Physical Therapy Resume Example, Template & Description

Jobs for Physical Therapy Resumes

Physical therapy is a medical process that can help return function to patients who have lost a range of motion, whether from disabilities, surgery or accidents. If you want to get a physical therapist job, you need to have special training that makes you the ideal candidate for the job role. Here’s what you need to know to write a physical therapist resume.

There are many specialties that may fall under the umbrella term of “licensed physical therapist.” Here are some job roles that can benefit from a physical therapy resume:

• Outpatient physical therapist
• Pediatric physical therapist
• Geriatric physical therapist
• Physical therapist assistant
• Orthopedic therapist

Generally, if you’re looking to be hired for any one of these job positions, you can use a physical therapist resume sample as a base to build your own resume. Your new job in this industry will likely draw on many of the same skills and educational requirements.

Elements of a Physical Therapy Resume

You need to start your resume with the resume header, which provides all of your contact information and social media links, including your LinkedIn profile link. From there, you can create the following resume headings.

Resume Summary

The first section of your resume should be the resume summary. This is a short 2-3 sentence paragraph where you highlight your best skills, your job title and your key achievements. While technical skills are definitely very important in your job search, an experienced physical therapist knows that it’s just as important to showcase your knowledge of people. In your resume summary, you can discuss your connection to individuals, not just the field of healthcare.

Work history

If you have previous work experience, you can include it in this section. Lead off with professional work you’ve had, most recent job first, and add in any related academic, internship and volunteer experience if it applies to the job you want.

Skills

Your skills section needs to include both hard skills and soft skills. The best resume will balance both of these elements, no matter what job title you’re looking for. List at least 5-6 relevant skills, which may include:

• Treatment plans
• General patient care
• Specific physical therapy treatment regimens
• Exercise programs
• Therapeutic exercise processes
• Interpersonal skills
• Treatment modalities
• Sports injuries
• Measuring patient progress

Education

Your education section is often very important in physical therapy. If you have a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, include it here. You’ll also probably want to include DPT after your name in your resume header. This helps hiring managers know immediately that you have a DPT designation, even before they get to your education section.

Certifications

If you have any certifications that a job might be looking for, you can list them in their own Certifications section. Many physical therapists in the United States, for example, are part of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), which is something important to highlight.

Physical Therapy Resume Examples You Can Use

If you’re looking for an example to craft your own perfect resume, look no further than ResumeHelp. We have over 50,000 resume examples available on the ResumeHelp website covering a variety of jobs. Plus, the resume builder is a great starting point for any resume, including a physical therapy resume. Choose your resume template and find the job you always wanted!

Tips for Creating Your Physical Therapy Resume

Thanks for reading! Knowing how to write a resume that stands out is the easiest way to get the job of your dreams, so feel free to explore more of our content for additional help.