Interview prep Flashcards
(51 cards)
What makes an effective team?
🧭 Shared Goal: Work together for patient-centred outcomes (safe discharge, rehab progress).
🔄 Adaptability: Flex across wards, respond to urgent respiratory referrals, adjust plans as needed.
🤝 Supportive: Delegate tasks like non-urgent reviews to support staff; mentor students with clinically reasoned supervision.
📦 Efficient: Order equipment to prevent discharge delays.
🗣️ Communicate: Clear updates in MDT, handovers, and written notes to maintain patient safety.
✅ Teamwork = flexibility, communication, and shared responsibility.
Q: Example of going the extra mile in patient-centred care?
Elderly patient with dementia + deconditioning → anxious in rehab.
🧠 Built rapport using gardening (their hobby).
⏰ Scheduled morning sessions (less confusion) and PD medication
🤝 Involved family + MDT for consistency.
🏡 Helped plan discharge with OT + tailored home routine. (downstairs living and bed lever)
✅ Patient became more engaged + improved function.
Key Point:
Adapted care to their needs + interests = better outcomes.
Describe a time you demonstrated effective teamwork.
Elderly rehab ward – patient struggling with mobility + discharge barriers.
🤝 Held MDT huddle: physio, OT, nurse, discharge coordinator.
🧠 Shared physio findings + Actively listened to others’ input.
🎯 Agreed on joint rehab goals + safe discharge plan.
📅 Coordinated therapy sessions to avoid fatigue/clash.
✅ Smooth discharge + improved patient confidence.
Key Point:
Clear communication + shared goals = safe, efficient patient care.
Tell me about a time you dealt with conflict in the workplace.
On placement, nurse wanted to walk a patient before I’d assessed them post-fall.
⚖️ Calmly explained need for physio input first (safety concern).
🗣️ Listened to their concerns about time pressures.
🔄 Suggested quick joint review to meet both needs.
✅ Avoided unsafe mobilising + maintained good working relationship.
Key Point:
Stay respectful, listen, and find a safe, patient-focused compromise.
How do you manage a busy caseload?
Ward with multiple referrals.
📋 Prioritised based on mobility status, discharge planning, red flags.
⏱️ Used handover and SBAR to update team.
✅ Everyone seen safely + effectively.
Key: Prioritise based on need + communicate clearly.
How do you cope under pressure?
Acute ward during staff sickness.
⚡ Stayed calm, used task list to structure day.
🙋 Asked seniors for support when needed.
✅ Managed caseload + maintained safe care.
Key: Stay organised, ask for help, patient safety first.
Example of adapting your communication?
Patient with hearing impairment.
📄 Used written prompts + gestures.
🗣️ Spoke clearly, checked understanding often.
✅ Built trust + achieved rehab goals.
Key: Flex your style to meet patient needs.
Talk through an assessment you led.
MSK: knee pain post-injury.
🧠 Subjective → ruled out red flags.
🦵 Objective → ROM, strength, function.
📈 Set SMART goals + created rehab plan.
✅ Improved strength + returned to sport.
Key: Link findings to goals + justify your plan.
Tell me about something you learned from feedback.
Placement feedback: improve time management in documentation.
📝 Practised SOAP style, used time blocks.
✅ Became quicker + more structured.
Key: Take feedback positively + apply it.
How do you use evidence in practice?
Low back pain case → checked NICE guidelines.
📚 Chose active rehab approach.
📈 Explained evidence to patient = better buy-in.
✅ Improved engagement + outcome.
Key: Know current guidance + apply it to care.
How do you maintain professionalism as a Band 5?
Patient made personal comments during treatment.
🧍 Maintained firm, polite boundaries.
📋 Focused on goals + explained purpose of interventions.
✅ Relationship stayed professional.
Key: Protect trust + keep interactions appropriate.
Tell me about a time you delegated effectively.
Busy morning on the ward, several patients needing mobility checks, chest physio and falls r/v
🙋 Delegated basic mobility reviews to the rehab assistant.
