Physical Therapy Professional Resume examples & templates

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Adam

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Copyable Physical Therapy Professional Resume examples

The physical therapy landscape is shifting beneath our feet, literally. PTs today juggle increasingly complex caseloads while navigating a maze of insurance requirements that seem to change monthly. It's not just about treating patients anymore—it's about documentation marathons, productivity metrics, and somehow maintaining that genuine connection with people in pain. With the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting a 17% growth in PT positions through 2031 (nearly three times faster than average occupations), the demand is there, but so is the burnout.

What's fascinating is how the profession has evolved from simple rehabilitation to becoming crucial players in preventative care. We're seeing PTs move beyond traditional settings into corporate wellness programs, telehealth platforms, and specialized practices focusing on everything from vestibular rehabilitation to pelvic floor therapy. The days of being pigeonholed as "just massage therapists" (that old frustration!) are fading as physical therapists establish themselves as movement experts with diagnostic capabilities that rival many primary care providers. Looking ahead, those who can blend hands-on skills with technological adaptability will reshape not just how we heal injuries, but how we prevent them in the first place.

Junior Physical Therapy Professional Resume Example

MARCUS JOHNSON

Chicago, IL | (312) 555-8742 | mjohnson.pt@gmail.com | linkedin.com/in/marcusjohnsonpt

Recent Doctor of Physical Therapy graduate with clinical experience in outpatient orthopedics and acute care settings. Strong manual therapy skills with particular interest in sports rehabilitation and post-operative recovery. Committed to evidence-based practice while delivering compassionate, patient-centered care. Seeking to leverage my internship experience and academic training in a full-time physical therapist role.

EXPERIENCE

Physical Therapy Resident – Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL
June 2023 – Present

  • Provide direct patient care to an average caseload of 8-10 patients daily across orthopedic, neurological, and geriatric populations
  • Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to develop and implement comprehensive treatment plans for post-surgical patients
  • Document patient progress using Epic EMR system, maintaining 97% compliance with documentation standards
  • Participate in weekly case reviews and continuing education opportunities to enhance clinical skills

Physical Therapy Intern – RUSH University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
January 2023 – May 2023

  • Completed 16-week clinical rotation in acute care setting, gaining experience with cardiopulmonary and post-surgical patients
  • Assessed patient mobility and functional limitations to establish appropriate treatment goals
  • Assisted in the implementation of early mobility protocols for ICU patients, helping reduce average length of stay by 1.3 days
  • Participated in weekly in-service training on advanced transfer techniques and fall prevention strategies

Physical Therapy Student Clinician – Athletico Physical Therapy, Oak Park, IL
August 2022 – December 2022

  • Completed 12-week outpatient orthopedic clinical rotation under supervision of experienced PTs
  • Conducted initial evaluations and developed treatment plans for patients with musculoskeletal conditions
  • Applied manual therapy techniques including joint mobilization, soft tissue mobilization, and therapeutic taping
  • Instructed patients in therapeutic exercises and home exercise programs to maximize functional outcomes

Physical Therapy Aide – Accelerated Rehabilitation Centers, Evanston, IL
May 2020 – August 2021 (Part-time during DPT program)

  • Assisted licensed physical therapists in the delivery of treatment to patients with diverse conditions
  • Prepared treatment areas and equipment, ensuring compliance with sanitation protocols
  • Guided patients through prescribed exercise routines and provided feedback on proper form
  • Managed front desk operations including scheduling, insurance verification, and patient check-in

EDUCATION

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine – Chicago, IL
Graduated: May 2023

Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign – Champaign, IL
Graduated: May 2020
GPA: 3.87/4.0, Dean’s List (7 semesters)

CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSURE

Illinois Physical Therapy License #085.123456 (July 2023)
Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification – American Heart Association
Functional Movement Screen (FMS) Level 1 Certification
Kinesio Taping® Practitioner Certification – KT1 & KT2

SKILLS

  • Manual therapy techniques (joint mobilization, soft tissue mobilization)
  • Therapeutic exercise prescription
  • Gait analysis and training
  • Neuromuscular re-education
  • Post-operative rehabilitation protocols
  • Patient education and home exercise program development
  • Electronic medical records (Epic, WebPT)
  • Functional outcome measures administration and interpretation
  • Spanish – conversational proficiency
  • Interdisciplinary team collaboration

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) – Member
APTA Academy of Orthopedic Physical Therapy – Member
Illinois Physical Therapy Association – Member

Mid-level Physical Therapy Professional Resume Example

Melissa K. Chapman, PT, DPT

Oakland, CA 94611 • (510) 555-9274 • melissa.chapman@email.com • linkedin.com/in/melissachapmanpt

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Dedicated Physical Therapist with 5+ years of clinical experience specializing in orthopedic rehabilitation and sports medicine. Proven track record of improving patient outcomes through evidence-based treatment approaches and personalized care plans. Known for building strong rapport with patients while effectively collaborating with interdisciplinary healthcare teams. Particularly skilled in manual therapy techniques and post-surgical rehabilitation protocols.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Senior Physical Therapist – Bayside Rehabilitation Center, Oakland, CA

