Preparing for Your Drayer Physical Therapy Interview: Commonly Asked Questions and How to Ace Your Responses

Interviewing for a physical therapist role at Drayer Physical Therapy can be an exciting yet nerve-wracking process. As one of the largest privately-owned rehabilitation companies in the nation, Drayer has high standards when hiring physical therapists.

As I was preparing for my Drayer interview, I spent hours researching common questions candidates get asked. After speaking with several current Drayer physical therapists and HR reps, I’ve compiled the most frequent questions asked in Drayer PT interviews and tips to help you craft winning responses

In this guide, I’ll share:

• An overview of Drayer Physical Therapy and their interview process
• The most common Drayer PT interview questions with example responses
• Tips for making a great impression on your Drayer interviewers

Let’s dive in!

About Drayer Physical Therapy

First, let’s do a quick overview of Drayer The company was founded in 1945 by Richard Drayer, a leading physical medicine specialist Since its modest beginnings over 75 years ago, Drayer has grown to employ over 1,000 physical and occupational therapists across 65 clinics in 5 states.

Drayer seeks to hire compassionate, knowledgeable, and motivated therapists to join their team. Their mission is to help every patient reach their optimal level of health, function, and well-being through innovative, personalized care.

What to Expect in the Drayer Physical Therapist Interview Process

The Drayer PT interview process typically follows these stages:

1. Prescreen phone interview (30 minutes) – A recruiter will screen you over the phone using a mix of personal questions and general PT interview questions to ensure you meet the basic qualifications

2. In-person interview – If you pass the phone screen, you’ll be invited for a 60-90 minute in-person interview. This is often held at the clinic where you’d be based if hired. You’ll meet with the director and a panel of 1-3 additional staff (therapists, regional managers, etc).

3. Technical skills assessment – Following the panel interview, you’ll complete a clinical skills exam to demonstrate your hands-on abilities and clinical reasoning. This often involves a mock patient scenario.

4. Team interview – The final step is a 30 minute interview where you meet members of the rehab team including PTAs, OTs, SLPs. This gives you a feel for the collaborative environment.

Going in aware of what to expect can help you feel more prepared and confident. Now let’s look at some of the most frequently asked interview questions so you can practice your responses.

Common Drayer Physical Therapist Interview Questions and Answers

Here are some of the most common Drayer PT interview questions that candidates report being asked:

1. Tell me about yourself.

This open-ended question will likely kick off your Drayer interview. Use it as a chance to introduce yourself and share a brief summary of your background and experience. Focus on highlights that are most relevant to the physical therapist role.

Example response:

“I’m a licensed physical therapist with over 5 years of experience in outpatient orthopedics and sports rehab. I graduated from NYU with my DPT degree in 2017 and have specialty training in FAI and ACL rehab. I was drawn to Drayer because of your strong mentoring program and the opportunity to collaborate in a team-based setting. My treatment philosophy aligns closely with Drayer’s functional movement approach. I’m passionate about equipping patients with the tools they need to get back to the activities they enjoy.”

2. Why are you interested in working at Drayer Physical Therapy?

With this question, interviewers want to assess your interest in their specific company. Be ready to speak knowledgeably about Drayer’s mission, values, and offerings. Share why those resonate with you.

Sample response:

“I’m very interested in working for Drayer because of your patient-centered, functional approach to rehab. The fact that Drayer enables therapists to build lasting relationships with patients aligns with my priorities as a clinician. I’m also drawn to Drayer’s mentorship program and the continuing education opportunities. Things like the new residency program for recent grads are so valuable for supporting therapists’ professional development. The company’s 75 year legacy combined with the innovation spearheaded by the leadership team make Drayer an ideal place to grow my career.”

3. What is your greatest strength as a physical therapist?

With this common question, interviewers want to understand the unique strengths and skills you’d bring to the role. Pick an attribute that’s essential for PTs and describe how it’s contributed to your success.

