Occupational Therapist interview questions and answers
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Landed an interview for a Occupational Therapist job? Congratulations! The tools and resources on this page can help you kickstart your interview preparation and feel more confident.- Example questions and answers
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Example questions and answers
Read through the example answers for inspiration, then practise your own responses.You might like to follow the STAR approach used in the examples to highlight the impact of your achievements.What is the STAR approach?
- Situation/Task – tell the interviewers about a real situation or task you faced. With situational questions you may need to substitute ‘task’ with ‘problem’.
- Action – detail the action you took or would take.
- Result – share the result that occurred or what you anticipate would happen.
- Situation – At my previous position in a rehabilitation centre, I was responsible for managing a diverse caseload including patients recovering from strokes and traumatic brain injuries.
- Task – My main objective was to accurately assess and monitor each patient's functional abilities over the course of their therapy.
- Action – I began by conducting comprehensive assessments using standardised tools like the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills to gauge their initial capabilities. I then set specific, measurable goals and implemented evidence-based interventions. Progress was tracked through continuous observation and periodic re-evaluations every three weeks.
- Result – This approach allowed me to adjust treatments as needed, ensuring personalised care that led to measurable improvements.
- Situation – In a previous role at a senior living community, I was tasked with ensuring that our facilities were optimised for the safety and independence of residents with varying levels of mobility.
- Task – My goal was to adapt living spaces to reduce risks and enhance functional independence for our residents.
- Action – I conducted detailed assessments of the living spaces and common areas, then implemented changes such as installing grab bars in bathrooms, arranging furniture to create clear pathways, and ensuring adequate lighting throughout. I also worked closely with the maintenance team to eliminate any hazards that could lead to falls.
- Result – These adaptations significantly reduced the number of falls reported in the community and feedback from residents indicated improved satisfaction with their living environment, enhancing their quality of life and overall safety.
- Situation – At a paediatric therapy clinic, I often encountered children with developmental delays needing tailored therapeutic goals.
- Task – It was essential to set achievable, motivating goals for the children to keep them engaged in the therapy process.
- Action – I involved both the child and their parents in the goal-setting process, ensuring the goals were meaningful and attainable. This involved discussing what activities were most important to them, such as being able to dress themselves or play with friends, and then breaking these down into smaller, manageable objectives.
- Result – This collaborative approach to goal setting not only kept the therapy relevant and focused but also increased the children’s motivation.
- Situation – Recognising the importance of family support in occupational therapy outcomes, I developed strategies to enhance family involvement while working at an outpatient clinic.
- Task – My objective was to ensure families were not only informed but also actively engaged in the therapy process.
- Action – I organised regular family training sessions to educate them on therapy techniques that could be used at home. I also set up monthly meetings to discuss progress, challenges and adjust goals as needed, ensuring constant communication via email updates and accessible resources.
- Result – These strategies significantly improved family involvement, which was reflected in quicker patient progress and higher satisfaction ratings from both patients and their families.
- Situation – During my tenure at a community health centre, I worked with a patient who was resistant to participating in prescribed occupational therapy activities due to frustration and lack of motivation after a severe stroke.
- Task – My task was to increase the patient’s compliance to maximise recovery potential.
- Action – I spent extra time building rapport and understanding the patient’s interests and frustrations. I adjusted the therapy activities to align more closely with his interests, such as incorporating his love for gardening into his therapeutic activities.
- Result – This personalised approach helped the patient see the value in participating in therapy. Over time, he became more engaged and compliant, leading to significant improvements in his motor skills and a rekindled interest in his hobbies.
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Wondering what you should wear to your interview? Not quite sure what to say when an employer asks for your salary expectations? Finding it tricky to talk about your strengths and weaknesses?Find answers to these questions and more by exploring our job interview articles.Latest Occupational Therapist jobs on SEEK
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