Physical Therapist Resume examples & templates
Copyable Physical Therapist Resume examples
Physical therapy traces back to 1921 when Mary McMillan founded the American Women's Physical Therapeutic Association (now the APTA) with just 274 members. What began as a rehabilitation field for WWI veterans has evolved into a sophisticated healthcare discipline requiring advanced degrees and specialized expertise. Today's PTs blend time-tested manual techniques with cutting-edge technologies like motion capture analysis and virtual reality rehab programs. The profession has quietly undergone a remarkable transformation – moving from a physician-prescribed service to autonomous practitioners with direct access in all 50 states.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 17.2% growth in PT positions through 2031, significantly outpacing most healthcare sectors. This surge reflects our aging population's needs, but also stems from insurance companies' growing recognition that PT intervention often reduces long-term healthcare costs. The field now encompasses diverse specializations from pediatrics to geriatrics, sports medicine to neurological rehab. For those entering this profession, the path forward isn't just about treating injuries – it's about being at the forefront of preventative care and functional movement science as healthcare continues its shift toward value-based outcomes.
Junior Physical Therapist Resume Example
MADISON REYES
Philadelphia, PA | (215) 555-8732 | m.reyes.dpt@email.com | linkedin.com/in/madisonreyespt
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Recent Doctor of Physical Therapy graduate with clinical experience in orthopedic, neurological, and geriatric settings. Strong foundation in manual therapy techniques, therapeutic exercise prescription, and patient education. Committed to evidence-based practice while developing personalized treatment plans that improve patients’ functional mobility and quality of life.
EXPERIENCE
Staff Physical Therapist – HealthFirst Rehabilitation Center, Philadelphia, PA
January 2023 – Present
- Evaluate and treat 8-10 patients daily across diverse populations, primarily focusing on orthopedic and post-surgical rehabilitation
- Implemented a patient education program that decreased missed appointments by 17% through improved understanding of home exercise programs
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary team including occupational therapists and speech language pathologists to coordinate comprehensive care
- Document patient progress using Epic EMR system, maintaining compliance with Medicare and insurance requirements
Physical Therapy Intern – St. Mary’s Hospital, Philadelphia, PA
September 2022 – December 2022
- Completed 12-week clinical rotation in acute care setting under supervision of senior PT
- Gained experience with early mobilization protocols for post-surgical patients
- Assisted with evaluations and treatments for patients with cardiopulmonary conditions, including those recovering from COVID-19
- Participated in weekly team rounds to discuss complex cases and treatment approaches
Physical Therapy Student – Parkside Outpatient Clinic, King of Prussia, PA
May 2022 – August 2022
- Completed 10-week outpatient orthopedic clinical rotation
- Evaluated and treated patients with musculoskeletal injuries, including post-op ACL reconstruction, rotator cuff repairs, and total joint replacements
- Developed and implemented therapeutic exercise programs and manual therapy techniques
- Learned proper billing procedures and documentation requirements for various insurance providers
EDUCATION
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Temple University, Philadelphia, PA – May 2022
Relevant Coursework: Musculoskeletal PT, Neuromuscular Rehabilitation, Cardiopulmonary PT, Pediatric PT, Geriatric PT
Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science
Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA – May 2019
GPA: 3.76/4.0 | Dean’s List: 6 semesters
CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSURE
Pennsylvania State Physical Therapy License #PT012345 (2022 – Present)
Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers – American Heart Association
Certified in Kinesio Taping Level 1 & 2
SKILLS
- Manual therapy techniques (joint mobilization, soft tissue mobilization)
- Therapeutic exercise prescription and progression
- Gait training and functional mobility assessment
- Electronic Medical Record systems (Epic, Centricity)
- Patient education and HEP design
- Vestibular rehabilitation basics
- Spanish – conversational proficiency
- McKenzie Method (Intro level)
- Fall risk assessment and prevention
- Wheelchair mobility and transfer training
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) – Member
Pennsylvania Physical Therapy Association – Member
Mid-level Physical Therapist Resume Example
Marcus Reyes, PT, DPT
marcus.reyes84@gmail.com | (510) 789-4231 | linkedin.com/in/marcusreyespt | Oakland, CA
