Physical Therapy Assistant Resume examples & templates

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Copyable Physical Therapy Assistant Resume examples

Did you know that over 72% of Physical Therapy Assistants report higher job satisfaction than the average healthcare worker? That's not just a feel-good statistic—it reflects the meaningful impact PTAs have on patients' lives every day. As someone who assists patients through their most vulnerable moments, from post-surgery rehab to managing chronic pain, PTAs experience the tangible results of their work in real-time. The field has shifted dramatically in recent years, with many clinics now employing PTAs in specialized roles focusing on particular treatment modalities or patient populations rather than as generalists.

The demand for qualified PTAs continues to grow faster than most healthcare professions, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting a 27% increase in positions by 2031—far outpacing the average growth rate. This surge comes at a time when the healthcare system is increasingly recognizing the cost-effectiveness and patient benefits of rehabilitation services. For those with the right mix of technical skills and genuine compassion, the PTA career path offers stability, meaning, and countless opportunities to make a difference in an evolving healthcare landscape.

Junior Physical Therapy Assistant Resume Example

Miguel Santos

Chicago, IL 60618 | (312) 555-4829 | miguel.santos@email.com | linkedin.com/in/miguelsantos

Physical Therapy Assistant with clinical internship experience and 1+ year of hands-on patient care. Known for building strong rapport with diverse patient populations while delivering personalized treatment plans. Particularly skilled with geriatric patients and post-surgical rehabilitation. Currently pursuing advanced certification in manual therapy techniques.

EXPERIENCE

Physical Therapy Assistant – Northside Rehabilitation Center, Chicago, IL
June 2022 – Present

  • Provide therapeutic interventions to 12-15 patients daily under PT supervision, focusing on orthopedic and neurological conditions
  • Implement treatment protocols including therapeutic exercise, gait training, and electrotherapy for patients recovering from joint replacements
  • Document patient progress and treatment outcomes in EMR system, maintaining 97% compliance with documentation deadlines
  • Assist in training 3 PTA students during their clinical rotations, helping them transition from observation to hands-on practice
  • Created home exercise program handouts with clear instructions that improved patient adherence by 31%

Physical Therapy Aide – University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
January 2021 – May 2022

  • Prepared treatment areas and equipment for upcoming therapy sessions while maintaining sanitation protocols
  • Transported patients to/from therapy sessions and assisted with basic exercises under PT direction
  • Managed front desk operations including scheduling, insurance verification, and patient check-in
  • Helped transition clinic to new EMR system by scanning and organizing 400+ patient files

Clinical Internship – Lakeview Sports Medicine & Physical Therapy, Chicago, IL
September 2020 – December 2020

  • Completed 320 clinical hours assisting licensed PTs with patient treatments and exercises
  • Observed and participated in treatment sessions for patients with sports injuries, providing hands-on assistance with therapeutic exercises
  • Learned proper body mechanics and transfer techniques for safely moving patients with limited mobility

EDUCATION

Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant
Malcolm X College, Chicago, IL – May 2021
GPA: 3.78/4.0

Certifications

  • Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant – Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (2021)
  • CPR/AED for Healthcare Providers – American Heart Association (Current)
  • HIPAA Compliance Training (2021)

SKILLS

  • Therapeutic Exercise Programming
  • Manual Therapy Techniques
  • Electrotherapy & Ultrasound
  • Gait Training & Analysis
  • Patient Transfer & Positioning
  • Medical Documentation (Epic EMR)
  • Post-Surgical Rehabilitation
  • Spanish (Conversational)
  • Kinesiology Taping
  • Patient Education

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) – Student Member 2019-2021, Active Member 2021-Present

Mid-level Physical Therapy Assistant Resume Example

Sarah Dawson, PTA

Portland, OR | (503) 555-4231 | sarah.dawson.pta@gmail.com | linkedin.com/in/sarahdawsonpta

Professional Summary

Dedicated Physical Therapy Assistant with 5+ years of hands-on experience in outpatient and rehabilitation settings. Known for developing creative treatment approaches for patients with diverse mobility challenges. Strong communicator who builds rapport with patients while maintaining detailed progress documentation. Consistently praised for patient education skills that improve compliance with home exercise programs.

Professional Experience

Senior Physical Therapy Assistant | Portland Rehabilitation Center | May 2021 – Present

  • Lead a team of 3 PTAs in delivering therapeutic exercises, manual therapy, and modalities to 45+ weekly patients
  • Collaborated with supervising PTs to develop personalized treatment plans for post-surgical patients, resulting in 27% faster recovery times compared to facility benchmarks
  • Implemented new patient education materials for home exercise programs that increased compliance by 34%
  • Trained 4 new PTAs on facility protocols and documentation standards
  • Specialized in geriatric rehabilitation techniques, including fall prevention strategies and balance training

Physical Therapy Assistant | ActiveLife Sports Medicine | January 2019 – April 2021

