Common PT interview questions, how to answer them and what questions to bring to the table

There are many aspects that contribute to having a successful job interview that leads to an employment offer. You need to be friendly yet professional and engaging while also being respectful. All of these traits should be communicated through your answers to the interview questions.

Booking a job interview is just as exciting as it can be nerve wracking. As soon as you schedule an interview with a physical therapy clinic as a potential employer, your mind probably starts racing. While you want to be prepared to effectively answer their questions, you likely don’t know which ones they are going to throw at you. We’re here to help reduce the risk of being caught off guard with PT interview questions.

Throughout this post, we’ll discuss some of the most common PT questions that you may be asked during an interview with a clinic. We’ll also go over how you should answer those questions, tips to keep in mind and even some questions that you should ask the PT clinic interviewer in turn.

8 common PT interview questions to expect and how to answer them

The goal of a PT interview is for the interviewer to determine how your qualifications and personality will fit into the clinic. That means you’ll answer questions that represent how you’ll help guide patients to becoming the healthiest version of themselves while also being a positive asset to the team.

One of the best ways to prepare for a PT interview is to anticipate potential questions that you’ll be asked. We’ve compiled a list of questions that your PT clinic interviewer might ask, and how you can answer effectively in a way that gives them insight into who you are as both a physical therapist and as a team member.

Here are eight common questions that you should anticipate in a PT interview, and how to approach the answers:

1. “Why did you want to become a physical therapist?”

One of the keys to success in health care workers is their passion and enthusiasm for helping others. The interviewer may ask about what type of path led you to physical therapy or how you feel that it makes an impact on people. 

Your answer should depict what drew you to physical therapy over other types of health care as well as any personal connection you have to it. For example, describing how you or a loved one benefited from physical therapy in the past can show how you relate to the patients and believe in the power of the treatments.

2. “What skills help you be successful as a physical therapist?”

A PT clinic wants to know about your strengths as a physical therapist and what you bring to the table that can make you, and their practice, stand out from others. That means they want to know what you believe makes you an effective therapist.

This is the time that you point out the traits that you pride yourself on. Skills that can contribute to you being a successful physical therapist include:

• The ability to be compassionate and empathetic toward your patients’ struggles.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills to alleviate unexpected treatment issues.
• Observation skills that help you properly diagnose the cause of a patient’s issues as well as symptoms they may not be aware of.
• Communication and social skills that help you form connections with your patients. 

3. “What do you believe is the biggest challenge of working as a physical therapist?”

It’s no secret that every job has its downsides. No matter how much you may love being a physical therapist, there are always going to be challenges. The goal of this question is for the interviewer to see how you recognize problems in your position as well as how you handle them.

The most important thing to remember when answering this question is to focus on challenges that are out of your control and how you take them in stride. For example, discuss consistent problems you may see with patients, such as pessimism or lack of patience about progress, and how you help them adjust their attitude.

4. “How do you manage patient expectations during a long treatment plan to keep your patient motivated?”

You want to see your patients show improvement as much as they do, but it’s not an overnight process. Some people go into physical therapy assuming that they will be 100% better after just one session. This question is all about how you work to be both encouraging and realistic when a patient starts to feel frustrated by the slow process.

In your answer, stress the importance of transparent and honest communication with patients. The interviewer wants to see how you view your responsibility as a physical therapist to be open with your patients. They also want to hear about your motivation tactics, such as focusing on the end goal and celebrating their progress.

5. “How do you structure your physical therapy sessions with patients?”

Every physical therapist has a different approach, even those who are part of a larger practice. The interviewer wants to learn about your process and your go-to methods for productive sessions. They also might want to determine how your structure fits in with the general procedures that are encouraged at their practice.

Detail is essential when answering this question. Walk the interviewer through your structure like you would during the first session with a patient. This means discussing everything from how you preface your treatments, such as setting expectations, to instructions that you send home with the patients to continue their progress between sessions.

6. “How would you treat a patient with [injury]?”

One of the main goals of PT interview questions is for the interviewer to see how you use your knowledge, education and skills with patients. The best way for them to determine your capabilities is by providing you with a real-life example to see how you would treat it with your comprehension of physical therapy treatments and techniques.

The key is to be as thorough as possible when describing how you would help a patient with a particular issue. That means mentioning everything from learning their medical history to explaining the details of your chosen treatments. You can even put caveats for unknown information, such as “Depending on how long they’ve been having problems.”

7. “Describe your best or most impactful experience working with a client.”

When you’re helping people deal with issues that are interfering with their quality of life, it can lead to many touching experiences. You’re learning about people’s life stories that led them to their current situation and what they hope to accomplish in the future after they gain their strength and mobility back.

