Physiotherapist Interview Questions and Answers for a Care Home: Your Ultimate Guide
A physiotherapist plays a vital role in a care home, ensuring residents maintain mobility, independence, and overall wellbeing. Their responsibilities range from assessing and creating tailored exercise programmes to supporting recovery after injury or illness. Typically, a care home physiotherapist can expect a salary between £28,000 and £38,000 per year in the UK, depending on experience and location. With this vital role in mind, preparing effectively for an interview is crucial to showcase your skills, compassion, and expertise.
In this blog, I’ll take you through 25 key physiotherapist interview questions and answers, covering opening, competency-based, STAR model, and ending questions. I’ll also provide practical do’s and don’ts, giving you the confidence to excel.
Opening Interview Questions and Answers
1. Tell me about yourself.
This classic question sets the tone. Highlight your educational background, experience in physiotherapy, and your passion for elderly care.
Sample Answer:
“I qualified as a physiotherapist five years ago and have specialised in elderly care for the past three years. I enjoy creating personalised rehabilitation plans that help residents regain mobility and independence, and I’m particularly passionate about working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to ensure the best outcomes.”
2. Why do you want to work in a care home?
Show your empathy, commitment, and understanding of the environment.
Sample Answer:
“Care homes allow me to make a real difference in residents’ daily lives. I enjoy building long-term relationships and supporting people to achieve their best possible physical health in a compassionate environment.”
3. What do you know about our care home?
Demonstrate research and genuine interest.
Sample Answer:
“I understand that your care home focuses on holistic resident care, with an emphasis on rehabilitation and maintaining independence. Your community initiatives and strong focus on staff training are particularly appealing to me.”
Competency-Based Questions and Answers
4. How do you assess a resident’s physiotherapy needs?
Explain your method and rationale.
Sample Answer:
“I start with a thorough assessment, including medical history review, physical examination, and mobility tests. This ensures my rehabilitation plan is personalised, safe, and effective.”
5. Describe a time you helped a resident regain mobility.
Use the STAR model (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answer.
Sample Answer:
“Situation: A resident had limited mobility after a hip replacement. Task: I needed to create a tailored rehabilitation plan. Action: I implemented daily exercises, strength training, and walking sessions. Result: Within eight weeks, the resident regained independent mobility and confidence.”
6. How do you handle residents who are resistant to physiotherapy?
Show empathy and problem-solving.
Sample Answer:
“I first listen to their concerns, explain the benefits of therapy in simple terms, and introduce small, achievable exercises. Building trust is key to overcoming resistance.”
7. Describe a time you worked as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Demonstrate collaboration and communication skills.
Sample Answer:
“I collaborated with occupational therapists, nurses, and doctors to create an integrated care plan for a resident recovering from a stroke. This ensured consistent progress and holistic support, leading to faster recovery and improved wellbeing.”
8. How do you handle emergencies or unexpected changes in a resident’s condition?
Highlight professionalism and calm decision-making.
Sample Answer:
“I remain calm, assess the situation, follow care home protocols, and coordinate with senior staff to ensure safety. I also document and communicate any changes promptly to the team.”
9. How do you keep your physiotherapy knowledge up to date?
Show commitment to continuous professional development.
Sample Answer:
“I attend regular CPD courses, workshops, and webinars. I also read professional journals and collaborate with colleagues to stay informed about best practices in elderly care physiotherapy.”
Behavioural / STAR Model Questions and Answers
10. Give an example of a time you had to motivate a resident.
Use STAR to structure.
Sample Answer:
“Situation: A resident was reluctant to engage in exercises. Task: Encourage participation. Action: I set small achievable goals, celebrated progress, and incorporated exercises into daily routines. Result: The resident became motivated and improved their mobility significantly.”
11. Describe a time you faced a challenging resident and how you resolved it.
Show problem-solving and empathy.
Sample Answer:
“Situation: A resident was frustrated with limited mobility. Task: Address emotional and physical needs. Action: I listened, adapted exercises to be more enjoyable, and introduced gentle group sessions. Result: The resident engaged consistently and experienced improved mental and physical wellbeing.”
12. Can you give an example of managing multiple residents at once?
Highlight prioritisation and organisation skills.
