What skills do you feel are most important for occupational therapists to possess?

"I feel that to be effective in your role as an OT and to build relationships with patients and their caregivers, you much be genuinely kind, caring, and compassionate. You must be able to communicate with your patients constructively by actively listening and speaking in a calm, professional, and patient tone. As an occupational therapist, you must be able to work well within a healthcare team to problem-solve and share information that benefits the patient and improves their outcomes. Lastly, it's important that you possess the ability to motivate and encourage patients, as many may be struggling emotionally, especially if they have a new diagnosis or have suffered a setback. Each day that you work with them, you must be able to have a coaching mindset and encourage them to give their best effort."

Occupational therapists must possess many technical, interpersonal, and soft skills to be effective and successful in any healthcare setting within the NHS. Review the job description and note keywords like "compassionate, able to work independently and as part of a team, collaborative, etc., to give you an idea of the specific skills the interviewer is looking for. In your response, provide a mix of the value you bring to the team through your technical skills, personality, experiences, and soft skills.

"Occupational therapists must be very patient. We work with many patients, all suffering from various physical, mental, or emotional illnesses or diseases. Naturally, they have a range of emotions from frustrated, depressed, irritated, sad, anxious, or excited, so there is no cookie-cutter way to treat or work with a patient. Each individual patient requires a unique and tailored approach. Another skill OTs must possess is creativity. Again, not every approach works for every patient, so you have to be creative in your methods and approach. Sometimes a sense of humor is helpful, and other times a high-energy approach is motivating. When working with children, they tend to get bored easily, so you have to find ways to make everyday tasks fun so that they are engaged and cooperative."

Where do you see yourself in five years?

"As a recent graduate, my focus in my first few years is to gain as much experience as possible and grow and develop in my role. In five years, I see myself comfortable in my role and environment and potentially taking on more responsibilities and completing specialty certifications. I am passionate about working with older adults, so by that time I hope to have completed the Certified Aging in Place Specialist program."

The interviewer wants to understand your ambitions and desired trajectory better. Respond with the ways that you would like to see your career flourish. If you aren't interested in eventually pursuing a management role, speak to how you want to grow and expand other skill sets or continue your education. If you have researched a specific career path or are interested in a particular leadership role, express that area of interest in your response.

"I really enjoy taking on a coach and mentor role, so in five years, I would like to be in a position to where I can lead and supervise a team of assistants and aides. I have the technical experience but would like to gain more formal leadership development experience through training and workshops, if available. I'd also like to find a mentor that can help prepare me for this type of role."

At the NHS, we put a great amount of focus on the patient experience. How would you help ensure a positive experience for all patients that you work with here?

"During my apprenticeship, I realized that every care team member impacts the overall patient experience. Even when I'm feeling overwhelmed or tired from working overtime, I focus on bringing a positive attitude to work every day and ensuring my patient feels valued and well cared for. When I interact with patients, I am focused on what they are saying and actively listen; instead of multitasking or being in a rush. I try to be proactive in anticipating the patient's needs so that I'm not rushing around and being reactive to needs and requests. For example, if I'm in a patient's room finishing up a therapy session, before I exit, I scan the room to see if there is anything else I can help with like I may notice the TV remote is across the room, or their bedside tray is out of reach, so I will tend to those matters while I'm in the room. This reduces the chance of them calling someone back into the room for assistance. Overall, treating patients as I would want someone to treat me helps ensure they have a positive experience."

The overall patient experience spans the entire range of interactions patients have with their healthcare team. No matter the setting, occupational therapists at the NHS focus on the quality of care they provide to patients, and the patient experience is a cornerstone of that focus. If hired as their next OT, the organisation will expect you to positively influence the experience of the patients you will be working with daily. While many aspects of the patient experience are out of your control as a occupational therapist, some things to consider as you answer this question are your bedside manner, responsiveness to patients, follow-through, and communication.

"Many patients are frustrated or just nervous about starting therapy after an injury, so I go above and beyond to help calm their nerves and reassure them that they are in good hands. It's important that they know we want to make every effort to help them get well and return home as soon as possible. I make every effort to meet them where they are, and if they need an additional break between tasks or just need to regroup to gain focus, I'm patient and accommodating. My goal is to meet their basic needs, then exceed their expectations for kind, compassionate care. I seek patients' feedback often, so I know how I can improve my interactions with them and improve their experience with us."

At the NHS, we value every person. How do you demonstrate respect and dignity in the workplace?

"During my apprenticeship, I focused on building trust with my new patients. At a very foundational level, I would knock when entering a patient's room and introduce myself. Just as I wouldn't barge into their private residence, this helped demonstrate my respect for their space and privacy. I would then enter the room and allow them to introduce themselves and share with me their preferred name. Anytime I would speak with the patient or family, I would demonstrate professionalism and competence, always addressing them in a professional manner and never speaking negatively about other staff or the company in front of them. During my interactions, I would actively listen and make eye contact, letting the patient know I was engaged and interested in what they were saying. When working on computers so often, it's easy to type and document while trying to have a conversation, but that is not the best experience for the patient, so it is always important to keep that human aspect in mind when interacting with patients."

