Few industries are as hotly debated or universally needed as health care.

Job candidates for positions in health care administration will need to demonstrate change management abilities, while also being politically attuned to the various levels in which a healthcare executive operates and exerts influence: within the hospital community, among business peers, and with government agencies.

Those who can demonstrate visionary leadership in the healthcare industry will be highly coveted.

Sample of Possible Interview Questions for Healthcare Administrators:

Why this industry? Why healthcare?

How do you ensure your organization delivers the best care, for every patient, every time?

How do you demonstrate the value of the services you deliver to the various constituencies: business, government, insurers, and patients?

Talk about any collaboration efforts you’ve spearheaded with other provider organizations, physicians, businesses, or insurers to improve the community health status.

What mistakes have you made in dealing with the medical staff?  How have you learned from those mistakes?

Talk about a time when you encountered a staff member with an entrepreneurial spirit within your organization.  Were you able to create opportunities to use it for the benefit of the hospital?

How do you make sure that the goals of your organization are aligned from top to bottom?

How do ensure results are measured in real time?

How many people have you fired? How do you go about it?

How do you keep up to date on new laws and regulations to ensure compliance?

Discuss your experience with creating employee recognition and rewards programs.

Discuss your efforts to promote disease prevention and wellness.

How would you define a successful administrator?

Describe a time you had to compromise your ethics.

If I called a member of your current staff and asked them to tell me about you, what would they say?

In prior positions did you have budgeting responsibilities? If so, what was the size of your operating budget?

Tell me about a time when you had to deal with an irate physician. What happened?

Tell us about a high-level innovative idea/change that you implemented. Was it successful?

How do you ensure your organization is keeping up with the continual advances in medical technology?

What do you do when trying to solve a problem and you are confronted with contradictory information?

If I were to call members of your board, how would they describe your relationship with them?

ANOTHER LIST OF RELATED INTERVIEW QUESTIONS: Home Health Aide Interview Questions

Are you losing job offers because your interviewing skills need some touch-up? Click Here to Request a 15-Minute Consultation to Discuss Your Interviewing Needs & Our Coaching Options