Physical Therapist Resume Examples & Templates
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Physical therapists help patients improve their movement and manage pain through exercises, hands-on care and education. A well-written physical therapist resume will show the hiring manager the candidate’s expertise and knowledge of pain management and recovery through customized programs and adequate care.
Browse our physical therapist resume examples to craft an outstanding resume that secures a job interview.
You can start by editing our physical therapist resumes or exploring our library of resume templates to find one that matches your style.
Physical Therapist Resume Sample (Text Version)
Hazel Cooper
Los Angeles, CA 90008
(555) 555-5555
example@example.com
Professional Summary
A licensed physical therapist with over a decade of experience specializing in rehabilitation, pain management and mobility improvement. Proven track record of enhancing patient recovery by up to 30% through customized treatment plans and innovative therapies. Expertise in collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to improve patient outcomes, reduce recovery times, and increase patient satisfaction. Adept at managing high patient caseloads while maintaining a 95% or higher patient satisfaction rate.
Work History
SENIOR PHYSICAL THERAPIST 01/2021 to Current
South Pacific Rehab Center, Los Angeles, CA
- Design individualized treatment programs, reducing patient recovery times by 25%.
- Increase patient retention by 20% through improved communication and patient engagement strategies.
- Lead a team of six physical therapists and conduct over 1,500 therapy sessions annually while maintaining a 98% patient satisfaction rate.
PHYSICAL THERAPIST 06/2015 to 12/2020
Rehab Specialists, Inc., Los Angeles, CA
- Treated a diverse caseload of up to 30 patients daily, achieving a 90% functional improvement rate.
- Introduced new rehabilitation techniques, improving treatment efficiency by 20% and streamlining therapy processes.
- Collaborated with a multidisciplinary team to reduce patient readmission rates by 15%.
JUNIOR PHYSICAL THERAPIST 07/2012 to 05/2015
Spine & Sport Physical Therapy, Los Angeles, CA
- Successfully managed a caseload of 20 patients daily, ensuring individualized treatment plans and quality care for all patients.
- Improved patient mobility by 30% on average within the first six weeks of treatment through consistent and effective therapy techniques.
- Assisted in reducing patient recovery times by 15% by implementing advanced therapeutic exercises and manual therapy under supervision.
Skills
- Patient assessment and evaluation
- Post-surgical rehabilitation
- Manual therapy techniques
- Communication
- Treatment plan development
- Pain management techniques
- Progress tracking and documentation
- Problem-solving
Education
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), Physical Therapy
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Bachelor of Science, Human Biology
Certifications and Licenses
- Physical Therapy State Licensure, California Physical Therapy Board (PTBC) – (Current)
- Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist (COMT) – (Current)
Important Resume Sections
Contact information
Begin writing your resume by including your contact details at the top of the page. Include the following information:
- Full name
- City
- State
- ZIP code
- Phone number
- Professional email address
If you have a LinkedIn profile, online portfolio or professional website, add those as well.
Resume summary
Your resume summary serves as your professional introduction to the employer. The goal is to hook the hiring manager into reading the rest of your resume. In no more than three sentences, highlight the most significant skills and achievements that qualify you for the role.
Here is a sample physical therapist resume summary:
“Compassionate and solution-focused physical therapist with over five years of experience providing personalized therapeutic care to diverse patient populations. Expertise in developing tailored treatment plans to improve mobility, alleviate pain, and promote recovery from injuries and surgeries. Dedicated to improving patients’ quality of life through evidence-based practices and strong collaborative skills, working closely with multidisciplinary teams to deliver holistic care.”
If you’re starting or are changing careers, use a resume objective instead.
Skills
The skills section is another opportunity to show the hiring manager your top qualifications. Include six to eight soft skills and hard skills relevant to the role.
Here are six skills you can include in your resume for a physical therapist:
- Manual therapy: Physical therapists must be skilled in hands-on techniques to manipulate muscles and joints, effectively reducing pain and enhancing range of motion.
- Exercise prescription: Proficiency in designing and implementing tailored exercise programs to improve patient mobility, strength, and flexibility.
- Patient assessment and evaluation: Physical therapists use their strong analytical and critical-thinking skills to accurately assess patient conditions and develop individualized treatment plans.
- Pain management: Expertise in applying various modalities such as heat/cold therapy, electrical stimulation, and therapeutic massage to alleviate pain and promote healing.
- Patient communication and education: Physical therapists must have excellent communication skills to clearly and supportively educate patients on therapeutic exercises, posture correction, and long-term injury prevention.
- Collaboration and teamwork: Skilled in collaborating with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, demonstrating strong teamwork and adaptability to ensure comprehensive patient care.
Work history
Your resume’s work history section lists relevant employment experiences in reverse chronological order. Always include the respective company names, dates and locations.
When applicable, write measurable accomplishments to show your ability to go above and beyond your job duties.
Here’s an example:
Physical Therapist | Brooklyn Rehabilitation Center
New York, NY | April 2018 – Present- Successfully rehabilitated 95% of post-surgical patients to achieve their mobility goals within eight weeks of treatment.
- Reduced patient re-injury rates by 20% by implementing customized injury prevention programs and patient education sessions.
