17 Orthopedic Physician Assistant Interview Questions and Answers

An orthopedic physician assistant is a medical professional who assists orthopedic surgeons in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with musculoskeletal disorders. Orthopedic PAs may also be involved in pre-operative and post-operative care, as well as rehabilitation.

If you’re interested in becoming an orthopedic PA, you’ll need to complete an accredited physician assistant program and pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam. Once you’ve fulfilled these requirements, you’ll be eligible to apply for orthopedic PA jobs.

Before you can start your new job, you’ll need to go through the interview process. During your interview, you can expect to be asked a mix of general PA interview questions and questions that are specific to the orthopedic specialty. To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of sample questions and answers.

Are you certified as an orthopedic physician assistant?

Employers may ask this question to see if you have the necessary certifications for the job. If you are not certified, they may want to know what steps you plan on taking to become certified. You can answer honestly about your certification status and explain how you plan to get certified in the future.

Example: “I am not currently certified as an orthopedic physician assistant. I do plan on getting my certification within a year of starting work at this facility. I will be studying for the exam during my free time and working with a mentor who is already certified.”

What are the most common orthopedic conditions you treat in your practice?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience with orthopedic conditions and how you treat them. You can answer this question by listing some of the most common orthopedic conditions you’ve treated in your practice, along with a brief description of each condition.

Example: “The most common orthopedic conditions I treat are sprains, strains and fractures. Sprains occur when ligaments or tendons stretch beyond their normal range of motion, causing pain and swelling. Strains happen when muscles tear from overuse or injury, resulting in pain and swelling. Fractures occur when bones break due to trauma or disease, often causing severe pain and swelling.”

How do you determine the best course of treatment for a patient?

This question can help the interviewer assess your critical thinking skills and ability to make decisions. Use examples from previous experience in which you had to analyze a patient’s medical history, perform physical exams or conduct diagnostic tests to determine the best course of treatment for the patient.

Example: “When I first meet with a new patient, I ask them about their symptoms and medical history. Then, I perform a physical exam to look for any abnormalities that may be contributing to their pain. After this, I order diagnostic tests like X-rays or MRIs to get a better idea of what is causing the patient’s pain. From there, I discuss my findings with the physician and develop a plan of care based on our discussion.”

What is your process for communicating with a patient about their condition and treatment?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you communicate with patients and their families. It can also show them your interpersonal skills, as well as your ability to explain medical conditions in a way that is easy for patients to understand.

Example: “I always make sure to speak directly with my patient about their condition and treatment plan. I find it’s important to have an open dialogue with each of my patients so they feel comfortable asking me questions or expressing any concerns they may have. I also like to involve family members when possible, especially if the patient has children. This helps me build rapport with the patient and allows me to answer any questions the patient’s family may have.”

Provide an example of a time you had to help a patient manage their pain.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you might interact with patients and their families. It can also show them your communication skills, empathy and problem-solving abilities. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation in which you helped a patient manage their pain and what steps you took to do so.

Example: “When I worked as an orthopedic physician assistant at my previous job, I had a patient who was recovering from knee surgery. The patient’s family members were concerned about how much pain he was experiencing, but I explained that his level of pain was normal for someone going through recovery. I told him we could give him medication if needed, but encouraged him to try other methods first, such as ice packs or stretching exercises.”

If a patient did not respond to your initial treatment plan, how would you adjust your approach?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you adapt to challenges and solve problems. Use your answer to highlight your critical thinking skills, ability to collaborate with others and commitment to helping patients achieve their goals.

Example: “If a patient did not respond well to my initial treatment plan, I would first ask them about any changes in their symptoms or overall health since our last appointment. If they reported no change, I would review my notes from our previous appointments to see if there were any other factors that could be contributing to their pain. Then, I would adjust my treatment plan based on these new factors and reassess the patient’s progress.”

What would you do if you had to cancel a patient’s appointment due to inclement weather?

Weather conditions can sometimes make it difficult for patients to get to their appointments. Employers ask this question to see how you handle these situations and if you have a plan in place to ensure the safety of your patients. In your answer, explain that you would call the patient as soon as possible to reschedule. You should also offer to find an alternative time or date when they could come in.

Example: “I always try to give my patients at least 24 hours notice before canceling their appointment. If I had to cancel due to inclement weather, I would call them immediately to let them know. I would then offer to reschedule their appointment for another day or time.”

How well do you perform under pressure?

Employers ask this question to see how you react in a high-pressure situation. They want to know that you can perform well even when the stakes are higher than usual. In your answer, explain what steps you take to remain calm and focused under pressure. Share an example of a time when you performed well under pressure.

