Physical Therapist Resume: Skills, Tips & Examples

Indeed, in this ultra-competitive healthcare environment, the difference between two resumes is what would get you that PT position. Your resume should capture your technical skill and credentials but also areas you identify with, such as patient care and passion for assisting others. Below is a guide to an outstanding PT resume that can grab you some attention.

Check out the free resume templates for physical therapist resume. 

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How to Create a Physical Therapist Resume?

Build a Strong Summary

The resume summary is probably the first thing recruiters see; therefore it's extremely important that you make a good impression on them. Use this to summarize your experiences, key qualifications, and distinctiveness as a PT. Do it concisely but with impact.

Example: Licensed physical therapist with 5+ years of experience with outpatient and inpatient care. Strong emphasis on post-surgical recovery and sports rehabilitation with an approach to personalized treatment plans and patient-centered care. Demonstrated success in advancing patient mobility and shortening recovery time.

2. List Relevant Credentials and Education

Credentials and education are the heartbeat in healthcare. List your degree(s), where you studied, and any specific specialized certifications you have.

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) – [Your School], [Graduation Year]

• Licensed Physical Therapist (State)
• Certifications in Manual Therapy, Orthopedic Physical Therapy, etc.
• Continuing education relevant to your practice specialties (e.g., pediatric therapy, sports rehab, or geriatric care)

3. Clinic Experience

Emphasize the most relevant clinical experience for the position you are applying for. The section should list out your work experience in relation to types of patients and treatments.

Example: Physical Therapist | ABC Rehab Clinic | 2018–Present

• Rode out with personalized treatment plans to post-operative patients, hence boosting recovery to 30%.
• Patients' case load of 20 were served daily under the casing orthopedic injuries and neurological disorders.
• Provided comprehensive care and outcome optimization by collaboration with multidisciplinary teams.

4. Emphasize Your Technical Skills

Physical therapists use a vast toolbox of equipment and techniques with their patients. Do not forget to include on this list any specific therapies or pieces of equipment for which you are trained. This may involve:

• Manual Therapy Techniques
• Gait Training as well as Mobility Assistance Devices
• Therapeutic Exercise Programs
• Patient Education and Home Exercise Program Design
• Use of EMR systems in tracking patient progress

5. Emphasize Soft Skills

Although technical skills are of immense importance, physical therapists also require great interpersonal skills. Highlight your ability to communicate with patients and other healthcare providers and how you understand and empathize in your care.

• Active listening and strong communication skills
• Patient and empathetic with patients who experience debilitation mobility impairment
• Strong organizational and time management skills to handle a heavy caseload without compromise in quality

6. Using Action-Oriented Verbiage

And when talking about previous positions and accomplishments, try using action words that speak to your contribution and outcome. That is, instead of writing "responsible for patient care," write "delivered patient care that resulted in 25 percent improvement in mobility and reduced recovery time."

7. Customize Your Resume for Every Job

Another is that each position in physical therapy may differ in requirements or patient populations. Tweak the resume to adapt to the needs of each particular job posting and emphasize the skills and experience most relevant to that specific position.

8. Don't Forget Professional Affiliations

You should include any memberships you may have in professional organizations, for example, the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). This will reflect that you are a responsible active participant in professional groups and keep abreast of trends and best practices.

9. Keep Your Resume Organized and Professional

Keep it straightforward and readable. Be consistent on font, bulleting, and headings. Your resume should not be littered with too much text. Use one or two pages according to your experience.

Final Words

A summary of a good and readable resume that is well-structured, clean, and simple will be your initial point to securing a position as a physical therapist. Showing the needed clinical experience, technical qualifications, and commitment to patient care will definitely attract the attention of healthcare employers.