If you're considering a career in pediatric physical therapy, you're likely wondering what kinds of questions you might be asked during the interview process.
Whether you're a student or recent graduate preparing to land your first pediatric physical therapy job, or an experienced clinician seeking to switch specialties or settings, you should know what to expect and practice your answers ahead of time.
In this blog post, we will discuss 10 common pediatric physical therapy interview questions and provide tips on how to answer them.
Whether you're a student or recent graduate preparing to land your first pediatric physical therapy job, or an experienced clinician seeking to switch specialties or settings, you should know what to expect and practice your answers ahead of time.
In this blog post, we will discuss 10 common pediatric physical therapy interview questions and provide tips on how to answer them.
Question #1: Tell me about yourself.
Although this is technically a request rather than a question, it is an opportunity for you to introduce yourself in a way that sells your qualifications and interest in the employer and position.
Rather than deliver an extensive career autobiography, keep your answer focused on how your experiences have prepared you for this pediatric physical therapy job.
Answer examples:
"I am a pediatric physical therapist with four years of clinical experience in early intervention. I have a passion for working with children and have a strong track record of helping them reach their goals. I am excited to continue my career in a new setting."
"My background is in teaching elementary school students. For the past three years, I have been working with geriatric patients as a physical therapist assistant in a skilled nursing facility. I really enjoyed working with kids, and I am motivated to combine my experience and interests in a pediatric physical therapy position like this one."
Question #2: Can you tell me a little bit about your experience working with children?
This question allows you to highlight the specific experiences that have prepared you to work with pediatric patients. If you have worked with children before, whether in a clinical setting or in another capacity, be sure to share those details.
If you have no experience working with children, consider getting some volunteer experience or shadowing a pediatric physical therapist. This will not only make you a stronger candidate because of the experience, but it also shows your commitment to pursuing a career in pediatric PT.
Answer example:
"I worked with children in an outpatient setting during my clinical rotations as a physical therapy student. I have experience with a variety of conditions, including cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and autism. Now that I've graduated and earned my license, I am ready to bring my experience working with the pediatric population to my new role as a physical therapist."
Question #3: What motivated you to pursue a career in pediatric physical therapy?
Your answer to this question should highlight your passion for both physical therapy and working with the pediatric population. Be sure to share a personal story or experience that solidified your desire to become a pediatric physical therapist or assistant.
Answer example:
"I have always loved working with kids. When I was in high school, I volunteered at a local hospital in the pediatric unit. Interacting and playing games with the patients was a meaningful experience, and my conversations with the PT there piqued my interest in the profession. I decided pediatric PT is the perfect blend of my two passions: working with children and helping people through physical therapy."
Question #4: What are your strengths?
Avoid giving a general or generic answer to this question. Make sure you list the strengths that are most important for success in a pediatric physical therapy position.
Some of your strengths might include strong clinical skills, passion for helping children reach their goals, commitment to evidence-based practice, etc.
Answer examples:
"In addition to my strong clinical skills, I am open-minded and dedicated to evidence-based practice. I don't assume that I know everything, and instead, I continuously consult with my colleagues and read journals to make sure I'm delivering the best care possible."
"I am persistent and adaptable. I am willing to keep trying different approaches to find out what works best for my patients, and I can quickly change my plan when needed. Plus, I have a good sense of humor which helps me stay positive in difficult situations."
Question #5: What are your weaknesses?
When you answer this question, it is important to focus on a weakness that you have already taken steps to improve. You want to emphasize the positive changes you've made, rather than highlighting the weakness itself.
Answer example:
"When I first began my student rotations at a pediatric clinic, I had a lot of difficulty with time management. I was constantly running behind and felt like I could never catch up. However, I spoke with my supervisor about it, and she helped me develop a better system for balancing my patients' needs. Now, I'm much more organized and efficient."
Question #6: Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult case/patient/parent?
This question is designed to test your ability to remain calm and professional when faced with challenging situations or behavior, and it asks for a specific example.
Not only should you describe the difficult situation, but you should also demonstrate how you approached it and implemented a solution.
Answer examples:
"I once had a patient who was extremely resistant to physical therapy. He would cry and scream every time we tried to work on his exercises. It was really challenging, but I didn't give up. I kept trying different techniques and strategies until I finally found something that worked for him. The solution was to let him choose his own exercises from a list of options. Once he felt like he was in control, he became much more cooperative and made progress."
