Resources
Post a Job
 Special offer 

Jumpstart your hiring with a £100 credit to sponsor your first job.*

Sponsored Jobs posted directly on Indeed are 65% more likely to report a hire than non-sponsored jobs**
  • Visibility for hard-to-fill roles through branding and urgently hiring
  • Instantly source candidates through matching to expedite your hiring
  • Access skilled candidates to cut down on mismatched hires
*The £100 Sponsored Job credit offer is only available for new accounts in the UK that post a job and expires one year after account creation. Upon expiration of the credit, users are charged based on Sponsored Job budget. Terms, conditions and quality standards apply **Indeed data, United Kingdom, Q2 2024

paramedic Interview Questions

Edited by Indeed Employer Content Team
Our mission

Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines

Whether you are preparing to interview a candidate or applying for a job, review our list of top paramedic interview questions and answers.

  1. What made you decide to become a paramedic? See answer
  2. As a paramedic, what do you normally carry with you? See answer
  3. What paramedical certification programmes have you completed? See answer
  4. What is a skill you have that distinguishes you from other paramedics? See answer
  5. Can you explain how to use a defibrillator? See answer
  6. How do you stay calm in emergency medical situations? See answer
  7. What is a nebulizer and what conditions is it used for? See answer
  8. What do you do to keep your paramedic skills up to date? See answer
  9. How would you feel about working alongside a less-experienced crew member? See answer
  10. Can you describe a time you had to treat an agitated patient? See answer
  11. How would you treat a patient that has broken bones? See answer
  12. How would you treat a patient experiencing a drug overdose? See answer
  13. What extra precautions must you take as a paramedic when responding to a crime scene? See answer
  14. What do you think are the most important characteristics of a paramedic? See answer
  15. What’s the most difficult experience you’ve had as a paramedic?
Show more questions Show fewer questions

Ready to get started?

Post a job

Ready to get started?

Post a job
Our mission

Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines

15 paramedic Interview Questions and Answers

What made you decide to become a paramedic?

This question can reveal the candidate's motivations as well as any preconceived ideas they might have about a career in EMS. A qualified candidate should have a realistic perspective and show motivation to succeed in this career. What to look for in an answer:

  • A reasoned and thoughtful motivation
  • An accurate idea of what it means to be a paramedic
  • Willingness to help others

Example:

"I not only have wanted to be in EMS since I was a child but also desire a job in which I can have a positive impact on other people's lives."

As a paramedic, what do you normally carry with you?

This question can reveal the candidate's level of preparedness on the job and their knowledge of how common items can be specifically useful to the work of a paramedic. They should be able to tell you not only what they carry but also why. What to look for in an answer:

  • Items they can carry on their person to aid in their work
  • Reasons for carrying these items
  • Experience with the practical use of these items

Example:

"Every day, I carry a pen torch to help me examine patients' pupils and for use in dark spaces, a small notepad and pen for recording notes such as patient history, and a reference card for drug doses to help me remember how much of a drug to administer. I use these tools every day to make sure I'm giving patients the best care possible."

What paramedical certification programmes have you completed?

Certifications are required to be a paramedic. Thus, this question tests the candidate's knowledge of these requirements and, for novice paramedics, reveals their progress in fulfiling them. What to look for in an answer:

  • Knowledge of paramedic licensing and certification requirements
  • Completion of a paramedic training or undergraduate programme
  • Completion of certifications required in the province

Example:

"I earned my paramedic certification after completing an undergraduate paramedical programme at university. Since then, I've also earned certification in first aid."

What is a skill you have that distinguishes you from other paramedics?

This question can show whether the candidate has an ability that would be useful in the field, perhaps for communicating with patients or physically transporting them. What to look for in an answer:

  • A skill that would facilitate the duties of a paramedic
  • Ability to distinguish themself from other candidates
  • Awareness of the characteristics and needs of patients

Example:

"I grew up bilingual, so I can fluently communicate in both English and French. I also studied a couple of languages at university, so I can also functionally communicate in Spanish and Korean. I think my language skills are useful because communication requirements often differ among patients."

Can you explain how to use a defibrillator?

A defibrillator is a device that sends an electric shock to the heart to correct or restore the heart's beating. This question assesses the candidate's familiarity with the device's function and use. What to look for in an answer:

  • Familiarity with the function of a defibrillator
  • Knowledge of the process for using a defibrillator
  • Awareness of the need for CPR alongside defibrillation

Example:

"The first step is to check for the patient's pulse. If it's present and steady, defibrillation is not indicated. Otherwise, I'd then remove any jewellery from the patient's body so as to prevent interference, ensure that no one is touching the patient, and then apply a shock. Following that, I'd check the pulse again while a crewmate applied CPR."

What's the most difficult experience you've had as a paramedic?

This question can provide insight into the candidate's experience and reveal how they might react in new or challenging situations. The candidate should relate a specific instance in their career and explain how they handled it. What to look for in an answer:

  • Experience in dealing with unfamiliar situations
  • Ability to carry out their duties in spite of difficulty
  • Evidence of learning or growth resulting from the experience

Example:

"Within my first two weeks on the job, we encountered an emergency situation in which a woman had gone into labour. She wasn't going to make it to the hospital in her condition, so we had to deliver the baby on the scene. This was difficult to me because I was almost completely new to the job, and this was an emergency situation. Luckily, my crew guided me in the process, and we were able to deliver the baby safely. From this experience, I learned the importance of leaning on procedure to keep composed."

How do you stay calm in emergency medical situations?

