Occupational Therapist / COTA interview prep

1. How many years of Occupational Therapist / COTA experience do you have, and in what settings?

Mention facility type (teaching, trauma level, community) and bed count.

2. What are your preferred locations and start date?

Recruiters often focus on flexibility. Have a first choice and a few backups ready.

3. What pay package and shift are you looking for?

Know your minimum weekly take-home and whether you need guaranteed hours.

4. Do you hold compact or state licenses where you want to work?

Have license numbers and expiration dates handy — your TCV vault shows them.

5. Any requested time off during the contract?

Commonly asked up front so it can be written into the offer.

6. How recent is your experience in this specialty?

Many facilities look for recent hands-on experience; be exact about dates.

7. Which EMR systems have you used in Occupational Therapist / COTA?

Facilities commonly screen for EMR familiarity. List the ones you are comfortable charting in.

1. Tell me about a typical shift and assignment in Occupational Therapist / COTA.

Describe your usual ratio or caseload and patient acuity.

2. Walk me through your experience with evaluation & assessment in Occupational Therapist / COTA.

Hiring managers often focus on volume, recency, and a specific example. Use your skills checklist ratings as a guide.

3. Walk me through your experience with adl & functional training in Occupational Therapist / COTA.

Hiring managers often focus on volume, recency, and a specific example. Use your skills checklist ratings as a guide.

4. Walk me through your experience with neurologic & cognitive rehabilitation in Occupational Therapist / COTA.

Hiring managers often focus on volume, recency, and a specific example. Use your skills checklist ratings as a guide.

5. Walk me through your experience with hand & upper extremity therapy in Occupational Therapist / COTA.

Hiring managers often focus on volume, recency, and a specific example. Use your skills checklist ratings as a guide.

6. Walk me through your experience with pediatrics & mental health in Occupational Therapist / COTA.

Hiring managers often focus on volume, recency, and a specific example. Use your skills checklist ratings as a guide.

7. Walk me through your experience with equipment & modalities in Occupational Therapist / COTA.

Hiring managers often focus on volume, recency, and a specific example. Use your skills checklist ratings as a guide.

8. Walk me through your experience with patient care & professional practice in Occupational Therapist / COTA.

Hiring managers often focus on volume, recency, and a specific example. Use your skills checklist ratings as a guide.

9. Describe a time a patient's condition changed quickly. What did you do?

Use a short Situation–Action–Result story and mention escalation.

10. How do you get up to speed on a new unit with limited orientation?

Commonly asked of travelers. Mention asking for policies, resource staff, and the crash cart location.

11. Do you have any questions for us?

Ask about ratios, floating, charting system, parking, and orientation length.