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Physical Therapy Assistant

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

Posted Sep 18, 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 time you helped a patient regain something that mattered to them.

What they are checking: Whether they connect therapy to the patient's real life, which keeps care patient centered.

The schedule includes a weekend rotation every five weeks. How does that work for you?

What they are checking: Whether they can commit to weekend coverage that inpatient rehab needs.

Tell me about a time you worked with nurses or other staff to help a patient.

What they are checking: Whether they coordinate well with the hospital team, especially on the inpatient side.

What would you do

You go to see an inpatient for therapy and their blood pressure is much lower than usual. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they check vitals, hold treatment when unsafe and talk to the nurse and PT.

An outpatient keeps missing appointments. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they look for the reason and work with the team rather than just discharging the patient.

A patient tells you therapy hurts too much and they want to stop. How do you respond?

What they are checking: Whether they listen, adjust the session and know the difference between expected soreness and harm.

About the work

This role covers both outpatient and inpatient rehab. How does your approach change between the two?

What they are checking: Whether they can shift from function-focused outpatient work to safety and mobility goals for hospitalized patients.

How do you safely get a patient with lines and drains up to walk for the first time?

What they are checking: Whether they plan around equipment, ask for help and watch for signs of intolerance.

How do you stay within the plan of care written by the PT?

What they are checking: Whether they know what a PTA can and cannot change and when to involve the PT.

How do you document so that the PT and other providers know exactly where the patient stands?

What they are checking: Whether their notes are clear and useful for the whole team, not just a list of exercises.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by SSM Health.

It's more than a career, it's a calling IL-SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital - Mount Vernon 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. SSM Health is seeking a compassionate Physical Therapist Assistant who is passionate about empowering patients on their journey too recovery and enhancing quality of life through exceptional, Patient centered care. Department: Rehabilitation Services - Outpatient and in-patient rehabilitation. Schedule: Full Time, Monday - Friday, from 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM, with a weekend rotation every 5 weeks. Apply today to begin your career with SSM Health Today! 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: 4503000046 Physical Therapy 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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