Physical Therapist - Inpatient/Acute Care
Posted Jul 20, 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
Tell me about a time your discharge recommendation differed from what the family or the physician wanted.
What they are checking: Whether they can defend a safety-based recommendation clearly while respecting the patient's wishes.
The posting says you'll delegate and direct therapy services. How do you work with PTAs and rehab aides on a busy acute floor?
What they are checking: Whether they delegate appropriately and stay responsible for the care others deliver under their plan.
How do you work with nursing so patients keep moving between your visits?
What they are checking: Whether they see mobility as a team effort, which affects length of stay and hospital-acquired weakness.
Tell me about a time you supervised a student. What did you do when they struggled?
What they are checking: Whether they can teach and give direct feedback, which the role lists as part of the job.
What would you do
You have more patients on your list than you can see today. How do you prioritize?
What they are checking: Whether they triage by discharge needs and medical urgency and communicate who will wait.
A patient's blood pressure drops and they become dizzy while standing during your session. What do you do?
What they are checking: Whether they respond safely to orthostatic changes and notify nursing promptly.
The weekend rotation is one weekend every eight weeks. How do you handle a weekend caseload when coverage is lighter?
What they are checking: Whether they can work efficiently and focus on priority patients with fewer colleagues around.
About the work
Walk me through how you decide whether a patient on the acute floor is safe to get out of bed for the first time.
What they are checking: Whether they check vitals, labs, lines and orders and recognize when mobility should wait.
What lab values or vital signs would make you hold or stop a therapy session?
What they are checking: Whether they know acute care safety parameters well enough to protect medically fragile patients.
How do you decide between recommending home with services, inpatient rehab, or a skilled nursing facility?
What they are checking: Whether they understand how functional level, support at home, and tolerance drive discharge placement.
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As published by HSHS.