As an occupational therapist, you will interact with patients and their caregivers on a regular basis. To build and maintain trusting, healthy relationships, you must be respectful and kind to everyone you meet. Working with patients who are going through therapy to regain independence need to be shown dignity in their care. Consider ways that you show respect and dignity in your day-to-day interactions.

"I understand that many patients are going through a season in their life where their independence is reduced, and they may be feeling less dignified than normal. When I'm working with adult patients, I'm always empathetic and compassionate, but I'm careful not to talk down to them or make them feel embarrassed. Maintaining respect for their situation as well as their capabilities is important, and I try to be supportive and coaching without coming across as speaking to them like a child. I demonstrate respect by calling them their preferred name, giving them a voice in their treatment and therapy plans, honoring their wishes and requests, and treating them with kindness."

What might cause you to feel dissatisfied in the workplace?

"As a new graduate, I prefer a work environment where feedback is provided on a regular basis. I like to know how I'm doing and if I'm meeting expectations, and appreciate constructive feedback if there are areas that I could improve. I can feel dissatisfied if I'm not receiving that feedback from my manager more often than in a yearly performance review. I avoid this happening by being open and honest with my manager and communicating my needs openly as well as soliciting regular feedback."

The interviewer wants to discover more about what makes you feel valued and content in the workplace and what factors might lead you to feel dissatisfied or potentially seek other employment. Consider factors like engagement, recognition and rewards, work-life balance, compensation, and motivation. When answering this question, be concise and try to maintain a positive tone.

"Teamwork and engagement are important to me. I do best in an environment where there is a lot of collaboration and interaction among the team, as this is the best way to provide quality care to patients. If I feel isolated or like I don't have a lot of communication or interactions with my team and manager, I know this can negatively impact patients and I tend to feel dissatisfied."

What do you find most rewarding about being an occupational therapist?

"I believe that I will feel a great deal of job satisfaction when I'm able to build meaningful relationships with patients and their caregivers. Knowing that they trust my treatment plan and feel confident in my abilities to help them regain independence and complete activities of daily living themselves will be very rewarding."

This is a personal question, so be sure to give a genuine answer about what brings you joy at work. The interviewer wants to get a sense of what you enjoy most about being an occupational therapist. Perhaps it's helping patients gain the independence to live at home again, or helping patients find ways to return to work with modifications. Whatever it is, share this personal detail with the interviewer.

"During my fifteen years as an occupational therapist, I've invested in specialized training to include aquatic exercise, gerontology, and feeding, swallowing and eating specialty programs. Being able to use these additional areas of training has helped me make a significant impact on the lives of older adult patients that I serve in the community. I always feel a sense of accomplishment when I'm able to use techniques and strategies in care plans that help patients be able to gain mobility and independence."

What differences have you found between caring for paediatric and geriatric patients?

"Through my apprenticeship, I've found that often paediatric patients are very young and can't always communicate how they feel properly, especially when it relates to pain. Caring for paediatric patients requires good communication skills and attentiveness, including being diligent in looking for nonverbal cues, especially when identifying if a patient is experiencing pain or discomfort. Children tend to have shorter attention spans than older adults, so it's important to help them stay engaged and on task. Additionally, you work more directly with family members when treating pediatric patients, so you must have strong interpersonal skills."

There is no one size fits all approach to therapy services, and you may be asked to work with a diverse population of patients during your employment. The interviewer is looking for insight into what you view as the biggest differences in the population groups and your experience working with children and older adults. Keep your answer positive and give two or three examples of how you feel the care and approaches differ.

"Over the last five years, I've worked with all age groups, including pediatric and geriatric patients. Through that experience, I learned that paediatrics are a more vulnerable patient group because they can't always properly communicate their struggles or the severity of their pain. Often, pediatric patients are reluctant to follow all of the directions that some therapies entail, so they require more patience and persuasion sometimes than working with the geriatric population. For example, they don't always understand why you're asking them to do something or they dislike doing a task repetitively, so they may not be as interested. The elderly typically experience a much different range of health issues and diseases than peds, requiring a totally different treatment plan."

What software packages are you familiar with?

"During my time as a student, I was introduced to Power Diary and Planetrehab. I found both very user-friendly and I'm confident that I could pick up other software and programs quickly."

As an occupational therapist with the NHS, you may be required to use a variety of software and tools in your day-to-day duties. The interviewer would like to learn more about your familiarity and experience with these resources. Speak about which programs you've used personally or those you're familiar with or have heard of. If you do not have much experience in this area, demonstrate that you're tech-savvy and willing and able to learn new skills quickly.

"Over the last ten years, I have used various software packages, including MOHOST, OSA, ReadySetConnect, and Planetrehab. I'm proficient in all these, but I love technology and can quickly learn new tools and programs. Would you mind sharing what platforms or programs you use at the NHS?"

What are some techniques you use to motivate a patient who doesn't want to participate in therapy?

"During my apprenticeship, I worked with many patients with cognitive disabilities and disorders, and I also trained on the dementia unit. Many times, the patients did not want to participate, so I learned a few techniques that were effective. One was including functional activities that were interesting to the patient. For example, we would organize their closet, which helped promote range of motion and functional reaching. We would also take walks outside within the gated community and look at flowers or birds or just talk and reminisce as we walked. This was a great form of exercise that promoted mobility, stamina, and balance. Another technique was to reduce therapy sessions when needed. Sometimes, it was difficult to maintain their focus for an hour, so doing two thirty-minute sessions throughout the day was more effective."

