Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant

Tell me about a patient who refused therapy. How did you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they can motivate reluctant patients respectfully and document refusals properly.

Inpatient coverage includes weekends and holidays. How do you feel about that, and how have you handled similar schedules?

What they are checking: Whether they are truly ready for the coverage expectations stated in the posting.

You'll supervise rehab techs and students. How would you correct a tech who isn't using safe transfer technique?

What they are checking: Whether they can hold others to safety standards directly and teach the right way on the spot.

A patient's vitals change or they get dizzy halfway through a session. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they put patient safety first and know when to stop and alert nursing.

How do you make a dressing or bathing task meaningful for an older adult who's frustrated about losing independence?

What they are checking: Whether they connect therapy to what matters to the patient, which drives participation and progress.

If your license is still pending, how will you handle the period before it's issued?

What they are checking: Whether they understand the limits on practice before full licensure and will follow them carefully.

The OT writes a plan of care for a hip replacement patient. How do you turn that into an actual session?

What they are checking: Whether they can implement an OT's plan with real activities and stay within the plan's goals.

How do you decide a patient is ready to progress, and when do you go back to the OT before changing anything?

What they are checking: Whether they understand the boundaries of a COTA's scope versus what the supervising OT must decide.

What does good, timely documentation look like after an inpatient OT session?

What they are checking: Whether their notes show measurable progress toward goals, which supports billing and the patient's discharge plan.

How do you report a patient's progress to the supervising OT so they can update the plan?

What they are checking: Whether they communicate measurable changes clearly so the OT can make good decisions about the plan of care.