How to Answer: Talk about a time you had to be innovative or use a new method or technology to help a patient. What made the situation innovative?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for an Occupational Therapist job interview.
13. Talk about a time you had to be innovative or use a new method or technology to help a patient. What made the situation innovative?
How to Answer
Most occupational therapists love their career as it enables them to provide innovative, individualized care to each patient. Think of a single patient that you've worked with where you had to think outside the box to provide a great outcome for that patient. Thinking outside the box can happen in many directions and your interviewer is looking to see what resources and creative problem solving skills you used in one particular situation.
Written by Heather Douglass
Entry Level
"During my internship working in a school setting, I was working with an autistic child that was having emotional outbursts while we were working on her fine motor skills in the classroom. In having her family involved in all processes, I learned that music was her favorite getaway for her during her outbursts. In trying to coordinate music and fine motor skills, I began working with her using musical items like a simple xylophone and a guitar. Hearing herself make her own music with own hands and incorporating this into each session really helped her progress to the point where she writing more clearly in the classroom."
Written by Ryan Brunner
Answer Example
"In working in a home health setting with an older man that recovering from a stroke, I learned from his family that he had been an avid golfer his entire life and was the reigning senior level champion at his golf course. Knowing that he'd be inspired by the sport, I made sure that each session with him ended with us practicing putting strokes in his living room. As well, for aids in the bathroom, the family allowed us to install a modified golf club grab bar in his bathroom for him to utilize."
Written by Heather Douglass
Experienced
"Working with an older man that had recently had a double leg amputation due to diabetes, I quickly found out that he had a lifelong career driving truck. Knowing that life behind the wheel was still important to him according to his children, I worked with his family on helping pay for vehicle modifications like a lift and steering wheel controls and I was very happy to find out that he passed his driving evaluation with the modifications."
Written by Ryan Brunner