As an occupational therapist at the NHS, you may encounter a patient who is reluctant to participate or displays a negative attitude or outlook on their diagnoses or even their program progress or lack thereof. The road to health and wellness is not always easy, so when patients face a challenge, they may feel discouraged or frustrated and withdraw their participation. Share with the interviewer some techniques or strategies you use to overcome the situation and coach and support your patient positively.

"It's first important to understand why the patient doesn't want to participate. If they are not feeling well or are in pain, it's important to notify the nurse or doctor and never force the session. You can always offer to check back with them later in the day when they are feeling better. If a patient refuses for a behavioral or emotional reason, sometimes there are effective techniques to persuade them to participate, but again we never force them. Oftentimes, new patients are reluctant to participate because they don't know or trust the therapist or don't understand the benefit to them of the therapy sessions. I overcome this by introducing myself and taking a non-aggressive approach. I don't tell them what they must do but rather try to help them understand why doing the activity will benefit them, and I give them choices to empower them. For example, practicing pushing up from the chair will build your strength and make doing this at home easier for you or your caregiver, or building coordination and balance will help you be able to dress yourself and regain that independence. This often builds rapport and increases their buy-in to participate in therapy services."

What does an effective therapy session look like to you?

"I will help patients set short-term and long-term goals so they can reach the level of independence or mobility they wish to achieve. Working with adults can mean helping with life skills like meal preparation, self-care, concentration and memory, adaptations for home or work, fine motor skills, and more, so each patient's goals will look slightly different. I see an effective session in which the patient shows up and tries their best to hit the goals for that day. Some days will be more successful than others, but as long as they try and put forth the effort to overcome setbacks, we're moving in the right direction toward progress. I want patients to feel safe and comfortable, and if I can provide that while they recover and learn new skills to be independent, I see that as success as well."

The overall goals of occupational therapy are to help patients safely and effectively perform day-to-day tasks, ensure caregivers know how to best support patients, and help patients regain and or maintain independence. Depending on what setting you're interested in working in, your answer may vary a little. Share with the interviewer what you feel an effective therapy session looks like.

"Because I work mostly with patients recovering from a stroke or surgery, I'm helping patients set goals that allow them to regain independence. I'm assisting with relearning or adapting skills like writing, cooking, dressing, personal hygiene routines, etc. The patients I work with don't often accomplish the goals in a session or two, so an effective session to me is one that the patient is giving it their best effort and is taking steps and making progress, even if it's just small steps to regain that independence. The overall therapy treatment plan can take months to achieve, but if the patient is learning new ways to adapt and overcome challenges, that is a successful session."

How do you promote and ensure patient safety?

"Patient safety is something I take very seriously and make every effort to promote both in the clinic and when doing home evaluations. During my apprenticeship, I realized the extensive amount of patient education that is regularly required on a variety of topics. We often forget that patients aren't as knowledgeable about medication use and side effects like dizziness, trip hazards in the home, the best technique of how to get out of a recliner after a stroke, the use of adaptive equipment, etc. Taking the time to educate patients and to reinforce that information reduces the risk of accident or injury and improves outcomes."

As an occupational therapist, you will be responsible for patient safety, and that includes protecting patients from errors, injuries, accidents, and falls. Healthcare organisations like the NHS promote a culture of patient safety, and the interviewer would like to learn more about your level of commitment to this mission and core values. Think about safety holistically, and consider speaking about ways you keep patients safe while they ambulate or transfer from wheelchair to bed, how you prevent medication errors, keep patients safe from electrical hazards, protect patient information, etc. Give specific examples from your professional experience or experience as a student.

"I have a lot of experience conducting fall risk assessments in patients' homes. In these assessments, I'm helping identify and remove clutter, excess furniture, and throw rugs that could be trip hazards. I'm also looking for opportunities to increase the patient's safety, like installing handrails in the shower, on staircases, and at the bedside. If a patient has stability issues or limited mobility, I also make recommendations for bedside commodes, shower benches, raised toilet seats, and electric recliners. Lighting is also important throughout the house, so I help identify areas where nightlights or other improvements can be made to ensure safety."

Compassion is one of our core values. How do you provide compassionate care to patients?

"During my apprenticeship, I focused on respecting patients' beliefs, values, and wishes. I spent time getting to know the patients and practicing effective communication skills to build and maintain relationships. When patients know that you genuinely care about them and what is best for them, they are more likely to follow your guidance and care plan for them. Many patients are going through a difficult time with an injury or illness, so always making sure I remember what they are going through helps me be more empathetic and understanding."

All healthcare organisations, the NHS included, value and promote compassionate care for patients, whether in a care home, hospital, mental health clinic, or home health. Compassion can be shown to patients in several ways, such as going the extra mile to ensure they are comfortable, building trusting relationships with them and their families, or showing genuine interest when interacting and listening when they need someone to talk to. Gives ways, big or small, that you demonstrate compassion and empathy to your patients in the workplace.

