With direct access to physical therapy now available in all 50 states and an aging baby boomer population, physical therapists are in demand. As increasing regulations and declining reimbursements negatively impact small practices, more opportunities may be found in larger practices, hospitals, home health agencies, and nursing homes.
Physical therapists should be able to demonstrate the effectiveness of their care by documenting outcomes. This outcome data will be crucial as the pay-for-performance reimbursement model becomes the new standard.
Sample of Possible Interview Questions for Physical Therapists:
What are your clinical strengths?
Talk about a time when you provided patient services that went beyond the expected standards of practice.
How do you ensure your intervention is congruent with your patient’s needs?
What professional activities are you involved in beyond the practice setting?
Are you a member of APTA or another professional association?
Discuss the range of your clinical experience.
Describe a time when you were an advocate for a patient.
Have you participated in quality assurance/quality improvement activities in physical therapy care?
Talk about a time when you dealt with an angry patient.
Have you ever made a mistake in developing a plan of care?
How do you handle a patient whose goals are different from your own?
What has been your most challenging case?
Are you fluent in Spanish?
What do you do if a physician asks you to provide a treatment you are not comfortable with?
What are the top three traits of an excellent physical therapist?
What would you do if you saw PTA using an unsafe technique with a patient?
What do you do when working with a patient who does not like being touched?
What would you do if you suspected child abuse was occurring in a home in which you were working with a patient?
Discuss what an evidence-based practice means to you.
Have you ever had a disagreement with a physician about your plan of care for a patient?