Tell me about a time when you had to liaise between nursing staff and the IT department to optimize EHR functionality.

INTERMEDIATE LEVEL
Tell me about a time when you had to liaise between nursing staff and the IT department to optimize EHR functionality.
Sample answer to the question:
In my previous role as a Nursing Informatics Specialist, I had the opportunity to work closely with both the nursing staff and the IT department to optimize EHR functionality. One specific instance comes to mind when we were implementing a new EHR system in the hospital. The nursing staff was hesitant about the change and had concerns about how it would affect their workflow and patient care. I acted as a liaison between the two teams, bridging the gap in understanding and addressing their concerns. I organized meetings where nurses could voice their concerns and the IT department could provide explanations and solutions. Through open communication and collaboration, we were able to identify areas for improvement and make necessary adjustments to the system. This resulted in a smoother transition and increased efficiency in the nursing workflow, ultimately improving patient care.
Here is a more solid answer:
In my previous role as a Nursing Informatics Specialist, I had the opportunity to collaborate with the nursing staff and the IT department to optimize EHR functionality. One particular challenge arose when the nursing staff was resistant to adopting a new EHR system. As the liaison, I first conducted extensive research on the system to gain a comprehensive understanding of its capabilities and benefits. I then organized meetings with the nursing staff to address their concerns and provided them with detailed demonstrations of how the new system would enhance their workflow and improve patient care. Additionally, I facilitated open communication between the nursing staff and the IT department, ensuring that their feedback and suggestions were heard and incorporated into the system's configuration. Through my analytical and problem-solving skills, I was able to identify and address any technical issues that arose during the implementation process. As a result, the nursing staff became more comfortable with the new system, leading to increased efficiency in their workflow and improved patient outcomes.
Why is this a more solid answer?
This solid answer provides specific details about the candidate's experience, skills, and abilities. It demonstrates their analytical and problem-solving skills by mentioning their research and troubleshooting activities. The answer also highlights their excellent interpersonal and communication skills by mentioning their facilitation of meetings and open communication between teams. Furthermore, it showcases their ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams by mentioning their active involvement with both the nursing staff and the IT department. However, the answer could be improved by providing more specific outcomes or results of the candidate's work.
An example of a exceptional answer:
During my time as a Nursing Informatics Specialist, I encountered a situation where there was a major issue with the EHR system that was causing delays and inaccuracies in patient documentation. The nursing staff was frustrated and felt unsupported by the IT department, so I took the initiative to bridge the gap and optimize the system's functionality. I started by conducting a thorough analysis of the system's workflows and identified the root causes of the problems. I then organized regular meetings with the nursing staff and the IT department, creating a collaborative environment where everyone could openly share their concerns and ideas. Utilizing my strong analytical skills, I proposed a solution that involved customizing the EHR system to better align with the nursing staff's workflow and needs. I worked closely with the IT team to implement the necessary changes and conducted extensive training sessions for the nursing staff to ensure seamless adoption. As a result, we saw a significant improvement in the accuracy and timeliness of patient documentation, leading to enhanced patient care and satisfaction. This experience not only showcased my ability to bridge the gap between stakeholders but also demonstrated my commitment to continuous improvement in health informatics.
Why is this an exceptional answer?
This exceptional answer demonstrates the candidate's strong analytical and problem-solving skills by mentioning their thorough analysis of the system's workflows and identification of root causes. It also highlights their excellent interpersonal and communication skills by mentioning their organization of collaborative meetings and open sharing of concerns and ideas. The answer showcases their ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams by mentioning their close collaboration with the IT department. Additionally, it showcases the candidate's commitment to continuous improvement in health informatics by mentioning their proposal for a customized solution and extensive training sessions. The specific outcome of improved accuracy and timeliness of patient documentation further strengthens this as an exceptional answer.
How to prepare for this question:
  • Familiarize yourself with different EHR systems and their functionalities to showcase your knowledge and expertise in this area.
  • Develop strong analytical and problem-solving skills to effectively identify and address issues related to EHR functionality.
  • Improve your interpersonal and communication skills to effectively liaise between nursing staff and IT departments.
  • Gain experience working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to demonstrate your ability to work well in a team environment.
  • Stay up to date with the latest trends and developments in health informatics to showcase your commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
What are interviewers evaluating with this question?
  • Analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Interpersonal and communication skills
  • Ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams
  • Knowledge of EHR systems and clinical software applications
  • Understanding of healthcare processes and data structures

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