Tell me about a time when you had to work collaboratively with both IT and clinical staff to resolve a technical issue.

INTERMEDIATE LEVEL
Tell me about a time when you had to work collaboratively with both IT and clinical staff to resolve a technical issue.
Sample answer to the question:
Last year, I was working as a Telehealth Technology Specialist at a large healthcare organization. One time, we encountered a technical issue with the telehealth platform that was affecting both clinicians and patients. It was a critical situation that required collaboration between the IT and clinical staff. We quickly formed a cross-functional team consisting of IT specialists, clinicians, and myself. We held regular meetings to discuss the problem, brainstorm solutions, and assign tasks. The IT team focused on troubleshooting the system, while the clinicians provided valuable insights into the impact the issue was having on patient care. As the Telehealth Technology Specialist, I acted as a liaison between the two teams, providing updates and ensuring clear communication. Together, we worked tirelessly to resolve the issue, testing different solutions and conducting thorough system checks. After several days of intense collaboration, we successfully identified and resolved the technical issue, restoring the system's functionality. The experience taught me the importance of effective teamwork and communication when addressing complex technical challenges in a healthcare setting.
Here is a more solid answer:
I was working as a Telehealth Technology Specialist at a large healthcare organization, and one particular incident stands out when we had to collaboratively resolve a technical issue involving both IT and clinical staff. It started when clinicians reported an intermittent connectivity problem during telehealth sessions, impacting patient care. As the situation required urgent attention, we formed a cross-functional team consisting of IT specialists, clinicians, and myself. We held daily meetings to discuss the issue, share our observations, and devise potential solutions. I took the lead in documenting the problem's scope, its impact on clinical workflows, and the specific symptoms reported by clinicians. This information was crucial for the IT team to troubleshoot effectively. We agreed to conduct a systematic investigation, which involved analyzing network logs, conducting stress tests, and measuring audio/video latency. By working closely with the IT team, I was able to translate the clinicians' concerns into technical requirements and convey the implications of different solutions back to them. It was a delicate balance, as I had to ensure clear communication and avoid overwhelming the clinicians with technical jargon. After several days of collaborative efforts, we successfully identified the root cause: a misconfiguration in the network infrastructure. We swiftly implemented the necessary changes, and the telehealth platform was restored to full functionality. This experience highlighted the importance of bridging the gap between IT and clinical staff, as effective collaboration is essential to resolve technical issues swiftly and maintain optimal patient care.
Why is this a more solid answer?
The solid answer provides specific details and examples to demonstrate the candidate's problem-solving, collaboration, and communication skills. It outlines the entire process, from the initial problem identification to the resolution and the candidate's role in facilitating communication between IT and clinical staff. However, the answer could benefit from further elaboration on the candidate's specific contributions and the outcome of the collaboration.
An example of a exceptional answer:
During my time as a Telehealth Technology Specialist at a large healthcare organization, I encountered a complex technical issue that required a high level of collaboration between IT and clinical staff. The problem arose when the telehealth platform experienced frequent audio dropouts during patient consultations, interrupting the flow of care and hindering accurate diagnosis. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, I proactively reached out to the clinical staff to gather detailed feedback on the issue's impact and documented their concerns. Simultaneously, I collaborated with the IT team to investigate the underlying cause. We conducted extensive network latency tests, analyzed log files, and consulted with the platform vendor's technical support. As we discovered the problem lay with the platform's audio codec configuration, I formulated a plan to address the issue. In close collaboration with the IT team, we designed a pilot testing environment to isolate and verify the effectiveness of various solutions. This allowed us to engage the clinicians early on, providing them with real-time updates on our progress and gathering their input. The transparent and inclusive approach ensured that the clinical staff felt valued, and their expertise played a vital role in fine-tuning the final solution. The successful resolution of this complex issue was not just a testament to my technical abilities but also to my skills in fostering collaboration and facilitating clear communication between IT and clinical staff. It demonstrated the positive impact of interdisciplinary teamwork, as we saw a significant improvement in audio quality and a reduction in patient disruptions.
Why is this an exceptional answer?
The exceptional answer provides a detailed account of the candidate's experience in resolving a complex technical issue. It highlights the candidate's proactive approach in gathering feedback from clinical staff, their technical expertise in troubleshooting, and their role in formulating a comprehensive solution. The answer demonstrates strong problem-solving, collaboration, and communication skills, as well as the ability to bridge the gap between different departments. The candidate also emphasizes the positive outcome and impact of their actions. However, the answer could be further enhanced by including specific metrics or measurable improvements resulting from the collaboration.
How to prepare for this question:
  • Reflect on past experiences working with both IT and clinical staff to identify any instances where technical issues were resolved collaboratively.
  • Practice articulating the problem-solving process and the candidate's role in facilitating collaboration and communication between different teams.
  • Focus on showcasing the candidate's ability to bridge the gap between technical and non-technical stakeholders, emphasizing their clear communication skills.
  • Research common technical issues in telehealth platforms and familiarize yourself with troubleshooting techniques to demonstrate preparedness and domain knowledge during the interview.
What are interviewers evaluating with this question?
  • Problem-solving
  • Collaboration
  • Communication

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