With a mission to empower healthier living, American Specialty Health (ASH) aims to deliver innovative health management solutions As one of the largest independent providers of musculoskeletal health services nationwide, ASH offers a rewarding career path for driven professionals seeking growth and development opportunities
However, landing a job at ASH starts with acing the interview Preparing responses to commonly asked questions can help you stand out as a top candidate.
In this guide, we’ll cover the top 14 American Specialty Health interview questions frequently asked in different rounds of interviews along with sample responses to help you impress your interviewers:
Why Do You Want to Work for American Specialty Health?
This fundamental question gauges your interest in the company’s mission and offerings Research ASH’s background and showcase your alignment with their vision
Sample Response: American Specialty Health’s commitment to making quality care more affordable greatly resonates with me. Your innovative health services, like chiropractic and acupuncture, provide holistic treatment options that can lower overall healthcare costs. I’m excited to contribute to delivering alternative solutions that empower healthier lifestyles. ASH’s collaborative environment also deeply appeals to me.
What Interests You About This Role?
Demonstrate your enthusiasm for the day-to-day responsibilities of the position and how they fit your skills, interests, and career goals.
Sample Response: As a physical therapist, the clinical reviewer role strongly appeals to me because it leverages both my medical expertise and analytical skills. Conducting utilization reviews to ensure appropriate, quality care aligns with my passions for evidenced-based medicine and efficient healthcare delivery. I’m also excited to collaborate with peers and continue developing my clinical knowledge. This role offers the perfect next step to advance in my career.
How Does Your Background Make You a Strong Candidate for This Position?
Connect the dots between the role’s requirements and your qualifications. Highlight relevant skills, knowledge, and achievements.
Sample Response: With over 7 years of experience as a physical therapist, I’ve developed strong clinical judgement and expertise in musculoskeletal health. I also have experience conducting medical necessity reviews and authorizations in my previous role. These skills have prepared me well for the clinical analysis and consultation this position entails. Additionally, I have established relationships with orthopedic specialists nationwide that can inform my reviews. My patient-centered approach combined with my medical and review experience make me an excellent candidate.
What Are Some Challenges You Foresee in This Position? How Would You Overcome Them?
Demonstrate you’ve researched the realities of the role and have strategies to tackle common obstacles. Share examples of overcoming similar challenges.
Sample Response: One challenge could be adapting to ASH’s proprietary review systems and criteria. To quickly get up to speed, I’d thoroughly study all training materials and protocols. I’d also rely on the expertise of teammates to understand nuances. To ensure accuracy, I’d review my initial cases closely with my manager to identify any gaps. I took a similar approach early in my career when transitioning to a new clinic’s EMR system – within 2 weeks I was utilizing it independently through diligent self-education.
How Do You Stay Current on Best Practices in Your Specialty Area?
Prove you are continually expanding your medical knowledge and clinical skills through concrete examples.
Sample Response: I make a point to devote at least 2 hours per week to reading the latest peer-reviewed journals, like the Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy. I also attend annual conferences, like the APTA Combined Sections Meeting, to learn cutting-edge techniques. Within my network, I collaborate with other specialists to discuss emerging evidence and technologies. I’m also pursuing my Orthopedic Clinical Specialist certification to reinforce my expertise. Staying current ensures my clinical decisions are always evidence-based.
How Do You Prioritize Your Work When Managing Multiple Priorities or Deadlines?
Show off multitasking and time management skills crucial in this fast-paced environment. Discuss strategies for efficiency.
Sample Response: When juggling competing priorities, I always maintain strong communication with my manager and team to re-align on upcoming deadlines and expectations as needed. From there, I make lists and schedules to organize all tasks and appointments. For daily plans, I prioritize time-sensitive and urgent requests while balancing larger projects. Checkpoints throughout the day help me adjust if needed. I also identify any opportunities to combine tasks efficiently. With strong planning and teamwork, I’m able to tackle numerous priorities calmly and successfully.
Describe a Time You Made a Decision That Improved Efficiency or Operations.