Sample Answer:
“Situation: Managing three residents post-surgery simultaneously. Task: Ensure safe and effective therapy. Action: I planned staggered sessions, delegated support tasks, and monitored progress closely. Result: All residents recovered effectively without complications.”
Clinical Knowledge and Scenario-Based Questions
13. How would you develop a rehabilitation plan for a resident with dementia?
Demonstrate specialised knowledge.
Sample Answer:
“I would focus on gentle, repetitive exercises with clear instructions, consider memory challenges, and incorporate familiar activities. Monitoring progress and adapting plans regularly is essential.”
14. How do you ensure patient safety during physiotherapy sessions?
Show adherence to protocols.
Sample Answer:
“I perform risk assessments, check equipment, supervise exercises closely, and modify activities according to the resident’s capabilities and health conditions.”
15. Describe your experience with mobility aids.
Highlight practical skills.
Sample Answer:
“I have extensive experience assessing and fitting walking frames, wheelchairs, and other aids. I also train residents and staff on safe usage to prevent falls.”
16. How do you track and document resident progress?
Demonstrate organisation and professionalism.
Sample Answer:
“I maintain detailed records, update care plans regularly, and use standardised assessment tools to ensure measurable progress.”
17. How do you handle difficult conversations with residents or families?
Emphasise communication and empathy.
Sample Answer:
“I listen actively, provide clear explanations, and remain patient and professional. Ensuring families feel involved builds trust and supports positive outcomes.”
Situational and Problem-Solving Questions
18. How do you prioritise tasks during a busy shift?
Show time management.
Sample Answer:
“I assess resident needs, schedule therapy sessions efficiently, and remain flexible to address urgent cases while ensuring all planned activities are completed safely.”
19. Describe a time you had to adapt a treatment plan.
Highlight adaptability.
Sample Answer:
“Situation: A resident developed a skin condition preventing standard exercises. Task: Modify the plan. Action: I introduced seated exercises and hydrotherapy alternatives. Result: The resident maintained strength and mobility safely.”
20. How do you handle stress in a high-pressure environment?
Show emotional intelligence.
Sample Answer:
“I stay organised, communicate with the team, take short mental breaks when possible, and focus on one task at a time to maintain quality care.”
Ending Interview Questions and Answers
21. Why should we hire you?
Summarise strengths confidently.
Sample Answer:
“I combine strong clinical skills, experience in elderly care, and a compassionate approach. I’m committed to helping residents achieve their best physical health while working collaboratively with your team.”
22. What are your salary expectations?
Be realistic but flexible.
Sample Answer:
“Based on my experience and the responsibilities of this role, I would expect a salary between £30,000 and £35,000, but I’m open to discussion.”
23. Where do you see yourself in five years?
Show ambition and commitment.
Sample Answer:
“I aim to continue developing my skills in elderly physiotherapy, possibly taking on a lead role, and contributing to improving care standards within the home.”
24. Do you have any questions for us?
Prepare thoughtful queries.
Sample Answer:
“I’d like to know more about your physiotherapy team structure and opportunities for continuing professional development within the care home.”
25. How do you handle constructive criticism?
Show openness to learning.
Sample Answer:
“I see constructive feedback as an opportunity to improve. I listen carefully, reflect on it, and implement changes to enhance my practice and resident outcomes.”
Do’s and Don’ts for a Care Home Physiotherapist Interview
Do:
Research the care home thoroughly.
Use the STAR method for competency questions.
Demonstrate empathy and professionalism.
Show enthusiasm for elderly care.
Prepare questions to ask the interviewer.
Don’t:
Speak negatively about previous employers.
Give generic or vague answers.
Forget to emphasise teamwork and communication skills.
Underestimate the importance of practical knowledge in elderly care.
Final Tips for Interview Success
Remember, preparation is key. Practise your answers, refine your communication skills, and stay confident. Use resources like interview training and interview coaching online to gain insights into tricky questions. A structured approach, empathy, and professionalism will make you stand out.
Booking a session with an experienced interview coach can boost your confidence and provide tailored strategies to ace your physiotherapist interview. Whether it’s job interview preparation or interview coaching, personalised guidance ensures you perform at your best.
Remember, every interview is a learning opportunity. Believe in your skills, communicate your passion, and approach each question with positivity. Your ideal role in a care home physiotherapy team is within reach.
