Top Physical Therapist Interview Questions with Example Answers [2022]

Question Overview: This answer can help you understand how the candidate views customer service and how they would approach it in your facility. It can also give you an idea of how they view their role in the facility.

Sample Answer: Customer service is making sure that patients are happy with their experience at the facility. That means making sure they're comfortable and that we're addressing their needs.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Demonstrates a customer-focused approach
• - Willingness to go above and beyond for patients
• - Understanding of the importance of customer service,

Question Overview: This question can help you understand the candidate's knowledge of medical documentation. The answer can also show their attention to detail and ability to follow policies and procedures.

Sample Answer: The correct documentation is important for home health care plans. It helps the patient understand what they need to do to heal and what the physical therapist will be doing.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Knowledge of medical documentation
• - Attention to detail
• - Ability to follow policies and procedures,

Question Overview: This answer can help you understand the candidate's personality and how they view their role on the team. Are they willing to work with others? Do they see themselves as a leader? Do they want to be a part of a team or work independently?

Sample Answer: I'm a hard worker and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to help the team succeed. I'm also very compassionate and patient with patients, which will help them feel more comfortable during their treatments.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Team-oriented approach
• - Leadership skills
• - Desire to work with others,

Question Overview: This question can help you understand the candidate's career goals and if they're a good fit for the position. Do they want to stay in physical therapy or move on to another field? Do they want to advance within your facility or move to another company?

Sample Answer: I'd like to stay in physical therapy and advance my career. I'd like to be a lead therapist in a few years and then eventually open my own clinic.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Desire to stay in physical therapy
• - Ambition to advance within your facility
• - Desire to advance within the field of physical therapy,

Question Overview: This question can help you understand the candidate's interest in your facility. If they're not interested in the facility, they may not be as committed to the job. In addition, they may not be as interested in the position if they're not interested in the facility.

Sample Answer: I've heard great things about your facility and its services. I'm excited to work with you and your team to help patients heal.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Demonstrates interest in your facility
• - Knowledge of your facility and its services
• - Desire to work for your facility,

Question Overview: This question can help you understand how the candidate reacts to difficult situations. Did they work well with others? Did they stay calm and collected? Did they take steps to resolve the issue?

Sample Answer: The most difficult situation I've faced was when a patient's family member became upset with me. I was able to work with them to find a solution that satisfied everyone.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Ability to work well with others
• - Calmness in stressful situations
• - Willingness to take steps to resolve an issue,

Question Overview: This question can help you determine if the candidate is willing to work outside of normal business hours. If they are, it can show their flexibility and willingness to go above and beyond for patients.

Sample Answer: I'd be happy to work on weekends. It's important for patients to have access to physical therapy services when they need them, and I'm willing to make that happen.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Flexibility to work outside of normal business hours
• - Willingness to work when other staff are not available,

Question Overview: This answer can help you understand how the candidate will interact with other staff members. A physical therapist may be more comfortable with supervising a PTA than a COTA, for example. This can help you determine if they'll be a good fit for your facility.

Sample Answer: I'm very comfortable supervising PTA's. I've worked with them in the past and know that they're capable of doing the job. I also know that they can learn from me and benefit from my experience.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Comfort level in supervising other staff members
• - Ability to work well with others
• - Willingness to work as part of a team,

Question Overview: This answer can help you understand how the candidate approaches new challenges. Did they learn from the experience? How did they approach the situation? How did they feel about it? This answer can give you insight into how they'll handle new situations in the future.

Sample Answer: I recently learned how to use a new piece of equipment in my practice. It was a little intimidating at first, but I was able to figure it out with some help from my co-workers. I learned that I need to be more patient with myself when learning something new.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Positive attitude toward new challenges
• - Ability to learn from mistakes
• - Desire to continue to learn and grow,

Question Overview: This question can help you understand how the candidate views challenges and how they deal with them. Do they see them as obstacles or opportunities? Do they try to overcome them or do they give up? Understanding how a candidate views challenges can help you determine if they'll be able to handle the difficulties of the job.

