Pulse - May 2022 - 21

THE RVT
Navigating the Working Interview
Theresa Cosper-Roberts, RVT
W
ould you marry someone based solely on
the first date? Can you truly say that you
know someone after only a few hours? If
not, why would you ever agree to spend half of your
waking hours working somewhere without ensuring
that it is the right fit for you?
Most people believe that the working interview is an opportunity
for the hospital to see what you are made of. While this is
true, we forget that it is also a time for you to see if the hospital
is the right fit for you. When moving toward the working interview
portion of obtaining a position, there are a few things of
which you should be mindful.
Scheduling
Employers and employees are on their best behavior when
interviews are taking place. Because of this, it may be difficult to
accurately gage the hospital environment. One of the best ways
to see the " true hospital " is to ask for a working interview that
spans multiple days. If that is not possible, ask for the interview
to occurs during their busiest time of day, and to be paired with
the same people that you would work with if hired.
Conduct mini-interviews
A way to get past the " best behavior " barrier is to conduct
informal mini-interviews with staff members while you are
there. While you are working together, ask them open ended
questions, such as:
Do you have a favorite conference that the practice sends you to every
year? This question may provide insight into CE allowances and
the practice's willingness to invest in their employees.
Where do you go on your lunch break? Any good restaurants
around here? Answers to this question may show whether
employees regularly receive lunch breaks where they are able
to leave the building and decompress.
If you could improve one thing about working here, what would it
be? Is management receptive to your suggestions? This may show
whether the administration is approachable and their receptiveness
to employee suggestions.
How does the owner or management show that they value you?
What types of things does the hospital do for fun? Answers to this
question may provide insight into the hospital's culture.
If employees seem hesitant to answer questions while working,
ask them if you can take them out for coffee or lunch to
discuss things, if appropriate. They may be willing to open up
in a different setting.
Standards of Care
Observe the hospital's standard of medicine and patient care.
Does it align with your values? Are they doing things that you
PULSE
MAY 2022
feel are unacceptable or inappropriate? If you are a proponent
for low stress handling, can you handle watching cats be
scruffed or dogs being wrestled to the floor for procedures?
If you are a VTS in anesthesia/analgesia, can you handle premedicating
a patient for a major procedure without a full mu
agonist? Would you be willing to monitor anesthesia without
what you feel is appropriate monitoring equipment?
Conversely, if they are more advanced/progressive than
what you are used to, are you willing to learn and conform to
their standards?
Watch team interactions
One of the most important things that you do is observe the
team dynamic. Is anyone laughing or joking around? How
do they treat each other- Is there gossiping? Are they telling
jokes at the expense of other team members that they feel are
incompetent? Is there any animosity between front desk staff
and technical staff members? Are they respectful when speaking
to each other? How do they handle stressful situationsdo
they rally together, or does it become a barrel of crabs?
Do the doctors value their technicians and their input?
More importantly, can you readily identify toxic employees?
If you can, does it seem as if management is addressing
their toxic behavior or ignoring it?
Observe OSHA compliance
Something that is often overlooked is OSHA compliance.
Sometime small, seemingly innocuous things are indicative of
larger health and safety issues at play.
Is someone carrying a 40 kg dog or handing a fractious cat
by themselves? Why? This may be indicative of staffing issues or
sink-or-swim mentalities that may lead to injuries.
Are people eating in the treatment areas or other off-limits
places? While this could just be someone being gross, this may hint
that employees may not receive adequate breaks.
Be of service
Clean the countertops in the lab. Sweep & mop the floor
when appropriate. Restock the drawers in treatment areas.
Offer to do an unwanted/undesirable task. These small, seemingly
mundane tasks will make you standout as a team player.
Be yourself
The most important thing that you can do during a working
interview is simple. Be yourself. Show them how wonderful
you are and everything will work itself out. Also...
Do the laundry. P
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Pulse - May 2022

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