"If a child is demonstrating negative behavior, I will calmly redirect their attention to a more positive activity. I also use positive reinforcement such as verbal praise or stickers to encourage good behavior. For example, when I was working with an eight-year-old patient with autism, she would often have tantrums. I would stay calm and try to understand what was triggering them. I realized that she would get upset by changes in her environment, such as someone new entering the room. I started letting her know what to expect in advance and using visual schedules in our sessions so she could prepare herself for change. By doing this, I was able to help her manage her tantrums and improve her behavior."
Question #7: How would you assess a pediatric patient's needs and develop a treatment plan accordingly?
Physical therapists can expect this question during an interview. Physical therapist assistants might be asked a similar question about how they start treating a new patient or how they carry out a physical therapy care plan.
In any event, the answer should demonstrate your clinical reasoning and competency.
Answer example:
"When I assess a new patient, I first take a thorough history. This helps me to understand the child's condition and how it is impacting daily life. I speak with family and caregivers to learn more about their home environment, what they're struggling with, and what they hope to achieve with therapy.
Then I perform physical examination and tests. I will also refer to physical therapy research for guidance. Based on all this information, I set appropriate goals and develop a treatment plan that will address the patient's and family's specific needs and desires."
Question #8: What do you find most rewarding about pediatric physical therapy?
When you answer this question, try to focus on the positive outcomes of your work rather than the day-to-day responsibilities. What keeps you going in your career?
For example, you might say that you enjoy seeing your patients make progress and reach their goals. You could also mention how rewarding it is to help kids overcome challenges. Again, the more specific you are, the better.
Answer example:
"I find it most rewarding when I can help a child who is dealing with a chronic condition learn to not only cope with and manage their symptoms, but also achieve their goals. For example, I had a patient last year who had cerebral palsy. We worked together to come up with a plan that would help him improve his balance and coordination. After months of hard work, he was finally able to ride a bike without falling. Seeing how happy that made him was really incredible."
Question #9: What do you think are the biggest challenges for pediatric physical therapists?
This is another question intended to explore how you handle adversity. Share not only what you find to be the greatest challenges in the profession, but how you overcome them.
Avoid complaining and focus instead on the positive ways you approach obstacles.
Answer examples:
"One of the biggest challenges for pediatric physical therapists is ensuring that children maintain their independence and mobility. It can be difficult to help kids stay on track with their therapy goals while also still allowing them to enjoy their childhood. I think it's important to strike a balance between being supportive and directive, while also using positive reinforcement whenever possible. This helps keep kids motivated during what can often be a challenging process."
"The most challenging aspect of pediatric physical therapy is managing expectations with parents who are worried about their child's progress. It's hard to reassure them sometimes, but I always try to be positive and optimistic, instead of focusing on the patient's impairments. I think it's important for the child and family to see that I am hopeful about their progress, even if there are some bumps in the road."
Question #10: What else do you think we should know about you?
This is one of the best questions you could be asked in a pediatric physical therapy interview. It gives you free rein to share any additional information that could set you apart from other candidates. You should not only confirm you're a great fit for the position but also highlight how you could bring added value to the employer.
Maybe you have experience with a specific population or type of condition. Or maybe you're passionate about incorporating technology into your physical therapy sessions. Whatever it is, make sure to include it in your answer.
Answer examples:
"We discussed my clinical experience, but I also have a background in marketing. I could help your clinic develop a digital marketing strategy and build relationships with other providers in the community. I'm confident that I could be an asset to your team."
"I'm very passionate about using technology and other resources to improve physical therapy sessions and patient outcomes. I use a resource library to plan my sessions, so I have visual schedules, exercise handouts, activity lists, and other resources quickly available to me. I also write a popular blog for parents of children with disabilities."
Closing Thoughts
Although this list is not exhaustive, it includes common types of questions you can expect during a pediatric physical therapy interview. You may have noticed that some of these questions were similar, and some of the answers were appropriate for more than one question.
That's because interview questions are generally designed to explore your experience, qualifications, personality, values, strengths, and ability to overcome challenges. Their purpose is to find out if you would be a good fit for the position, team, and company.
The interview process can be daunting, but by preparing for common questions and rehearsing your answers, you'll feel more confident navigating it. Remember to stay positive and focus on your strengths, even if the question is about adversity.
If you need more help thriving in your pediatric physical therapy career, be sure to check out Ambiki’s free student membership or learn more about us at ambiki.com.
We wish you the best of luck in your job search!
We wish you the best of luck in your job search!
