?
Employer’s Intent: To understand your problem-solving skills and evaluate your ability to deal with overcoming difficult people or situations. Try to mention a time you overcame a challenge and focus on how you solved it.
Example Answer:
I once took care of a young boy who had experienced extreme mental and physical trauma. While he was quiet sometimes, he would also often lash out at others. In one instance, he refused to take his medication from the nurse and tried to hit her.
I immediately separated him from her and then had a conversation with him. Using my communication skills and persuasion, I convinced him to apologize and take the meds. While this was a challenging situation, I also found working with him incredibly rewarding.
What drives you to work as a PCT?
Employer’s Intent: To understand what motivates you and why you chose to become a PCT. Ideally, you should try to give a specific example or story as an answer. Maybe there was someone or something that inspired you to take on this line of work.
Example Answer:
Part of my passion and motivation for becoming a PCT has always stemmed from my brother. As a child, he had a weakened immune system and often became sick with pneumonia or other illnesses.
I always liked seeing him laugh or smile at the hospital, even if he was in a stressful situation. For that reason, I’m extremely invested in helping children overcome medical issues through thoughtful and fun support from their PCT.
Do you believe patient education is an important part of being a PCT?
Employer’s Intent: To confirm that you understand how important knowledge and education are to a patient’s care. Think about how you would approach a situation where you had to inform a patient or family of their medical situation.
Example Answer:
Of course. I know for a fact that patients and families adapt to changes and cope with the current situation better when educated. Not only that, but proper education can help patients and families with vital self-care.
Tell me about a time you made a mistake. What was your immediate reaction, and how did you handle it?
Employer’s Intent: To gauge your problem-solving skills. You don’t have to lie and claim that you have no faults. Instead, don’t be afraid to own your mistakes, and highlight how you’ve used those mistakes to improve going forward.
Example Answer:
One time, I was recording an anxious patient's vitals every four hours, as I was supposed to, but I failed to record them in the charting system. Near the end of my shift, a nurse approached me in a panic because the patient’s blood pressure was 180/120.
While I thought I had reported this earlier, it hasn’t been recorded on the computer for over six hours, so communication with the nurse had been ineffective. Luckily, medication was quickly administered, and I promptly recorded everything into the computer.
Though I felt disappointed in myself, it was a learning experience. Now I keep a notepad with me that designates the regular times I input data.
How do you manage some of the more unpleasant tasks associated with being a PCT?
Employer’s Intent: To evaluate your passion for the role and your willingness to commit to unpleasant tasks. Be sure to mention how your passion for the position overcomes any negative aspects associated with it.
Example Answer:
It’s all about focusing on what’s important. I love working with and helping patients from all walks of life. If anything, I’m honored that I can be trusted with some of their most vulnerable and difficult moments. But, even when I have a moment where I’m struggling, I look at the bigger picture and get through just fine.
How do you effectively communicate with patients who are a variety of ages and personalities?
Employer’s Intent: To access your experience working with patients and your communication skills. Describe how you handle different patients and provide support for them and their families.
Example Answer:
Properly monitoring different patients for changes to their condition and offering emotional support to them and their families is one of the most important aspects of my job.
For that reason, I value my patience, kindness, and listening skills, as these skills allow me to effectively communicate with a wide variety of people. I listen to what they have to say and always do my best to understand where they’re coming from.
What role does a PCT play in the healthcare system?
Employer’s Intent: To examine your knowledge of the position and the healthcare system as a whole. Try to state your understanding without rambling too much.
Example Answer:
PCTs are an important part of what makes the healthcare system successful. Not only do we help patients by taking their vital signs, performing electrocardiography (ECG), and doing blood draws, but we’re also there with them every step of the way during their treatment. Overall, I think PCTs play a vital role in the health, compliance, and happiness of patients.
How do you typically interact with patients?
Employer’s Intent: To gauge your knowledge of the position. Talk about your experience working with patients and how you would care for them.
Example Answer:
I always try to be a helpful and supportive voice, as well as an effective caretaker. At my previous job, I was responsible for keeping patient rooms sanitized, as well as monitoring patients every few hours. I would regularly take their vitals, examine any changes to their condition, and offer them emotional support.
When your work is especially demanding or stressful, how do you stay motivated?
Employer’s Intent: To assess whether or not you’re prepared for a potentially stressful line of work. Talk about your experience in stressful situations and why that’s prepared you to become a PCT.
Example Answer:
I think my passion for taking care of patients, as well as the fact that I know my stressors and how to alleviate them, is a huge part of being successful in this line of work. For example, years ago, I often found that I would become anxious around unfriendly patients.
To cope, I decided to research better ways to communicate with them and practice until I felt more comfortable. The more practice I did, the calmer I became. Eventually, I was able to communicate much more effectively with difficult patients and have fun doing so.
Can you tell me about your education?
Employer’s Intent: To examine your qualifications and understand your experience. Provide information about your education and make sure to draw connections to the position you applied for.
Example Answer:
I received my CPCT/A from Ferns Medical Institute just over four years ago, after 30 weeks of extensive training. This certification has served me well in my previous PCT positions, and I’ve gained even more experience along the way.
What would you do if a patient isn't cooperating or outrightly refused medical treatment?
Employer’s Intent: To learn how well you understand this line of work. Explain what you know and how you would deal with the situation strategically.
Example Answer:
First and foremost, I would try to calmly educate the individual about all the pros and cons of the procedures I need to perform. I know it’s important for patients to thoroughly understand their situation.
Overall, I would rely on my patience, kindness, and adept communication skills to do this. After all, the more calmly and kindly I can explain things to the patient, the more likely we’ll have clear communication and compliance.
What is your greatest accomplishment as a PCT?
Employer’s Intent: To get a sense of what you find important and why you’re working as a PCT. Answer honestly, and always put your patients first.
Example Answer:
My greatest accomplishment is the work I did with an older man at my last facility. He regularly refused his medications and didn’t talk to anyone. However, once I was assigned to him, I showed him patience and listened to him.
After a few months, he actually began to open up to me and trust me. He even trusted me enough that he allowed the nurse to give him medication when I was present. I’ve always been proud of the relationship I developed with him, as I’m sure it’s helped him live a longer and happier life.
How would you assess and record vital signs, such as blood pressure and temperature, in a patient care setting?
Can you describe your experience with infection control procedures, such as hand hygiene and isolation precautions, and how you ensure their effectiveness?
How do you communicate effectively with patients and their families to provide compassionate care and ensure their needs are being met?
Have you ever had to use assistive devices, such as lifts or transfer belts, to safely move a patient? Can you describe the steps you took to ensure their safety?
How do you prioritize and manage your tasks when caring for multiple patients with different needs and acuities?
Can you give an example of how you have identified and reported a patient's change in condition to the nursing staff?
How do you ensure patient privacy and confidentiality when providing care or handling medical records?
Can you describe your experience with basic wound care and dressing changes, and the steps you take to promote healing and prevent infection?
How do you handle a patient's emotional distress or behavioral issues while maintaining a safe and therapeutic environment?
Can you explain the importance of documenting and reporting accurately and timely on a patient's care and progress, and provide an example of how you have done so in the past?