Dedicated Physical Therapist with 5+ years of experience specializing in orthopedic rehabilitation and sports medicine. Proven track record helping patients recover from surgeries and injuries with personalized treatment plans. Known for building rapport with diverse patients and collaborating effectively with interdisciplinary healthcare teams. Committed to evidence-based practice while maintaining 93% patient satisfaction scores.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Senior Physical Therapist
Bay Area Rehabilitation Center – Oakland, CA
January 2021 – Present
- Lead therapist for orthopedic rehabilitation team, managing caseload of 14-18 patients daily while mentoring 2 junior PTs
- Developed specialized post-surgical knee rehabilitation protocol that reduced average recovery time by 17% for ACL patients
- Collaborated with orthopedic surgeons to create comprehensive treatment plans for complex cases, resulting in 91% of patients returning to previous activity levels
- Implemented telehealth services during COVID-19 pandemic, maintaining continuity of care for vulnerable patients (expanded program now serves 25% of outpatient population)
- Presented quarterly in-service trainings on manual therapy techniques and latest research findings to team of 11 therapists
Physical Therapist
SportsMed Physical Therapy – San Francisco, CA
June 2018 – December 2020
- Evaluated and treated 10-12 patients daily, primarily athletes and active adults with sports-related injuries
- Designed progressive rehabilitation programs for shoulder, knee, and ankle injuries, achieving 88% return-to-sport success rate
- Introduced functional movement screening to identify movement deficiencies, decreasing re-injury rates by 23%
- Coordinated with athletic trainers from local high schools to develop injury prevention programs for basketball and soccer teams
Physical Therapy Resident
Kaiser Permanente Medical Center – Walnut Creek, CA
September 2017 – May 2018
- Completed orthopedic residency program while treating diverse caseload of post-surgical, neurological, and geriatric patients
- Participated in weekly mentoring sessions and grand rounds presentations to enhance clinical reasoning skills
- Assisted with group therapy sessions for patients with chronic pain, teaching pain neuroscience education and self-management strategies
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
University of California, San Francisco – San Francisco, CA
Graduated: May 2017
Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology
San Diego State University – San Diego, CA
Graduated: May 2014 (cum laude)
Certifications:
- Orthopedic Certified Specialist (OCS) – American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties, 2020
- Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) – National Strength and Conditioning Association, 2019
- Functional Movement Systems Level 2 Certification, 2018
- CPR/AED for Healthcare Providers – American Heart Association, Current
SKILLS
- Manual therapy techniques (joint mobilization, soft tissue mobilization, PNF)
- Therapeutic exercise prescription and progression
- Therapeutic modalities (ultrasound, e-stim, laser therapy)
- Functional movement assessment
- Patient education and home exercise program design
- EMR documentation (Epic, WebPT)
- Gait analysis and biomechanical assessment
- Spanish language – conversational proficiency
- Kinesiology taping techniques
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
- American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), Orthopedic Section
- National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
Senior / Experienced Physical Therapist Resume Example
NATALIE CRAWFORD, PT, DPT
natalie.crawford@email.com | (412) 555-8317 | Pittsburgh, PA 15222
linkedin.com/in/nataliecrawfordpt | Licensed in Pennsylvania #PT023984
Dedicated Physical Therapist with 8+ years of experience specializing in orthopedic rehabilitation and sports medicine. Proven track record of improving patient outcomes through evidence-based treatment protocols and compassionate care. Known for developing personalized recovery plans that balance therapeutic goals with patient lifestyle needs. Experienced mentor to junior staff and student clinicians.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
SENIOR PHYSICAL THERAPIST | Keystone Rehabilitation Centers | Pittsburgh, PA | March 2019 – Present
- Lead a team of 7 therapists and 4 assistants in a high-volume outpatient clinic averaging 127 patient visits weekly
- Developed specialized post-surgical knee rehabilitation protocol that decreased average recovery time by 23% for ACL reconstruction patients
- Serve as clinical instructor for DPT students from University of Pittsburgh, mentoring 3-4 students annually
- Implemented telehealth assessment program during COVID-19 that retained 76% of scheduled appointments during facility restrictions
- Collaborate with orthopedic surgeons to create targeted pre-surgical strengthening programs for joint replacement patients
PHYSICAL THERAPIST | UPMC Sports Medicine | Pittsburgh, PA | June 2016 – February 2019
- Provided rehabilitation services for collegiate and professional athletes, specializing in throwing injuries and shoulder pathologies
- Designed and led weekly group exercise classes for ACL injury prevention (those classes were a blast to teach!)
