New Grad Nursing Resume Examples and Templates
Physical Therapist Resume Examples and Templates for 2024
Last Updated:
October 4, 2024
Physical Therapist
Physical Therapy Assistant
Physical Therapy Aide
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
- Physical Therapist Resume Templates and Examples (Downloadable)
- How To Write a Physical Therapist Resume Example
- How To Pick the Best Physical Therapist Resume Template
- Physical Therapist Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
- Frequently Asked Questions: Physical Therapy Resume Examples and Advice
- Check Out Related Examples
Physical Therapist Resume Templates and Examples (Downloadable)
- Physical Therapist
- Physical Therapy Assistant
- Physical Therapy Aide
Acute Care Physical Therapist Resume Example
As a physical therapist, you need an exceptional resume that illustrates how your clinical expertise has helped improve the quality of life for patients throughout your career. Feature examples of you reducing pain levels after major surgeries. Illustrate how you utilized innovative therapy techniques to increase patient mobility and independence. We’ll provide expert tips and insights to help you craft an eye-catching physical therapist resume and secure your next job interview.
Key takeaways:
- Quantify your clinical achievements: Provide hard clinical data to quantify your accomplishments, such as an increase in patient mobility or a reduction in average recovery times
- List specialized certifications: Include certifications such as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) or Geriatric Clinical Specialist (GCS) to highlight your key areas of clinical knowledge
- Achieve ATS compliance: Incorporate clinical terminology and skill sets that match the job postingto pass through applicant tracking systems (ATS) during the initial screening process
How To Write a Physical Therapist Resume Example
To write a great physical therapist resume, you need a clean layout that communicates your career achievements, certifications, and skill sets effectively. As you begin the resume-building process, be sure that your template includes the following sections:
- Contact information
- Profile
- Key skills
- Professional experience
- Education and certifications
1. Share your contact information
Give your full name, phone number, email address, location, and a link to your online professional profile. Ensure your contact information is current so potential employers can contact you for an interview.
Example
YOUR NAME
[email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | City, ST | LinkedIn | Portfolio
2. Write a compelling profile summarizing your physical therapist qualifications
Open your physical therapist resume with a strong summary that provides an engaging overview of your experience within the health care field. Start with a sentence that lists your title, years of experience, and three to four clinical specializations to match the role you’re targeting. Emphasize unique elements of your physical therapy background to immediately grab the reader’s attention. For example, if you have expertise in neurological rehabilitation, you might display your experience developing effective treatment plans for patients recovering from strokes.
Senior-Level Profile Example
A results-driven acute care physical therapist with eight years of experience delivering exceptional patient care in fast-paced hospital settings. A proven track record of developing individualized rehabilitation programs for over 500 patients recovering from surgeries, strokes, and traumatic injuries.
Entry-Level Profile Example
A dynamic physical therapy aide with three years of professional experience supporting licensed therapists in high-volume clinical settings. A strong history of implementing therapeutic treatment plans to increase patient mobility and independence.
3. Add an accomplishment-driven professional experience section
The professional experience section serves as the foundation of your physical therapist resume, allowing you to paint a clear picture of your work history. As you craft your bullet points, focus on demonstrating the impact you’ve had on your patients. Demonstrate the role you played in driving positive clinical outcomes and improving quality of life. Showcase your ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to enhance patient care delivery.
Resume writer’s tip: Quantify your experience
Integrating clinical data and metrics is a great way to bolster the strength of your bullet points. Providing deeper insights into your success as a physical therapist shows potential employers how your expertise can benefit their health care organization. For instance, you might draw attention to the number of patients you’ve treated or how you reduced average recovery times by a significant percentage.
Senior-Level Professional Experience Example
Senior Physical Therapist, Coulsen Orthopedics, Los Angeles, CA | June 2018 – present
- Develop and implement customized treatment plans for over 300 patients, adjust rehabilitation plans based on patient progress, and reduce average recovery times by 17%
- Manage a team of physical therapy assistants and deliver training on clinical standards and patient-centered care, contributing to a 92% patient satisfaction rating
- Provide education to patients and families on recovery plans and at-home care to reduce post-treatment and surgical complications by 19%
Entry-Level Professional Experience Example
Physical Therapy Aide, Jenkins Physical Therapy, Denver, CO | July 2023 – present
- Support physical therapists in providing treatment to over 60 patients daily, including setting up equipment, assisting with exercises, and applying hot or cold packs
- Offer direct care to patients, ensure safe transport to and from treatment areas, and closely monitor progress during therapy sessions
- Perform administrative functions for the practice, coordinate patient scheduling, and organize documentation in the electronic health records (EHR) system
Do
- “Develop and implement customized treatment plans for over 300 patients, adjust rehabilitation plans based on patient progress, and reduce average recovery times by 17%”
Don’t
- “Create treatment plans for a large number of patients, make changes based on progress, and strive to reduce recovery times”
Resume writer’s tip: Tailor your resume for each application
In today’s competitive job market, it is crucial to modify your resume to each specific job posting. This means adjusting the keywords in your profile and experience sections to match the job description and emphasizing the skills that align with potential employers’ needs. For example, you might show your manual therapy expertise or feature certifications in specific areas such as orthopedic rehabilitation.
What if you don’t have experience?
If you’re just starting your career as a physical therapist, emphasize your education, clinical rotations, and internships. Demonstrate any hands-on training, patient interactions, and treatments performed under supervision. Additionally, showcasing any volunteer work, such as assisting in sports rehabilitation clinics or local hospitals, can help demonstrate your commitment and passion for the field.
