The direct care professional interview is a formal meeting between two people (Interviewer and interviewee).
It is conducted to ask generic and situational questions and obtain information from you to judge your suitability for the direct care role.
Here are 25 common interview questions, along with possible answers for your guidance.
1. What makes you a suitable candidate for this job?
My strong rapport-building skills, experience as Direct care professional with Live clients, and ability to assist clients with daily tasks in a satisfactory manner make me a suitable candidate for this job.
2. How did you learn about this job vacancy?
A friend told me about this vacancy; he is also working with you.
3. Why do you want to work with us?
I have heard a lot about your good name and I have seen your team members doing social service volunteering as well that is why I want to join your team.
4. What is your biggest professional achievement?
My biggest professional achievement so far is that I identified a discrepancy in the medical prescription and the medicines being administered to a client. My timely observation was highly appreciated by the family and the medical care providers and rectification was made accordingly led to improvement in the client’s medical condition.
5. Tell me about the last time you had a disagreement with a colleague or client?
A few months back I disagreed with the physiotherapy routine of a live-in client with a colleague. The colleague was insisting on using a wheelchair to take the client for physiotherapy while I was in favor of encouraging him to walk. We resolved the disagreement respectfully by taking a third opinion on the matter from a senior.
6. Why do you want to leave your current job?
I want to leave my current job as I have recently relocated and my workplace is very far from my place of residence.
7. What kind of work environment do you like best?
I like inclusive work environments where all employees and clients are respected and there is an opportunity to grow and improve professionally.
8. How your colleagues would describe you?
My coworkers would describe me as a friendly, sociable, and compassionate direct care and support professional.
9. What can we expect from you in the first three months?
You can expect me to be a reliable and dependable employee with a good track record and positive feedback from patients and clients.
10. What is your biggest professional strength?
My strong communication and interpersonal skills are my biggest strength. Due to these, I am able to build rapport quickly and can provide the best care to clients.
11. What really drives you to do this job?
I am a compassionate and empathetic person. I drive satisfaction by being able to help others. This is also why I chose this profession.
12. Share a difficult situation you faced. How did you handle it?
Once I was handling an elderly client who had Alzheimer’s and it was not diagnosed. He refused to recognize me during a social visit and it was a very difficult situation. Then I reminded him of his few relatives and showed him pictures. After some time he regained his short-term memory and was willing to go back home with me.
13. Which is the most important skill needed for this job?
Rapport-building skills and maintaining healthy interpersonal relationships are most crucial for this role as it requires close interaction with clients.
14. Have you ever worked with youth at risk?
Yes, as part of my social work degree, I worked with youth groups at risk of drug addiction to spread awareness. That experience also helped me later in handling adolescents placed under my care.
15. Describe your experience with adolescents?
I have worked with adolescents with cognitive deficits, behavioral issues, and drug addiction issues.
16. What do you think the responsibilities of this position are?
The responsibilities of this position vary from patient to patient according to their specific needs. Generally, the responsibilities include assistance with daily living activities, Washroom visits, grocery, cooking, laundry, medicine administration, etc.
17. What skills you have developed through experience?
I have developed many skills through experience. I have learned how to cook, do laundry and administer medical plans. I have also developed strong communication and interpersonal skills through experience.
18. How would you deal with a violent client?
I understand that people with disabilities tend to get irritated quickly. Sometimes they get aggressive and violent. In such a case I handle them with a lot of patience and try to calm them down. Another trick is to identify the underlying irritating trigger or cause and address it.
19. What is the most challenging part of this job?
The most challenging part of this job is to identify the patient’s needs as they are sometimes not good at communication. As direct care professionals, we are able to give better care if we understand what they need better.
20. Do you have any experience in cooking meals for patients?
Yes, I can cook meals and I am also capable of cooking food according to their prescribed diet charts.
21. Do you have any experience helping individuals with computer or internet usage?
Yes, while working as a resident direct care professional with my last client I checked his e-mails daily and opened and read out blogs for him.
22. What are the challenges of caring for an elderly person?
Elderly persons can sometimes be stubborn and non-cooperative or they may have an intellectual deficit or memory loss which can be challenging to handle.
23. What mindset and attitude are needed for this profession?
This profession calls for an empathetic attitude and it needs a lot of patience. Many families trust these professionals with their loved ones therefore a direct care professional must be very courteous, understanding, and hospitable.
24. What kind of medical care you are qualified for providing?
I am capable of administering prescribed medications to clients on regular basis. In addition, I am CPR and First Aid certified.
25. Do you have any questions for me?
Yes, I want to ask if this is a residential position or not and what are the usual locations of your clients.