- Created comprehensive home exercise programs using MedBridge platform, increasing patient compliance by 42%
- Assisted in data collection for research study examining return-to-play protocols for overhead athletes
- Conducted functional movement screenings for local high school sports teams, identifying injury risk factors in 63 athletes
STAFF PHYSICAL THERAPIST | Rivers Edge Rehabilitation | Moon Township, PA | August 2015 – May 2016
- Managed caseload of 12-15 patients daily across diverse orthopedic and neurological conditions
- Collaborated with OT and speech therapy for comprehensive treatment of stroke and TBI patients
- Implemented manual therapy techniques including joint mobilization, soft tissue mobilization, and PNF
- Received peer-nominated “Patient Care Excellence” award for outstanding patient satisfaction ratings
EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS
Doctor of Physical Therapy
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA | May 2015
Capstone Project: “Efficacy of Blood Flow Restriction Training in Post-Operative Knee Rehabilitation”
Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science
Penn State University, University Park, PA | May 2012
Graduated magna cum laude (3.87 GPA)
Certifications & Specialized Training:
- Orthopedic Certified Specialist (OCS), American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties, 2018
- Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), National Strength and Conditioning Association, 2016
- Advanced certification in Manual Therapy, Maitland Approach, Level 2, 2017
- Dry Needling Certification, Level 1 & 2, Myopain Seminars, 2019
- Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers, American Heart Association, Current
SKILLS & EXPERTISE
- Manual therapy techniques (joint mobilization, soft tissue work)
- Post-operative rehabilitation protocols
- Sports-specific return-to-play progression
- Orthopedic evaluation & assessment
- Gait analysis & biomechanics
- Therapeutic exercise prescription
- Patient education & home exercise program development
- Electronic medical record systems (Epic, WebPT)
- Insurance authorization & documentation
- Interdisciplinary team collaboration
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), Member since 2013
- APTA Orthopedic Section, Member
- APTA Sports Physical Therapy Section, Member
- Pennsylvania Physical Therapy Association, Member
How to Write a Physical Therapist Resume
Introduction
Landing your dream physical therapy job starts with a resume that showcases your clinical skills, patient care approach, and specialized training. I've reviewed thousands of PT resumes over my career, and the difference between those that get interviews and those that don't often comes down to how well candidates communicate their unique value. Your resume isn't just a list of jobs—it's your professional story that should clearly show why you're the right therapist for the position.
Resume Structure and Format
Keep your resume clean and scannable. Hiring managers at busy clinics or hospitals might only spend 30-45 seconds reviewing it initially.
- Stick to 1-2 pages (new grads: one page; experienced PTs: two pages max)
- Use consistent formatting with clear section headings
- Choose readable fonts like Calibri or Arial at 10-12pt size
- Include white space to prevent a cramped appearance
- Save as a PDF to preserve formatting (unless specifically asked for a different format)
Profile/Summary Section
Start with a punchy summary that highlights your specialization, years of experience, and standout qualities. This 3-4 sentence paragraph should give hiring managers an immediate sense of your professional identity.
