17 Pediatric Physical Therapist Interview Questions and Answers

If you’re looking for a pediatric physical therapist job, you’re in luck. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the field will grow by 34 percent by 2024. That’s because pediatric physical therapists are vital in helping children with a variety of health conditions improve their mobility, strength, and coordination.

To work with kids, you need to be good with kids. That’s why pediatric physical therapist interview questions will focus on your ability to build rapport with children and their families, as well as your clinical skills. In this guide, we’ll give you a sneak peak at some of the questions you might be asked in an interview, as well as some tips on how to answer them.

Are you certified as a pediatric physical therapist?

The interviewer may ask this question to determine whether you have the necessary certification for the job. If you are not certified, they may want to know if you plan on becoming certified in the future. You can answer honestly about your certification status and explain what steps you’re taking to become certified as a pediatric physical therapist.

Example: “I am currently working toward my certification as a pediatric physical therapist. I’ve been studying for the exam since I graduated from college, but I’m planning to take it again soon because I feel like I’m ready to pass. I also plan to continue studying after I pass so that I can maintain my certification.”

What are the most common conditions you treat as a pediatric physical therapist?

This question can help interviewers understand your experience and knowledge of the field. They may also use this information to decide whether you are a good fit for their facility or company. When answering, it can be helpful to mention any conditions that you have personal experience with or those that you feel passionate about treating.

Example: “The most common conditions I treat as a pediatric physical therapist include developmental delays, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and spinal cord injuries. These conditions affect children of all ages, so I am comfortable working with patients of all ages. In my previous role, I worked with many families who had children with these conditions. It was rewarding to see how much progress we could make in just one session.”

How would you describe the role of a pediatric physical therapist in the medical field?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you understand the role of a pediatric physical therapist and how it fits into the medical field. Use this question as an opportunity to highlight any specific skills or experiences that make you qualified for the position.

Example: “As a pediatric physical therapist, I work with children who have disabilities or injuries that prevent them from moving normally. My job is to help these kids regain their mobility by using exercises and techniques that are appropriate for their age group. For example, when working with a child who has suffered a spinal cord injury, my goal is to get them walking again as quickly as possible so they can return home.”

What is your approach to working with children?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your interpersonal skills and how you interact with children. They want to know that you can connect with kids and help them feel comfortable during their therapy sessions. In your answer, try to share a specific example of how you helped a child overcome an obstacle or improve their skills.

Example: “I find that the best way to work with children is by making sure they’re having fun while also challenging themselves. I once worked with a five-year-old boy who had trouble walking because he was so used to crawling. During our first session, we played games where he crawled around the room and then practiced walking. By the end of the week, he could walk on his own without any assistance.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to be creative in order to help a child overcome a physical limitation.

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to adapt to different situations. In your answer, try to describe a specific situation in which you used creativity to help a child overcome an obstacle or challenge.

Example: “In my previous role as a pediatric physical therapist, I worked with a young boy who had cerebral palsy. He was unable to walk without assistance, so we focused on strengthening his legs through various exercises. One day, he told me that he wanted to be able to run like the other kids at school. We started working on running exercises, but it became clear that he wasn’t ready for them yet. Instead of giving up, I came up with a plan where we would start by walking, then slowly increase our speed until he could run.”

If a parent was concerned about their child’s lack of progress, how would you reassure them?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you interact with parents and guardians. It also helps them understand your communication skills, which are important for working in a healthcare setting. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of a specific situation where you helped a parent feel more confident about their child’s progress.

Example: “If a parent was concerned about their child’s lack of progress, I would first reassure them that there is no such thing as too little progress. Every child develops at their own pace, so even if they aren’t making strides like other children their age, it doesn’t mean they won’t eventually get there. I would then explain that physical therapy is a long-term process, but one that will have lasting effects on their child’s development.”

What would you do if a child was afraid of physical activity or their wheelchair?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your interpersonal skills and ability to work with children who have special needs. In your answer, try to highlight how you would use your communication and problem-solving skills to help the child overcome their fear or anxiety.

Example: “I once worked with a child who was afraid of his wheelchair because he thought it meant that he couldn’t walk anymore. I talked to him about why he needed the wheelchair and showed him videos of other kids using wheelchairs. He eventually got used to his wheelchair and even started asking for it when he wanted to go somewhere.”

How well do you understand growth and development?

Growth and development is a major part of pediatric physical therapy. The interviewer wants to know how much you’ve learned about this topic in your previous work experience. Use examples from your past job or school experiences that show you understand the stages of growth and development.

Example: “I have worked with children who are at different levels of their growth and development. I find it helpful to use these benchmarks as a guide for my treatment plans. For example, when working with a child who has just started walking, I focus on strengthening their muscles so they can walk without assistance. When working with older children, I focus more on helping them improve their balance and coordination.”

