Learn what skills and qualities interviewers are looking for from a pediatric occupational therapy assistant, what questions you can expect, and how you should go about answering them.
If you’re passionate about helping children reach their fullest potential, you may be considering a career as a pediatric occupational therapy assistant, or POTA. In this role, you’ll work closely with occupational therapists to provide treatments that help children with developmental delays, physical impairments, and learning disabilities improve their fine motor skills, sensory processing, and daily living skills.
Before you can start working with children, you’ll need to go through the interview process. This guide will help you prepare for your interview by providing sample questions and answers.
The interviewer may ask this question to assess your knowledge of the developmental stages that occur in children. This is an important part of occupational therapy because it helps you understand how a child’s development affects their ability to perform certain tasks and participate in activities. In your answer, try to explain what each stage represents and how it impacts a child’s abilities.
Example: “I am very familiar with the pediatric development stages. During my undergraduate studies, I took several courses on child development, including one specifically about the different developmental stages. Each stage has its own unique characteristics, such as motor skills, language acquisition and socialization. These factors all play a role in determining how a child interacts with others and performs daily tasks.”
This question can help the interviewer determine how you view your role in occupational therapy. It’s important to highlight skills that are relevant to the position and show that you understand what it takes to be a successful pediatric occupational therapy assistant.
Example: “I think one of the most important skills I can help children learn is self-care. This includes things like dressing themselves, brushing their teeth and washing their hands. These skills are essential for independence later on in life, so I make sure to teach them these skills as early as possible. Another skill I find helpful to teach is organization. Children often have trouble keeping their belongings organized, but with practice they can learn to keep their rooms tidy.”
Fine motor skills are the small movements a person makes with their hands and fingers. Occupational therapists help children develop these skills through activities like coloring, cutting and using scissors. Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your experience working with children who have special needs. In your answer, explain how you would assess the child’s progress and create an individualized plan for them.
Example: “I once worked with a five-year-old boy who had trouble holding crayons and pencils correctly. I started by observing him during his normal playtime. Then, I asked his parents if they noticed any issues with his fine motor skills. They said he was having difficulty writing letters and numbers. We decided that practicing handwriting would be the best way to improve his skills.
During our sessions, we focused on improving his grip and developing muscle memory. He also learned how to hold different types of utensils so he could eat independently. After three months of therapy, he was able to write his name.”
Interviewers may ask this question to assess your interpersonal skills and ability to work with children who are struggling. In your answer, describe a specific situation in which you helped a child overcome their resistance to treatment and the strategies you used to help them feel more comfortable.
Example: “When I first started working as an occupational therapy assistant, I had a patient who was very resistant to participating in his exercises. At first, he would refuse to do any of the activities I asked him to complete, but after a few weeks, he began to participate more willingly. I learned that it’s important to be patient when working with patients who are resistant to treatment. If they’re willing to participate at all, even if it’s just for a short time, it’s progress.”
This question can help the interviewer gain insight into your experience working with children and how you helped them overcome challenges. Use examples from your previous job or a time when you helped a friend’s child overcome an issue.
Example: “In my last position, I worked with a five-year-old boy who had trouble writing because of his fine motor skills. He was able to write small words but struggled with longer ones. We used various techniques to help him improve his handwriting, such as using different types of paper and providing him with tools that would make it easier for him to write. After several weeks of practicing, he was able to write full sentences.”
Interviewers may ask this question to assess your research skills and how you would apply them in a professional setting. In your answer, try to demonstrate that you can use technology to find information quickly and efficiently.
Example: “I would first look at the child’s current abilities and interests to determine what types of equipment or games they might enjoy. Then, I would search for reviews online about different pieces of equipment or games that could help with specific developmental goals. If I couldn’t find any reviews on a piece of equipment or game, I would contact the manufacturer directly to see if they had any testimonials from parents who have used their products.”
This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle conflict and whether you have experience working with children who are experiencing behavioral issues. In your answer, try to highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to work with others to find solutions that benefit everyone involved.
Example: “I would first ask each child what they wanted to play with and then see if there was a way I could get both of them what they want without having to play together. If not, I would talk to their parents about finding another time when the kids could play together so that they don’t feel left out during therapy sessions.”
This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you are a team player and can work well with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific qualities about yourself that make you a good fit for a pediatric occupational therapy team.
