One of the best ways to prepare for your next OB/GYN interview, whether it be for a locum contract or permanent position, is to prepare. That may seem obvious, but predicting what your interviewers may ask and having a well thought-out response can be the difference between a good interview and an outstanding interview! Interviewers want to know about your approach to patient care, relevant clinical skills, and past experiences. Your suitability for the position will depend on your answers to these. Here are some common OB/GYN interview questions.
Get more interviews by perfecting your OBGYN CV. Here is a guide to formatting your OB/GYN resume for your next job search.
History and Overview Interview Questions
The history and overview questions are often the first things that are asked during an interview. These questions provide a foundation for further exploration during the interview and allow the interviewer to assess if the candidate would be the right fit for the position. These questions give a broad glance into the candidate’s career journey, background, and overall suitability for the position.
- Can you tell us about your previous experience as an OB/GYN?
- What specific areas of obstetrics and gynecology are you particularly passionate about?
- How do you stay up to date with the latest advancements and research in the field?
- What do you believe are the most important qualities for an OB/GYN to possess?
- What motivated you to pursue a career in obstetrics and gynecology?
Clinical Skills OBGYN Interview Questions
After the introductory questions, the interviewer will want to learn more about the specific clinical skills you possess as an OB/GYN. This can cover diagnostic skills, labor and delivery and surgical experience, and much more. Below are some questions you can use to prepare for this portion of the interview.
- Can you discuss your experience with various OB/GYN procedures, such as cesarean sections, hysterectomies, or colposcopies?
- How do you handle unexpected outcomes or complications during labor and delivery?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you had to handle a medical emergency quickly and efficiently?
- What measures do you take to ensure patient safety and minimize complications during procedures or surgeries?
- What is your experience with diagnosing and treating prenatal and postpartum depression?
Patient Care Interview Questions
Patient care is at the heart of medicine. Interviewers want to see that you, as an OB/GYN doctor, treat patients to the best of your ability, maintain patient confidentiality, and approach every day with compassion and empathy. Below are some OB/GYN interview questions that focus on patient care.
- How do you ensure that your practice is inclusive and respectful of patients from diverse backgrounds, including different ethnicities, cultures, or sexual orientations?
- What is your approach to addressing the emotional and psychological needs of patients going through infertility, miscarriage, or other challenging situations?
- Can you explain your approach to prenatal care and the involvement of expectant parents in decision-making?
- How do you handle situations where a patient’s preferences or decisions differ from your medical recommendations?
- Can you share your experience working with diverse patient populations or underserved communities?
Diagnostic Interview Questions
Sometimes interviewers will throw in some of these questions to see your problem solving skills and process. These can be specific to the demographic of patients you will be servicing and are meant to see what your diagnosing process is. When answering a question like this, it is okay to take a moment to think before giving your answer.
- What would you do if a patient has had infertility for two consecutive years?
- How would you approach a patient who comes in with severe stomach cramping two weeks after getting an IUD?
- How would you address a newly pregnant patient who has a high dependence to nicotine?
- What would you do for a postpartum mother who is showing signs of depression but does not want to take medication because she is breastfeeding?
- How would you approach a middle-aged woman who comes in with complaints of sexual discomfort and painful irregular periods?
Locum Tenen OB/GYN Interview Questions
If you are applying for a locum tenen contract, the hiring medical director will want to know a little more about your experience with locum contracts. It is also important to highlight your ability to adapt and be agile on contract. Since you will be working in a new facility and with new patients, it is important to be agile.
- What motivated you to pursue locum tenens work as an OB/GYN?
- Have you worked in different healthcare settings? If so, please explain that breadth.
- How do you adapt to new environments?
- What is your comfort level with working with new physicians, nurses, midwives, and doulas during a contract?
- How do you maintain work-life balance when you are on contract?
Interview Pro Tip
The secret sauce to standing out during an OB/GYN interview is having a detailed list of questions for your interviewer once they ask, “Do you have any questions for me” at the end of your interview. This shows that you care about making sure this position is the right fit for you, and shows you did your research beforehand. Sprinkle in these questions throughout your interview when applicable to keep the conversation two-sided. The more you can interact and relate to your interviewer, the better.
Know Your Worth
When applying for a new permanent position or locum tenen contract, know your worth. Make sure you do research beforehand on what the average salary is for your state and experience level. We made an entire guide for OB/GYN salary to help you with this! When you are given an offer, always negotiate your pay to a number you are comfortable with. Salary can sometimes feel uncomfortable to talk about, but negotiation is a great way to ensure you are receiving fair compensation for your skills and experience. Always highlight the value you bring when asking for higher pay.
Preparation is necessary for a successful interview! Utilize the questions above to get yourself ready to nail your next OB/GYN interview. Looking for your next adventure? PRN Healthcare has some highly-rewarding OB/GYN locum tenen contracts nationwide.
