What to Expect in a Travel Physical Therapy Interview and Important Questions to Ask

What to Expect During a Travel Therapy Interview

Travel therapy interviews are typically much more relaxed than traditional job interviews. Most of the time, it’s simply a phone call. If a company is interested in your application, someone will reach out to you directly—usually by phone—to set up a time to talk.

I recommend answering the call if you can, but if you're unavailable, it’s acceptable to ask to schedule a more convenient time. Every company handles interviews a little differently, but generally, the caller will introduce themselves, state the company they're representing (which is especially helpful if your resume has been sent to multiple facilities), and confirm whether it’s a good time to talk.

Interview Content: What They May Ask

In some interviews, I’ve been asked the classic “Tell me about yourself,” so it’s smart to prepare a brief summary of your background. Other times, they dive straight into your clinical experience, asking where you’ve worked and tailoring follow-up questions to their specific setting. Their goal is to understand whether you're a good fit and what types of work environments you can handle.

Keep in mind that some interviewers may not even have your resume on hand—just your name and phone number—so be ready to fill in the gaps.

After the Introduction: Your Turn to Ask Questions

Once the interviewer gives you an overview of the company and the position, it’s your opportunity to ask questions. Here are some key topics I always make sure to cover (if they don’t bring them up, I ask directly):

• What is the productivity standard?

• What does orientation look like? Is there a ramp-up period?

• How are patient cancellations handled? Is there a 40-hour guarantee?

• How many staff are on-site? (PTs, PTAs, aides)

• Do clinicians typically need to take documentation home, or is everything expected to be completed during the workday?

• What EMR do you use?

• What is the attire?

  
  

My Must-Ask Question

One question I always ask is:

• What is the likelihood of my contract being canceled if the facility finds a permanent hire?

Some physical therapists laugh and say it's highly unlikely, while others appreciate the question and give me a realistic picture of the risks. I once had a contract canceled just seven days before the start date, and I felt completely blindsided. Fortunately, my recruiter acted quickly and I only had a short delay between assignments, though I did have to switch locations last-minute.

Other Valuable Questions

The questions above are things that I make sure I get an answer to before deciding if I will accept. Below are some other questions that may help you decide and/ or be more relevant to an inpatient setting

• Are late shifts or weekend shifts are required?

• How many beds does the hospital have/ how many people per room?

• What are the typical diagnoses?

• Are there other travel PT's/OT's now? If not, have there been any in the past?

• Is there a set number of units given for evals?

• Will I be expected to float to other locations if there is low census?

Lessons Learned

• Make sure you interview

Make sure you speak with someone from the facility before accepting any offer. On my first contract, I accepted a job without an interview, only to discover the clinic was disorganized and poorly managed. I learned the hard way that a quick phone call can save you a lot of trouble.

If you are interested in travel, I would love to talk! And if you have any questions or would like the contact name and number of my recruiter please reach out :)

Here are some pictures from my 2nd contract on the central coast of California. All of my favorite things- hiking, wine tasting, food, and beach days. Plus I got to hang out with my brother who goes to college in the area!