  • Assisted with therapeutic interventions for 12-15 patients daily in a fast-paced sports medicine practice
  • Applied modalities including ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and hot/cold therapy as part of treatment protocols
  • Tracked and documented patient progress using Epic EMR system, maintaining 97% documentation accuracy
  • Developed supplemental training materials for common sports injuries that reduced repeat visits by 18%
  • Coordinated with front desk staff to optimize scheduling and minimize patient wait times

Physical Therapy Aide | Cornerstone Physical Therapy | August 2018 – December 2018

  • Prepared treatment areas and assisted patients with initial setup for therapy sessions
  • Maintained inventory of therapy supplies and equipment, reducing supply shortages by 40%
  • Scheduled appointments and verified insurance information for 30+ weekly patients
  • Observed licensed PTAs and PTs to gain practical knowledge while completing PTA program

Education & Certifications

Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant
Portland Community College | Portland, OR | 2018

Certifications

  • Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant – Oregon State Board (#PT23784) – renewed Jan 2023
  • BLS/CPR Certification – American Heart Association – expires June 2024
  • Manual Therapy Techniques for the Spine and Extremities – 2022
  • Kinesio Taping Practitioner – 2020

Skills

  • Therapeutic Exercise Implementation
  • Manual Therapy Techniques
  • Gait Training & Transfer Assistance
  • Patient Education
  • Electronic Medical Records (Epic, TheraOffice)
  • Modality Application (E-stim, Ultrasound)
  • Treatment Plan Development
  • Medicare/Insurance Documentation
  • Post-surgical Rehabilitation
  • Geriatric & Sports Injury Care

Professional Affiliations

American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) – Member since 2018
Oregon Physical Therapy Association – Member since 2018

Senior / Experienced Physical Therapy Assistant Resume Example

Teresa M. Calloway, PTA

Orlando, FL • (407) 555-8219 • tcalloway.pta@email.com • linkedin.com/in/teresacalloway

Dedicated Physical Therapy Assistant with 9+ years of hands-on clinical experience specializing in orthopedic rehabilitation, sports medicine, and geriatric care. Known for developing creative treatment approaches that improve patient compliance and outcomes. Consistently praised for compassionate bedside manner and ability to explain complex medical concepts in accessible terms to patients and families.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Senior Physical Therapy Assistant | AdventHealth Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation | Orlando, FL | March 2019 – Present

  • Lead a team of 4 PTAs in delivering evidence-based therapeutic interventions to 45+ weekly patients across post-surgical, sports injury, and workers’ compensation cases
  • Spearheaded implementation of new aquatic therapy program that improved recovery times for ACL reconstruction patients by 17%
  • Created and maintained detailed treatment documentation in Epic EHR system, ensuring 100% compliance with Medicare requirements
  • Developed patient education materials for home exercise programs that increased adherence rates from 62% to 84%
  • Mentored 6 PTA students during clinical rotations, with 2 eventually joining our practice full-time

Physical Therapy Assistant | Sunshine State Rehabilitation Center | Winter Park, FL | June 2016 – February 2019

  • Administered therapeutic exercises, manual therapy techniques, and modalities (ultrasound, electrical stimulation, hot/cold therapy) to 30+ weekly patients
  • Collaborated with PT to modify treatment plans based on patient progress, contributing to 76% of patients meeting or exceeding functional goals
  • Coordinated with interdisciplinary team members including OTs, SLPs, and social workers to ensure comprehensive care
  • Provided specialized balance training for geriatric patients, reducing fall incidents by 32% among high-risk individuals

Physical Therapy Assistant | Golden Years Senior Living | Kissimmee, FL | August 2014 – May 2016

  • Delivered physical therapy services to residents in long-term care and skilled nursing facilities
  • Assisted patients with mobility exercises, transfers, gait training, and ADLs to maximize independence
  • Documented patient progress using Point Click Care system and participated in weekly care plan meetings
  • Organized monthly “Move With Me” group exercise class that improved resident participation in therapy by 27%

EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS

Associate of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant
Valencia College | Orlando, FL | May 2014
GPA: 3.78/4.0 | Clinical Excellence Award Recipient

Certifications & Continuing Education:

  • Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant, Florida Board of Physical Therapy (License #PTA8472)
  • Certified in Kinesio Taping Methods, Levels 1 & 2 (2018)
  • Manual Therapy for the Lumbar Spine Certificate (2020)
  • Advanced Therapeutic Exercise for Orthopedic Rehabilitation (2021)
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers, American Heart Association
  • LSVT BIG Certification for Parkinson’s Treatment (2022)

CLINICAL SKILLS & EXPERTISE

  • Therapeutic Exercise Prescription & Progression
  • Manual Therapy Techniques
  • Gait Training & Transfer Assistance
  • Neuromuscular Re-education
  • Therapeutic Modalities (E-stim, Ultrasound)
  • Post-surgical Rehabilitation
  • Electronic Health Records (Epic, Point Click Care)
  • Medicare/Medicaid Documentation Standards
  • Patient/Family Education
  • Aquatic Therapy

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

  • American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), Member since 2013
  • Florida Physical Therapy Association (FPTA)
  • APTA Orthopedic Section Member

How to Write a Physical Therapy Assistant Resume

Introduction

Landing that perfect Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) job starts with a resume that showcases your clinical skills, patient care experience, and technical knowledge. With hospitals and clinics receiving dozens of applications for each opening, your resume needs to stand out while checking all the right boxes. I've helped hundreds of PTAs revamp their resumes over my 15+ years as a career coach, and I've noticed the ones who get interviews aren't necessarily the most qualified—they're the ones who present their qualifications most effectively.