"I often stop and take the time to think about what the patient has gone through with their injury or illness. Putting their situation into perspective helps me to be more compassionate and empathetic and to meet them where they are on their journey. I acknowledge their feelings, and I don't take it personally if they are negative or pessimistic. Instead, I try to reassure and encourage them. I take a genuine interest in the patient and their family or caregivers. I try to remember details they tell me, like a grandkid's name they mentioned, and ask about that person in later conversations. My ultimate goal is to build and maintain a trusting and positive relationship."

Are you familiar with the six core values of the NHS?

"I've done a lot of research on the NHS's core values and understand that they are as follows: working together for patients, respect and dignity, commitment to quality of care, improving lives, compassion, and the belief that everyone counts. I feel that each of these are important aspects of providing quality care to patients, and they are values that I believe in and model as well. I love that all citizens can receive care at the NHS, and if offered the position, I would fully align with the mission and values of the organisation."

The NHS places a great emphasis on its NHS Constitution, which contains its guiding values and principles. The interviewer will likely ask a question to test your knowledge of the six core values, as it will be an expectation that you demonstrate them if offered a position. These are important to know so that you can weave your alignment into not only this answer but also other relevant questions throughout the interview.

"I'm very familiar with the NHS Constitution and the guiding principles and values. The six core values include respect and dignity, commitment to quality of care, compassion, improving lives, working together for patients, and the belief that everyone counts. I align with all these core values of the NHS and live them out each day in the work that I do as an occupational therapist. These values allow us to have a standard expectation and drive quality and excellence in care."

What made you decide to become an occupational therapist?

"Early on, I discovered I had a passion for helping others and wanted to choose a career where I could make an impact on the lives of others. Through my volunteer experience, I found that I enjoyed working with the elderly, and when I made the decision to go to University, I knew I could improve the lives of older adults by being able to help them with the stages of aging as an occupational therapist. My mother was a nurse, and my aunt was a pharmacy tech, so a passion for public health seems to run in my family!"

The interviewer wants to learn more about why you chose the healthcare industry and, more specifically, occupational therapy as a career. This question is very personal, so briefly give the interviewer some insight into what motivated you to complete the OT program. Perhaps you had an experience in the past with a therapist, and that interaction led to your decision, or maybe you have family or friends who have worked in healthcare, and they inspired you. If you have a unique story that led to your decision, feel free to share that and give a meaningful answer that demonstrates your passion for the field.

"I was in an auto accident as a teenager and was hospitalized for several weeks. Following my release, I had six months of physical and occupational therapy. I met several amazing therapists during that time that really made a difference in my life as I coped with my disabilities. Through that experience, I realized I wanted to help others and become an occupational therapist. I graduated and obtained my certification about five years ago and have worked at the hospital ever since."

What do you know about the NHS?

"The NHS stands for the National Health Service, which is the Government-funded medical and health care services that everyone living in the UK can use without being asked to pay the full cost of the service. It was set up so that everybody shares the burden of paying for health services offered by doctors, nurses, midwives, and dentists rather than the costs coming directly from the patient. The NHS provides care across many different healthcare areas and focuses on providing quality care to all through compassion and respect."

The interviewer wants to see if you've taken the time to research the NHS and learn more about why they do what they do, their mission, and their core values. Demonstrate that you're being intentional about applying to organisations you're interested in and not just any job that's posted. Take the time to speak about what you've read about the NHS, its leadership team, its mission, what they value, and the patients they serve. Perhaps you know someone who works there, or maybe you've been a patient of theirs in the past. If so, share that experience! Also, being able to speak to any specific awards or achievements the NHS has earned is an added bonus!

"I understand that the NHS is the umbrella term for publicly funded healthcare systems in the UK and is also the largest employer. This means that the NHS belongs to the citizens and is there to support them physically and mentally. Patients are treated on an as-needed basis instead of their ability to pay for care, so no one is neglected because of their financial hardship. I feel that I personally align well with the NHS values of respect and dignity, commitment to quality care, compassion, improving the lives of others, and working together for patients."

What questions do you have for me?

"Thank you for asking. How long have you worked at the NHS, and what have you found most rewarding? What programmes or areas of growth and development are offered for new graduates?"

It's always a great idea to have questions ready for the interviewer. Review the NHS website and other online resources to ensure the questions you are asking are not common questions you could have easily found answers to beforehand. Actively listen during the interview and ask any follow-up questions you might have based on what the interviewer has said. Consider asking follow-up questions about the interviewer, the company, the position itself, and when you can expect feedback from the interview.

"Thank you for the opportunity to ask questions. I was wondering if you could describe the team and facility culture. I was also hoping you could tell me if I were hired, what the onboarding and training process looks like."

When seeking a new position, what aspects of the job or organisation are most important to you?

"As a new graduate, I'm looking for a stable organisation that is an industry leader in technology and patient care standards. I feel like the NHS is both of those things and would provide several opportunities for growth and development as I gain experience. Another aspect that is important to me is finding an organisation that I align my culture and values with. I did research into the NHS's core values, and I was very pleased to see that I closely align with all six."

