The Top 20 Hospital for Special Surgery Interview Questions To Prepare For

Getting hired at the prestigious Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York can be a challenging process. As one of the top-ranked orthopedic hospitals in America, HSS attracts thousands of applicants every year for a limited number of positions.

To stand out from the competition and impress the interviewers, you need to thoroughly prepare for the HSS interview questions you’re likely to face. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share the top 20 most common Hospital for Special Surgery interview questions along with tips and sample answers to help you ace your upcoming interview.

Overview of the HSS Interview Process

The HSS interview process typically involves

• Initial phone screen with HR
• One or more in-person interviews
• Panel interviews are common for senior roles
• Technical skills assessments may be required for clinical roles
• Multiple rounds of interviews may be needed for some positions

Throughout the process, interviewers will assess your technical abilities, relevant experience, communication skills, bedside manner, collaboration capabilities, and overall cultural fit.

Preparation is key as the competition is fierce. Let’s look at the top questions to expect and how to best answer them

Top 20 HSS Interview Questions and Answers

1. Why do you want to work at Hospital for Special Surgery?

This common question allows interviewers to gauge your interest in and motivations for joining HSS. They want to hear that you’re truly excited about the opportunity, not just applying on a whim.

Tips:

• Research HSS, their mission, values, and achievements
• Convey your passion for orthopedics and admiration of their leadership in the field
• Discuss how you align with their mission of delivering exceptional patient care and innovative research

Example: I strive to work for the most reputable healthcare institutions that are advancing their field, which is why HSS is my top choice. I’m deeply impressed by your commitment to cutting-edge orthopedic research and your consistent ranking as the #1 hospital for orthopedics over the past decade. I would be honored to join an organization with such a sterling reputation and contribute my skills in [your area of expertise] to further your mission of delivering exceptional musculoskeletal care. The opportunity to collaborate with renowned surgeons, researchers, and clinicians at the forefront of their specialties is incredibly exciting to me.

2. What interests you most about this role?

With this question, interviewers want to determine if you understand the key duties and responsibilities of the job. It demonstrates your interest level and passion for the specific position.

Tips:

• Review the job description thoroughly and highlight aspects that most appeal to you
• Link skills from your background to key requirements of the role
• Convey enthusiasm for the day-to-day work

Example: As a physical therapist, I’m most interested in the patient interaction and rehabilitation elements of this role. I’m excited by the opportunity to work hands-on with orthopedic patients, evaluating their mobility and function, and developing customized therapy programs to facilitate their recovery. I’m also drawn to the collaborative nature of the role, allowing me to work closely with orthopedic surgeons, rheumatologists, and other specialists to deliver comprehensive care. Most appealing is the chance to be part of such a renowned musculoskeletal care team and gain experience working with complex orthopedic cases to advance my expertise as a PT.

3. What are your greatest strengths?

This common interview question allows you to highlight the most relevant strengths and qualifications for the specific role. Be sure to tailor your response directly to the position’s requirements.

Tips

• Choose 2-3 top strengths to focus on
• Provide specific examples to back up your claims
• Tie strengths back to the role’s key competencies

Example: My greatest strengths are my clinical skills, bedside manner, and teamwork ability. Over my past 5 years as an orthopedic nurse, I’ve become adept at caring for complex postoperative patients and ensuring positive outcomes. For example, in my last role, I initiated a new hip precautions protocol that decreased our dislocation rate by 30%. Additionally, I have stellar bedside manner and communication abilities that help put patients at ease through stressful health situations. My colleagues and patients consistently provide positive feedback on my caring nature and ability to explain treatment plans. Finally, I’m a true team player. I thrive on collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, whether coordinating care conferences or leading postoperative education groups. These strengths in clinical excellence, compassion, and collaboration make me well prepared to excel in this orthopedic advanced practice nursing role.

4. Why should we hire you over other candidates?

This question puts you on the spot to explain why you’re the best choice for the role compared to other applicants. Be confident but remain humble and focused on facts.

Tips:

• Highlight 2-3 standout qualifications that make you uniquely suited
• Discuss relevant accomplishments and quantifiable results
• Remain professional, don’t criticize others

Example: As you assess candidates for this role, I hope you’ll find that my clinical orthopedics experience coupled with my patient education background make me uniquely qualified compared to other applicants. Specifically, I have over 1500 hours of direct patient care in orthopedic units, including caring for patients before and after complex joint replacement surgeries. In addition, I spearheaded the launch of an orthopedic patient education app at my previous hospital that received a 95% satisfaction rate and decreased readmissions by 8%. My robust clinical skills and passion for educating and empowering patients would allow me to excel in this position and have an immediate impact. While I’m sure there are many qualified candidates, I’m confident my specialized expertise and proven results set me apart.

5. How does this role fit within your career goals?

Here interviewers want to gauge if this role is the right next step for you professionally and that you’ll remain committed long-term. Be sure to explain why it’s the ideal move.

Tips:

• If new grad, discuss how it establishes your career foundation
• For experienced candidates, explain why it’s the perfect next step
• Convey long-term interest in developing your career at HSS

Example: This orthopedic physician assistant role aligns perfectly with my career goals, both immediately and long-term. As a recent graduate, it provides the ideal starting point to establish my orthopedics expertise by working alongside renowned surgeons at the nation’s top orthopedic hospital. In the coming years, I’m eager to continue expanding my surgical skills and developing specializations, which I know I’ll have ample opportunity to do at HSS through your seminars, training programs, and unparalleled surgical case diversity. Down the road, I hope to move into an orthopedic leadership position, and HSS offers an ideal environment to grow in this direction. I plan to build my career here and am confident this role will put me on the path to achieving my professional goals.

6. What motivates you?

With this common question, interviewers want to understand what drives you in your work and why. It provides insight into your values, attitude, and interpersonal style.

Tips:

• Discuss motivators beyond just salary or benefits
• Share what energizes you in your day-to-day work
• Convey your passion for the field

Example: I’m motivated by being able to apply my expertise to provide the best possible care and improve patients’ quality of life. For example, seeing patients regain function after joint replacement surgery motivates me to continue honing my PT skills. Additionally, collaborating with compassionate colleagues towards the shared goal of achieving optimal patient outcomes is extremely motivating. I’m also motivated by continuous learning. Furthering my orthopedics knowledge through HSS’s renowned training opportunities motivates me to excel in my role. Most importantly, knowing my work makes a difference to patients and their families drives me to consistently deliver my best each day.

7. How would your colleagues describe your work style?

This question reveals your own self-perceptions versus how others view you. Be honest while focusing on your strongest qualities relevant to the job.

Tips:

• Ask past colleagues what they’d highlight about working with you
• Focus on qualities like work ethic, reliability, positivity

Example: Based on feedback I’ve received over the years, I would say my colleagues would describe me as dedicated, tenacious, and supportive. They’ve consistently complimented my strong work ethic and willingness to go the extra mile when needed – whether coming in early, staying late, or picking up extra shifts. I think they’d also speak to how detail-oriented and thorough I am when it comes to clinical tasks and documentation. Regarding my interpersonal style, previous co-workers have praised how encouraging I am and my ability to motivate both patients and team members. Most importantly, they appreciate that I’m a true team player, always willing to help others and do what’s best for the patients.

8. How do you handle working under pressure?

This is asked to assess your stress management skills in high-pressure, demanding work environments like healthcare. Share an example of remaining focused under stress.

Tips:

• Discuss your tendency to stay calm, organized, and collected
• Provide an example of a stressful situation you navig