Resume Structure and Format

Keep your PTA resume clean and scannable. Clinic directors and HR staff typically spend just 7.4 seconds on initial resume reviews!

  • Stick to 1-2 pages (1 page for less than 5 years experience, 2 pages for veterans)
  • Use standard section headings: Profile, Experience, Education, Certifications, Skills
  • Choose a readable font (Arial, Calibri, or Garamond work well)
  • Include plenty of white space—cramped resumes are hard to read
  • Save as a PDF to preserve formatting (unless specifically asked for a Word doc)

Profile/Summary Section

Your profile should be a quick snapshot of who you are professionally. For PTAs, emphasize your clinical specialty areas, years of experience, and standout achievements. Keep it under 4-5 lines.

Example: "Licensed PTA with 4+ years of experience in outpatient orthopedic and neurological rehabilitation. Skilled in manual therapy techniques, therapeutic exercise prescription, and EMR documentation. Consistently maintain a 93% patient satisfaction rating while managing a caseload of 16-18 patients daily."

Pro Tip: Customize your profile for each job application. If the clinic specializes in sports medicine or geriatrics, highlight your relevant experience in those areas.

Professional Experience

This is the heart of your resume. For each position, include:

  • Facility name, location, and dates of employment
  • Your title and basic responsibilities
  • 4-6 bullet points highlighting achievements (not just duties)
  • Metrics whenever possible (patient load, satisfaction scores, improvement rates)

Start each bullet with strong action verbs like "Implemented," "Administered," or "Collaborated." For example: "Implemented individualized treatment plans for 14-16 patients daily, focusing on functional mobility and pain reduction techniques for post-surgical knee replacements."

Education and Certifications

List your Associate's Degree in Physical Therapy Assistance first, followed by your license number and state. Then add any specialized certifications or continuing education that's relevant to the position.

  • Associate of Applied Science, Physical Therapist Assistant Program, [School Name]
  • Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant, [State] #12345
  • CPR/AED Certified, American Heart Association
  • Manual Therapy Certification, Kinesio Taping Level 1 & 2, etc.

Keywords and ATS Tips

Many healthcare employers use Applicant Tracking Systems to filter resumes. Include these keywords (naturally—don't just list them) to improve your chances:

  • Treatment modalities you're familiar with (ultrasound, electrical stimulation, hot/cold therapy)
  • EMR/EHR systems you've used (Epic, Cerner, TheraOffice, WebPT)
  • Patient populations (pediatric, geriatric, sports, neurological)
  • Assessment tools (goniometry, manual muscle testing, functional outcome measures)

Industry-specific Terms

Sprinkle these throughout your resume where appropriate:

  • Gait training
  • Therapeutic exercise
  • Neuromuscular re-education
  • Manual therapy techniques
  • Functional mobility
  • Range of motion (ROM)
  • Patient education

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Listing only job duties without achievements
  • Using medical jargon that HR screeners might not understand
  • Forgetting to mention documentation skills (huge in today's healthcare environment)
  • Neglecting soft skills like patient communication and team collaboration
  • Including outdated or irrelevant certifications

Before/After Example

Before: "Responsible for helping patients with exercises."

After: "Guided 12-15 patients daily through customized therapeutic exercise programs, resulting in 87% meeting or exceeding their functional mobility goals within projected timeframes."

Remember—your resume is your professional first impression. Take the time to get it right, and don't be afraid to ask a colleague to review it before you send it out. The job market for PTAs is competitive (though growing!), and that extra effort could be what lands you your dream position.

Soft skills for your Physical Therapy Assistant resume

  • Empathetic patient communication – able to explain complex therapy concepts in accessible language while showing genuine concern
  • Interprofessional collaboration – work effectively with PTs, physicians, and other healthcare team members to coordinate care
  • Conflict resolution – defuse tense situations with patients frustrated by slow progress or insurance limitations
  • Adaptability to changing treatment plans – pivot quickly when patient response requires modification of approach
  • Time management across varied caseloads – balance 8-12 patients daily while maintaining quality care and documentation
  • Motivational coaching – find unique ways to encourage patients through challenging rehabilitation phases

Hard skills for your Physical Therapy Assistant resume

  • Manual therapy techniques (joint mobilization, soft tissue mobilization, myofascial release)
  • Kinesiology taping application and modification
  • ElectroMyoStimulation (EMS) and TENS unit programming
  • Proficiency in TherapyNotes and WebPT documentation systems
  • Therapeutic exercise prescription and progression planning
  • Gait analysis and biomechanical assessment
  • Post-surgical rehabilitation protocols (knee, shoulder, spine)
  • Vestibular rehab techniques for BPPV and balance disorders
  • Application of thermal modalities (ultrasound, hot/cold therapy)