What should new grads look for in their first rehab therapy role?

You’ve worked hard to get here. A great first job will accelerate your growth, build your confidence, and show you what a great practice looks like.

This guide gives you the questions to ask in interviews and offer conversations. Look for clinics that answer them clearly and specifically. Confident answers signal a practice that has thought carefully about the clinician experience.

What should new grads ask about documentation and technology?

The best clinics invest in tools and workflows that let clinicians spend more time on patients and less time catching up after hours. Ask what EMR they use and how long a typical note takes. Then ask whether clinicians finish documentation during working hours, and how much admin time is built into the schedule.

Ask whether the clinic uses AI or other documentation support tools. If it does, ask whether clinicians rate those tools highly. A tool that exists and a tool that helps are different things.

What does a sustainable caseload look like for a new grad?

A sustainable caseload goes beyond the number of patients on your schedule. Look for software systems and mentorship that support you, and find out what expectations you’ll be asked to meet.

• What will my daily caseload be as a new grad, and how does that compare to experienced clinicians?
• Is there a ramp-up period as I learn the clinic’s workflows and patient population?
• How are double-bookings, overlapping appointments, cancellations, and schedule gaps handled?
• What is the no-show and cancellation rate, and does it affect my pay?
• What is the physical setup for high-demand work?

How does credentialing affect a new grad’s first weeks?

Credentialing is required before you can treat patients under most payer contracts. A well-organized clinic helps you understand the timeline and what your first few weeks will look like. It’s better to learn that in the interview than in week 3.

• How long does credentialing take, and how does my start date account for that?
• Will I be paid my full salary while credentialing is pending?
• What will my schedule look like during that period?
• Can I see patients under a supervising clinician’s credentials while mine are pending?
• Who manages the credentialing process, and what do I need to provide?

Credentialing requirements and timelines vary by payer and state, and so do the rules on seeing patients under a supervising clinician’s credentials. This section lists questions to ask. It is not billing or legal guidance, and it is current as of October 14, 2026.

What mentorship should a new grad expect?

As a new grad, mentorship may be the single most important factor in whether you thrive in your first year. Look for structure, consistency, and a clinic that makes learning part of the job.

Ask whether you’ll have a dedicated mentor in your first year, and who it is. Ask how often you’ll meet, and whether that time is scheduled or informal. Then ask what happens if you don’t know the answer with a patient in front of you.

Ask whether there’s a 30-, 60-, or 90-day check-in, and what a formal review looks like. Find out how clinicians give feedback to leadership, and what onboarding looks like in the first 90 days.

How can a first job set up your career path?

Your first role should help you build a foundation, and it can also give you a clearer picture of what’s possible in your career. Ask what growth looks like at the clinic and what past new grads have moved into. Look for real direction: specialization, senior or lead roles, and eventually leadership or ownership.

What should new grads ask about pay and benefits?

You’re allowed to ask direct questions about money. A reputable clinic should be able to explain how pay works in a clear and respectful way.

• How is compensation structured: base salary, productivity-based, or hybrid?
• What is the timeline for raises, and what drives them?
• Do clinicians typically need as-needed (PRN) work to supplement their income?
• What does the full benefits package include?
• Do you reimburse licensure renewal and professional association dues? Association dues include the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), or American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
• Is there a non-compete clause, and how far does it reach?

What should new grads ask about continuing education?

Licensure renewal typically requires continuing education (CE), and the hours and requirements vary by state and discipline. Tracking them is your responsibility, so ask how the clinic supports it.

Ask what the CE reimbursement budget is, and whether it covers registration, travel, and time off. Ask whether the clinic offers in-house CE or training, journal clubs, residency, fellowship, or mentorship programs. Then ask whether there’s a payback clause if you leave after using the CE benefit.

How can a new grad find out what a clinic’s culture is really like?

A clinic that is proud of its culture will show you as well as tell you. Ask whether you can speak with a clinician currently on the team, ideally a recent grad. Ask what clinician turnover is like and why people have left. Ask what a hard day looks like there, along with a good one, and how the clinic supports work-life balance.

When you talk to a current clinician, ask the unpolished version of these questions. Ask if they would take the job again.

Should you take the first offer you get?

Not necessarily. It’s easy to feel like you should, especially with student loans and the pressure to start your career. But a quality clinic for your introductory role is worth being a little patient for.

Asking thoughtful questions doesn’t make you difficult. It shows that you’re serious about learning, contributing, and building a sustainable career. A credible clinic is likely to appreciate that.

How do you choose a first role that helps you grow?

Look for clinics that answer clearly and specifically. That means a named EMR and time to document, a ramp-up and a caseload you can sustain, and a clear credentialing plan. It means a mentor you’ll meet with on a schedule, transparent pay, CE support, and current clinicians who’ll give you the unpolished truth. Confident answers signal a practice that has thought carefully about the clinician experience. Take the time to ask, and take the offer that shows you where you can grow.

FAQs

What should I ask in an interview for my first rehab therapy job?

Start with the 7 areas above: documentation and technology, caseload, credentialing, mentorship, growth, pay and benefits, and continuing education. Add culture questions for a current clinician. Look for specific answers, not general reassurance.

Will I be paid while my credentialing is pending?

Ask early. Ask whether you’re paid your full salary during that period and what your schedule looks like. Also ask whether you can see patients under a supervising clinician’s credentials while yours are pending.

What should I ask a current clinician about the job?

Ask for the unpolished version. What does a hard day look like? Why have people left? Would they take the job again?

Is it okay to wait for the right first job?

Yes. A quality first clinic is worth being a little patient for, if you can be. Asking thoughtful questions shows you’re serious about building a sustainable career.