Ace Your Physical Therapist Interview
Master common questions, showcase your clinical expertise, and stand out to hiring managers.
- Real‑world behavioral and clinical scenarios
- STAR‑structured model answers
- Key competencies mapped to each question
- Tips to avoid common pitfalls
- Ready‑to‑use practice pack
Patient Assessment
I received a referral for a 45‑year‑old construction worker who sustained multiple fractures and soft‑tissue injuries after a fall from scaffolding.
My task was to conduct a comprehensive assessment to determine functional limitations, pain levels, and appropriate rehabilitation goals.
I performed a detailed history, visual inspection, range‑of‑motion testing, and manual muscle testing. I also coordinated with the orthopedic surgeon to review imaging and used outcome measures (e.g., DASH, VAS) to quantify impairment.
Within two weeks, I identified specific deficits and created a phased treatment plan that reduced his pain by 60% and improved functional scores, enabling an earlier return to light duty.
- How did you prioritize interventions after the assessment?
- What outcome measures did you find most useful for tracking progress?
- Clarity of assessment steps
- Use of objective measures
- Collaboration with other clinicians
- Linking findings to treatment plan
- Vague description of assessment
- No mention of objective data
- Gathered detailed injury history and imaging review
- Performed systematic physical exam and outcome measures
- Collaborated with surgeon for interdisciplinary insight
- Developed targeted rehab goals based on findings
A 70‑year‑old stroke survivor with mild aphasia and short‑term memory loss was referred for gait training.
I needed to assess his mobility while ensuring comprehension and cooperation throughout the evaluation.
I simplified instructions, used visual cues, and broke the assessment into short segments. I employed the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test with demonstration and allowed extra rest periods.
The adapted assessment yielded reliable data on his gait speed and balance, which guided a tailored therapy program that improved his TUG time by 3 seconds over four weeks.
- What strategies do you use to ensure patient safety during modified assessments?
- How do you document adaptations for future reference?
- Adaptation of communication methods
- Safety considerations
- Documentation of modifications
- Ignoring the patient’s cognitive limitations
- Lack of safety measures
- Simplified language and used visual aids
- Segmented assessment into short, manageable tasks
- Provided demonstrations and extra rest
