Occupational Therapy Assistant Interview Questions

Interviewer: Good morning, thank you for taking the time to meet with us today. Can you tell us a little bit about your background and why you’re interested in the position of Occupational Therapy Assistant?

Candidate: Sure, I received my associate degree in occupational therapy from ABC College two years ago, and I’ve been working as an OTA for the last year. I’m interested in this position because I have a passion for helping clients achieve their goals while improving their quality of life.

Interviewer: Can you describe a challenge you faced in your previous OTA position and how you overcame it?

Candidate: One challenge I faced was working with a client who had a fear of heights but needed to work on improving their balance. We worked together to create a plan that slowly introduced heights, beginning with small steps, and gradually increasing height over time.

Interviewer: Can you talk about a patient who had a significant impact on you?

Candidate: I recall working with a patient who had a stroke and was unable to feed themselves. Seeing the joy in their eyes when they were finally able to eat food independently was incredibly rewarding.

Interviewer: Can you describe your experience with electronic medical records (EMRs)?

Candidate: Yes, I am very comfortable using EMRs to document patient progress, update their care plans, and communicate effectively with other healthcare professionals.

Interviewer: Can you discuss a time when you had to prioritize competing demands on your time?

Candidate: I had multiple patients with appointments that needed to occur within a tight timeline. I created a schedule that mapped out the most efficient route for me to take, ensuring that I remained on time for each appointment.

Interviewer: Can you discuss a time when you disagreed with another healthcare professional on a patient’s plan of care, and how you addressed the situation?

Candidate: I had a situation where a physician disagreed with the plan of care I had created for a patient. I was able to respectfully voice my concerns while also listening to the physician’s perspective. Together we were able to create a new plan that was beneficial for the patient.

Interviewer: Can you give an example of a successful outcome you’ve had working with a patient with a cognitive impairment?

Candidate: I worked with a patient who had a significant cognitive impairment following a head injury, and we were able to make considerable progress in rebuilding their memory and improving their quality of life.

Interviewer: Describe an instance where you had to modify a session or activity to accommodate a patient’s physical limitations.

Candidate: I was working with a patient with limited joint mobility in their hands, so I modified the activity to allow for the use of their thumbs instead of fingers to complete the task.

Interviewer: Can you discuss your experience working with children as an OTA?

Candidate: I’ve worked with multiple children with a variety of disabilities, including autism and cerebral palsy, to help them develop the necessary skills for daily living and independence.

Interviewer: How do you prioritize patient safety in your work?

Candidate: Patient safety is my top priority in my work as an OTA. I ensure that patients understand their limitations and don’t push them beyond their capabilities, and I’m vigilant in spotting potential hazards in the treatment area.

Interviewer: How do you ensure that you’re providing culturally sensitive care to your patients?

Candidate: I take care to remain aware of my own biases and consider the cultural and religious backgrounds of my patients when creating their treatment plans. I also make an effort to educate myself on cultural differences and seek input from patients and coworkers to increase my cultural awareness.

Interviewer: Can you describe how you work to foster a positive relationship with your patients?

Candidate: I establish an open and honest dialogue with my patients, ensuring that they feel comfortable asking questions and expressing any concerns they may have. I also strongly believe in the importance of building trust with my patients.

Interviewer: Can you discuss a time when you went above and beyond for a patient?

Candidate: I had a patient who was struggling to complete their home exercises due to financial limitations. I was able to secure a grant for them that covered the cost of their equipment and helped them complete their therapy regimen.

Interviewer: Can you discuss your experience with discharge planning?

Candidate: Part of my role as an OTA has been to assist with discharge planning, which involves creating a comprehensive plan that allows the patient to achieve their goals and maintain their independence once they leave therapy. I take care to ensure that all equipment and support systems are in place before the patient leaves therapy.

Interviewer: Well, thank you again for taking the time to talk with us today. We appreciate your insights and experience, and we will be in touch soon.

Candidate: Thank you, I appreciate the opportunity to speak with you about my experience and qualifications for this position.

Scenario Questions

1. Scenario: A patient with limited range of motion in their shoulder due to a recent injury needs to learn therapeutic exercises to improve mobility. Can you describe a specific exercise you would teach this patient and estimate how many repetitions you would have them do during a single session?

Candidate Answer: One exercise that I might teach this patient is shoulder flexion using a resistance band. I would begin the session by having them do some light stretching to warm up their shoulder, then I would demonstrate the exercise and ask them to try it. I would have them do 10-15 repetitions for 2-3 sets.

2. Scenario: You are helping a patient with a cognitive impairment to perform activities of daily living. The patient is struggling with dressing themselves independently. How would you modify their environment or the task to help them succeed?

Candidate Answer: One modification that could be made is to provide visual aids, such as a picture guide, wardrobe organizer or labels, to break down the dressing process and make it more manageable. Another modification could be to simplify the task, such as by using clothing with fewer buttons or zippers, or by breaking down the task into smaller steps, for instance by letting them first put on their shirt before moving on to their pants.

3. Scenario: You are working with a child who is struggling with fine motor skills as a result of a developmental disorder. What are some therapeutic activities or exercises you might use to help them improve their grip and dexterity?

Candidate Answer: Some activities and exercises that could be useful include playing with small toys, such as modeling clay or beads, to improve hand-eye coordination, using pegboards or lacing cards to work on finger dexterity, or doing finger-strengthening exercises with putty or rubber bands.

4. Scenario: A patient with a recent stroke is having difficulty with reasoning and problem-solving abilities. What are some strategies you might use to help them regain these cognitive functions?

Candidate Answer: Some strategies that could be useful include using memory games or puzzles to improve recall and executive function, setting up problem-solving tasks that involve everyday living skills, such as making a shopping list or planning a meal, or using cognitive-behavioral techniques to work on emotional regulation and coping skills.

5. Scenario: You are working with an elderly patient who has recently undergone hip replacement surgery. What are some mobility exercises you might use to help them regain strength and flexibility?

Candidate Answer: Some exercises that could be useful include ankle pumps, which involve moving the foot up and down to improve circulation and prevent blood clots, straight leg raises to work on hip flexor strength, and gentle stretches to improve hip joint flexibility. I would also use a combination of weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing exercises, such as standing, walking, and seated leg lifts.