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Pediatrician interview questions and answers

Use these Pediatrician interview questions to guide an effective interview process. Look for important qualifications to discover the best candidates.

Nikoletta Bika
Nikoletta Bika

Nikoletta holds an MSc in HR management and has written extensively about all things HR and recruiting.

pediatrician interview questions

10 good pediatrician interview questions

  1. If a child complained about a continuous pain on their leg for the past two weeks, what would you suspect?
  2. Imagine that a parent calls and tells you their child has high fever and a rash. How do you respond?
  3. If two children come into the emergency room at the same time and one is crying while the other is silent, which one do you attend to first?
  4. What would you tell a parent who isn’t sure that they should vaccinate their baby?
  5. When was the last pediatrics conference you attended? What did you get out of it?
  6. Is there a particular pediatrics subject you’re interested in?
  7. Do you have experience in mass screening?
  8. Can you explain the meaning of triage?
  9. How do you decide when to prescribe an antibiotic? How do you decide which one?
  10. Tell me about a time you had to face an uncooperative child. How did you handle it?

Here are 10 essential interview questions and sample answers to help identify the best candidates for this role.

1. If a child complained about a continuous pain on their leg for the past two weeks, what would you suspect?

This question assesses the candidate’s diagnostic skills and medical knowledge.

Sample answer:

“I would suspect a range of issues, from growing pains to more serious conditions like juvenile arthritis or even a fracture. A thorough examination and possibly imaging tests would be necessary.”

2. Imagine that a parent calls and tells you their child has high fever and a rash. How do you respond?

This question evaluates the candidate’s ability to handle urgent medical situations.

Sample answer:

“I would advise the parent to bring the child in for an immediate evaluation, as these symptoms could indicate a serious infection or allergic reaction.”

3. If two children come into the emergency room at the same time and one is crying while the other is silent, which one do you attend to first?

This question tests the candidate’s triage skills and ability to prioritize.

Sample answer:

“I would assess both children quickly but would likely attend to the silent child first, as lack of noise could indicate a more severe condition.”

4. What would you tell a parent who isn’t sure that they should vaccinate their baby?

This question gauges the candidate’s communication skills and ability to provide evidence-based medical advice.

Sample answer:

“I would explain the overwhelming scientific evidence supporting the safety and efficacy of vaccines, and discuss the risks of not vaccinating.”

5. When was the last pediatrics conference you attended? What did you get out of it?

This question assesses the candidate’s commitment to continuing education.

Sample answer:

“I attended the AAP conference last year and gained valuable insights into the latest research on childhood obesity.”

6. Is there a particular pediatrics subject you’re interested in?

This question helps to understand the candidate’s specific interests within the field of pediatrics.

Sample answer:

“I have a keen interest in pediatric neurology, particularly in the management of epilepsy in children.”

7. Do you have experience in mass screening?

This question evaluates the candidate’s experience with public health initiatives.

Sample answer:

“Yes, I have participated in school-based scoliosis and vision screenings.”

8. Can you explain the meaning of triage?

This question tests the candidate’s understanding of emergency medical procedures.

Sample answer:

“Triage is the process of prioritizing patients based on the severity of their condition to allocate treatment efficiently.”

9. How do you decide when to prescribe an antibiotic? How do you decide which one?

This question assesses the candidate’s understanding of antibiotic stewardship.

Sample answer:

“I only prescribe antibiotics when there is a confirmed bacterial infection. The choice of antibiotic depends on the type of infection and patient history.”

10. Tell me about a time you had to face an uncooperative child. How did you handle it?

This question evaluates the candidate’s interpersonal skills and ability to manage difficult situations.

Sample answer:

“I once had a child who was terrified of needles. I used distraction techniques and provided a calm environment, which eventually helped the child cooperate.”

What does a good pediatrician candidate look like?

A strong pediatrician candidate should possess excellent diagnostic skills, a compassionate demeanor, and the ability to communicate effectively with both children and parents.



Pediatrician Interview Questions

If you’re a hospital, clinic or other healthcare facility that wants to hire a pediatrician, there are many aspects you need to consider. As with every doctor, they need to have a high level of expertise in their specialty (even if they aren’t very experienced). Additionally, they need the ability to build rapport with children, which is often more difficult than with adults. They also need patience, critical thinking and the ability to “read” symptoms since their young patients often can’t express what they feel.

During the interview, try to first establish the level of their professional knowledge. Ask about different research they have done or papers they may have published. It’d be useful to look for those who have a background in a subject that matches the needs of the department you’re hiring for (e.g. developmental delays or infant epidemiology). You may also find that pediatricians with experience in dealing with emergencies have a different profile than the ones who are more experienced in routine examinations.

The rest of the interview should be geared towards evaluating their judgement and soft skills. Ask situational questions to make sure they can think clearly and thoroughly in different situations. Questions about their past behavior can also be useful. The following list will give you an idea of how to look for the most important skills.

Let’s summarize some of the questions and add a few more divided into specific types.

Operational and Situational questions

  • If a child complained about a continuous pain on their leg for the past two weeks, what would you suspect?
  • Imagine that a parent calls and tells you their child has high fever and a rush. How do you respond?
  • If two children come into the emergency room at the same time and one is crying while the other is silent, which one do you attend to first?
  • What would you tell a parent who isn’t sure that they should vaccinate their baby?

Role-specific questions

  • When was the last pediatrics conference you attended? What did you get out of it?
  • Is there a particular pediatrics subject you’re interested in?
  • Do you have experience in mass screening?
  • Can you explain the meaning of triage?
  • What’s the process of examining a newborn?
  • How do you decide when to prescribe an antibiotic? How do you decide which one?
  • What’s your experience with online prescription systems?
  • How many children have you attended to from birth to adulthood?

Behavioral questions

  • Tell me about a time you had to face an uncooperative child. How did you handle it?
  • Recall a time you had a disagreement with a parent. What did you do?
  • Describe a time you had to determine the symptoms of a child who was only crying without complaining
  • Give me an example of a time you felt fulfilment for your job

Frequently asked questions

Ready to fine-tune this interview kit?
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