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Physical Therapist Assistant

SSM Health · Freeport, IL · $26.72–$40.08 an hour · Full time

Posted Sep 15, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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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

Tell me about a patient who wasn't motivated. How did you keep them engaged?

What they are checking: Whether they can motivate people in practical ways, which drives outcomes in outpatient therapy.

Tell me about a time you disagreed with a therapist's plan. How did you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they share concerns respectfully while respecting the PT's role in the plan of care.

What draws you to this clinic and its therapist-centered model?

What they are checking: Whether they value quality of care over volume and will fit the clinic's approach.

What would you do

This clinic schedules one patient at a time with 45-minute follow-ups. How would you use that time well?

What they are checking: Whether they plan focused, hands-on sessions and see the one-on-one model as a chance to give better care.

A patient reports new numbness and pain that wasn't there last week. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they stop, check for red flags and contact the supervising PT before continuing.

About the work

How do you follow a PT's plan of care while still adjusting for how the patient feels that day?

What they are checking: Whether they know they can progress within the plan but must not change goals or re-evaluate.

How do you write a daily note that shows skilled care?

What they are checking: Whether they document the patient's response and their own clinical choices, not just exercises done.

How do you progress a patient's exercises after a knee replacement?

What they are checking: Whether they understand safe progression and how to watch for swelling, pain and range limits.

When do you think a patient needs to be re-evaluated by the PT?

What they are checking: Whether they recognize when a patient is off-track or ready for discharge and communicate it.

How do you teach a home exercise program so a patient actually does it?

What they are checking: Whether they keep programs simple and check understanding, since home work drives recovery.

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The full job description

As published by SSM Health.

It's more than a career, it's a calling IL-Monroe Clinic Freeport Worker Type: Regular Job Highlights: Join a team where your work matters— every moment, every patient, every community. At SSM Health, you'll be empowered to grow, supported to thrive, and inspired to make a lasting impact. Why Freeport? Enjoy a therapist-centered practice model with one-hour evaluations, 45-minute follow-up visits, and scheduling flexibility that supports quality patient care. Our clinic maintains a true one-on-one therapist-to-patient ratio, allowing you to focus on your patients without double-booking or overlapping appointments. Department: Rehabilitation Services Schedule: Days Apply today. SSM Health – We bring out the incredible in you, everyday. Pay Range: $26.72 - $40.08 Pay Rate Type: Hourly SSM Health values the skills and talents that each team member brings to our organization. Compensation for this role is based on a variety of components including relevant experience, labor market, and other qualifications. The posted pay range for this position is what SSM Health reasonably expects, in good faith, to offer based on the circumstances at the time of posting. SSM Health may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range as permitted by law. Job Summary: Conducts medically prescribed physical therapy under the supervision of a physical therapist. Job Responsibilities and Requirements: PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES • Provides physical therapy interventions under a plan of care written by a physical therapist. • Performs therapy interventions utilizing techniques and skills as appropriate for the patient population. • Documents treatment interventions given. • May coordinate activities of physical therapy aides, students and other support personnel. • Works in a constant state of alertness and safe manner. • Performs other duties as assigned. EDUCATION • Associate's degree in Physical Therapist Assistant program EXPERIENCE • No experience required PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS • Constant standing. • Frequent lifting/carrying and pushing/pulling objects weighing 0-25 lbs. • Frequent use of hearing and speech to share information through oral communication. • Frequent use of hearing to distinguish body sounds and/or hear alarms, malfunctioning machinery, etc. • Frequent use of vision for distances near (20 inches or less) and far (20 feet or more). • Frequent walking, reaching, gripping and keyboard use/data entry. • Occasional bending, stooping, climbing, kneeling, sitting, squatting, twisting and repetitive foot/leg and hand/arm movements. • Occasional lifting/carrying and pushing/pulling objects weighing 25-50 lbs. • Occasional lifting/moving patients. • Occasional use of vision to judge distances and spatial relationships and to identify and distinguish colors. • Occasional driving. • Rare crawling. REQUIRED PROFESSIONAL LICENSE AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS Resuscitation Certification Requirement: Basic Life Support Healthcare Provider (BLS HCP) required within 90 day of employment. Other resuscitation certifications may be required dependent on department. State of Work Location: Illinois • Physical Therapist Assistant, Licensed - Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) State of Work Location: Missouri • Physical Therapy Assistant - Missouri Division of Professional Registration State of Work Location: Oklahoma • Physical Therapist Assistant - Oklahoma Medical Board State of Work Location: Wisconsin • Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) - Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services Work Shift: Day Shift (United States of America) Job Type: Employee Department: 8050000028 Administration Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40 SSM Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. SSM Health provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Click here to learn more.

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