How to write a Physical Therapist resume?

To write an effective Physical Therapist resume, focus on highlight your specialty areas (ortho, neuro, pediatric, geriatric). Include key skills like Manual Therapy, Therapeutic Exercise, Patient Assessment, Treatment Planning, Gait Training, and use ATS-friendly keywords such as physical therapy, rehabilitation, manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, patient assessment. Quantify your achievements with specific metrics and results.

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Physical Therapist Resume Template

Physical Therapists help patients recover from injuries, manage chronic conditions, and improve mobility through exercise, manual therapy, and education. They work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, rehab centers, and private practices.

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Quick Facts

Median Salary

$101,000/year

Job Growth

14% (much faster than average)

Education

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

Key Skills for Physical Therapist Resume

Include these skills prominently in your resume to pass ATS screening and impress recruiters:

Manual TherapyTherapeutic ExercisePatient AssessmentTreatment PlanningGait TrainingModalitiesDocumentationPatient EducationOrthopedic RehabilitationNeurological Rehabilitation

Professional Summary Example

"Licensed Physical Therapist with 6 years of experience specializing in orthopedic rehabilitation. Expertise in manual therapy, post-surgical recovery, and sports injury rehabilitation. Consistently achieves 90%+ patient satisfaction scores while maintaining caseload of 50+ patients weekly. Board-certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS)."

Achievement Bullet Examples

Use these proven bullet point examples as inspiration for your own resume:

  • Managed caseload of 50+ patients weekly across outpatient orthopedic and sports medicine populations
  • Achieved 95% patient goal attainment rate through individualized treatment plans and evidence-based interventions
  • Reduced average treatment duration by 20% through implementation of targeted manual therapy protocols
  • Mentored 8 DPT students during clinical rotations, providing instruction in evaluation and treatment techniques

Resume Tips for Physical Therapist

Highlight your specialty areas (ortho, neuro, pediatric, geriatric)
Include patient outcomes and functional improvement metrics
Mention caseload size and types of conditions treated
List any specialized techniques or certifications
Include continuing education and professional development

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Not quantifying patient outcomes and improvements
Failing to specify treatment settings and patient populations
Omitting specialized certifications and training
Using generic descriptions instead of evidence-based terminology

ATS Keywords for Physical Therapist

Incorporate these keywords throughout your resume to improve ATS match scores:

physical therapyrehabilitationmanual therapytherapeutic exercisepatient assessmenttreatment planfunctional outcomesgait trainingrange of motionevidence-based practice
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Certifications
  • State PT License
  • ABPTS Board Certification
  • Dry Needling Certification
  • Manual Therapy Certification
  • CPR/BLS
Education Requirements
  • Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
  • Master of Physical Therapy (transitional)
  • Bachelor's + DPT
Salary Range
Entry Level$75,000
Median$101,000
Experienced$125,000

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