Example: “I am very good at remaining calm and focused during stressful situations. I have experience working with patients who are experiencing pain or discomfort, so I’m used to handling these types of situations. During my last job, I worked with a patient who was in extreme pain. I helped them through their treatment by explaining each step as I did it. This helped them feel more comfortable and relaxed.”

Do you have experience working with patients of all ages?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience working with patients of all ages. This can be an important skill for orthopedic physician assistants, as they often work with children and adults. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation or two where you worked with patients of different ages.

Example: “I do have experience working with patients of all ages. In my previous role, I assisted the orthopedic surgeon in his pediatric practice, so I was responsible for assisting him with young patients. I also assisted him with adult patients, which gave me valuable experience when treating younger patients.”

When consulting with a physician, how do you convey important information about a patient’s condition?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you communicate with physicians and other medical professionals. Use your answer to highlight your communication skills, ability to organize information and attention to detail.

Example: “When consulting with a physician about a patient’s condition, I first provide them with an overview of the patient’s history and current symptoms. Then, I describe any diagnostic tests that have been performed and what they revealed. Finally, I give my opinion on the best course of treatment for the patient based on my knowledge of their diagnosis. This helps the physician make informed decisions about the care plan for each patient.”

We want to improve our patient satisfaction rates. What strategies would you use to improve communication and enhance patient satisfaction?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you might contribute to a team that wants to improve patient satisfaction. Use examples from your experience of working with patients and helping them feel more comfortable during their appointments or procedures.

Example: “I would make sure I was always available for my patients when they needed me, whether it’s before, during or after an appointment. I find that being readily available helps reduce any anxiety or confusion about what to expect during their visit. I also think it’s important to be honest and transparent with patients so they know exactly what to expect from their treatment plan.”

Describe your experience with performing diagnostic tests and administering injections.

The interviewer may ask you this question to learn more about your experience with performing medical procedures. Use examples from your previous job or include information about the training you received for these tasks.

Example: “In my last position, I performed diagnostic tests and administered injections on a daily basis. For example, I would perform range of motion testing by having patients move their joints through various motions while I observed them. Then, I would administer an injection when necessary, such as when a patient had pain in a specific area that required numbing before further examination.”

What makes you an ideal candidate for an orthopedic physician assistant position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their team. When answering this question, it can be helpful to highlight a few of your skills or experiences that make you an ideal candidate for the role. You may also want to mention any personal traits that have helped you succeed in previous roles.

Example: “I am passionate about helping others, which is why I became an orthopedic physician assistant. In my last position, I was able to help patients recover from injuries and get back to living active lives. I think I would be a great fit for this role because I enjoy working with people who are eager to improve their health.”

Which orthopedic specialty do you most want to pursue and why?

This question helps employers understand your career goals and how you plan to achieve them. It also gives them insight into what kind of orthopedic physician assistant you would be, as different specialties require different skills. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific skill that makes you well-suited for the specialty you’re discussing.

Example: “I’m passionate about sports medicine because I love working with athletes. I find their drive inspiring and motivating, and I think my communication skills make me well-suited to help them recover from injuries. In fact, I was an athlete myself in college, so I know firsthand how important it is to have a supportive team around you.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of orthopedic medicine?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to assess your knowledge of orthopedic medicine and how you prioritize tasks. Your answer should show that you understand what’s important in this field, and it can also help you demonstrate your communication skills by explaining why each aspect is so vital.

Example: “I think the most important part of orthopedics is making sure patients are comfortable with their treatment plan. I always make sure to explain procedures thoroughly and answer any questions they may have about their care. This helps them feel more confident when undergoing treatment, which can lead to better outcomes.”

How often do you see patients?

This question can help the interviewer understand how much time you spend with patients and what your typical workday looks like. Your answer should include information about how many patients you see per day, week or month and any other responsibilities you have in addition to seeing patients.

Example: “I typically see between five and seven patients per day. I also perform administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments, answering phones and filing paperwork. In my last role, I was responsible for ordering supplies and maintaining patient records.”

There is a new treatment for a common orthopedic condition that you have not performed before. How do you approach learning the new procedure?

This question can help the interviewer understand your ability to learn new procedures and treatments. Use examples from previous experience in which you had to learn a new treatment or procedure, and discuss how you approached learning it.

Example: “When I was working with an orthopedic physician, we treated a patient who had never had surgery before. The doctor asked me to perform the surgery because he wanted to see if I could do it on my own. I was nervous at first but took extra time to read up on the procedure and practice it several times before performing it on the patient.”