This is a personal question that allows the interviewer to understand what is important to you and what you're seeking in your next role. Consider things like work-life balance, teamwork, and collaboration, strong leadership, ability to make an impact, growth and development, advancement opportunities, etc. Avoid speaking negatively about a previous employer or mentioning things like a toxic work environment or poor leadership, and try to focus more on the positive perspective of what you're seeking, not leaving behind.

"As a mid-level experienced occupational therapist, I'm seeking an organisation that can provide growth and leadership opportunities. I love mentoring new graduates, therapy assistants, and aides, and I would eventually like to move into a more formal leadership role. I'm currently with a small facility where there are not a lot of advancement opportunities. Another aspect that is important to me is a culture of collaboration. I want to be a part of a team of therapists, physicians, and other clinicians that put the patient first and works together to achieve common goals and patient outcomes."

What is your ability and willingness to travel?

"At this time, I'm looking to find a role that is at one or two facilities, with limited travel during the weekdays. I can be more flexible with availability to travel on the weekends if necessary. Can you tell me more about the requirements?"

The job description should list if travel is required for the position, especially if it's home health, and if so, what percentage of time it would be required. If it doesn't, don't be afraid to ask follow-up questions here to determine the frequency of travel and distance required to travel. Knowing all the details will allow you to answer more honestly. Think about whether you would be able to travel and if you would need advanced notice each time. If you have limitations that restrict your ability, be upfront about it. If you have some flexibility, speak openly about the circumstances.

"In my previous home health position, I was required to travel every day, up to thirty miles per day, and it was no problem. If it would be overnight travel, I would just ask that I have as much notice as possible so I can arrange my personal affairs. Does the organisation offer mileage reimbursement or per diem rates for travel?"

Are there any major trends in occupational therapy that you are following?

"I have been interested in learning about the role telehealth care services can play in providing care to patients. During COVID, we saw many people seeking telehealth care for their medical needs, and it's a service that therapy services are expecting to see a demand for as well. It could be used to keep in touch with patients, supplement and provide education and guidance between in-person visits, and can save patients and their caregiver time and money by not having to travel. I'm curious to see if the NHS will incorporate this at your location in the near future."

Healthcare and therapy services are constantly evolving to better meet the needs of patients. The interviewer is trying to learn more about your areas of interest or topics that you are passionate about. Speak about a trending topic that you've taken interest in or have spent time researching.

"I love technology, and I follow wearable technology trends as that is an emerging trend in occupational therapy. Smartwatches and other fitness trackers can provide valuable information like activity level, heart rate, respiration, blood pressure, sleep, and more to healthcare providers. This information allows us to create more customized treatment plans that I hope will improve patient outcomes."

Have you completed any specialty training, programmes or certifications?

"As a recent graduate, I was focused on completing my occupational therapy degree, so I do not have any other specialty certificates at the moment. I love to learn and am eager to continue advancing my skills, so eventually, I would like to consider pursuing additional training on assistive technology and devices or gerontology."

The interviewer has likely already inquired about your formal education and now wants to learn if you've taken any extra courses or training on your own time to further your competencies and skills. Consider topics like continued training in Assistive Technology, Aquatic Therapeutic Exercise, Basic DIRFloortime. Certified Hand Therapy, Certified Lymphedema Specialist, etc., that you may have completed since graduating. Provide the interviewer with your extra education, and if you haven't completed any, be honest and describe topics or training you would be interested in pursuing.

"In the rehab setting, I work with patients who have suffered from fractures, tendon injuries, amputations, arthritis, and muscle strains. About three years ago, I obtained my certificate to be a certified hand therapist. This certification allows me to help patients regain manual skills and resume functional activities with their hands and upper extremities."

Walk me through your education and experience as an occupational therapist.

"I'm a recent graduate with a degree in occupational therapy and I'm registered with the HCPC. I do not have any formal experience as an OT, but prior to completing my program, I did volunteer at the hospital in an administrative role to gain exposure and experience in healthcare. I love working with children, and I'm eager to find a role with the NHS that allows me to officially begin my career and grow."

The interviewer may not have had an opportunity to review your CV or application, so be prepared to give a high-level overview of your experience and education. When speaking about your experience, provide your total years of experience, describe the settings you have worked and provide some insight into the patient populations you have worked with. Then provide the interviewer with details about your education and certifications and any other training relevant to the position you're applying for with the NHS.

"I have a degree in occupational therapy and I'm registered with the HCPC. I have six years of experience as an occupational therapist, all of which have been at an independent practice. My responsibilities there included assessing people's physical, learning, and sensory skills and their impact on daily life through observation, discussion, and gathering information from the individual and others, helping to develop a person's life skills, developing structures and routines that promote a person's independence and wellbeing, providing training to help others understand and support people with learning disabilities, and providing equipment and organising environmental adaptations."

As an occupational therapist, you often have to help patients' problem-solve. What are some typical challenges you help patients overcome?

"During my time as a student, I was able to help patients who had suffered injuries be able to return to work. I would assist them with identifying areas they could make modifications and advise them on how to approach a task differently to get the job done. I would evaluate their work environment and make suggestions on how to overcome being require to stand for certain periods of time or even how to change their lighting to be more comfortable if they had suffered a TBI. Part of being an occupational therapist means you help find creative strategies and techniques to help your patient's meet their goals."