The ability to maintain composure and professionalism on the job is essential for paramedics. This question examines how the candidate reacts to stressful situations or crises. What to look for in an answer:

  • Composure and professionalism in stressful situations
  • Knowledge of procedures for handling crises
  • Confidence in their ability to respond to emergency medical situations

Example:

"I keep calm by relying on procedure. The first thing I do is assess the scene for any dangers. If there are none, or once we've handled the dangerous factors, I treat the patient according to their needs. Having a procedure refocuses my attention away from my nerves and toward treating the patient."

What is a nebulizer and what conditions is it used for?

This question can show that the candidate is familiar with respiratory conditions and knows how to respond to respiratory emergencies in the field. They should show appropriate knowledge of the different conditions that require a nebulizer and what medication is commonly used with the device. What to look for in an answer:

  • Knowledge of respiratory conditions
  • Indications for nebulizer use
  • Use of albuterol medication

Example:

"A nebulizer is a device used to administer medications such as albuterol to the lungs in the form of a mist. It's used to help patients who have COPD, cystic fibrosis, or asthma."

What do you do to keep your paramedic skills up to date?

Continuing medical education, or CME, is required for medical professionals such as paramedics, so this question can show how well the candidate keeps up with new developments in the field and how eager they are to learn new ideas and techniques. What to look for in an answer:

  • Familiarity with CME requirements for paramedics
  • Eagerness to develop as a paramedic
  • Specific knowledge gained from CME

Example:

"As a primary care paramedic, I earn at least eight credit hours of CME every year. I hope to use this education to advance in my career. I most recently attended a webinar about the versatility and uses of ketamine in emergency medical situations and found that to be enlightening."

How would you feel about working alongside a less-experienced crew member?

Paramedics work in teams, so teamwork is important to the functioning of the unit. The candidate's response to this question can reveal not only how they value teamwork but also how they might resolve potential conflicts within the team. What to look for in an answer:

  • The ability to take on a leadership or mentorship role
  • The capacity to assume more responsibilities
  • The patience to help a crewmate

Example:

"I understand there's a lot to learn on the job, so it's important to help less-experienced crew members fill in the gaps of their knowledge or skills. I'd try to show and tell them what they need to know on the job and mentor them as well as possible. That way, we can build a stronger, more effective team."

Can you describe a time you had to treat an agitated patient?

This is an operational question that can reveal how the candidate adapts to challenging situations. If the candidate has no experience with disorderly patients, they might describe a hypothetical situation and how they would respond. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to respond and adapt to challenges
  • Awareness of risks posed by agitated patients
  • Knowledge of procedures for controlling agitated patients

Example:

"In my career as a paramedic so far, I've frequently encountered agitated patients. They can present dangers to the crew, particularly if they become aggressive. The most challenging cases have involved excited delirium, which we would handle by first restraining the patient and then administering a sedative agent such as a benzodiazepine or antipsychotic."

How would you treat a patient that has broken bones?

This question addresses proper care for a patient who has suffered a fracture and thus needs to be assessed, stabilised, and transported to an emergency department. The candidate's answer can show their level of experience and training. What to look for in an answer:

  • Knowledge of treatment procedures
  • Ability to follow established protocol
  • Familiarity with immobilization techniques

Example:

"First, I would survey the scene to ensure it is safe. Then I'd check the patient's airway, breathing, and circulation, treat any bleeding, and check for secondary injuries. Subsequently, using a traction splint, I'd immobilise the fracture before transporting the patient and treating them for shock along the way."

How would you treat a patient experiencing a drug overdose?

Prospective paramedics should have training and experience in drug overdose care, and this question assesses the breadth of their knowledge in this respect. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to recognise an overdose emergency
  • Knowledge of appropriate naloxone dosage
  • Ability to follow treatment procedures

Example:

"If I notice pinpoint pupils and depressed breathing in the patient, I would administer intranasal naloxone at 2 milligrams in one nostril and then begin transport. Five minutes later, I would reassess and, if necessary, re-administer the naloxone at the same dosage."

What extra precautions must you take as a paramedic when responding to a crime scene?

Crime scenes present a unique challenge, as paramedics must preserve the crime scene while stabilizing and treating the patient. Thus, this question can reveal the candidate's knowledge of special precautions and procedures. What to look for in an answer:

  • Knowledge of special precautions to take at a crime scene
  • Awareness of the need to report suspicious observations
  • Knowledge of the need to notate the location of the patient before moving them

Example:

"After ensuring the scene is safe, I would treat the patient while being careful not to touch any weapons or suspicious elements in the vicinity. I would also record the patient's position on my arrival and later report this, along with other observations, to the hospital."

What do you think are the most important characteristics of a paramedic?

Asking the candidate what they think are important characteristics in their profession can reveal what they value and thus aspire to attain. It can also show an understanding of the personality and work ethic needed to perform the job well. What to look for in an answer:

  • The values and aspirations of the candidate
  • A sincere interest in providing medical care
  • Awareness of key skills and traits for paramedics

Example:

"To me, one of the most important qualities is a sincere interest in helping people, as this is the fundamental goal of the paramedic. An eye for detail is also important since a large part of the job requires conveying patient information to hospitals, who need accurate histories to treat the patient."

Three individuals are sitting at a table with a laptop, a disposable coffee cup, notebooks, and a phone visible. Two are facing each other, while the third’s back is to the camera. The setting appears to be a bright room with large windows.

Ready to get started?

Post a job

Explore Interview Questions by Title

No search results found

    Related articles

    How to conduct a job interview
    Read article
    Best practices for virtual interviews
    Read article
    How to write a candidate rejection email
    Read article