Gait Assessment
Gait Assessment is a way healthcare professionals evaluate how a person walks or moves. It's like watching someone's walking pattern to spot any problems that might lead to falls or show other health issues. This is especially important when caring for older adults. The assessment looks at things like balance, speed, and whether someone needs a walking aid. Healthcare workers use this information to create care plans and suggest exercises or equipment that can help people walk more safely. You might also see this called "mobility assessment," "walk assessment," or "mobility evaluation" in job descriptions.
Examples in Resumes
Conducted daily Gait Assessment for 30+ residents in assisted living facility
Implemented Gait Assessment and Mobility Evaluation protocols for fall prevention program
Trained staff on proper Gait Assessment techniques and documentation
Developed care plans based on Walk Assessment and Gait Analysis findings
Typical job title: "Geriatric Care Specialists"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Geriatric Care Specialists
Professional Organizations
Online Communities
Job Resources
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you develop and implement a facility-wide gait assessment program?
Expected Answer: A senior professional should discuss creating standardized assessment protocols, training staff, establishing documentation procedures, and implementing fall prevention strategies based on assessment results.
Q: How do you handle complex cases where multiple health conditions affect mobility?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of how different health conditions impact mobility, experience in coordinating with other healthcare providers, and ability to create comprehensive care plans.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What factors do you consider when conducting a gait assessment?
Expected Answer: Should mention observing balance, speed, stride length, use of assistive devices, and overall stability. Should also discuss how to document findings and make basic care recommendations.
Q: How do you determine when to recommend mobility aids?
Expected Answer: Should explain assessment criteria for different mobility aids, patient safety considerations, and the process of training patients to use recommended devices.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What are the basic steps of conducting a gait assessment?
Expected Answer: Should describe the fundamental process of observing a person's walking pattern, basic safety precautions, and standard documentation procedures.
Q: What are common risk factors for falls in elderly patients?
Expected Answer: Should identify basic risk factors like medication effects, environmental hazards, and common health conditions that affect balance.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic gait assessment procedures
- Standard documentation practices
- Recognition of common mobility issues
- Basic fall prevention measures
Mid (2-5 years)
- Complex mobility evaluations
- Care plan development
- Staff training on assessment techniques
- Equipment recommendations
Senior (5+ years)
- Program development and implementation
- Quality improvement initiatives
- Staff supervision and training
- Complex case management
Red Flags to Watch For
- No hands-on experience with elderly patients
- Lack of knowledge about fall prevention
- Unable to demonstrate proper assessment techniques
- No understanding of safety protocols
- Poor documentation skills
Related Terms
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