Occupational Therapist Interview Questions

Tell us about a time when you had to adjust a treatment plan based on a patient's progress. How did you determine the necessary adjustments?

SENIOR LEVEL

Sample answer to the question:

One time, I was working with a patient who had a shoulder injury and was undergoing physical therapy. Initially, I had planned a treatment plan focusing on exercises to improve flexibility and strength. However, after a few sessions, I noticed that the patient's progress was not as expected. To determine the necessary adjustments, I first reviewed the patient's medical history and re-evaluated their current condition. I also consulted with the patient to understand their experience and any concerns they had. Based on this, I decided to modify the treatment plan by adding more targeted exercises and incorporating manual therapy techniques. I closely monitored the patient's progress and made adjustments accordingly to ensure the best possible outcome.

Here is a more solid answer:

One example that comes to mind is a patient I worked with who had a stroke and was undergoing occupational therapy. Initially, the treatment plan focused on improving the patient's upper limb function through exercises and activities. However, as we progressed, it became evident that the patient was struggling with fine motor skills and had difficulty performing activities of daily living. To determine the necessary adjustments, I conducted a thorough assessment of the patient's current abilities, strengths, and limitations. I also collaborated with other members of the healthcare team, including a speech therapist, to gather additional input. Based on this evaluation, I adjusted the treatment plan to prioritize fine motor skill development and incorporated activities that mimicked real-life situations. I also incorporated adaptive equipment to assist the patient. Regular evaluations were conducted to track progress and make further adjustments as needed. These adjustments led to significant improvements in the patient's independence and overall quality of life.

Why is this a more solid answer?

The solid answer provides a specific example of the candidate adjusting a treatment plan for a patient with a stroke. It demonstrates their knowledge and skills in therapeutic techniques, problem-solving, and patient evaluation and treatment planning. The answer includes details about the assessment process, collaboration with the healthcare team, and the specific adjustments made to the treatment plan. However, the answer could be further improved by discussing the candidate's leadership and mentoring abilities, as mentioned in the job description.

An example of a exceptional answer:

I recall a situation where I was working with a child with autism who was receiving occupational therapy. The initial treatment plan focused on sensory integration techniques and social skills development. However, as we progressed, it became evident that the child was experiencing difficulties with attention and executive functioning. To determine the necessary adjustments, I conducted a comprehensive assessment of the child's needs and sought input from the parents and school staff. Based on this, I collaborated with the child's educational team to incorporate strategies that targeted attention and executive functioning. This included incorporating visual schedules, implementing a reward system, and creating a structured routine. I also provided training and education to the child's parents and teachers to ensure consistency across environments. Through regular communication and evaluations, we were able to make further adjustments to the treatment plan based on the child's progress. These adjustments led to significant improvements in the child's attention, executive functioning, and overall participation in various activities.

Why is this an exceptional answer?

The exceptional answer provides a detailed example of the candidate adjusting a treatment plan for a child with autism. It demonstrates their advanced knowledge and skills in therapeutic techniques, problem-solving, and patient evaluation and treatment planning. The answer goes beyond the initial adjustments and highlights the candidate's collaboration with the educational team and their efforts to educate and train the child's parents and teachers. The candidate's ability to advocate for the child's needs and make ongoing adjustments based on progress further distinguishes the exceptional answer. However, the answer could still be improved by incorporating examples of leadership and mentoring, as mentioned in the job description.

How to prepare for this question:

Familiarize yourself with different therapeutic techniques and interventions, particularly those relevant to the target population you will be working with.

Reflect on past experiences where you had to adjust treatment plans based on patient progress. Be prepared to provide specific examples and discuss the reasoning behind your adjustments.

Highlight your analytical and problem-solving abilities during the interview. Discuss how you approach patient evaluations and decision-making when adjusting treatment plans.

Demonstrate your ability to collaborate and work as part of a multi-disciplinary team. Discuss past experiences where you collaborated with other healthcare professionals to determine necessary treatment plan adjustments.

Emphasize your commitment to ongoing professional development and staying up-to-date with current research and evidence-based practices in occupational therapy.

Prepare to discuss any leadership or mentoring experiences you have had, as mentioned in the job description. Provide examples of how you have led and mentored junior therapists or contributed to the development of best practices in the field.

What are interviewers evaluating with this question?