Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) - Outpatient - Greater Springfield Area
Posted Sep 8, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026
Likely interview questions for this role
Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.
About your past
HSHS St. John's is growing its outpatient rehab in the Greater Springfield area. Which specialty areas interest you most, and what experience do you have in them?
What they are checking: Whether they have a clear direction and can be placed where they will contribute and grow.
Tell me about a time you noticed a patient doing their home exercises wrong. How did you correct it?
What they are checking: Whether they teach clearly and check understanding, since home carryover drives outpatient outcomes.
Tell me about a patient who wasn't motivated. What did you do to keep them engaged?
What they are checking: Whether they can build rapport and connect exercises to what matters to the patient.
This team offers 32, 36 or 40 hour schedules, including four 10-hour days. How do you keep your energy and quality up across a long clinic day?
What they are checking: Whether they know their limits and keep the last patient's session as good as the first.
What would you do
You're treating a patient under a PT's plan of care and notice the patient's pain has jumped since last visit. What do you do?
What they are checking: Whether they know when to modify within the plan and when to stop and involve the supervising PT.
A patient asks you whether they should get surgery. What do you say?
What they are checking: Whether they stay within scope and redirect to the right provider while still showing care.
A patient falls during a session even though you were guarding. What happens next?
What they are checking: Whether they put the patient's safety first, then notify the PT and complete incident reporting honestly.
About the work
How do you progress an exercise program within a PT's plan without overstepping your role?
What they are checking: Whether they understand PTA scope, including what they can adjust and what requires a re-evaluation.
Walk me through a treatment session for a patient three weeks after a total knee replacement.
What they are checking: Whether they know common post-op orthopedic care, including range of motion, gait, and precautions.
How do you document a session so the supervising PT can make a good decision at the next re-evaluation?
What they are checking: Whether their notes are objective and specific enough to support clinical decisions and billing.
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Practice this out loudThe full job description
As published by HSHS.