Nursing homes require special care and a high level of compassion. Because of the sensitivity of some situations, it takes employees with a particular set of skills to do the job.
Not only do nursing home administrators oversee all operations but they also supervise staff.
Once you’re selected for an interview as a nursing home administrator, it’s a good idea to start preparing. Interview questions for nursing home administrators attempt to find out details about work ethic, character, and professional experience.
Hiring managers want to know that you can handle all that comes along with the job.
Below, we have a list of 5 of the most common nursing home administrator interview questions along with example answers.
Use these to practice for your interview and really get in touch with your reasons for choosing this career path.
Nursing Home Administrator Interview Questions and Answers
While every interview is different, most hiring managers for nursing home administration positions want to know that you have what it takes to do the job.
That means being communicative and taking the lead no matter what kind of situation pops up.
For practice, here are some common questions you might see.
1. What are some of your strengths and weaknesses?
This question makes its way into a lot of interviews for several reasons.
First of all, it shows how one sees themselves, and secondly, it speaks of one’s character.
It’s a good idea to do some reflecting and really think about what your strengths and weaknesses are.
Example answer:
Throughout my professional career, I’ve had the ability to take a step back and reflect on my actions.
I believe my biggest strength is my empathy, which allows me to communicate and understand staff, patients, and administrators.
As far as weaknesses, I tend to be a perfectionist, which isn’t always a good thing.
With so many things playing into admin work, you have to be adaptable and change perspectives often to ensure that things run smoothly and in accordance with current laws and practices.
See also: Charge Nurse Interview Questions
2. How would you handle working with a difficult client?
When dealing with clients and the public, employers want to know that you can keep your cool.
They may throw in a question that asks how you’ll handle certain situations, particularly those with clients who are not so easy to deal with.
Example answer:
I tend to not be argumentative and really pay attention to what others are attempting to communicate.
If I have a client that’s difficult, I will present them with facts and leave my thoughts out of it.
I would remain calm and explain the situation as best as I could.
If for some reason we cannot agree to disagree, I would politely ask that this client take some time to review their requests and the laws surrounding them and get back to me at a later time.
See also: Legal Nurse Consultant Interview Questions
3. What’s your strategy for maintaining communication between staff and admin?
As an administrator, you’ll act as the glue that holds together many divisions of staff.
One thing you need to successfully manage many different employees is communication, which they’re sure to ask you about.
Example answer:
I believe that open communication is key.
One thing I’ve found to be successful is holding frequent meetings and asking groups to also have their own meetings.
For instance, I ask that nurses meet twice a week and elect a spokesperson to update all of us.
The same goes for all groups.
Then, we hold a full staff meeting once a week where the elected member can share important details, any concerns, and talk about things they’d like to improve.
I find that this gives each group a voice and makes them feel like they can openly communicate with all staff.
See also: Assistant Nurse Manager Interview Questions
4. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
As an administrator, you’ll be dealing with a lot of important aspects of the nursing home in question.
Hiring managers want to know that you’re thinking long-term and would like to continue to develop operations.
They don’t like high turnover, as it can be a hassle to train new administrators.
Example answer:
With the right company, I’d love to settle in and really work from the ground up to build a solid working environment.
In that way, our nursing home can provide the best care possible for all of our patients and provide their families with a sense of security as well.
See also: Interview Questions for Assistant Director of Nursing
5. Do you have any questions for us?
Asking a hiring manager a question is one sure way to make yourself stand out from the crowd.
Don’t hesitate to ask anything that you need to clear up or go for something more general about operations, salary, or expectations.
Example answer:
What would you say is the biggest issue with your current staff and operations?
What steps have the company or the current administrator took to resolve them?
See also: Hospice Nurse Interview Questions
How to Prepare for Nursing Home Administrator Interview Questions?
When you’re set for an interview, you should set some time aside to practice interviewing.
In order to prepare, you should:
- Think about how you personally would answer each question
- Think about your reason for choosing this career
- Participate in a mock interview with help from friends or family.
You could use these questions as a template and have someone ask them to you as if you were in an interview.
Try to run through them a few times so that, when the day comes, you’re prepared for whatever may come your way.
See also: Medical Assistant Supervisor Interview Questions
Nursing Home Administrator Interview Questions and Answers PDF
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Conclusion: Interview Questions for Nursing Home Administrator
A career as a nursing home administrator is rewarding and comes with a lot of responsibility.
Hiring managers want to know that you can handle dealing with staff, patients, and other admin, asking questions that showcase your characteristics and work ethic.
Using these 5 common interview questions for nursing home administrators is a great way to practice, making sure that you know why you want this career and how you would perform in such a role.
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