As an occupational therapist, you'll often have to be creative and think outside the box to help patients solve problems. Discuss your experience working with patients and helping people experiencing changes in how they think or remember things to carry on working, helping children with disabilities participate in school, and how you help people with disabilities engage in social activities, sports, and hobbies. Give specific examples that highlight your experience and abilities.

"I am someone who loves to solve problems, and finding ways to help patients adapt and overcome to gain independence is something that drew me to occupational therapy. I work with a lot of rehab patients, so I'm often helping them overcome mobility challenges by using adaptive equipment and assistive technology. I also do home visits, and during those visits, I'm helping identify hazards and obstacles and how patients can navigate them to be safe at home. Oftentimes, it's things you and I wouldn't consider a challenge at all, but for them, a cup on a shelf they can't reach is a big deal so I'm helping them use adaptive equipment to reach things or even dress independently."

What settings do you have experience working in as an occupational therapist?

"During my apprenticeship, I worked in a care home. I worked with patients who had suffered from a stroke, brain injury, joint replacement, arthritis, chronic pain, spinal cord injuries, poor balance, cerebral palsy, and MS. While I really enjoyed that setting, I'm also open to exploring other areas like the hospital, home health or inpatient rehab."

This question allows the interviewer to explore your healthcare background and what environments you have worked in to understand if your background aligns or if you've worked in an environment where your skills would transfer well. Give an overview of the settings you've worked in (hospitals, clinics, charities, prisons, social services departments, etc.) and include the range of patient populations you've worked with. You can also include details about the pace of the environment or give insight into the size of the organisation or even the volume of patients you care for in that setting.

"I have ten total years of experience as an occupational therapist. My first three years were in a hospital setting, working on the Rheumatology Occupational Therapy team. Currently, and for the past seven years, I have been working for a home care company, providing services to children and adults in the comfort of their homes."

Tell me about your experience leading therapy group sessions?

"I do not have any formal experience leading group sessions, but I did complete a research project on effective group sessions for children. The most important aspect is to be prepared by planning out goals, activities, backup activities, and potential behaviors from children. These behaviors could include boredom if a task is too easy or frustration if a task is too difficult. Structure is extremely important, so establishing a routine with clear expectations and goals is necessary to help keep the focus. Activities planned should be fun and engaging so that children are motivated and participating each session. Positive reinforcement should also be used to recognize the hard work, effort, determination, and accomplishments of each child. Group therapy has several benefits and I hope I'm given an opportunity to lead these types of sessions in the future."

Depending on the setting you've applied to work in, you may be asked to lead group therapy sessions. Describe your experience leading these types of sessions or similar group-activity functions. Be sure to describe the setting and age populations you've worked with. If you don't have formal experience, you can describe your training and the benefits of group therapy instead and express your willingness to lead groups in the future.

"In my previous role, I would lead group sessions of 2-5 children at a time. Group therapy can be very beneficial as children learn to model their peers, communicate effectively, problem-solve and work together, and acknowledge and accept each other's strengths and weaknesses. It's a great way to gain exposure to social interactions, and often time it helps improve a child's self-esteem. I would often lead the sensory-motor groups, and we would do activities like jumping, climbing, trunk control, and bilateral coordination."

What experience do you have working with service users with mental health conditions?

"I do not have experience working with patients with mental health conditions, but I feel I've been properly trained through my formal education, and I would continue to develop the skills needed to care for them through on-the-job training and experience. I understand that occupational therapists play a role in mental care and treatment by assisting with life skills training, cognitive rehabilitation, social and interpersonal skills training, life balance intervention, and more."

Some occupational therapist roles within the NHS are in mental health settings. In this type of setting, OTs often help develop life skills like cooking and money management, promote job readiness, encourage and lead therapeutic leisure and sensory groups and help promote the skills needed to live independently. Discuss your experience working with patients with mental health issues and disorders.

"I have three years of experience working in a mental health clinic. Many patients needed help to develop the skills required to live independently. I worked mainly with psychiatric disorders like Schizophrenia, where patients have a poor quality of life, residual symptoms, and are not able to hold regular jobs and needed rehabilitation. During my time there, I conducted cognitive assessments, promoted participation in activities of daily living, taught sensory strategies, led group therapy sessions, and helped patients develop socio-emotional skills."

What experience do you have caring for patients with memory impairment or dementia?

"While I do not have any experience working with patients with memory impairment or dementia, I have received training on best approaches and techniques. One thing to remember is that you should never baby them or speak to them like a child. When giving directions or explaining something, speak slowly and clearly in a direct and concise manner. It's important to explain to the patient what you are going to do or what you want them to do before the activity and walk them through each step as you go. They may not be able to remember a lot of information, so they may require you to repeat directions frequently, and you cannot lose patience. Activities may have to be adapted when working with dementia patients. For example, if you cannot get their attention or engagement, you may have to try a variety of activities or take breaks and do shorter sessions. I feel confident in my training and know I would be successful working with this patient group."

