Your candidate will need to support the needs of not only the physical therapist but also the needs of patients and their families. Patients may decide to stop therapy regimens prematurely for a variety of reasons. These reasons may range from lack of motivation to financial limitations. It is important that your candidate be supportive of the patient’s decision whether or not he/she agrees with it.

What to look for in answer:

• Demonstrates empathy and tact
• Strong communication skills
• Supportive at all times

Physical therapist assistants will work with a variety of different patients and families. As life expectancy increases across the board and more geriatric clients need help with improving mobility and physical health, there is an increased chance that your candidate will work with patients who experience dementia or other mental disorders. This may mean that your candidate will need to be careful in following up with regimens and tailoring them towards patients’ needs.

What to look for in answer:

• Explains the level of experience with patients who have mental disorders
• Patient and methodical approach to problem-solving
• Positive disposition

Depending on the organization, physical therapist assistants may come across physical therapists or other members in the company who push them to sell certain therapies more than others due to their lucrative nature. Candidates should have a clear stance on where their ethics lie. Your candidate’s answer will allow you to gauge whether or not he or she takes the same stance as your organization on how therapy sessions are billed.

What to look for in answer:

• A clear answer with how he or she would respond
• Takes a clear ethical stance
• Strong communication skills

Patients who have been through extreme physical trauma, such as suffering high degree burns or healing from open wounds, will need to follow a very careful physical therapy regimen to ensure that they are able to heal without aggravating existing wounds. For organizations that work with patients with this kind of trauma on a normal basis, it is important that your candidate has experience working with this type of patient or is interested in pursuing additional training to specialize in this type of care.

What to look for in answer:

• Clearly outlines past experience with these types of patients
• Shows interest in specializing in integumentary care
• Deep understanding of physical therapy techniques

Depending on the needs of the patient, physical therapist assistants may need to travel to patients’ homes to help physical therapists complete the care regimens necessary for their recovery, particularly if patients have difficulties traveling longer distances due to physical limitations. Your candidate should be flexible in how care regimens are delivered. Additionally, you should check to make sure that your candidate is comfortable working in a stranger’s home as you would want to ensure that your candidates feel safe while working.

What to look for in answer:

• Cites examples
• Explains their level of comfort with working out of a patient’s home
• Sets clear boundaries to stay safe

Physical therapist assistants should maintain and improve an organization's compliance to relevant legal rules. An employer can use this question to find out if a job applicant can be a reliable hire in this area. An ideal physical therapist assistant candidate should communicate a practical strategy that can improve compliance.

A candidate's answer should emphasize:

• Awareness of the importance of complying with laws, regulations and policies
• Problem-solving, strategy, creativity and organizational skills
• A viable strategy that can enhance compliance

An example answer to this question can look like this: