Why this resume works
- Highlights industry-specific skills: Showcasing healthcare skills like patient assessment and therapeutic training highlights expertise and specialized knowledge.
- Quantifies accomplishments: Measurable accomplishments such as increasing patient mobility by 25% and reducing recovery time by 15 days show the applicant’s tangible impact and value.
- Uses action-oriented language: Strong action verbs like “implemented,” “boosted,” and “improved” convey initiative and effectiveness, painting a picture of proactive contributions.
More Physical Therapy Resume Examples
Check out our physical therapy resume examples to understand how to highlight your therapeutic skills, patient interaction experience, and rehabilitative approach. These samples will help you craft a resume that appeals to healthcare employers.
Entry-Level Physical Therapy Resume
Why this resume works
- Effective use of keywords: By integrating role-specific keywords like patient assessment and therapeutic exercises, the applicant skillfully optimizes their resume for ATS screening.
- Puts skills at the forefront: The skills-based resume format prioritizes skills such as manual therapy techniques, showcasing an effective approach for new professionals.
- Shows digital literacy: Implementing patient tracking software signals the applicant’s computer skills and commitment to modern healthcare practices.
Mid-Level Physical Therapy Resume
Why this resume works
- Points to measurable outcomes: The applicant’s ability to improve patient mobility by 30% and reduce rehab time by 20% spotlights tangible impacts in their therapeutic roles.
- Demonstrates language abilities: Language skills in Spanish, French, and German improve cross-cultural communication, supporting diverse therapy sessions.
- Includes a mix of soft and hard skills: Combining treatment planning with effective interpersonal skills, the applicant showcases a balanced approach toward patient care and team collaboration.
Experienced Physical Therapy Resume
Why this resume works
- Lists relevant certifications: Listing certifications like Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist (COMT) and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) reinforces expertise while showcasing commitment to professional growth.
- Showcases impressive accomplishments: Achievements such as improving patient mobility by 20% within three months reflect measurable results that align with senior-level impact.
- Focuses on work history: Organizing work history with a chronological resume format, from orthopedic therapist to physical therapist, effectively illustrates career progression and extensive experience.
Explore Even More Physical Therapy Resumes
Physical Therapy Resume Template (Text Version)
David Garcia
Silverlake, WA 98293
(555)555-5555
David.Garcia@example.com
Professional Summary
Dedicated Physical Therapist with 7 years of experience in dynamic rehabilitative settings. Proficient in pain management and exercise therapy, driving patient improvement results by leveraging electronic medical records and strong communication skills.
Skills
- Patient Assessment
- Rehabilitation Engineering
- Pain Management
- Exercise Therapy
- Therapeutic Training
- Electronic Medical Records
- Team Leadership
- Communication Skills
Certifications
- Certified Orthopedic Specialist – American Physical Therapy Association
- Manual Therapy Certification – Institute of Manipulative Therapy
Education
Master of Science Physical Therapy
University of Illinois Champaign, Illinois
May 2016
Bachelor of Science Kinesiology
Illinois State University Normal, Illinois
May 2014
Work History
Physical Therapist
Wellness Physiotherapy Center – Silverlake, WA
June 2022 – July 2025
- Increased patient mobility by 25%
- Reduced recovery time by 15 days per patient
- Supervised a team of 5 therapy assistants
Rehabilitation Specialist
Active Recovery Clinic – Tacoma, WA
June 2019 – May 2022
- Implemented new therapy plans for 30 patients
- Boosted patient satisfaction by 40%
- Conducted 150+ therapy sessions monthly
Therapy Assistant
Silverline Therapy Group – Seattle, WA
June 2016 – May 2019
- Assisted in over 200 rehabilitation sessions
- Enhanced client engagement by 30%
- Maintained equipment with 0% downtime
Languages
- Spanish – Beginner (A1)
- French – Intermediate (B1)
- Mandarin – Beginner (A1)
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Advice for Writing Your Physical Therapy Resume
Dive into our tips on how to write a resume for a physical therapy role and discover how to highlight your hands-on skills, passion for patient care, and dedication to helping others move toward better health.
Write a strong professional summary
A professional summary on a resume acts as an introduction to hiring managers, providing them with a quick glimpse of your career highlights. When crafting your resume, you can decide between including a professional summary or a resume objective.
A professional summary is typically three to four sentences long and outlines your experience, skills, and key achievements. It’s best suited for experienced applicants who want to emphasize their established professional identity and value in the field. By showcasing “what I’ve accomplished,” it serves to highlight your past successes and impact.
In contrast, a resume objective focuses on career goals and is recommended for entry-level candidates, career changers, or those with employment gaps. Objectives look toward “what I aim to contribute,” making them ideal for those entering new roles or industries.
Next, we’ll provide examples of both summaries and objectives tailored to various industries and levels of experience in physical therapy. See our library of resume examples for additional inspiration.
Physical therapy resume summary examples
Entry-level
Recent graduate with a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, skilled in evaluating and developing individualized treatment plans. Certified in Basic Life Support (BLS) and familiar with therapeutic exercises aimed at improving patient mobility. Eager to contribute as a physical therapist by applying clinical knowledge gained through internships in acute care settings.
Mid-career
Physical therapist with over seven years of experience focusing on musculoskeletal disorders and sports injuries. Proficient in manual therapy techniques, balance training, and designing effective rehabilitation protocols. Licensed and certified in dry needling, recognized for improving patient recovery times through personalized care strategies while working collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.
Experienced
Veteran physical therapist specializing in chronic pain management and post-operative rehabilitation, holding advanced certifications in orthopedic therapy and vestibular rehabilitation. Proven leader with a track record of managing successful therapy programs that improve patient outcomes across diverse populations. Strong advocate for integrating evidence-based practices to foster long-term health improvements.
Physical therapy resume objective examples
Entry-level applicant
Dedicated and empathetic recent physical therapy program graduate eager to start a career as a physical therapist assistant. Aims to use academic knowledge and clinical training to support rehabilitation efforts, improve patient mobility, and contribute positively to a healthcare team.
Career changer
Passionate professional with experience in fitness instruction transitioning into the field of physical therapy. Committed to employing background in exercise science and newly acquired physical therapy skills to aid patients in their recovery journey and promote overall well-being in a collaborative clinical environment.
Recent graduate
Energetic and detail-oriented recent graduate from an accredited physical therapy program seeking an entry-level position as a physical therapist assistant. Driven by a strong desire to assist licensed physical therapists in developing effective treatment plans that improve patient outcomes and quality of life.
Create your physical therapy resume easily using our Resume Builder. It offers templates that highlight your skills and experience to stand out.
Include relevant certifications and training
Listing certifications and specialized training is essential for a career in physical therapy. These credentials demonstrate that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide safe and effective patient care. Licenses, such as a Physical Therapist (PT) license, show that you meet industry standards, while additional training highlights your commitment to staying current with the latest techniques.
Adding a dedicated certifications section on your resume makes these achievements easy to find and complements your education. Relevant certifications for physical therapy roles include:
- Licensed Physical Therapist (PT)
- Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
- Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS)
- Neurologic Certified Specialist (NCS)
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
Including these certifications on your resume not only demonstrates your expertise but also builds trust with employers and patients. They show that you are committed to professional growth and prepared to deliver high-quality care, giving you a competitive edge in the field.
Example of a certifications section
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
Issued by: National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
Expires 2025
Orthopedic Certified Specialist (OCS)
Issued by: American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
Issued 2023
Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT)
Issued by: Lymphology Association of North America (LANA)
Expires 2026
Pediatric Certified Specialist (PCS)
Issued by: American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties
Issued 2022
Choose a polished and well-organized resume template that effectively showcases your skills and qualifications to stand out to hiring managers in your field.
Showcase your work experience
Showcasing relevant work experience on a physical therapy resume is essential to demonstrate your ability to meet the demands of the role. Employers want to see how your past roles have prepared you to help patients regain mobility, reduce pain, and improve their quality of life.
Structuring this section in reverse chronological order makes it easy for hiring managers to quickly identify your most recent and relevant experience. For each position, include your job title, employer name, location, and dates of employment.
When describing your work experience, use action-oriented language that highlights specific accomplishments. Focus on measurable results wherever possible. For example, instead of saying you “helped patients recover,” say you “designed personalized treatment plans that improved patient mobility by an average of 30% over six weeks.”
Highlight key responsibilities such as developing exercise programs, educating patients about injury prevention, and working with other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive care.
Be sure to tailor this section by emphasizing skills and duties important in physical therapy. These might include diagnosing movement dysfunctions, using therapeutic equipment effectively, or documenting patient progress accurately. By providing clear examples of how you’ve made a difference in previous roles, you’ll show potential employers that you’re ready to deliver exceptional care in their facility.
5 physical therapy work history bullet points
- Implemented individualized treatment plans for 50+ patients weekly, resulting in a 40% improvement in patient mobility outcomes.
- Conducted comprehensive physical assessments, leading to accurate diagnosis and targeted interventions for 90% of cases.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to improve patient rehabilitation programs, improving overall recovery rates by 25%.
- Educated patients and families on therapeutic exercises, increasing adherence to home exercise programs by 60%.
- Used advanced manual therapy techniques to alleviate pain symptoms in over 75% of chronic pain sufferers.
For physical therapists, choose a resume format that highlights patient care experience, treatment skills, and certifications at the top.
Match your resume with the job description
Tailoring resumes to job descriptions is key because it helps job seekers stand out to employers and pass through applicant tracking systems (ATS). These systems scan resumes for specific keywords and phrases from job postings, making it easier for hiring managers to find qualified candidates.
An ATS-friendly resume includes keywords and phrases that align with one’s skills. By incorporating these terms, you can increase your chances of moving forward in the hiring process.
To identify keywords from job postings, look for skills, qualifications, and duties mentioned repeatedly. For example, you might see terms like “patient care,” “clinical assessments,” or “healthcare team collaboration.” Using these phrases in your resume is important.
Naturally incorporate these terms into your resume content by rewriting job descriptions. For instance, you can transform “Provide high-quality patient care” into “Delivered high-quality patient care to improve overall health outcomes.” Targeted resumes are more likely to pass ATS scans and catch the attention of hiring managers.
You can use our ATS Resume Checker to scan your resume for potential issues and receive on-the-spot feedback to improve your resume score.
FAQ
Do I need to include a cover letter with my physical therapy resume?
Yes, including a cover letter with your physical therapy resume is a smart move to set yourself apart from other candidates.
A cover letter gives you the chance to show your passion for physical therapy and highlight specific experiences that make you a great fit for the role.
For instance, if the clinic specializes in sports rehabilitation or pediatric care, you can discuss your experience or interest in those areas.
Consider using resources like our Cover Letter Generator to help craft a personalized letter that complements your resume effectively.
Additionally, reviewing cover letter examples tailored to physical therapy can provide valuable insights into how to structure yours and what key points to emphasize.
How long should a physical therapy resume be?
For a physical therapist, your resume should ideally be a one-page resume if you’re early in your career or have less than 10 years of experience.
This length lets you effectively showcase your skills, relevant education, like a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, and clinical experiences.
If you have extensive experience or certifications such as board-certified clinical specialist credentials, a two-page resume can work.
Ensure every detail relates directly to patient care and rehabilitation results. Explore our guide on how long a resume should be for tailored advice on the right length for each career stage.
How do you write a physical therapy resume with no experience?
When crafting a physical therapy resume with no experience, emphasize your education, relevant skills, and any training that shows you’re prepared for the field. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
- Highlight your education: Start with listing your degree in physical therapy or a related field from an accredited institution. Include graduation dates and any honors or recognitions received.
- Detail clinical internships: Use any internships or clinical placements as practical experience. Specify the settings you worked in and tasks performed, like patient assessments, treatment planning, and rehabilitation exercises.
- Showcase transferable skills: Emphasize skills such as communication, problem-solving, and teamwork that are important in physical therapy. If you’ve volunteered or worked part-time roles where these were used, include them.
- Include certifications: Mention any additional certifications, like CPR/AED or specialized courses, that improve your value as a future therapist.
For more help on crafting resumes without direct experience, explore our guide on how to write a resume with no experience for examples and tips on crafting an entry-level resume.
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Jasmine is certified career coach and recognized expert in job search strategy. She is committed to helping job seekers navigate the job market and succeed in their careers.
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