Clinical Review Nurse - Prior Authorization
Posted Oct 1, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 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.
About your past
What's your prior authorization experience, and how many reviews were you handling in a typical day?
What they are checking: Whether they can keep pace with production expectations in a role that strongly prefers prior experience.
Tell me about a time you helped coordinate a discharge or transfer that needed authorization fast.
What they are checking: Whether they can move quickly on transitions of care so members aren't stuck waiting in a facility.
How do you stay focused and productive working from home in a role that's mostly screen and phone time?
What they are checking: Self-management and focus needed for remote utilization review work.
What would you do
A request doesn't meet criteria, but something about the case makes you uneasy. What do you do?
What they are checking: Knowing when to escalate to a Medical Director instead of denying, since only physicians can make adverse determinations.
The provider's office sent incomplete records and the turnaround deadline is close. How do you handle it?
What they are checking: Awareness of regulatory timeframes and how to get information quickly without letting the deadline lapse.
How do you handle a frustrated provider who calls demanding to know why their request isn't approved yet?
What they are checking: Professional communication that keeps the provider relationship intact while staying within the process.
About the work
Walk me through how you review a prior authorization request for medical necessity.
What they are checking: Whether they use criteria like InterQual or MCG consistently and know what clinical information is needed.
This team reviews medical and behavioral health requests for foster care members. What makes that population different to review for?
What they are checking: Awareness that foster youth have trauma, placement changes and complex needs that affect care decisions.
How do you keep your clinical reviews consistent so similar requests get similar decisions?
What they are checking: Commitment to applying criteria fairly, which protects members and the plan in appeals and audits.
How do you document a review so the next reviewer or the Medical Director understands your reasoning?
What they are checking: Clear documentation is the record for appeals, audits and regulators, so gaps here carry real consequences.
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As published by Centene.