COMMON PEDIATRIC SURGEON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

 Are you comfortable working with children?

 What are some of the most important skills for a pediatric surgeon?
 How would you describe the relationship between a pediatric surgeon and a
child’s parents?
 What is the most challenging aspect of being a pediatric surgeon?
 Provide an example of a time when you had to perform an emergency surgery
on a child.
 If a child needed to have a limb amputated, what would be your primary
method of pain management?
 What would you do if a child was in surgery and a team member made a
mistake?
 How well do you think you can handle the emotional stress of working with
children?
 Do you have any experience performing surgeries on infants?
 When preparing for a surgery, what is the most important thing you need to
do?
 We want to ensure our patients have the best possible recovery. What would
be your strategy for helping a child recover after surgery?
 Describe your process for preparing a child for surgery.
 What makes you the best candidate for this position?
 Which pediatric surgical specialties are you most interested in pursuing?
 What do you think is the most important aspect of post-operative care?
 How often do you perform check-ups on children you’ve performed surgery
on?
 There is a new surgery that could help a child’s condition, but you aren’t sure
if it’s safe. What do you do?

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Are you comfortable working with children?

Interviewers may ask this question to determine if you have experience working with
children and their families. They want to know that you are comfortable
communicating with young patients and their parents, as well as other medical
professionals who work with them. In your answer, try to explain how you feel about
working with children and what makes it enjoyable for you.

Example: “I love working with children because they always make me smile. I find
that the best way to communicate with kids is through play, so I often bring toys or
games into the operating room to help ease their nerves. I also like to talk to their
parents before surgery to learn more about their personalities and interests. This
helps me personalize my interactions with each child.”

What are some of the most important skills for a pediatric

surgeon?
This question can help interviewers determine if you have the skills necessary to
succeed in this role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few of your
strongest skills and how they apply to this position.

Example: “The most important skill for a pediatric surgeon is communication. I

find that patients’ parents are often very nervous about their child’s surgery, so it’s
important to explain everything thoroughly and answer any questions they may
have. Another important skill is patience. Children can sometimes be difficult during
procedures, but it’s important to remain calm and reassuring. Finally, precision is
another essential skill because even small mistakes can lead to serious
complications.”

How would you describe the relationship between a pediatric

surgeon and a child’s parents?

The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your communication skills and
ability to work with parents. In your answer, try to show that you value the opinions of
parents and are willing to listen to their concerns. You can also emphasize how
important it is for parents to be present during a child’s surgery.

Example: “I believe that parents have valuable insight into their children’s health
because they know them best. I always encourage parents to ask questions about
their child’s diagnosis and treatment plan, so they feel comfortable with what we are
doing. It is also very important for parents to be present during their child’s surgery.
This allows them to see exactly what is happening and understand why certain
procedures are necessary.”

What is the most challenging aspect of being a pediatric surgeon?

This question can help interviewers understand what you find challenging in your
role and how you overcome challenges. When answering this question, it can be
helpful to discuss a specific challenge you faced and the steps you took to overcome
it.

Example: “The most challenging aspect of being a pediatric surgeon is when

patients have complex medical histories or require multiple surgeries. In these
cases, I work with other specialists to ensure that all aspects of their care are
covered. For example, if a patient has a heart condition, I make sure they see a
cardiologist before and after surgery. This helps me feel confident that my patients
receive the best care possible.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to perform an emergency

surgery on a child.

Interviewers ask this question to learn more about your experience as a pediatric
surgeon. They want to know how you respond in high-pressure situations and
whether you have the skills necessary to perform emergency procedures. In your
answer, describe what steps you took to ensure the child’s safety during the surgery.

If a child needed to have a limb amputated, what would be your

primary method of pain management?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to assess your experience with
amputation procedures and how you manage pain in children. Use examples from
your previous work or describe the methods you would use if you had not yet
performed an amputation procedure.

Example: “I always try to avoid amputations whenever possible, but I have

extensive experience performing them when necessary. In my experience, I find that
local anesthesia is usually sufficient for most patients, although some require
general anesthesia. I also administer oral pain medication after the surgery to
ensure they are comfortable.”

What would you do if a child was in surgery and a team member

made a mistake?

Mistakes can happen, and employers want to know that you are able to handle them
in a professional manner. In your answer, explain how you would address the
mistake with the team member and what steps you would take to ensure it doesn’t
happen again.

Example: “If I noticed a mistake during surgery, I would first make sure that the
child was safe and then speak with the team member who made the error. I
would ask them what they were thinking when they made the mistake so we could
learn from the experience. Then, I would discuss how we could prevent this type of
mistake from happening again.”

How well do you think you can handle the emotional stress of
working with children?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your ability to handle the emotional
stress of working with children. This is because pediatric surgery can be emotionally
challenging, and you need to have a high level of empathy for patients. In your
answer, try to show that you are empathetic and compassionate. You can also
mention any specific experiences you’ve had in your career where you helped a child
overcome an emotional challenge.

