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Physical Therapist Assistant Interview Questions

Edited by Indeed Employer Content Team
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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 Assistant interview questions and answers.

  1. Why are you a physical therapist assistant? See answer
  2. Can you tell me more about your educational background and work experience as a physical therapist assistant? See answer
  3. What qualities would you bring to this physical therapist assistant position? See answer
  4. What kind of patients have you worked with in your career? See answer
  5. How do you keep accurate records of patient progress as a physical therapist assistant? See answer
  6. How would you grade your communication skills? See answer
  7. How would you describe your ability to work with a physical therapist and other medical professionals? See answer
  8. How do you stay up to date with industry policies and laws that may affect your practise? See answer
  9. How do you motivate patients to continue their physical therapy sessions? See answer
  10. How do you handle your workload as a physical therapist assistant? See answer
  11. Why do you want to work here as a physical therapist assistant? See answer
  12. What would you do if a physical therapy patient didn’t want to work with you?
  13. Are you comfortable travelling to a patient’s home to perform your duties as a physical therapist assistant?
  14. What’s the most rewarding aspect of your job as a physical therapist assistant?
  15. Have you ever disagreed with a physical therapist on how to handle a patient’s condition?
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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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15 Physical Therapist Assistant Interview Questions and Answers

Why are you a physical therapist assistant?

This question aims to find out why a physical therapist assistant chose to pursue their career path. A good candidate finds their responsibility of helping patients recover from injuries and manage disabilities rewarding. What to look for in an answer:

  • Passion for helping others recover from injuries and disabilities
  • What motivates a candidate to put in their best
  • Enthusiasm for the role

Example:

"I chose a career in physical therapy because I'm passionate about helping people overcome challenges. When I was nine years old, my dad had a life-threatening injury, which had him walking with a pair of crutches. I remember seeing how his physical therapist assistants cared for him, and that was the first time I thought about pursuing this career path. It's exciting to know my rehabilitative techniques improve a patient's mobility, range of motion or strength."

Can you tell me more about your educational background and work experience as a physical therapist assistant?

Physical therapist assistants need to complete a training programme and have some work experience in the field. This question helps you determine whether an applicant's experience and educational background would help them succeed in their physical therapy role. What to look for in an answer:

  • Completion of a two-year physical therapy assistant programme
  • Supervised training during the programme and other relevant work experience
  • Ability to apply lessons learned to their anticipated role

Example:

"Last year, I earned a physical therapist assistant diploma from Medicine Hat College. This programme offered me supervised work experience in home care settings and community programmes. Months later, I started my first job as a physical therapist assistant at a private clinic. My primary responsibility was to assist physical therapists and ensuring patients perform home exercises correctly. I'd love to join your clinic in the same capacity."

What qualities would you bring to this physical therapist assistant position?

Physical therapist assistants need excellent soft skills to support patients with disabilities and injuries. By asking this, you can learn what value a candidate would add to your establishment. What to look for in an answer:

  • Physical stamina, compassion, and communication skills
  • Drive to apply their qualities in your organisation
  • Suitability to your organisation's culture

Example:

"I'm a good listener and communicator. My excellent interpersonal skills help me convey physical therapy methods and listen to a patient's mobility concerns. I'm also compassionate and great at finding suitable training techniques for patients. My physical stamina helps me support patients and standing through most of my shift."

What kind of patients have you worked with in your career?

Depending on your organisation, physical therapist assistants may work with different patients. This question helps you find out more about a candidate's experience as a physical therapist assistant. What to look for in an answer:

  • Experience working with different kinds of patients
  • Practical methods to support each patient
  • Patience, compassion, and professionalism

Example:

"I've worked with patients who have been through physical trauma. I also have experience supporting accident victims, post-surgical patients and people who have dementia. I understand your clinic works primarily with post-surgical patients. I'd love to use my well-developed skills and experience to support this kind of patient here."

What would you do if a physical therapy patient didn't want to work with you?

Patients may sometimes stop therapy sessions for various reasons, such as financial limitations or lack of motivation. Regardless of a patient's reason, an excellent candidate should be supportive and professional about the decision. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to respect a patient's decisions
  • Empathy and tactfulness
  • Strong communication skills and persuasiveness

Example:

"If a patient suddenly didn't want to continue their physical therapy session, I'd first ask why they didn't want to work with us. If their reason is something we could resolve, I'd speak to my physical therapist and discuss how the patient could continue getting the necessary support. Otherwise, I'd respect their decision and take their reason as feedback for my team."

Are you comfortable travelling to a patient's home to perform your duties as a physical therapist assistant?

Physical therapists work in various settings, such as hospitals, patients' homes, private clinics, fitness facilities, or community centres. This question helps you find out whether a candidate is open to working in a patient's home. What to look for in an answer:

  • Explanation of how comfortable they are working at a patient's home
  • Experience providing in-home services
  • Strategies to stay safe at work

Example:

"I'm comfortable providing in-home services to patients with my physical therapist. At my last job, some patients couldn't travel to our fitness facility, so I often accompanied the physical therapist on duty to patients' homes."

How do you keep accurate records of patient progress as a physical therapist assistant?

Aside from assisting physical therapists, candidates also record patient progress and share it with authorised medical professionals. This question helps you understand how a candidate manages patient records. What to look for in an answer:

  • Knowledge of physical therapy records management
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality
  • Sense of accountability and responsibility

Example:

"After every therapy session, I record patient progress in an electronic device or a file I prepare for each patient. I make sure only authorised medical professionals have access to these files and store them safely. If I were unsure of how to handle a patient record, I'd refer to the guidelines of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT)."

How would you grade your communication skills?

Physical therapist assistants communicate crucial information about therapy sessions to patients. They also prepare reports and carry out other administrative work, such as answering phone calls, and scheduling appointments. This question helps you assess how well a candidate can communicate effectively. What to look for in an answer:

  • Experience performing administrative tasks
  • Excellent verbal and nonverbal communication skills
  • Desire to develop or apply communication skills

Example:

"I'm confident in my communication skills, so I'd give myself eight out of 10. I'm good at starting conversations, engaging strangers and preparing reports for physical therapists. I believe my communication skills make me unique because they helped me convince patients to try out new therapy techniques at my last job."

How would you describe your ability to work with a physical therapist and other medical professionals?

This question helps you assess a candidate's ability to work as part of a team. What to look for in an answer: 

  • Excellent teamwork skills
  • Positive attitude to work in teamwork environments
  • Desire to assist primary physical therapists with their duties and responsibilities

Example:

"I always seek opportunities to work with different physical therapists and develop my skill set. I'm an excellent team player, and I enjoy working with nurses, occupational therapists and other medical professionals. I see providing excellent physical therapy to patients as a team effort."

How do you stay up to date with industry policies and laws that may affect your practise?

Physical therapist assistants need to make sure your establishment complies with all applicable laws and regulations. Use this question to find out whether a candidate is reliable. What to look for in an answer:

  • An effective strategy to ensure compliance
  • Knowledge of importance laws, regulations and policies
  • Good organisational skills

Example:

"I read medical journals and technical reports to learn about changes that may affect my practise as a physical therapist assistant. I also network with other physical therapists. In my free time, I connect with my peers in various medical settings. If I were unsure about the legal regulations for a procedure or treatment technique, I'd review applicable documents and reports."

How do you motivate patients to continue their physical therapy sessions?

By asking this question, you can find out how a candidate makes sure patients follow their therapy methods. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to motivate others
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication strategies
  • Persuasiveness

Example:

"In my experience, setting realistic goals and building relationships with patients help keep them motivated. I discuss with patients and ensure they aren't overwhelmed with therapy sessions or treatment plans. I also make sure I follow up with patients and evaluate their conditions regularly. I make sure I remind the patient of the benefits of sticking to their treatment plan."

What's the most rewarding aspect of your job as a physical therapist assistant?

This question helps you determine whether a physical therapist assistant finds their job rewarding. What to look for in an answer:

  • Commitment to their job of carrying out patient treatment plans
  • Passion for helping others
  • What motivates a candidate to put their best

Example:

"The most rewarding aspect of my job is seeing patients perform regular mobility exercises independently. At my last job, I worked with a patient who didn't think they could achieve their usual range of motion after surgery. I was happy to find out the rehabilitative techniques and therapeutic massage I provided help them achieve their expectations."

How do you handle your workload as a physical therapist assistant?

Physical therapist assistants typically work with multiple patients daily. The goal of this question is to find out how a candidate manages their time to avoid burnout. What to look for in an answer:

  • Good time management and organisational skills
  • Effective strategies to deal with stressful situations
  • Ability to achieve work-life balance

Example:

"I confirm tasks I need to complete with my physical therapist minutes before working hours begin. Then, I organise these tasks and handle those I can complete quickly first. I exercise regularly to reduce my stress levels and take breaks whenever I feel overwhelmed. I discovered that I need to be in my best health to provide quality patient services."

Why do you want to work here as a physical therapist assistant?

Physical therapist assistants may have various reasons why they want to work in your organisation. For example, your career development opportunities may attract some candidates. The goal of this question is to understand a candidate's reason for applying to your organisation. What to look for in an answer:

  • Enthusiasm for physical therapist assistant role
  • Passion for support patients with disabilities or injuries
  • Desire to add value as a physical therapist assistant

Example:

"I see this position is an opportunity to help patients struggling with disabilities. I also want to apply my experience using various treatment plans while advancing my career. I feel my skill set is ideal for this position, and I'd love to join your physical therapy team."

Have you ever disagreed with a physical therapist on how to handle a patient's condition?

While physical therapist assistants aid physical therapists, they may have different views on how to treat patients. This question helps you find out whether a candidate understands your organisation's structure and respects the opinions of physical therapists. What to look for in an answer:

  • Effective communication skills
  • Politeness and professionalism
  • Ability to respect their supervisor's decisions

Example:

"In my previous position, I felt a group therapy session that my physical therapist organised wouldn't be as effective as individual treatment plans. I politely told her in a private space, and she thanked me for my observation."

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