Working with patients affected by memory impairment disorders can be challenging. The interviewer would like to know more about the extent of your experience in this area, so describe the setting and years of experience you have. Provide insight into what you enjoy about working with these patients and offer any specific skills, approaches, or techniques you utilize as an occupational therapist. Consider both technical and soft skills when answering this question.

"I have worked with patients with cognitive impairments for the last ten years. I know it's especially important to maintain routines when working with these types of patients, so I keep a strict schedule of rounding so as not to disrupt them. My approach is always gentle and patient, knowing many are unsure who I am and can be apprehensive or even afraid of me, which can be very stressful for them. I introduce myself each time, and when speaking, I use simple language to help them understand as best they can. I enjoy working with this patient population and providing them with compassionate care."

Walk me through your typical day in the workplace.

"During my apprenticeship, I helped children with disabilities participate in school, social situations, sports, and personal hobbies. Initially, I would work with the child and their caregiver to establish goals and create custom plans to help them achieve them. I would assist with specific support of learning how to bathe and get dressed, eat without the help of others, adjust and use adaptive equipment in the classroom, and build-eye hand coordination. I really enjoy working with children to help improve their quality of life."

The interviewer would like to discover more about your day-to-day roles, responsibilities, structure, and pace. If you are coming from another healthcare organisation, it's likely similar to what would be required in the position with the NSH; however, it's important to describe in detail what your activities look like. Read the job description thoroughly, and discuss the areas of responsibility you have experience in and perform daily. Keep a positive tone as you describe what your current role entails each day, and refrain from complaining about certain duties or feeling overwhelmed by the day-to-day tasks.

"In my current role, I mainly work with the geriatric population. I typically spend time with patients during the day to assist them with adjusting to living with a new disability, commonly from a stroke or cognitive impairment. I teach them how to use equipment or assistive devices to help with their activities of daily living that have been impacted, like bathing, dressing, or cooking. In my sessions with patients, I also help them learn new ways to approach tasks differently and help make modifications in their home if necessary."

Describe how you address concerns or complaints from a patient or their caregiver.

"I would always acknowledge the concern or complaint and listen carefully to better understand the situation. I never dismiss a complaint or concern, but rather work to make sure the patient and their caregiver is satisfied and feels comfortable with their care. I would always provide education or explanation if there was a concern or question about the treatment plan and if they still felt concerned, I would escalate it to my supervisor for support."

As an occupational therapist, you will often come in contact with friends and family members of patients. Patients or their caregivers may have questions, concerns or complaints about their loved one's treatment plan of care and they may come to you for answers. Often, a family member may become agitated or frustrated, so it's crucial to demonstrate that you can handle these situations with compassion and professionalism. Describe how you would go about addressing the concern or complaint and use this opportunity to highlight your communication, problem-solving and customer service skills.

"Naturally, a caregiver or the patient themselves will have a question or concern about their treatment or the transition home. I'm always happy to provide further education, explain things carefully, or write down instructions for them to reference later. If they have questions, I take the time to answer them, and if I can't answer them, I make sure I send their question or concern to the nurse or doctor. If it's a complaint, I typically try to get to the root cause of the issue by listening and asking probing questions to help me better understand what is going on. If it's something I can resolve or help with, I will do so, but if it's a complaint about a staff member, the patient's care, or something similar, I will always escalate that to my supervisor."

What are some goals you might establish for a patient who has recently suffered a stroke?

"While I have not worked directly with patients who have suffered from a stroke, I am knowledgeable about the disease and would feel confident working with the patient to establish goals. Patients recovering from a stroke typically have one or more affected limbs. One possible goal would be to include Constraint Induced Movement Therapy, which can increase the use of the affected limbs to stimulate the brain and activate neuroplasticity. To practice CIMT at home, I may suggest wearing an oven mitt or a sock over the non-affected limb to help encourage the patient to use their affected limb to prevent complications like muscle weakness or atrophy in the future.Another goal would be to provide activities of daily living training so the patient could regain their independence. This could include personal care tasks like bathing, toileting, dressing, oral care, and other hygiene tasks. Safety concerns can be addressed in these goals as well as adaptive strategies."

As an occupational therapist, you may be required to work with patients who are recovering from a stroke. Speak about your experience working with stroke patients and some of the goals that you help them set and achieve. If you are a new grad, speak about what you learned during your education and training and what goals you may see as valuable to set for your patients.

"I have worked with several stroke patients over the years, and there is a wide range of goals that can be chosen to be focused on. Home modifications are important so that the patient can return home safely. This can include installing handrails and non-slip mats in the bathroom, a toilet riser, or a recliner that raises to help stand up and sit down safely. Another goal could be to incorporate and use interactive Neurorehab devices like FitMi or MusicGlove, which are designed to improve mobility and regain function after a stroke.If a patient wants to return to work, I may also help them establish goals to achieve that ability. This could include making office adaptations like alternative lighting or handrails, teaching them to use ergonomic equipment to reduce fatigue, task simplification, and teaching and practicing proper body mechanics to minimize muscle strain."

Tell me about the most challenging patient that you've ever worked with.