Example: “I think I would fit into a pediatric occupational therapy team quite well because I am very patient and empathetic. In my previous role as an occupational therapy assistant, I worked alongside a pediatric occupational therapist who was always encouraging me to use these two skills when working with children. I have found that being patient and empathetic helps me connect with children more easily and makes them feel comfortable in our sessions.”
This question can help the interviewer determine if you have any experience working with children who may need extra support or attention. If you do, share a specific example of how you helped them succeed in occupational therapy and what skills you used to help them improve their abilities.
Example: “I worked as an occupational therapy assistant for two years at a school that specialized in helping students with special needs. I assisted the occupational therapist by preparing materials for each session and assisting the student during the session. In one instance, I was working with a child who had autism. The child struggled with fine motor skills and would often become frustrated when trying to complete tasks. I used my calm demeanor to help the child focus on the task at hand and encouraged them to take breaks when needed.”
Interviewers may ask this question to see how you interact with children who have special needs. They want to know that you can understand the child’s emotions and respond appropriately. In your answer, explain that you use nonverbal cues like facial expressions or body language to determine if a child is enjoying themselves or having a hard time.
Example: “I always try to make sure that I am aware of what the child is feeling at all times. If they are still learning to communicate, it can be especially important to pay attention to their nonverbal cues. For example, if they are frustrated, they might start crying or throwing things. If they are having fun, they will often smile or laugh.”
This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your interpersonal skills and how you feel about working with parents. It’s important to be honest in your response, as it can help them determine if you are a good fit for their team.
Example: “I think it would be beneficial to have the parent or guardian of the child participate in the session. I believe that having someone who knows the child best can provide valuable insight into what they need to succeed. However, I also understand that some parents may not want to participate in the session. In those cases, I am happy to work one-on-one with the patient.”
Interviewers may ask this question to see how you interact with children and their families. They want to know that you can help a child feel comfortable in an unfamiliar situation, which is often part of your job as an occupational therapy assistant. In your answer, try to describe the steps you take to make sure the child feels safe and supported during these experiences.
Example: “When I first meet a child who’s nervous about starting something new, I always start by asking them what they’re worried about. This helps me understand what concerns they have so I can address them specifically. Then, I explain exactly what we’ll be doing together and show them any equipment or tools we’ll use. Finally, I reassure them that I’m there for them and will support them through the entire experience.”
This question helps the interviewer understand your passion for working with children. Show them that you are committed to helping kids overcome their challenges and achieve success in life through occupational therapy.
Example: “I chose this career because I love working with children. They have such a unique perspective on the world, and it’s so rewarding to see them learn new things every day. In my last role, I worked with a child who had autism. He was nonverbal when he started treatment, but by the end of his program, he could say several words and even ask for what he wanted. It was amazing to watch him grow and develop as a person.”
This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience and how much you’ve learned in your previous role. When answering this question, it can be beneficial to list techniques that are relevant to the job description or those that you have a lot of experience with.
Example: “I have the most experience working with sensory integration therapy, which is when occupational therapists use different textures and movements to help children learn about their senses. I also have some experience with motor planning exercises, which are used to improve fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Lastly, I have some experience with using play activities to help children develop important life skills.”
This question can help the interviewer determine how much you know about your role in the occupational therapy team. Your answer should show that you understand what is expected of you as an assistant and that you are committed to doing those tasks well.
Example: “I think the most important aspect of my job is helping children feel comfortable during their sessions. I try to make sure they have fun while also working on their motor skills, which helps them develop confidence in themselves. I find it rewarding when a child who was nervous at first starts to enjoy coming to therapy.”
Interviewers may ask this question to see how much experience you have with pediatric occupational therapy. They want to know if your answer aligns with the practices of their facility. In your answer, explain what factors influence your opinion and share a specific example from your past experiences.
Example: “I think it’s important for children to visit an occupational therapist at least once a year. This allows them to get a full assessment of their skills and abilities. It also gives therapists time to develop treatment plans that can help kids improve in areas where they’re struggling. I’ve worked with many families who only visited when their child was having issues with school or other activities. By then, we were often too late to implement effective treatment.”
This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and ability to collaborate with others. In your answer, you should explain how you would research the treatment method, discuss it with your supervisor and implement it into the clinic’s offerings if approved.
Example: “I have heard of this new ADHD treatment method that involves a combination of occupational therapy techniques and sensory integration exercises. I think this could be beneficial for our patients because it combines two proven methods of treating ADHD in one session. If my supervisor was open to adding this to our services, I would do some research on the method and present my findings to her so she can decide whether or not we want to offer it.”