Sample Answer: I've had a few patients who have been difficult to work with, but I've learned that it's important to be patient with them and help them understand what we're trying to do.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Positive outlook on challenges
• - Desire to overcome obstacles
• - Willingness to adapt to new situations,

Question Overview: This answer can help you determine if the candidate is a good fit for your facility. While the physical therapist may be focused on their career and helping patients, they should also have a life outside of work. If they don't, they may be more likely to burn out or leave the position.

Sample Answer: I like to spend time with my family and friends. I also volunteer at my church and coach my son's soccer team.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Demonstrates a life outside of work
• - Willingness to be flexible in their schedule
• - Desire to help others outside of work,

Question Overview: This question can help you learn more about the candidate's personality and work ethic. The answer can also help you determine if they're a good fit for your facility.

Sample Answer: I'm a hard worker who's always willing to learn new things. I think that's important in this field because it means I'll always be able to help patients in new ways.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Positive attitude
• - Willingness to work hard
• - Desire to learn and grow,

Question Overview: This question can help you understand how the candidate will handle supervising other employees. Will they be able to delegate tasks and work with others? Will they be able to lead a team? This answer can also help you understand how the candidate will fit in with the rest of the staff.

Sample Answer: I enjoy supervising others because it gives me a chance to help them learn and grow. I like to give them tasks that will challenge them and help them develop new skills.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Comfort with supervising others
• - Ability to delegate tasks
• - Leadership skills,

Question Overview: This answer can help you understand the candidate's motivations for working in outpatient therapy. Do they want to work with a specific type of patient? Are they looking for a certain type of environment? This answer can help you determine if they'll be a good fit for your facility.

Sample Answer: I like working with patients who are going through outpatient therapy because I can see how they're progressing and helping them achieve their goals. It's rewarding to see them improve.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Desire to work with specific types of patients
• - Interest in a specific environment
• - Willingness to work in a variety of settings,

Question Overview: This answer can help you get a sense of the candidate's personality and work style. Are they a team player? Do they have a good relationship with their coworkers? How do they interact with others? This can help you understand how they'll fit into your facility.

Sample Answer: My friends and coworkers would say that I'm a hard worker who's always willing to help out. They also say that I'm friendly and easy to talk to.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Positive reputation among current colleagues
• - Ability to work well with others
• - Friendly and approachable,

Question Overview: This answer can help you understand how the candidate views criticism, as well as how they respond to it. It can also help you understand how they view their clinical instructors and the overall educational experience.

Sample Answer: My clinical instructor told me that I was too focused on the patient's pain and not enough on their progress. She said that I should focus on the positive and encourage them to continue working toward their goals.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Positive attitude toward criticism
• - Willingness to learn from mistakes
• - Desire to improve and grow as a physical therapist,

Question Overview: This answer can help you identify if the candidate is willing to travel to other facilities or if they're only interested in a local position. If you have multiple locations, it's important to know if the candidate is willing to travel between them.

Sample Answer: I'm willing to travel between facilities if needed. I enjoy being able to help patients in different areas of the facility, and I'm comfortable with the travel time.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Willingness to travel to other facilities
• - Desire to work in multiple locations,

Question Overview: This question can help you determine if the candidate is available to work the hours you need. It can also show how flexible they are in terms of scheduling.

Sample Answer: I'm available to work full-time Monday through Friday, but I can also work weekends if needed.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Availability to work the hours needed
• - Flexibility in scheduling
• - Willingness to work overtime if needed,

Question Overview: This question can help you determine if the candidate will be a good fit for your facility. The candidate's answer can show how they view their supervisors and what they expect from them. It can also help you understand how the candidate will interact with you and other supervisors.

Sample Answer: My best supervisor was always willing to listen to my ideas and help me develop them. She was also very supportive when I needed it and helped me learn more about my job.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Demonstrates respect for supervisors
• - Positive interactions with supervisors
• - Willingness to work with the team,

Question Overview: This question can help you understand the candidate's motivations for wanting to work in your environment. Is it the type of work they want to do? The location? The benefits? The physical therapist's answer can help you determine if they're a good fit for your facility.

Sample Answer: I enjoy working with patients one-on-one and helping them achieve their goals. I think this environment will give me the chance to do that.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Desires to work in your specific environment
• - Desire to work in a similar environment
• - Desire to work in a different environment,