- Educate patients on at-home exercises, posture correction, and injury prevention to support long-term recovery and reduce re-injury risk.
Education
Employers of physical therapists will require candidates to have a formal educational background that prepares them to provide adequate patient care. Write the institution’s name, degree, and graduation year. See how it might look:
New York University
Masters in Physical Therapy
June 2017
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Action Words for Your Resume
Action verbs help you effectively communicate your impact in the workplace while displaying confidence and reducing wordiness.
Consider adding these action verbs to your physical therapy resume:
- Administer
- Assess
- Collaborate
- Consult
- Develop
- Diagnose
- Educate
- Evaluate
- Implement
- Improve
- Monitor
- Perform
- Prescribe
- Rehabilitate
- Treat
- Utilize
Browse our 800+ resume examples to gather inspiration for your physical therapist resume.
Best Skills for Your Resume
Read the job posting carefully to identify the crucial skills required for the role. Here are a few examples of physical therapist skills you can include:
- Gait training
- Balance training
- Neuromuscular re-education
- Post-surgical rehabilitation
- Therapeutic ultrasound
- Joint mobilization
- Posture assessment
- Aquatic therapy
- Kinesiology taping
- Orthopedic rehabilitation
- Leadership skills
- Time management skills
- Empathy
- Active listening
- Problem-solving skills
- Adaptability
- Patient motivation
Want to save time creating your resume? Our Resume Builder tailored suggestions and industry-specific templates to develop your physical therapist’s resume in minutes.
Certifications for Your Resume
Including certifications in your physical therapist resume shows a commitment to honing your skills and achieving professional growth.
Here are some certifications a physical therapist might include in their resume:
- Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS)
- Sports Certified Specialist (SCS)
- Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT)
- Geriatric Certified Specialist (GCS)
- Pediatric Certified Specialist (PCS)
Ensure that you list the full name of the certification, the issuing organization, and the date obtained. If you have multiple certifications, list them in a separate section.
Pair your resume with a matching cover letter
FAQ
What is an example of a physical therapist objective on a resume?
A resume objective is an excellent alternative for candidates starting their careers or recently switched industries. Here’s an example of a practical physical therapist resume objective:
“Dedicated and compassionate physical therapist seeking to leverage two years of experience in orthopedic rehabilitation and patient care. Skilled in developing individualized treatment plans, managing chronic pain, and improving patient mobility through evidence-based practices. Eager to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to enhance patient outcomes and support long-term recovery goals.”
What is a physical therapist's brief job description?
A physical therapist evaluates and treats patients to improve mobility, reduce pain, and prevent further injuries. Responsibilities include developing personalized treatment plans, guiding patients through therapeutic exercises, and utilizing manual therapy techniques.
Physical therapists work with patients recovering from injuries and surgeries or managing chronic conditions, educating them on at-home exercises and injury prevention. They collaborate with other healthcare professionals to ensure comprehensive care, track patient progress, and adjust treatment plans as needed.
What are the soft skills of a physical therapist?
Here are some soft skills a physical therapist must have to perform their job duties effectively:
- Empathy
- Communication
- Patience
- Motivation
- Interpersonal skills
- Cultural competence
- Stress management
Best Practices
- Tailor your resume to the target physical therapist position.
- Include keywords from the job description throughout your resume.
- Format your resume so that it is easily readable by ATS software and human eyes.
- Keep your resume length to one page.
- Create a generic physical therapist resume.
- Include professional references.
- Over-stylize your resume.
- Forget to proofread.
Interview Tips
Research the clinic
Researching the clinic where you’re interviewing will help you show the hiring manager your commitment to the role and help you evaluate if the opportunity fits into your career goals.
Here are some areas to focus on:
- Clinical services: Familiarizing yourself with the specific physical therapy services the employer provides is essential to deciding whether your expertise aligns with the role.
- Patient demographics: Learn about the patient populations, including age groups, conditions and special programs offered to specific communities. This will help you write thoughtful questions.
- Reputation: Read patient reviews, testimonials or ratings on platforms to ensure the clinic is reputable and trustworthy.
Practice common interview questions
Practice how you would respond to common interview questions to understand better how you wish to portray yourself in your interview and gain confidence.
Here are some common interview questions to consider:
Prepare questions for the interviewer
Interviewers always ask if you have any questions for them. Take advantage of the opportunity to clarify anything left out of the discussion and decide if the role fits your career. Write at least three questions for the interviewer.
Here are a few to consider:
- Can you describe the team structure and collaboration between physical therapists and other healthcare professionals in this facility?
- How do you measure patient outcomes and success in treatment plans?
- How does the clinic handle challenging cases or complex patient needs?
- What are the expectations for caseload management?
Bring references
Professional references will be handy if the hiring manager decides to proceed with your application. Create a list of two former colleagues and a former manager willing to vouch for your abilities to perform the physical therapist role.
Cover letter examples for the next step in your physical therapy career
CV examples for the next step in your physical therapy career
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Natalia is a Content Writer based in Puerto Rico and a Certified Professional Résumé Writer. She is dedicated to leveraging her writing expertise to help job seekers reach their career goals.