Do you have experience working with children who have special needs?

This question can help interviewers determine if you have experience working with children who have special needs. They may ask this question to see how comfortable you are with treating patients who require more attention and care than others. In your answer, try to explain that you’re willing to work with any patient as long as they need physical therapy.

Example: “I’ve worked with many different types of patients in my career so far. I find it important to treat every child the same way regardless of their diagnosis or background. I believe that by providing them with a positive environment where they feel safe and cared for, we can encourage them to make progress. I’m always open to learning new techniques and approaches to help all of my patients.”

When working with a child, how do you determine the appropriate level of parental involvement?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your experience working with children and their families. They want to know how you communicate with parents and other family members, as well as how you encourage them to be involved in their child’s treatment plan. In your answer, try to explain that you value the opinions of parents and guardians and that you always welcome their input.

Example: “I believe that it is important for parents and guardians to be actively involved in their child’s care. I make sure to clearly communicate all aspects of a child’s treatment plan so that they can understand what we are doing and why. If there is something they don’t understand or if they have questions, I am happy to provide additional information or clarification.”

We want to improve our outreach to local communities. How would you use social media to promote our pediatric physical therapy services?

Social media is a great way to reach new audiences and promote your services. Interviewers may ask this question to see how you would use social media to help their organization grow its outreach. In your answer, explain which platforms you would use and what types of content you would share. Show that you have experience with using these tools and can create engaging content for them.

Example: “I think social media is an excellent tool for reaching out to local communities. I would start by creating accounts on all major social media platforms. Then, I would post regularly about the benefits of pediatric physical therapy and our specific services. I would also share testimonials from patients and photos of our facilities and staff members. This helps people learn more about us and feel comfortable coming in for treatment.”

Describe your process for documenting your work with a patient.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you organize your work and keep track of important information. Use examples from your previous experience to explain how you document patient progress, create treatment plans and record important dates or milestones.

Example: “I use a digital system that allows me to upload photos and notes about my patients’ progress. I find this method helpful because it allows me to easily access records when needed and share them with other healthcare professionals as necessary. In my last role, I used this system to document each session with a patient and include any relevant photos or videos. This helped me remember details about our sessions and provided evidence for parents who requested updates on their child’s progress.”

What makes you qualified to work with children?

This question can help interviewers understand your passion for working with children. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific experience you’ve had working with kids or how you enjoy helping them overcome challenges.

Example: “I have worked in pediatric physical therapy for five years now and I love the energy that children bring to the workplace. I find their excitement about learning new things inspiring, and I am always happy when I see them make progress. In my last role, I helped a child who was born with cerebral palsy learn how to walk independently. It was so rewarding to watch her grow as a person and develop her independence.”

Which pediatric specializations are most interesting to you?

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you have a passion for working with children. They want to know that you are excited about the job and will be able to perform well in it. When answering, think of which pediatric specializations you enjoy most. Try to pick ones that align with the job description.

Example: “I am passionate about treating patients who have cerebral palsy. I find it rewarding to help these kids learn how to walk or use their hands more effectively. It’s also important to me to work with children who have autism. I love being able to help them develop communication skills and socialize with others.”

What do you think is the most important skill for a pediatric physical therapist to have?

This question can help interviewers understand what you value in your work as a physical therapist. When answering this question, it can be helpful to identify one or two skills that are important for the role and explain why they’re valuable.

Example: “I think the most important skill for a pediatric physical therapist is empathy. I believe that having an empathetic mindset helps me connect with my patients and their families. It also allows me to better understand how to best support each child’s unique needs. Another important skill is creativity. As a pediatric physical therapist, I often have to come up with new ways to engage children and encourage them to participate in therapy exercises.”

How often should a child see a pediatric physical therapist?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn about your experience with treating children and how often you recommend they visit a physical therapist. When answering, consider the specific needs of the child and what treatment plan you would create for them.

Example: “I usually recommend that parents bring their children in for regular checkups every three months or so. This allows me to monitor their progress and make any necessary adjustments to their treatment plans. I also encourage parents to call if they notice any changes in their child’s mobility or behavior. For example, if a child is suddenly having trouble walking, then it might be time to schedule an appointment.”

There is a new treatment for a condition that your patient has. How would you explain the treatment to them?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your communication skills. It’s important that you are able to clearly and concisely explain medical procedures, treatments or diagnoses to patients and their families. When answering this question, try to be as clear and simple as possible so that anyone could understand what you’re saying.

Example: “I would first start by explaining why we were doing the treatment. I would then describe how it works and what they can expect during the procedure. If there are any side effects or risks associated with the treatment, I would make sure to mention them.”