"Though I don't have any formal work experience as an occupational therapist, I think that the most challenging patients to work with will be those who do not see the benefit or value and are reluctant to participate. In those cases, it will be important to be able to motivate and educate them on why occupational therapy will benefit them and help them reach goals, whether that's returning to work, returning home, or just adapting to day-to-day activities after an injury or illness. I will not take their reluctance personally and will focus on helping them see the potential of the services offered."

Working with a high volume of patients is part of the job, so at some point, you will experience a difficult or challenging patient. A challenging patient could be a patient that is reluctant to participate or frequently complains, or a challenging patient could also be a complex patient with many disabilities or challenges in the treatment process. Possessing the skills to handle difficult situations and people in the workplace is essential. Think about a time you had a challenging patient and what made the situation difficult, then describe how you handled it. Avoid speaking negatively about patients and focus on the positives when answering.

"I specialize in gerontology and really enjoy working with the elderly. Recently, I had a 97-year-old female patient who had lived at home by herself for years and who, up until then, had been completely independent. She had suffered a fall that left her with multiple fractures, and during her care, it was discovered that she had middle-stage Alzheimer's. She didn't have family, and she was distraught by needing to stay at the care home with nursing for awhile while she recovered and was not coping well with being away from home. Her rehab potential was poor, but PT and OT met with her daily, and she became very upset that she was slow to progress and wouldn't be able to return home alone for quite some time, if ever again. It was very challenging because she was such a complex patient who had not previously had any illnesses that required care. I was always patient and kind with her, compassionate and empathetic for her situation, and tried my hardest to help her achieve her goals. Though she never returned home, I was able to build a strong relationship with her and meet her needs each day until she passed at the care home."

NHS Band 3 Occupational Therapist Interview Questions

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1. What skills do you feel are most important for occupational therapists to possess?
2. Where do you see yourself in five years?
3. At the NHS, we put a great amount of focus on the patient experience. How would you help ensure a positive experience for all patients that you work with here?
4. At the NHS, we value every person. How do you demonstrate respect and dignity in the workplace?
5. What might cause you to feel dissatisfied in the workplace?
6. What do you find most rewarding about being an occupational therapist?
7. What differences have you found between caring for paediatric and geriatric patients?
8. What software packages are you familiar with?
9. What are some techniques you use to motivate a patient who doesn't want to participate in therapy?
10. What does an effective therapy session look like to you?
11. How do you promote and ensure patient safety?
12. Compassion is one of our core values. How do you provide compassionate care to patients?
13. Are you familiar with the six core values of the NHS?
14. What made you decide to become an occupational therapist?
15. What do you know about the NHS?
16. What questions do you have for me?
17. When seeking a new position, what aspects of the job or organisation are most important to you?
18. What is your ability and willingness to travel?
19. Are there any major trends in occupational therapy that you are following?
20. Have you completed any specialty training, programmes or certifications?
21. Walk me through your education and experience as an occupational therapist.
22. As an occupational therapist, you often have to help patients' problem-solve. What are some typical challenges you help patients overcome?
23. What settings do you have experience working in as an occupational therapist?
24. Tell me about your experience leading therapy group sessions?
25. What experience do you have working with service users with mental health conditions?
26. What experience do you have caring for patients with memory impairment or dementia?
27. Walk me through your typical day in the workplace.
28. Describe how you address concerns or complaints from a patient or their caregiver.
29. What are some goals you might establish for a patient who has recently suffered a stroke?
30. Tell me about the most challenging patient that you've ever worked with.

NHS Band 3 Occupational Therapist Interview Questions

1. What skills do you feel are most important for occupational therapists to possess?

2. Where do you see yourself in five years?

3. At the NHS, we put a great amount of focus on the patient experience. How would you help ensure a positive experience for all patients that you work with here?

4. At the NHS, we value every person. How do you demonstrate respect and dignity in the workplace?

5. What might cause you to feel dissatisfied in the workplace?

6. What do you find most rewarding about being an occupational therapist?

7. What differences have you found between caring for paediatric and geriatric patients?

8. What software packages are you familiar with?

9. What are some techniques you use to motivate a patient who doesn't want to participate in therapy?

10. What does an effective therapy session look like to you?

11. How do you promote and ensure patient safety?

12. Compassion is one of our core values. How do you provide compassionate care to patients?

13. Are you familiar with the six core values of the NHS?

14. What made you decide to become an occupational therapist?

15. What do you know about the NHS?

16. What questions do you have for me?

17. When seeking a new position, what aspects of the job or organisation are most important to you?

18. What is your ability and willingness to travel?

19. Are there any major trends in occupational therapy that you are following?

20. Have you completed any specialty training, programmes or certifications?

21. Walk me through your education and experience as an occupational therapist.

22. As an occupational therapist, you often have to help patients' problem-solve. What are some typical challenges you help patients overcome?

23. What settings do you have experience working in as an occupational therapist?

24. Tell me about your experience leading therapy group sessions?

25. What experience do you have working with service users with mental health conditions?

26. What experience do you have caring for patients with memory impairment or dementia?

27. Walk me through your typical day in the workplace.

28. Describe how you address concerns or complaints from a patient or their caregiver.

29. What are some goals you might establish for a patient who has recently suffered a stroke?

30. Tell me about the most challenging patient that you've ever worked with.