Physical Therapist

Primary Activities

A Physical Therapist in the Medical function is typically expected to perform the following activities as a part of their job. Expect questions delving deeper into these areas depending on your level of experience. This is a representative list and not a complete one; the latter are generally based on the exact nature of the role

Assessing Patients' Physical Abilities & Limitations: Conducting thorough evaluations to determine patients' current physical condition, including range of motion, strength, balance, and coordination
Developing Personalized Treatment Plans: Creating individualized plans based on patients' specific needs and goals, incorporating exercises, manual therapy, and other techniques to improve mobility and reduce pain
Implementing Therapeutic Interventions: Administering various treatments such as therapeutic exercises, stretches, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, and heat/cold therapy to help patients regain function and alleviate pain
Monitoring Progress & Adjusting Treatment: Regularly assessing patients' progress, modifying treatment plans as necessary, and providing ongoing support and guidance to ensure optimal outcomes
Educating Patients & Their Families: Providing clear instructions on exercises, self-care techniques, and preventive measures to promote long-term recovery and prevent future injuries
Collaborating With Healthcare Professionals: Working closely with physicians, nurses, and other medical professionals to coordinate care, exchange information, and ensure comprehensive treatment for patients
Maintaining Accurate Documentation: Recording detailed notes on patients' evaluations, progress, and treatment plans, ensuring proper documentation for legal and insurance purposes
Staying Updated On Advancements In The Field: Continuously expanding knowledge and skills through professional development activities, attending conferences, and staying informed about the latest research and techniques

Key Performance Indicators

Physical Therapists in the Medical function are often evaluated using the following KPI metrics. Address atleast some of these metrics in your resume line items & within your interview stories to maximize your prospects (if you have prior experiences in this or a related role). This is not a comprehensive list and exact metrics vary depending on the type of business

Patient Satisfaction: Measure of patient satisfaction with the physical therapy services provided
Treatment Effectiveness: Assessment of the effectiveness of physical therapy treatments in improving patient outcomes
Patient Compliance: Measurement of patient adherence to prescribed treatment plans and exercises
Functional Improvement: Evaluation of the improvement in patients' functional abilities and mobility
Pain Reduction: Measurement of the reduction in pain levels experienced by patients after physical therapy interventions
Treatment Efficiency: Assessment of the efficiency and productivity of physical therapy treatments
Referral Conversion Rate: Percentage of referred patients who convert into active physical therapy patients
Average Treatment Duration: Average duration of physical therapy treatments provided to patients
Patient Wait Time: Measurement of the time patients wait before receiving physical therapy services
Documentation Accuracy: Evaluation of the accuracy and completeness of patient documentation and records

Selection Process

Successful candidates for a Physical Therapists role in the Medical function can expect a similar selection process as the one outlined below. Actual process may vary depending on seniority, size/type of company etc.

Phone screening
A brief phone call to discuss your qualifications and experience
In-person interview
A face-to-face interview with a hiring manager or a panel of interviewers
Technical assessment
A practical test or assessment to evaluate your skills and knowledge in physical therapy
Behavioral interview
A series of questions to assess your behavior, problem-solving abilities, and how you handle different situations
Reference check
Contacting your provided references to gather insights about your work ethic and performance
Final interview
A final interview with senior management or key decision-makers
Offer
If selected, you will receive a job offer with details about compensation and benefits

Interview Questions

Common Interview Questions that a Physical Therapists in the Medical function is likely to face. Prepare stories that tailor to your own experiences that may help you answer these questions effectively. This is not a complete list and more questions will be added over time. Use the topic tags in the search box below to filter by specific topics

Link	Question	Topic(s)
Link	Tell me about your experience working as a Physical Therapist.	Experience
Link	What are the key skills and qualities required for a Physical Therapist?	Skills
Link	How do you stay updated with the latest advancements in Physical Therapy?	Professional Development
Link	Describe a challenging patient case you have handled and how you approached it.	Problem Solving
Link	How do you ensure effective communication with patients and their families?	Communication
Link	What strategies do you use to motivate and engage patients during therapy sessions?	Motivation
Link	How do you prioritize your workload and manage time effectively as a Physical Therapist?	Time Management
Link	What steps do you take to ensure patient safety during therapy sessions?	Safety
Link	How do you handle conflicts or disagreements with colleagues or other healthcare professionals?	Conflict Resolution
Link	Describe a situation where you had to adapt your treatment plan to meet a patient's changing needs.	Adaptability
Link	How do you handle patients who are resistant or non-compliant with their therapy?	Patient Compliance
Link	What steps do you take to maintain accurate and organized patient records?	Documentation
Link	How do you ensure a positive and comfortable environment for patients during therapy sessions?	Patient Experience
Link	Describe a time when you had to work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary healthcare team.	Teamwork
Link	What strategies do you use to educate patients and their families about their condition and treatment plan?	Patient Education
Link	How do you handle a situation where a patient's progress is slower than expected?	Patient Progress
Link	Describe a time when you had to handle a high-stress situation during therapy.	Stress Management
Link	What steps do you take to ensure patient confidentiality and privacy?	Confidentiality
Link	How do you handle a situation where a patient expresses dissatisfaction with their therapy?	Patient Satisfaction
Link	Describe a time when you had to provide emotional support to a patient during their therapy.	Emotional Support