Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) - Med/Surg Onc FT.9 Days
Posted Sep 9, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 20, 2026
Likely interview questions for this role
Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.
Behavioral
Tell me about a time you noticed something off with a patient, like a change in skin color or breathing, and what you did next.
whether the candidate reports observations promptly rather than deciding on their own what's significant
Describe a time you had to prioritize between several tasks at once, like a call light, a specimen pickup, and a scheduled vital signs round.
organizational skill and ability to triage tasks safely on a busy 12-hour shift
Tell me about a time a patient or family member was frustrated or difficult with you. How did you handle it?
emotional regulation and communication skill, since oncology patients and families are often under high stress
This is a three-day-a-week, 12-hour shift schedule with alternating weekends and holidays. How do you think that will work for you, and what has kept you consistent with a demanding schedule in the past?
reliability and realistic understanding of the shift commitment
Tell me about a time you had to help move or lift a patient who couldn't help you much, and how you protected both yourself and the patient from injury.
real experience with safe patient handling and awareness of physical demands like the 50-pound lift and 150-pound transfer requirements
Technical
This unit is med/surg oncology, so you'll be working with patients who may be immunocompromised or in isolation. What steps do you take before and after entering an isolation room?
actual working knowledge of infection prevention protocol, not just familiarity with the term
How do you approach a sliding transfer or repositioning a patient who weighs close to 150 pounds and can't assist much, especially when cancer treatment has left them fragile or in pain?
knowledge of safe body mechanics, use of assistive devices, and awareness of the need for a second person
What is your process for collecting and labeling a specimen, say a stool or urine sample, to make sure it's matched to the right patient?
attention to detail on identification and labeling, since a mislabeled oncology specimen can have serious consequences
What does skin integrity care look like for you day to day, and what would make you flag a patient to the RN for closer skin assessment?
practical knowledge of pressure injury prevention, especially relevant for patients with reduced mobility from cancer treatment
You'll be documenting vitals, intake and output, and observations directly into the electronic medical record. How comfortable are you with that kind of computer charting, and what would you do if you weren't sure how to enter something?
basic computer competency and honesty about asking for help rather than guessing on documentation
Situational
Walk me through how you'd handle a patient on the oncology unit who is too fatigued or nauseated to eat much, but the RN needs you to get an accurate intake recorded.
whether the candidate understands accurate documentation matters even when a patient's condition makes data collection hard, and knows to escalate concerns to the RN
Say you're doing purposeful rounding and a patient's family member is upset and wants answers about the treatment plan that you're not able to give. What do you do?
whether the candidate knows their scope of practice and can de-escalate without overstepping into clinical answers that belong to the RN or physician
If a patient tells you something that sounds concerning, maybe pain that's new or a fall risk you notice during ambulation, but the RN is busy with another patient, what do you do?
judgment about urgency and willingness to interrupt appropriately rather than wait or handle it alone
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As published by Advocate Health.
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