🗣️ Gave clear instructions + checked understanding.
> OT order equipment to facilitate d/c
📝 Reviewed outcomes together.
✅ Managed caseload safely and efficiently.
Key: Safe delegation = clear communication + appropriate supervision.
How to provide active listening
Speak slowly and clearly with a friendly tone.
Smile and maintain eye contact to offer reassurance.
Keep your body language open and non-threatening (e.g., approach from the front, get to eye level).
Use gentle repetition if needed:
“It’s Chris— the physiotherapist. I’m here to help you move and feel a bit better.”
Describe a time you made a mistake and how you handled it.
Accidentally documented under the wrong patient’s notes.
⚠️ Notified supervisor immediately.
📋 Completed a datix + corrected records.
🧠 Reflected + double-checked all notes going forward.
✅ Maintained patient safety + learned from error.
Key: Own the mistake, fix it, learn from it.
How do you manage working independently as a Band 5?
New to ward → reviewed referrals and prioritised solo.
🧭 Identified red flags + rehab potential.
📞 Checked in with senior if unsure.
✅ Grew confidence and worked safely.
Key: Know your limits, seek help when needed.
Tell me about a time you educated a patient or staff member.
Taught a patient with COPD pacing techniques + breathing control.
🎯 Used simple language + visual aids.
🧪 Practised together in the corridor.
✅ Patient applied it during daily walks.
Key: Education = simple, practical, and person-focused.
What is the role of a Band 5 physiotherapist?
👣 Assess, treat, and discharge patients safely.
🧠 Use clinical reasoning + evidence-based practice.
🤝 Work as part of MDT, communicate clearly.
📈 Reflect, learn, and develop professionally.
Key: Safe, effective, team-based care with ongoing growth.
How have you shown leadership as a student or Band 5?
Led a ward MDT update during discharge planning.
🗣️ Summarised physio progress clearly.
🧭 Suggested therapy goals to support discharge.
✅ Helped steer team decisions + showed initiative.
Key: Leadership isn’t seniority — it’s confidence, clarity, and initiative.
What would you do if you suspected abuse or neglect?
Elderly patient appeared fearful, bruising unexplained.
👀 Documented concerns clearly + factually.
📞 Escalated to senior + safeguarding team.
✅ Investigation triggered, patient supported.
Key: Spot the signs, don’t delay, follow policy.
Tell me about managing unrealistic patient expectations.
MSK patient expected full recovery in 1 week.
🗣️ Explained normal healing timescales with empathy.
🎯 Reframed progress in stages with SMART goals.
✅ Patient understood and stayed engaged.
Key: Be honest but encouraging — guide them with facts + hope.
Q: Describe a time you managed a complex patient.
Patient with stroke, heart failure + dementia.
🧠 Prioritised safety + short, achievable therapy.
🤝 Worked closely with OT, nurses, and SALT.
🏡 Planned gradual discharge with family input.
✅ Patient made steady progress with consistent MDT input.
Key: Break complexity down into manageable goals with team support.
ow do you keep your knowledge and skills up to date?
📚 Read CSP updates, attended CPD courses (e.g., dementia, MECC).
👥 Reflected in peer discussions + supervision.
📝 Logged learning in a portfolio.
✅ Applied new knowledge to patient care.
Key: CPD is continuous — be proactive and reflective.
What would you do if a patient refused physiotherapy?
Listened to their concerns + explored reasons (e.g., pain, fear).
🗣️ Reassured, adjusted plan (shorter sessions, pain control).
🔁 Reviewed progress + celebrated small wins.
✅ Patient re-engaged gradually.
Key: Empathy + flexibility often re-open the door.
How do you promote independence in your patients?
Post-hip fracture patient wanted help with transfers.
🙌 Encouraged use of mobility aid + problem-solving.
🎯 Practised ADLs like getting dressed.
✅ Regained confidence + reduced care needs.
Key: Independence = confidence + function — guide, don’t over-help.