Prove you can identify and implement impactful changes with tangible benefits. Quantify results when possible.
Sample Response: In my last role, I created a streamlined discharge process that reduced patient wait times by 40%. Previously, patients would wait on multiple departments before leaving. I developed a new cross-departmental workflow using shared electronic calendars to coordinate tasks. This enabled parallel rather than sequential discharge steps. I also standardized certain procedures that no longer required in-person verification. Patients could be discharged faster without sacrificing quality or compliance. Leadership recognized these efficiencies in awarding me Employee of the Month.
How Do You Ensure You Are Providing Excellent Customer Service?
Show you prioritize member/provider satisfaction and continuously improve based on feedback. Share specific examples.
Sample Response: I set clear expectations upfront and maintain open communication to provide an excellent customer service experience. I follow through on commitments, meet deadlines, and keep members/providers updated on progress. After completing requests, I proactively follow up to confirm satisfaction and ask for feedback on any areas for improvement in my service. I also conduct regular audits of my interactions to identify opportunities to enhance my support. My ultimate goal is developing trusted, long-term partnerships through patient-centered service.
Tell Me About a Time You Handled a Difficult Customer Service Situation. How Did You Resolve It?
Prove you can diffuse tensions and rebuild trust through empathy, active listening, ownership, and solution-focused thinking. Discuss a specific example.
Sample Response: When a provider recently called frustrated about a delayed authorization, I first apologized for the inconvenience and showed empathy for their concerns. I listened closely to fully understand the urgency. I researched the backlog causing the delay and discovered an internal workflow issue. I worked collaboratively with operations staff to implement a new process preventing recurrence. Throughout, I kept the provider updated on progress. In the end, the provider was appreciative that I took ownership and was proactive in resolving the underlying issue. This experience demonstrated the power of patient listening and cross-team problem-solving.
How Do You Show Initiative and Innovation in Your Work?
Illustrate how you bring value by driving improvements beyond day-to-day expectations. Discuss examples of innovative contributions.
Sample Response: I demonstrate initiative through identifying processes that can be enhanced and proactively developing solutions. For example, I recently realized we rely heavily on faxed documents that create lags. I researched workflow automation tools and proposed piloting an e-fax system. This initiative is expected to cut document handling time in half once implemented. In terms of innovation, I stay on top of the latest advancements in my field through continuing education. I share cutting-edge best practices and technologies with my department to incorporate into our services. Showing this drive accelerates our performance and service quality.
Discuss a Time You Handled a Conflict and How the Situation Was Resolved.
Prove your maturity, communication skills, and ability to diffuse conflicts while maintaining relationships. Focus on a positive resolution.
Sample Response: Early in my career, I had a disagreement with a teammate on the right protocol to follow for a complex case. Initially, we both became defensive about our different approaches. However, I decided to shift our conversation to focus on finding the best solution instead of determining who was right. We reviewed the case details together and ultimately found a compromise approach aligning with internal guidelines. This taught me conflict can present an opportunity to build understanding and strengthen team dynamics when handled collaboratively. We continue to work closely together on complicated cases.
Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years? How Will This Role Help You Get There?
Link the position to your long-term career goals. Highlight opportunities for growth and development that excite you at the company.
Sample Response: In 5 years, I hope to be an expert in orthopedic care and musculoskeletal program management. This role is the perfect springboard, as it allows me to blend my clinical expertise with gained experience in utilization management. Having a voice in ensuring appropriate, evidence-based services means I can positively impact patient outcomes nationwide. I’m also eager to develop leadership skills through collaborating cross-functionally. My goal is to continue advancing within ASH to spearhead innovative musculoskeletal health initiatives that drive the industry forward.
Preparing strategic yet genuine responses to these common American Specialty Health interview questions can help position you as a leading candidate. By showcasing your capabilities aligned with ASH’s mission, you’re sure to impress hiring teams. Lead with your authentic passion for the company and delivering quality care, and you’ll be well on your way to excelling in your new career with American Specialty Health!