4. Include relevant physical therapy education and certifications
It’s important to feature your education, licenses, and clinical certifications prominently on your physical therapist resume, as many of these credentials are mandatory requirements for potential employers. Organize your degrees and certifications into two distinct categories, listing the dates, locations, and names of the institutions. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in a particular area of physical therapy consider pursuing a specialized certification, such as an OCS or GCS credential.
Education
Template:
[Degree Name and Major] | [Graduation Date]
[School Name] | [City, ST]
Example:
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) | University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA | May 2018
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Kinesiology | University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI | May 2016
Certifications
Template:
[Certification Name] | [Awarding Organization] | [Completion Date]
Example:
Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) | American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties | January 2020
Neurologic Clinical Specialist (NCS) | American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties | June 2019
5. List pertinent physical therapy key skills
The role of a physical therapist requires extensive clinical knowledge and strong interpersonal skills, so it’s important to feature a mix of both to position yourself as a well-rounded candidate. Pay close attention to the job description as you begin crafting your document and integrate keywords that align with the needs of potential employers. This shows the hiring manager that you have the qualifications to positively contribute to their physical therapy practice.
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Aerobics | Dry needling |
| Empathetic care | Hydrotherapy |
| Injury prevention | Interdisciplinary rehabilitation |
| Kinesiology | Manual muscle testing (MMT) |
| Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) | Neurological rehabilitation |
| Orthopedic rehabilitation | Outpatient treatment |
| Pain management | Patient assessment |
| Patient education | Patient management |
| Patient-centered care | Physical therapy |
| Rehabilitation plans | Sports injury |
| Sports medicine | Strength training |
| Treatment planning | |
Resume writer’s tip: Use strong action verbs
Incorporating action verbs is a great way to maximize the effectiveness of your bullet points. This strategic approach helps the hiring manager to visualize your career achievements and job responsibilities. As you craft your professional experience section, focus on using a variety of proactive verbs to keep your content fresh and compelling. Below are action verbs you can use during the resume writing process:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Achieved | Administered |
| Collaborated | Communicated |
| Conducted | Coordinated |
| Created | Delivered |
| Educated | Enhanced |
| Examined | Identified |
| Implemented | Improved |
| Managed | Monitored |
| Performed | Prepared |
| Treated | |
How To Pick the Best Physical Therapist Resume Template
When choosing a resume template, prioritize readability and organization. Your content should be the focal point, so avoid overly complex designs that may distract from your qualifications. Opt for a clean, professional layout that clearly presents your education, experience, and skills. A reverse chronological format is typically best for physical therapy resumes, as it displays your most recent and relevant experience first.
Physical Therapist Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
Raymond Ortiz
[email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | Los Angeles, CA | LinkedIn
Profile
A licensed physical therapist with five years of experience in orthopedic and neurologic rehabilitation. A proven track record of developing customized rehabilitation and treatment plans for diverse patient populations to reduce recovery times by up to 32%.
Professional Experience
Senior Physical Therapist
Coulsen Orthopedics, Los Angeles, CA | June 2018 – present
- Develop and implement customized treatment plans for over 300 patients, adjust rehabilitation plans based on patient progress, and reduce average recovery times by 17% in two years
- Manage a team of physical therapy assistants, and deliver training on clinical standards and patient-centered care, contributing to a 92% patient satisfaction rating
- Provide education to patients and families on recovery plans and at-home care to reduce post-treatment and surgical complications by 19%
Physical Therapist
Sanderson Physical Therapy | January 2018 – May 2018
- Created personalized rehabilitation programs for 150 patients recovering from strokes and major surgeries, educated patients and family members on treatment plans, and altered therapeutic approach based on individual patient needs
- Collaborated with multi-disciplinary teams to enhance the delivery of patient care and achieve positive clinical outcomes in 82% of cases
Key Skills
- Manual therapy
- Patient education
- Orthopedic physical therapy
- Pain management
- Neurologic rehabilitation
Education
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) | University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA | May 2019
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Kinesiology | University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI | May 2016
Certifications
- Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) | American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties | January 2020
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certified | American Heart Association | June 2019
Why this physical therapist resume is strong:
This resume example presents the candidate’s clinical experience using meaningful clinical data. The significant reduction in recovery times and patient satisfaction sends a clear message that the physical therapist can effectively create customized rehabilitation programs.
Frequently Asked Questions: Physical Therapy Resume Examples and Advice
How do you align your resume with a physical therapist job description?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, physical therapist occupations are expected to grow by 14% between 2023 and 2033. Despite the growing need for skilled physical therapists, it’s still important to align your resume with the job description. For example, if an organization is seeking a licensed therapist with a strong background in neurological rehabilitation, you might display your previous experience working with patients recovering from spinal cord injuries, strokes, or Parkinson’s.
What is the best physical therapist resume format?
The reverse chronological format is the best option for physical therapists. This approach highlights your most recent experience first, making it easy for hiring managers to view your most impressive career achievements and qualifications. Entry-level candidates can consider using a combination format that prioritizes certifications and skills, especially if they lack experience in direct patient care.
Expert advice:
Include a cover letter with your resume
Once you’ve completed your physical therapist resume, pair it with a strong cover letter to further increase your odds of landing the interview. Use this opportunity to express your genuine interest in a specific physical therapy practice and how your clinical knowledge aligns with the organization’s needs.
Check Out Related Examples
Executive Resume Writer and Career Coach
Andrew Stoner is an executive career coach and resume writer with 17 years of experience as a hiring manager and operations leader at two Fortune 500 Financial Services companies, and as the career services director at two major university business schools.
Written by professional resume writers and loved by hiring managers
Resume Templates offers free, HR approved resume templates to help you create a professional resume in minutes. Choose from several template options and even pre-populate a resume from your profile.