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Physical Therapist Interview Questions

Edited by Indeed Employer Content Team
Last updated 26 January 2025
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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

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Whether you are preparing to interview a candidate or applying for a job, review our list of top Physical Therapist interview questions and answers.

  1. How do you set expectations for a patient? See answer
  2. What steps do you take when first evaluating a new patient? See answer
  3. How do you stay current with the latest technology and advances in physical therapy? See answer
  4. Describe how you managed one of your most challenging patients. See answer
  5. What is the most rewarding part of being a physical therapist? See answer
  6. Why did you choose a career in physical therapy? See answer
  7. How do you motivate a client who has an extensive injury? See answer
  8. Tell me about a time you handled an upset patient. See answer
  9. What unique area of expertise would you bring to our clinic? See answer
  10. How do you track a patient’s progress?
  11. What process do you follow to create a patient’s treatment plan?
  12. What is an area of professional development you’d like to improve?
  13. How do you handle a patient who doesn’t follow their treatment plan?
  14. How do you see your role as a physical therapist among a larger healthcare team?
  15. How do you keep a patient’s family up to date with progress?
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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines

15 Physical Therapist Interview Questions and Answers

How do you set expectations for a patient?

A successful physical therapist sets realistic goals and objectives with their patients. The purpose of the question is to determine the candidate's process for creating expectations and communicating them to patients. What to look for in an answer:

  • Communication skills to provide clearly defined expectations that the patient understands
  • Ability to be flexible and adapt to a patient's changing needs and circumstances
  • Expertise in assessing a patient and creating appropriate expectations
'When I first meet a new patient, I complete a formal assessment. Once done, I sit down with the patient and review my findings and together, we discuss a treatment plan and expectations. I find that collaborating with the patient increases their likelihood of meeting our treatment expectations.'
Example:

How do you track a patient's progress?

A physical therapist must keep detailed records of their patient's treatment plans and progress reports. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's ability to remain organised and create a system for tracking patient development. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to create and maintain detailed patient files
  • Ability to assess a treatment plan's success by the progress a patient makes
  • Ability to be flexible and adapt to a patient's changing needs and circumstances
'I keep detailed files on all my patients, which include their original assessment, treatment plan and notes of every visit. This allows me to see if they're making progress. If not, I can adjust their treatment plan accordingly.'
Example:

What process do you follow to create a patient's treatment plan?

A physical therapist must apply their expertise by creating a formal treatment plan to improve their patient's mobility and movement. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's preferred method of developing a treatment plan. What to look for in an answer:

  • Extensive knowledge in common injuries and applicable treatments
  • Ability to research and seek professional counsel on unfamiliar diagnoses
  • Organisational skills to follow a process when assessing and treating patients
'The treatment plan for every patient is unique. I follow a step-by-step process for creating a plan that I've been using since I started my career. After completing a formal and extensive exam and assessment, I create a rough outline based on the diagnosis. Then I fill in the details based on...'
Example:

What steps do you take when first evaluating a new patient?

A successful physical therapist needs to assess a patient to diagnose or confirm their injury. The question's goal is to determine what process the candidate follows to evaluate a new patient. What to look for in an answer:

  • Communication skills to ask questions and discuss areas of concern with the patient
  • Interpersonal skills to build rapport and trust
  • Ability to follow a process when evaluating a patient
'The first thing I do is take a detailed medical history that includes injuries, surgeries and other areas of concern. I also go over medications, exercise habits and basic measurements, such as heart rate and blood pressure. Then I complete a series of assessments to determine the range of motion, strength and flexibility. After that, I...'
Example:

What is an area of professional development you'd like to improve?

The question's goal is to determine what areas the candidate believes they can improve. It also indicates an interest in professional development. What to look for in an answer:

  • Self-awareness to evaluate areas of improvement
  • Interest in professional development
  • Ability to stay current with new techniques and research
'An area that I have a strong interest in is alternative therapies, such as acupuncture and reflexology. Although we only touched on these modalities briefly in school, I want to offer additional support and resources to my patients.'
Example:

How do you stay current with the latest technology and advances in physical therapy?

A thriving physical therapist stays up to date with current information about advances in their career. The goal of the question is to evaluate how the candidate continues their pursuit of knowledge and expertise. What to look for in an answer:

  • Enthusiasm for professional development
  • Ability to network in the physical therapy industry
  • Ability to include new information in their current practice
'I'm involved in several online physical therapist networking groups that offer monthly training. I've attended courses on techniques, programmes, software and various tools. I also subscribe to a magazine that provides updated information. And I attend a yearly three-day conference in London to continue my training and development.'
Example:

Describe how you managed one of your most challenging patients.