Include one distinctive achievement or specialty area that sets you apart from other candidates. For example: "Orthopedic specialist with advanced manual therapy certification and 94% patient satisfaction scores across 7 years of clinical practice."
Professional Experience
This is where most PTs fall short. Don't just list job duties—highlight your clinical outcomes and achievements.
- Start each bullet with strong action verbs (Evaluated, Implemented, Rehabilitated)
- Include measurable results when possible (patient load, recovery rates, satisfaction scores)
- Highlight specialized treatment approaches you've used successfully
- Mention specific patient populations you've worked with (pediatric, geriatric, sports, etc.)
- Show progression of responsibility if you've been at one facility for several years
Education and Certifications
List your degrees in reverse chronological order. For newer grads, place education near the top; for experienced PTs, it can follow your work experience. Always include:
- Your DPT or equivalent degree with graduation year and university
- State license number(s) and expiration dates
- Specialty certifications (OCS, SCS, NCS, PCS, etc.)
- Continuing education that's relevant to the job (manual therapy, dry needling, etc.)
- BLS/CPR certification
Keywords and ATS Tips
Many healthcare employers use Applicant Tracking Systems to filter resumes before human review. Incorporate relevant keywords from the job posting, such as:
- Treatment modalities you're proficient in (manual therapy, ASTYM, McKenzie method)
- Documentation systems you've used (Epic, Cerner, WebPT, Casamba)
- Patient populations (orthopedic, neurological, pediatric, geriatric)
- Settings you've worked in (outpatient, acute care, home health, SNF)
Industry-specific Terms
Show your clinical expertise by naturally incorporating PT terminology. Include terms like functional outcomes, gait training, therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, neuromuscular re-education, and proprioceptive training where relevant. Mention specific assessment tools you're familiar with (FOTO, Berg Balance, FIM scores).
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using generic clinical language that doesn't differentiate you
- Forgetting to mention EMR/documentation systems you know
- Omitting productivity metrics or caseload management experience
- Including irrelevant personal information (hobbies unrelated to PT)
- Using jargon without showing practical application
Before/After Example
Before: "Responsible for treating patients with various conditions and completing documentation."
After: "Managed a diverse caseload of 13-15 patients daily while maintaining 92% productivity, specializing in post-surgical knee rehabilitation and implementing evidence-based protocols that reduced average recovery time by 2.5 weeks."
Your PT resume should paint a picture of not just what you've done, but how well you've done it. Make every word count, tailor each application to the specific clinic or hospital, and clearly demonstrate your impact on patient outcomes. The most compelling resumes tell a story of a therapist who doesn't just treat conditions—but improves lives.
Related Resume Examples
Soft skills for your Physical Therapist resume
- Active listening that builds trust with patients (crucial during detailed intake assessments)
- Clear communication across different educational levels – from explaining complex conditions to elderly patients to coordinating with physicians
- Emotional intelligence to gauge patient frustration or pain thresholds during challenging therapy sessions
- Adaptability when unexpected setbacks occur (like when Mrs. Johnson’s arthritis flares up mid-treatment)
- Conflict resolution between insurance requirements and optimal patient treatment plans
- Time management skills for handling 8-10 patients daily while maintaining documentation quality
Hard skills for your Physical Therapist resume
- Manual Therapy Techniques (Myofascial Release, Joint Mobilization)
- Therapeutic Exercise Programming for Post-Surgical Rehabilitation
- Vestibular Rehabilitation for Balance Disorders
- EMR Documentation (Epic, Cerner)
- Functional Movement Assessment using SFMA Protocol
- Orthopedic Injury Assessment & Treatment
- Dry Needling Certification (Level 2)
- McKenzie Method for Spine Treatment
- Kinesiology Taping Applications