working interviews

[sunnex3]

---

Members don't see this ad.

i've been invited to go on a working interview for a position i am interested in, at the ICU in one of the emergency clinics around my area.

the working interview determines whether i'm hired or not, and since i've never been on one, just wondering, generally, what sorts of things to expect in a working interview?
i'm super nervous because i'm not the MOST experienced (i have experience, just not a ton) and i want to do the best that i can (they're going to give me a math test too! 😕 )

 

[katryn]

Most of the working interviews I've done were basically stepping in and doing basic tech work (holding animals, maybe drawing blood or placing caths). I don't think I was ever expected to run samples during a working interview although I was asked if I had done so for other clinics, so far no two vets I've worked for used the same lab equipment. Mostly in the process of doing the basics I was quizzed on my knowledge of skills that would need to be taught to me (like how to use equipment that I hadn't specifically seen before).

I wouldn't be too nervous. Most employers really just want to know that you're able to take directions, show some amount of common sense, and that you'll work relatively well with the rest of their staff.

Good luck! 😀

 

[sumstorm]

The last working interview I participated in (as an observer) for a tech at an emergency clinic included blood draws, injections (IV, IM, SQ), surgery prep (including scrubbing up, intubation, pack prep, gowning), wrapping and autoclaving packs, restraint, client education, some microscopy, rads, pharm dispense/administer (ie calculating and drawing up and labeling doses), etc.

It may depend on what your expected role is....and as the vets explained to me, part of it was to see how quickly you were able to jump in, how observant you are, and how you respond to stressful situations.

From what I understand, working interviews are common for SA vets as well.

 

[Shanomong]

My working interview was mostly just follow around a current employee, get a feel for what your responsibilities will be while they get a feel for whether or not you're a weirdo, and if they think you're capable. I was coming to the clinic with little practical experience though, in NY they really only let you restrain and run bloodwork if you're not a licensed tech, so I guess not much was expected of me at the interview. It was really just more of an evaluation to see if they thought I was up to it. And I know our techs are given quizzes on their interviews, they're pretty basic calculations and I think some pharmeceutical stuff...

Don't think you're interviewing with us though, because we don't really have an ICU

 

[VeganSoprano]

The working interview is as much you "interviewing" them as the other way around. You will get to see what it's like to work a shift there, probably get to chat with some rank-and-file support staff, and generally figure out if it is a place you would like to work.

At a working interview they're less interested in your skills than your attitude. If you can take direction, ask questions, etc, that's generally a positive thing. And overall I think interviewers are happier if you admit what you don't know.

Working interviews are something to look forward to! Regardless of the outcome, you will certainly learn something just from the one shift, and you will come away knowing whether or not you want this job. So have fun!

 

[bunnity]

One of the vets I worked with said he had to do a working interview as part of the vet school interview, and that he was expected to know basic clinical skills for it (this was probably 25 years ago). At least that's one less thing we have to worry about!

 

[StillDreaming]

In the working interviews I've participated in, I kinda just did basic tech work. In the large animal hospital i am still currently working at, we look for the person to just be confident in working with horses, and also seem to be willing to ask for help if they aren't comfortable or don't know how to do something. We know that these people (most of them at least) have never worked in an environment like this and will need some training, but we want to see that they can handle the horses, and are going to be able to learn the techniques of the hospital effectively.