STAR interview prep

What does STAR stand for?

Situation, task, action, result

Why pharmacy?

My experience as a vet assistant taught me some skills in filling prescriptions and reconstituting medications, working in this area of the hospital was one of my favorites. I am also interested in compounding pharmacy and believe that my experience as a recreational baker and ability to follow a recipe would translate to this well. On top of this vet med gave me some experience handling IV’s and working in fast paced environments that I think would make me a good fit for pharmacy. I like to find meaning in the work I do and I love to help patients, especially from a behind the scenes role.

Give an example of a goal you set for yourself and how you achieved it  

Situation: When I started my Lab Tech program, I set a personal goal to maintain a 4.0 GPA. At the same time, I was working around 15 hours a week at the campus library and knew that without a strict plan, the heavy lab load could easily become overwhelming 

Task: The challenge has been balancing studying for my degree, completing assignments, and working shifts at the library, all while avoiding burnout. I had to ensure that my academic performance didn't slip when my work and home life schedule got busy.  

Action: I accomplished this goal by making a strict schedule that prioritized studying. I treat my study time like a shift at work I made a rule to 'unplug' every Sunday night by watching my favorite TV shows or working on a craft. This kept my mental clarity high and prevented the fatigue so that I could show up to work and school and give it the full attention it requires  

Result: I have been successfully maintaining a 4.0 GPA, have never been late on an assignment, all while giving work my best efforts. Through this experience I have learned how to manage a heavy workload without sacrificing the quality—a skill that will be applicable to working in a past paced hospital setting.

Tell me about a time you had to shift priorities quickly.  

Situation: As a new vet assistant I was in the treatment area helping to blood draw for a senior cat that was in for a routine wellness check. The owner was waiting in the exam room. 

Task: Suddenly, a receptionist rushed in with a dog that was actively seizing. Most of the staff was at lunch at this time so I had to pause my work with my current patient to help with this life-threatening emergency.

Action: The technician quickly finished the blood draw to go handle the seizing dog, and I needed to quickly wrap cats leg to stop the bleeding, place it in a free kennel and phone upstairs to a doctor on duty. I was then able to go help the technician while we waited for the doctor and a few senior assistants to arrive.  

Result: Once help arrived and the seizing dog was covered another tech and I were able to return to helping the senior kitty and finish the rest of the needed treatments. I was very proud of my efforts as a new assistant to switch tasks on the fly and prioritize the emergency situation.  

Tell me about a time you made a mistake at work and how you fixed it?

Situation: On a busy Saturday, I was responsible for preparing lab samples for lab pickup. My team had just finished drawing labs, and spinning blood down for a patient whose results had already been delayed once before. 

Task: My goal was to ensure the sample was in the lockbox before the driver arrived so the owners could get answers as soon as possible. 

Action: In the rush of the afternoon, I realized shortly after the driver left that I had missed setting out that specific sample. I immediately took ownership and informed the head doctor. Because we had a good relationship with our driver, the doctor was able to call him. I volunteered to drive the sample myself to meet him at his next stop to ensure it made it onto the truck. 

Result: The sample was processed on schedule, and the patient’s results were not delayed further. To prevent this from happening again, I met with my lead assistant to work on a checklist for the sample fridge to help prevent something like this from happening again.  

Describe a challenging situation and how you handled it?  

Situation: I was managing the front desk alone during a busy afternoon shift while my coworker was on lunch. 

Task: My manager had just given me a request to prepare a book for a student who was already en route, when long line of students formed at the desk and the phone began ringing incessantly. 

Action: I knew I needed to prioritize and delegate my tasks to get through the rush successfully. First, I acknowledged the students in line, communicating I would be with them shortly. Then I answered the phone and transferred the caller to a coworker in the back. Once the environment was quieter, I helped the line of students. I was then able to focus on my manager's request. 

Result: By taking a moment to assess the situation rather than rushing, I was able to help everyone in need and still had the student's requested book ready before they arrived. 

Describe a time when you had to work as a part of a team, what was your role?

Situation: We had a patient come in with a history of aggression, who needed a sedated nail trim. He was extremely reactive and was too quick for standard muzzling techniques. 

Task: My team—a veterinarian, a technician, and another assistant—needed to safely restrain and sedate him without anyone getting bitten or the patient getting too stressed or harmed. 

Action: After our usual strategies failed, we decided on a "door-squeeze" technique. My specific responsibility was to position his leash through the crack in the door and apply pressure on him using the door to restrain him. I had to coordinate this with the other assistant so she could muzzle the patient while the sedation was injected. I stayed focused on the patients body language while listening for any commands from the other members of my team.  

Result: Thanks to our teamwork and communication the patient was sedated safely without injury to him or the staff. We completed the nail trim, and he was able to wake up in a calm environment.

Describe a time when you had a difficult encounter with a coworker?  

Situation: Early in my career as a Veterinary Assistant, I was restraining a dog for a procedure when a senior technician snapped at me, criticizing my technique and warning me that I was at risk of being bitten. 

Task: I needed to ensure the safety of the team and the patient in that moment, while also addressing the tension between myself and my coworker so we could complete our task without issue.

Action: Instead of reacting defensively, I took a breath, remained calm, and prioritized the patient’s safety by adjusting my grip as she suggested. After the appointment, I took the initiative to speak with her privately. I explained that her tone was startling, but we came to an understanding that this was about safety. 

Result: We were able clear the air, and I asked the tech to work with me on restraint techniques. This communication helped improve my skills at work while also helping me build a good relationship with my coworker.

Describe a time when you had a difficult encounter with a customer  

Situation: While working at the library, a student became agitated because a book she needed for a project due in one week was already checked out for another 10 days. 

Task: My goal was to de-escalate her frustration while finding a way for her to find the book she needed. 

Action: I remained calm, listened to her concerns, and validated her stress. Once she calmed down, I researched alternatives and identified a digital copy available through our new Libby app via a sister library. I then helped her set up her account and download the book. 

Result: The student was able to start her project that same day. She left the library satisfied and I was able to help her with what she needed.

Tell us about yourself?

I started my healthcare journey working as a veterinary assistant for four years, which really piqued my interest in pursuing medicine as a career further. Veterinary assistants get to see many areas of medicine, I learned skills in everything from pharmacy, patient care, surgical assisting, and laboratory work. It was that experience that led me to gain interest in laboratory work. I worked with Pardee’s laboratory until Hurricane Helene hit, and I unfortunately left due to its impacts. I was able to get a student job with AB- tech at their library that I have been working ever since. While I have enjoyed working there I now find myself missing the fast-paced, patient centered environment of medicine.