A physical therapist must be able to work with a diverse group of patients effectively. The goal of the question is to evaluate how the candidate deals with difficult situations, diagnoses and patients. What to look for in an answer:

  • Communication skills to ask questions and discuss details about a patient's diagnosis
  • Ability to remain calm, patient and treat all patients with respect and dignity
  • Ability to remain flexible and adapt to the changing needs of a patient
'One example of a challenging patient was a person who suffered from frozen shoulder syndrome. We tried so many different treatments and exercises. I remained hopeful and expressed to my patient that we would work through it together. This motivated them to continue treatment, and eventually, we found a treatment that provided relief.'
Example:

What is the most rewarding part of being a physical therapist?

The goal of the question is to determine what the candidate finds most rewarding in their career. What to look for in an answer:

  • A positive and enthusiastic attitude about their career
  • Desire to be of service to others
  • Ability to find personal fulfilment in their job
'The most rewarding part of being a physical therapist is when a patient no longer needs you. It's a bittersweet moment when a patient has come so far and recovered from their injury. It's rewarding to see they've made it to a stage where they can continue without treatment. When this happens, I know I've done my job.'
Example:

Why did you choose a career in physical therapy?

The question's goal is to determine the candidate's reason for entering a career in physical therapy. This can provide insight into what motivates the candidate and inspires their desire to continue in their career. What to look for in an answer:

  • A positive and enthusiastic attitude about their career and position
  • Enthusiasm to be of service to others
  • Ability to find personal fulfilment in their job
'When my father had back surgery he needed physical therapy. I saw firsthand the impact the treatment had on his overall attitude. He recovered without setbacks, maintained his independence and improved his quality of life. That inspired me to go back to school and become a physical therapist.'
Example:

How do you handle a patient who doesn't follow their treatment plan?

Sometimes patients don't follow their treatment plans. The goal of the question is to evaluate how the candidate handles noncompliant patients. What to look for in an answer:

  • Communication skills to ask questions, uncover issues and create an open dialogue
  • Ability to remain calm and patient with individuals who don't comply with treatment
  • Ability to outline clear expectations and goals of a treatment plan
'When a patient isn't following their treatment plan, the first thing I do is address it head-on. I ask questions to determine the reason they aren't completing their home exercises. Then I...'
Example:

How do you motivate a client who has an extensive injury?

A physical therapist must be able to motivate patients who have an extended treatment plan ahead of them. The goal of the question is to determine how the candidate encourages their clients to keep going. What to look for in an answer:

  • A positive and enthusiastic attitude about their job
  • Ability to find what motivates each patient by building rapport
  • Communication skills to provide encouragement and motivation
'When I'm working with a patient who has an extensive injury, I build milestones into their treatment plan. This way, we can celebrate small steps along the way, which maintains their motivation and fosters progress.'
Example:

How do you see your role as a physical therapist among a larger health care team?

A physical therapist is an integral part of a larger healthcare team. The question's goal is to evaluate how the candidate views their role within a more extensive medical team. What to look for in an answer:

  • A positive and enthusiastic attitude about their position
  • Awareness of the various medical and healthcare professionals that support patient care
  • Ability to network and develop professional relationships within the healthcare industry
'Many of my patients have extensive healthcare teams that can include doctors, surgeons, nurse practitioners, massage therapists and occupational therapists. I believe I'm an important addition to a patient's team to assist with recovery and prevention.'
Example:

How do you keep a patient's family up to date with progress?

Depending on the patient, a physical therapist may need to keep family members updated on their progress. The goal of the question is to determine how the candidate handles communication with family members. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to maintain the confidentiality of private information based on the individual circumstance
  • Communication skills to provide appropriate information about a patient's treatment
  • Ability to uphold a professional code of ethics
'What information I share with family members depends significantly on the situation. For example, if my patient is a minor, I include the parent or legal guardian in the assessment, treatment plan and scheduling. However, if my patient is an adult, then I...'
Example:

Tell me about a time you handled an upset patient.

A successful physical therapist must be able to handle all types of patient moods and personalities. The goal of the question is to evaluate how the candidate handles conflict. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to remain calm and patient while treating their client with care and respect
  • Communication skills to ask questions and determine the underlying cause of the emotion
  • Ability to resolve conflict with compassion and understanding
'One example I can remember was a patient who was furious about needing physical therapy. I sat and talked with them to ask questions about why they felt angry. After a while, they finally expressed that they were scared of losing their independence. So I...'
Example:

What unique area of expertise would you bring to our clinic?

The goal of the question is to allow the candidate to highlight their unique skills and abilities to make them an excellent fit for the position. It can also reveal additional training or relevant certifications. What to look for in an answer:

  • A positive and enthusiastic attitude about the company and position
  • Communication skills to express their areas of expertise and knowledge effectively
  • Experience and knowledge that they are confident in sharing with others
'My unique area of expertise is assisting in recovery after knee replacement surgery. While I'm confident in all physical therapy areas, knee replacement surgery is an area that I find extremely interesting. I've completed several courses on specific techniques and strategies that confidently support surgery recovery in this area.'
Example:
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