Physical Therapist interview questions and answers
This Physical Therapist interview profile brings together a snapshot of what to look for in candidates with a balanced sample of suitable interview questions.
10 good physical therapist interview questions
- What led you to pursue physical therapy as a career?
- What are your special interests in physical therapy, if any?
- Describe a typical day at your current/previous job.
- Talk about your experience with long-term care.
- What are some of the challenges of working with geriatric patients?
- How do you handle movement disorders?
- What would you do if one of your patients suddenly became agitated and aggressive?
- What would you do if one of your patients started refusing to work with you?
- How would you handle a patient with a diagnosis that was unfamiliar to you?
- What’s stressful about being a physical therapist? How do you cope?
Here are 10 essential interview questions and sample answers to help identify the best candidates for this role.
1. What led you to pursue physical therapy as a career?
This question aims to understand the candidate’s motivation and passion for the field of physical therapy.
Sample answer:
“I was drawn to physical therapy after experiencing its benefits firsthand when recovering from a sports injury. I was inspired by how it transformed my life and wanted to help others in the same way.”
2. What are your special interests in physical therapy, if any?
This question assesses the candidate’s specific areas of interest or expertise within the field.
Sample answer:
“I have a particular interest in orthopedic rehabilitation. I find it rewarding to help patients regain mobility and return to their daily activities.”
3. Describe a typical day at your current/previous job.
This question provides insight into the candidate’s experience and how they manage their daily responsibilities.
Sample answer:
“A typical day involves patient assessments, developing treatment plans, hands-on therapy, and coordinating with other healthcare providers. I also spend time on administrative tasks like updating patient records.”
4. Talk about your experience with long-term care.
This question evaluates the candidate’s experience in providing long-term care, which may be relevant for certain settings.
Sample answer:
“I have two years of experience in a long-term care facility, focusing on patients with chronic conditions and helping them maintain their quality of life.”
5. What are some of the challenges of working with geriatric patients?
This question assesses the candidate’s understanding of the unique challenges that come with treating older patients.
Sample answer:
“Geriatric patients often have multiple comorbidities and may be more sensitive to treatments. It’s crucial to have a holistic approach and coordinate closely with other healthcare providers.”
6. How do you handle movement disorders?
This question tests the candidate’s clinical skills in managing specific conditions.
Sample answer:
“I use a combination of techniques, including manual therapy and specific exercises, to improve motor control and reduce symptoms.”
7. What would you do if one of your patients suddenly became agitated and aggressive?
This question evaluates the candidate’s interpersonal skills and ability to manage challenging patient interactions.
Sample answer:
“I would remain calm and assess the situation. I’d try to understand the root cause of the agitation and, if needed, call for additional support.”
8. What would you do if one of your patients started refusing to work with you?
This question assesses the candidate’s problem-solving skills and ability to handle patient non-compliance.
Sample answer:
“I would try to understand the reason behind the refusal and address any concerns. If the issue persists, I might suggest they work with another therapist.”
9. How would you handle a patient with a diagnosis that was unfamiliar to you?
This question tests the candidate’s willingness to learn and adapt to new challenges.
Sample answer:
“I would consult the latest research and guidelines, and seek advice from colleagues or specialists to ensure I provide the best possible care.”
10. What’s stressful about being a physical therapist? How do you cope?
This question gauges the candidate’s self-awareness and stress management skills.
Sample answer:
“The most stressful part is managing a high caseload while providing quality care. I cope by staying organized and taking short breaks to recharge.”
What does a good physical therapist candidate look like?
A strong Physical Therapist candidate should possess excellent clinical skills, strong communication abilities, and a genuine passion for helping patients. They should be adaptable, able to work in a team, and committed to continuous learning.
Red flags
Be cautious of candidates who lack empathy, have poor communication skills, or seem disinterested in teamwork or ongoing professional development. These could be indicators of a poor fit for a Physical Therapist role.
Physical Therapist Interview Questions
Once you’ve vetted your candidates for accredited PT certification, proof that they’ve passed their National Physical Therapy Examination, and a license for the state where they intend to practice, you’re ready to start interviews with your candidates.
Most of the following interview questions are open-ended and situational, written to help you understand how experienced your candidates are, and how they navigate stressful and unpredictable environments. Your candidates’ responses will tell you a lot about how they interact with patients, patients’ families and members of their patients’ health care team. You’re looking for someone even-keeled, highly observant and empathetic with unshakable ethics and good situational judgement.
Finally, consider these interview questions a starting point, not a script. If your physical therapists are serving a particular population (seniors, for instance) or working in a particular environment (such as patients’ homes) be sure to address this in the interview. To make the right hire for your team, be as descriptive as you can about the actual working conditions.
- Source physical therapists with our Boolean search cheat sheets.
Let’s summarize some of the questions and add a few more divided into specific types.
Operational and Situational questions
- What led you to pursue physical therapy as a career?
- What are your special interests in physical therapy, if any?
- Describe a typical day at your current/previous job.
- Talk about your experience with long-term care.
- What are some of the challenges of working with geriatric patients?
- How do you handle movement disorders?
- What would you do if one of your patients suddenly became agitated and aggressive?
- What would you do if one of your patients started refusing to work with you?
- How would you handle a patient with (specific post-surgical status)?
- How would you handle a patient with a diagnosis that was unfamiliar to you?
- Describe a situation where you felt you delivered excellent patient care.
- In what ways have you shown sensitivity to potential cultural differences?
- What would you do if a colleague lied about treating a patient?
- What would you consider an inappropriate interaction with a patient?
- Recall a time you worked with a difficult coworker. How would you handle it?
- What’s stressful about being a physical therapist? How do you cope?