Example answer:

“I’d say one of my biggest strengths as a PT is the ability to establish rapport with patients from a wide range of backgrounds. I’m an empathetic listener and communicator, so I make patients feel comfortable opening up to me about their condition, goals, and concerns. This helps me gain their trust and improve compliance with their treatment plans. I’ve seen how building these trusting relationships helps lead to better functional outcomes for my patients.”

4. How do you stay up-to-date on current best practices in physical therapy?

Drayer wants to hire lifelong learners who take continuing PT education seriously. When answering, demonstrate your commitment to constantly building your clinical knowledge and skillset.

Sample response:

“Continuing education is very important to me, so I make it a priority to regularly participate in courses and conferences to stay up-to-date on evidence-based practice. I subscribe to several PT-focused publications like PT Journal and Clinics in Sports Medicine to learn about the latest research and techniques. I’m also an active member in the Sports Section of the APTA, which provides excellent training resources. And I rely on the mentorship of experienced therapists I work with who can share their clinical pearls and knowledge.”

5. How do you ensure you are providing patients with the most appropriate and effective interventions?

This question tests your clinical judgment and analytical abilities as a therapist. In your answer, demonstrate how you root your treatment decisions in sound assessment, established protocols, and the specific needs of each patient.

Example response:

“I take an evidence-based approach to choosing the right interventions for each patient. I perform thorough initial evaluations using validated tests and measures to identify impairments and get to the root cause of their dysfunction. From there, I develop treatment plans grounded in current practice guidelines from sources like APTA and research literature. As I monitor progress, I continuously reassess the effectiveness of interventions and adjust my approach accordingly. The needs of the patient always come first, so I communicate regularly with them to ensure the plan remains appropriate based on their goals, values, and feedback.”

6. How do you respond when a patient is not progressing as expected?

Every PT encounters setbacks where patients plateau or regress. Share how you’d handle this scenario in a calm, constructive manner while seeking solutions.

Sample response:

“When a patient stops making progress, my first step is to have an open conversation with them to understand what they’re experiencing. I re-evaluate their plan and make adjustments to get them back on track, whether that involves trying new modalities, consulting other specialists, or referring them for further diagnostic testing. I view setbacks as an opportunity to dig deeper and find innovative ways to overcome obstacles. I won’t give up on a patient just because progress stalls. My persistence helps motivate patients to stick with their treatment so they can ultimately meet their goals.”

7. How do you connect with difficult or unmotivated patients?

Therapists inevitably work with challenging patients who have oppositional attitudes. Show how you find common ground and encourage buy-in.

Example answer:

“When working with difficult or unmotivated patients, I tap into my empathy and emotional intelligence. I take time to understand their unique barriers, fears, and sources of frustration. Then I work collaboratively with them to tailor the treatment plan based on their priorities and values. I might involve their family to provide support or refer them to counseling for anxiety or depression. I leverage motivational interviewing techniques to foster their internal drive. While connecting with abrasive patients requires extra patience, I enjoy the growth that happens when we establish trust.”

8. How do you involve patients’ family members in the rehab process?

Family involvement is often critical for PT success and accountability. Show that you value collaborating with loved ones to optimize outcomes.

Sample response:

“I view family as an extension of the care team, so I actively engage family members by updating them on progress, teaching home exercise programs, and providing resources. I encourage families to attend therapy sessions so I can train them on proper transfer techniques, gait assistance, and other skills to help their loved one. Their involvement improves compliance and outcomes, so I welcome family to provide coaching, accountability, and motivation between sessions. With patient consent, I maintain open communication channels with family to ensure we work as a unified team.”

9. Describe a time you disagreed with a colleague’s treatment approach. How did you handle it?

With this behavioral question, share a real example that highlights your tact, diplomacy, and teamwork abilities. Avoid criticizing others or sounding arrogant.

Example response:

“When I was working in the ICU, a new PT wanted to get