Physical Therapist Interview Questions & Answers
Physical therapists help injured or ill people improve movement and manage pain.
Interviewers look for candidates that demonstrate excellent skills such as:
- Time-management skills
- Communication skills
- Dexterity
- Attention to detail
- Resourcefulness
- Compassion
- Physical stamina
In this blog, we discuss commonly asked interview questions during job interviews for Physical Therapist positions. We also discuss the qualities that interviewers look for in successful candidates. In other words, we’re here to help you out!
Also, read more about frequently asked job interview questions here and check our job interview preparation checklist.
Skills Interviewers Look For In Successful Candidates
Below we discuss the skills you can highlight in your answers to demonstrate that you’re qualified for the job.
Communication skills
Why interviewers are interested in your communication skills:
Physical therapists must clearly explain treatment programs, motivate patients, and listen to patients’ concerns to provide effective therapy.
Learn more about communication interview questions and how to answer them!
Compassion
Why interviewers are interested in how compassionate you are:
Physical therapists spend a lot of time interacting with patients, so they should have a desire to help people. They work with people who are in pain and must have empathy for their patients.
Attention to detail
Why interviewers are interested in your attention to detail:
Like other healthcare providers, physical therapists should have strong analytic and observational skills to diagnose a patient’s problem, evaluate treatments, and provide safe, effective care.
Related: Physical Therapist Interview Questions & Answers
Dexterity
Why interviewers are interested in your dexterity:
Physical therapists must use their hands to provide manual therapy and therapeutic exercises. They should feel comfortable massaging and otherwise physically assisting patients.
Physical stamina
Why interviewers are interested in your physical stamina:
Physical therapists spend much of their time on their feet, moving to demonstrate proper techniques and to help patients perform exercises. They should enjoy physical activity.
Resourcefulness
Why interviewers are interested in your resourcefulness:
Physical therapists customize treatment plans for patients. They must be flexible and adapt plans of care to meet the needs of each patient.
Time-management skills
Why interviewers are interested in your time-management skills:
Physical therapists typically treat several patients each day. They must be able to provide appropriate care to patients as well as complete administrative tasks, such as documenting patient progress.
Learn more about time-management interview questions and how to answer them!
(source: bls.gov)
Physical Therapist Job Interview Questions & Answers
During a job interview, the hiring manager wants to discuss several things. Think of your:
- Employment history
- Skills and abilities
- Accomplishments
- Job qualifications
- Educational background
- Career goals
- Personality
Below you find a list of commonly asked interview questions.
Examples Of General Physical Therapist Interview Questions
- Tell me about yourself.
- How would you describe yourself?
- Why do you want to work here?
- What interests you about this position?
- Walk me through your resume.
- What motivates you?
- Why are you leaving your current job?
- Describe your work ethic.
- What is your greatest strength?
- How does your experience qualify you for this job?
- What is your greatest weakness?
- Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
- Tell me about a challenging work situation and how you overcame it.
- What are your expectations for this position?
- What are your career goals?
- Why should we hire you?
- What did you like most about your last position?
- What did you like least about your last position?
- How do you handle stress?
- What is your greatest accomplishment?
Learn how to answer these common job interview questions!
Examples Of Specific Physical Therapist Behavioral Interview Questions
Learn more about answering behavioral interview questions by using the STAR interview technique.
- Give me an example of how you motivate patients.
- What is your strategy to clearly explain treatment programs to patients?
- Tell me about a time you had a disagreement with a colleague. What happened, and how did you solve it?
- Give me an example of your flexibility and how you adapt plans of care to meet a patient’s needs.
- What is the most challenging case you have dealt with in your career?
- Give me an example of how you set and manage expectations with a patient?
- What do you consider the most efficient way of tracking a patient’s progress? Why?
- Give me an example of when and how you provide status updates to patients and their family members?
- Tell me about the ways you have shown sensitivity to potential cultural differences.
- How would you deal with an agitated or aggressive patient? Can you give me an example?
Learn more about questions to ask the interviewer during your job interview.