Example: “I think I am quite good at handling the emotional stress of working

with children. Throughout my career as a pediatric surgeon, I have seen many
different situations where children were suffering from various ailments. However, I
always make sure to treat each patient with compassion and care. For example,
when I was working on a case where a young girl lost her leg due to a dog bite, I
made sure to explain everything we were doing to help her feel more comfortable.
She ended up feeling much better after our conversation.”

Do you have any experience performing surgeries on infants?

Pediatric surgeons often perform surgeries on infants, and the interviewer may ask
this question to learn more about your experience with these procedures. If you do
have experience working with infants, share a specific example of how you helped
an infant in need. If you don’t have any experience working with infants, explain that
you are willing to gain the necessary skills if hired for the position.

Example: “I’ve performed several surgeries on infants, including one where I did
laparotomy on child with NEC. The parents were very nervous about their child’s
condition, but I was able to calm them by explaining every step of the surgery before
performing it. During the procedure, I used my expertise to carefully operate while
keeping the infant safe. After the surgery, the infant made a full recovery.”

When preparing for a surgery, what is the most important thing

you need to do?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you know how to
prepare for a surgery and what steps are involved. Use examples from previous
experiences where you had to plan ahead for a procedure.

Example: “The most important thing I need to do when preparing for a surgery is
make sure all of my equipment is ready before the patient arrives. This includes
making sure all of my tools are sterilized, organized and in place so I can focus on
the surgery once the patient is in the operating room. Another important step is
reviewing the patient’s medical history and test results to ensure I have all the
information I need to perform the surgery.”

We want to ensure our patients have the best possible recovery.

What would be your strategy for helping a child recover after
surgery?

The interviewer may ask you this question to learn more about your bedside manner
and how you interact with patients. Use examples from past experiences where you
helped a child recover after surgery.

Example: “I always encourage parents to be present during their child’s recovery,

as it can help them feel less scared or anxious. I also make sure that the patient has
plenty of time to rest in between procedures. For example, if they have an
appendectomy, I’ll give them plenty of time to heal before removing their stitches.
This helps ensure they don’t experience any complications later on.”

Describe your process for preparing a child for surgery.

This question can help interviewers understand your bedside manner and how you
interact with patients. Your answer should include a specific example of how you
prepared a child for surgery, including the steps you took to make them feel
comfortable and safe.

Example: “I always start by explaining what’s going to happen during their

procedure. I also explain why it’s important that they stay still so we can complete
the operation successfully. Then, I ask if they have any questions or concerns about
the upcoming surgery. If they do, I take time to address those concerns and provide
additional information as needed. Finally, I let them know that I’ll be there the entire
time and will check in on them after the surgery is over.”

What makes you the best candidate for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can
contribute to their team. Before your interview, make a list of all the skills and
experiences that make you an ideal candidate for this role. Focus on highlighting
your most relevant experience and soft skills.

Example: “I am passionate about helping children lead healthy lives. I have

worked in pediatric surgery for 07 years now, so I know what it takes to be
successful in this field. My previous employer told me that my communication skills
are some of the best they’ve ever seen. I also love working with kids.

What do you think is the most important aspect of post-operative

care?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your knowledge of post-operative
care and how you prioritize the needs of patients. Use examples from your
experience to explain what you think is most important in ensuring a patient’s
recovery after surgery.

Example: “I believe that communication with parents is one of the most

important aspects of post-operative care because it allows me to address any
concerns they have about their child’s health or recovery. I always make sure to
speak with parents before, during and after surgery so that we can discuss
expectations for their child’s recovery and answer any questions they might have.
This helps ensure that parents feel comfortable asking questions and know who to
contact if they need additional information.”

How often do you perform check-ups on children you’ve

performed surgery on?

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you are committed to the long-term
health of your patients. They want to know that you care about their well-being after
surgery and will follow up with them regularly. In your answer, explain how you plan
to stay in touch with your patients’ families and ensure they have all the information
they need to take care of their child.
Example: “I perform check-ups on my patients at least once a year for the rest of
their childhood. I also recommend that parents bring their children back to me if they
notice any concerning symptoms or changes in behaviour. I believe it is important to
maintain a relationship with my patients so that I can provide them with the best
possible care throughout their lives.”

There is a new surgery that could help a child’s condition, but you
aren’t sure if it’s safe. What do you do?

This question is a great way to see how you would handle new medical procedures
and treatments. It also shows the interviewer that you are willing to do what’s best for
your patients, even if it means not performing a procedure or treatment that could be
beneficial.

Example: “I would research the surgery thoroughly before deciding whether or not
to perform it on my patient. I would speak with other surgeons who have
performed this type of surgery in the past to get their opinion on its safety. If
they say it’s safe, then I would proceed with the surgery. However, if they say there
are too many unknown factors about the surgery, then I would hold off until more
information becomes available.”