Chief Surgeon Interview Questions

Chief Surgeons, also known as Heads of Surgery, are experienced medical professionals who fill leadership roles. They supervise surgical departments, carry out managerial duties, educate trainees, and assist during surgeries. Chief Surgeons also control financial resources, establish quality standards, and recruit new staff.

Whether you're a job seeker preparing to be interviewed for the role of Chief Surgeon or an employer preparing to interview candidates for Chief Surgeon position, these Chief Surgeon interview questions will help you prepare yourself for the job interview session.

Chief Surgeon Interview Questions

Below are a list of some skill-based Chief Surgeon interview questions.

1. Can you tell me what makes you a good chief surgeon?
2. What was the most challenging surgical case you worked on or advised on?
3. Can you describe a time when you settled a dispute between colleagues?
4. What has been the highlight of your surgical career so far?
5. Tell me about the most difficult decision you have made as a Surgeon or Chief Surgeon. What did it teach you?
6. Have you ever dealt with a patient who refused a vital procedure on the grounds of their religious beliefs. What did you do?
7. Tell me about an error you have made while practicing medicine. What did you do to correct it?
8. How would you handle a situation where you and your colleagues disagreed on the best method for addressing a patient’s condition?
9. Have you ever been in a situation where you needed to make a split-second decision during surgery? How did you react and what was the outcome?
10. What are the most common types of surgeries you perform on a regular basis?
11. As a chief surgeon, how do you manage budgetary constraints while devising new healthcare services?
12. What would you do if a surgical procedure took longer than expected and another patient was waiting for surgery?
13. As a Chief Surgeon, how often do you ensure routine maintenance is performed on surgical equipment?
14. There is a risk that a patient may not survive a surgery, but the surgery is necessary. Would you perform the surgery? Explain your answer.
15. As a chief surgeon, a patient comes to you and reports a junior surgeon that they're displeased with; how would you respond?
16. How do you evaluate success as Chief Surgeon?
17. As a chief surgeon, how often do you conduct meetings with other surgeons?
18. When recruiting surgeons, what qualities do you look out for?
19. As a chief surgeon, how do you stay well-informed of the latest healthcare standards and regulations?
20. As a chief surgeon, how do you ensure that all surgeons in the hospital adhere to quality standards at all times?
21. This job requires you to be both a manager and a surgeon. How would you strike a balance between both roles?

Chief Surgeon Interview Questions and Answers

Every interview is different and the questions may vary. However, there are lots of general questions that get asked at every interview.

Below are some common questions you'd expect during Chief Surgeon interviews. Click on each question to see how to answer them.

1. Do You Have Any Questions for Us?
2. What Is Your Greatest Accomplishment?
3. Tell Me About Yourself
4. Why Do You Want This Job?
5. Why Do You Want To Leave Your Current Job?
6. What is Your Greatest Strength?
7. Why Should We Hire You?
8. What is Your Salary Expectation?
9. What is Your Greatest Weakness?
10. Are You a Leader or a Follower?