This is the time to showcase how much passion you have for what you do. The story should exemplify how physical therapy can be life changing for some people. Choose an experience about treating a patient who beat all odds to get better, or maybe they shared a piece of wisdom that has stuck with you. Share the story that you tell people when they ask, “Why do you do what you do?”

8. “What was the hardest patient case you have worked on, and how did you handle it?”

Every patient is different, and some cases are harder than others. The interviewer wants to get an idea about the types of challenges that you’ve faced in the past, and how you worked with those challenges to the best of your ability. It not only showcases how you handle stressful situations, but it also shows your determination and willingness to get out of your comfort zone.

Perhaps there was a symptom from a condition or injury that you hadn’t treated before, or the patient had a medical history that prevented them from carrying out the most effective treatment options. The goal is to tell them about a patient who pushed you to think outside the box in a way that helped you improve as a health care provider.

Tips to keep in mind when you’re in a PT interview

Even though a PT interview is centered around thoughtful and insightful answers to the questions, there are plenty of other ways that you can boost your chance of leaving a positive impression on the interviewer.

Here are some tips that may help you in a PT interview:

• Do research on the PT clinic beforehand and share your research by discussing how it applies to your experience. An example could be “I saw that you focus on [insert treatment] and I have extended experience using it with past patients.”

• Be transparent about your experience while emphasizing your eagerness to gain more knowledge with the PT clinic. If they ask about a topic that you’re unfamiliar with, you can be truthful about the knowledge gap before showing your enthusiasm to learn.

• It goes without saying that attitude is everything in an PT interview. Try to be as engaging as possible with active listening and eye contact. Stay positive by avoiding negative comments about past employers or education.

• Familiarize yourself with the job listing to avoid any confusion about the reasons for specific questions or expectations that the employer may have about your experience. You’ve probably applied for many other opportunities, so you want to make sure you know exactly what PT job you’re interviewing for.

Questions for you to bring to the table at a PT interview

After you start exploring a potential job opportunity, you probably have many questions that need to be answered about the job. It’s important to prepare your own questions to ask a PT interviewer because you need the proper insight in case the PT interview results in a job offer.

Not only does asking questions help you learn more about the specifics of the clinic and position, but it also demonstrates your genuine interest in the job as well as showcases your effective communication skills. 

Here are a few questions that you should ask your PT interviewer:

• “What is the schedule for this position?”

While most clinics have their physical therapists work 40-hour workweeks on weekdays, that’s not always the case. Perhaps the clinic is open on weekends or they stagger the shifts of their therapists based on treatments. Be sure that you know what schedule to expect so you can see how it works with other responsibilities, such as family or school. This information is likely in the job listing, but you can ask for clarification or verification.

• “How many patients will I be scheduled with each day?”

Balance is everything when it comes to your caseload, especially when you’re starting out at a new clinic. You don’t want to be overwhelmed by sessions to the point where you’re unable to provide your patients with the attention or quality of treatment that they deserve. It’s important to also make sure that you have enough sessions to fill the day and feel confident in the future of the clinic.

• “What are your most common patient demographics?”

While most physical therapy clinics see patients with all types of problems, it’s likely that they see a pattern of specific issues or they have specialized programs that appeal to certain demographics, such as women’s health or sports rehabilitation. By learning about the types of patients you can expect to be treating, you can see how your skills and experience will be utilized.

• “Do you offer continuing education opportunities?”

If you want to help your patients get the best results possible from their treatment, it’s important to learn about as many different treatment options as possible. That’s why you should never stop gaining knowledge about new ways to help your patients become stronger and healthier. Ask the interviewer about training opportunities or potential reimbursement for continuing education to gain certifications and skills for treatments.

• “How do you measure the performance of your employees?”

There’s always room for improvement, even for the best possible physical therapists. That’s why it’s important to ask about how your job performance will be monitored and measured. Some clinics may set productivity goals or use surveys for patient satisfaction. This question can also include inquiring about a probation period or employee reviews.

Ready for a new and exciting career opportunity? You’ll find it at Alliance PTP 

PT job interviews can be a bit stressful. By getting an idea of what questions you may be asked at a PT interview, and which ones you should prepare yourself, you can focus on the excitement of a potential opportunity.

Alliance Physical Therapy Partners firmly believes that partnership means creating something that is greater than the sum of its parts. Alliance PTP is proud to bring together physical therapy clinics around the nation to help people get the kind of treatment they’re looking for and then exceed their expectations. 

But we realize that our partners can’t serve the people in their communities with exceptional PT without amazing PT team members and admin staff. That’s why we’re always on the lookout for hardworking individuals who want: 

• A less hectic daily schedule than most PT providers require. 
• Exceptional health, retirement and wellness benefits. 
• Readily available mentorship and professional development opportunities. 
• To be part of a team that’s committed to caring for its patients and the local community.

Want to learn more about the current career opportunities available at Alliance PTP’s partnership in care? Check out our Careers page.