January 2021 – Present

  • Lead a caseload of 11-14 patients daily, primarily focused on post-surgical rehabilitation and sports injuries
  • Developed and implemented a new ACL reconstruction protocol that reduced average recovery time by 17%
  • Mentor 2 junior physical therapists and supervise PT assistants in treatment planning and execution
  • Collaborate with orthopedic surgeons to create specialized post-op programs for complex cases
  • Initiated a patient education series that improved home exercise program compliance from 62% to 81%

Physical Therapist – NorCal Sports Medicine, Berkeley, CA

August 2018 – December 2020

  • Managed diverse caseload including athletes, work-related injuries, and general orthopedic conditions
  • Specialized in treating college athletes, working closely with UC Berkeley sports medicine team
  • Utilized various manual therapy techniques including joint mobilization, soft tissue mobilization, and PNF
  • Reduced patient cancellation rates by 23% through implementation of text reminder system and engaging treatment plans
  • Participated in weekly team conferences to discuss challenging cases and latest research findings

Physical Therapy Resident – Valley Medical Center, San Jose, CA

June 2017 – July 2018

  • Completed 13-month orthopedic residency program while treating patients under senior PT supervision
  • Rotated through outpatient orthopedics, acute care, and neurological rehabilitation settings
  • Conducted weekly in-service presentations on evidence-based treatment approaches
  • Assisted in collecting outcome data for hospital quality improvement initiatives

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS

Doctor of Physical Therapy
University of California, San Francisco – 2017

Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, magna cum laude
San Diego State University – 2014

Certifications:

  • Orthopedic Certified Specialist (OCS) – 2020
  • Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) – 2019
  • Certified in Dry Needling, Level 2 – 2019
  • CPR/AED Certified – Current

SKILLS

  • Manual therapy techniques (joint mobilization, soft tissue manipulation)
  • Therapeutic exercise prescription
  • Functional movement assessment
  • Post-surgical rehabilitation protocols
  • Sports injury management
  • Patient education and motivation
  • EMR documentation (Epic, WebPT)
  • Gait analysis
  • Pain management strategies
  • Spanish – conversational proficiency

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

  • American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) – Orthopedic Section
  • National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)

Senior / Experienced Physical Therapy Professional Resume Example

SARAH M. REYNOLDS, PT, DPT, OCS

Seattle, WA 98112 • (206) 555-7842 • s.reynolds@emaildomain.com • linkedin.com/in/sarahreynoldspt

Dedicated Physical Therapy professional with 11+ years of progressive experience in outpatient orthopedics and sports rehabilitation. Board-certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist with proven success developing personalized treatment plans that improve patient outcomes by an average of 37% faster than clinic benchmarks. Known for building strong therapeutic relationships and mentoring junior staff while maintaining a 96% patient satisfaction rating.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

NORTHWEST REHABILITATION PARTNERS, Seattle, WA
Lead Physical Therapist (2019 – Present)

  • Manage a team of 6 PTs and 4 PTAs while maintaining a caseload of 12-15 patients daily in a busy outpatient clinic specializing in orthopedic and post-surgical rehabilitation
  • Implemented an evidence-based treatment protocol for post-ACL reconstruction patients that reduced average recovery time from 9 months to 7.5 months
  • Serve as clinical instructor for 3-4 DPT students annually; developed a structured mentorship program now used by all 4 clinic locations
  • Collaborated with local sports medicine physicians to establish a concussion management program that has treated 78 athletes with a 94% return-to-play success rate
  • Spearheaded the clinic’s transition to a new EMR system, creating customized documentation templates that reduced charting time by 22%

EVERGREEN PHYSICAL THERAPY, Bellevue, WA
Staff Physical Therapist (2015 – 2019)

  • Provided one-on-one care to diverse patient population (ages 8-93) with orthopedic, neurological, and post-surgical conditions
  • Specialized in treating running injuries and biomechanical dysfunctions using video analysis and targeted exercise prescription
  • Designed and implemented a “Seniors Strength” group program that improved fall risk scores for 87% of participants
  • Maintained productivity standards of 85% while achieving exceptional patient outcomes and satisfaction ratings
  • Conducted bi-monthly in-service trainings on advanced manual therapy techniques for clinic staff

MERCY HOSPITAL REHABILITATION CENTER, Portland, OR
Physical Therapist (2012 – 2015)

  • Delivered inpatient and outpatient physical therapy services across multiple departments including orthopedics, neurology, and acute care
  • Coordinated with multidisciplinary teams to develop and implement comprehensive discharge planning for post-surgical patients
  • Recognized for excellence in patient education, creating illustrated home exercise programs that improved compliance by 43%
  • Participated in weekly case reviews and quality improvement initiatives that helped reduce hospital readmission rates

EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
University of Washington, Seattle, WA (2012)

Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science
Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR (2009)

Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS)
American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (2016, recertified 2026)

Certifications:

  • Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist (COMT) – 2018
  • Functional Dry Needling Practitioner – Level 2 (2017)
  • Certified Kinesio Taping Practitioner (CKTP) – 2014
  • APTA Credentialed Clinical Instructor (2016)

SKILLS & EXPERTISE

  • Manual Therapy Techniques (Maitland, McKenzie, Mulligan)
  • Therapeutic Exercise Programming & Progression
  • Gait Analysis & Biomechanical Assessment
  • Vestibular Rehabilitation
  • Post-surgical Rehabilitation Protocols
  • Pain Neuroscience Education
  • Electronic Medical Records (Epic, WebPT)
  • Team Leadership & Clinical Mentoring
  • Spanish (Conversational)
  • CPR/AED Certified (American Heart Association)

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

  • American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) – Orthopedic & Sports Sections
  • Washington State Physical Therapy Association – Education Committee Member

How to Write a Physical Therapy Professional Resume

Introduction

Landing that dream PT job starts with a resume that showcases your clinical skills, patient care philosophy, and professional qualifications. I've reviewed thousands of physical therapy resumes over my career, and the difference between those that get interviews and those that don't often comes down to surprisingly small details. Your resume isn't just a list of jobs—it's the story of your clinical development and the value you bring to patients and healthcare teams.

Resume Structure and Format

Keep your resume clean and scannable. Hiring managers at busy clinics might give your resume just 7-8 seconds of initial attention (yep, that fast!). Make those seconds count!

  • Stick to 1-2 pages (1 page for under 5 years experience, 2 pages max for experienced PTs)
  • Use consistent formatting for section headers
  • Choose readable fonts like Calibri, Arial, or Georgia at 10-12pt size
  • Include white space to prevent visual overload
  • Save as PDF to preserve formatting (unless specifically asked for .doc)

Profile/Summary Section

Your profile should capture who you are as a PT in 3-4 impactful sentences. Think of it as your "clinical elevator pitch." For new grads, emphasize your fresh training and eagerness to apply evidence-based practices. For experienced PTs, highlight your specializations and patient outcome track record.

Don't just say you're "passionate about patient care" (everyone is!). Instead, mention your specific treatment philosophy or approach: "Manual therapy specialist who combines hands-on techniques with personalized home exercise programs, achieving 91% patient satisfaction scores."

Professional Experience

This is where your resume lives or dies. For each position:

  • Start with clinic name, location, your title, and dates (month/year)
  • Include patient population and caseload (e.g., "Managed 12-14 patients daily across orthopedic and neurological conditions")
  • Highlight measurable outcomes ("Reduced average recovery time for post-op ACL patients by 2.3 weeks")
  • Note any specialized treatments you're proficient in (dry needling, ASTYM, McKenzie Method, etc.)
  • Mention interprofessional collaboration with physicians, OTs, SLPs as relevant

Education and Certifications

List your degrees in reverse chronological order. For your DPT or PT degree, include graduation date, university name, and location. New grads can list relevant clinical rotations. Certifications deserve their own section—they're gold in our field!

  • Board Certifications (OCS, NCS, PCS, etc.)
  • Specialized training certificates (MDT, FMS, SFMA)
  • Basic certifications (CPR/AED, First Aid)
  • Continuing education highlights (only list significant ones)

Keywords and ATS Tips

Many healthcare systems use Applicant Tracking Systems to filter resumes before human eyes see them. Include keywords from the job description without "keyword stuffing." Essential terms for most PT positions:

  • Patient assessment/evaluation
  • Treatment planning
  • Documentation (mention EMR systems you know: Epic, Cerner, WebPT)
  • Rehabilitation protocols
  • Pain management techniques
  • Functional improvement metrics

Industry-specific Terms

Sprinkle these throughout your resume to signal your clinical knowledge:

  • Therapeutic modalities you're skilled with (e.g., IASTM, NMES, ultrasound)
  • Manual therapy techniques (joint mobilization, soft tissue techniques)
  • Assessment tools (FMS, SFMA, Berg Balance Scale)
  • Reimbursement knowledge (Medicare, commercial insurance, workers' comp)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Vague descriptions like "provided patient care" (what kind? how?)
  • Listing every CEU course you've ever taken (focus on relevant ones)
  • Forgetting to mention your license number and state(s)
  • Using clinical jargon that HR screeners might not understand
  • Including outdated treatments or approaches

Before/After Example

Before: "Treated patients with various orthopedic conditions."

After: "Delivered evidence-based interventions for 75+ post-surgical orthopedic patients weekly, specializing in rotator cuff repairs and total knee replacements. Implemented personalized HEP programs that increased patient compliance by 47% compared to clinic average."

Remember that your resume is often your first impression. It should reflect not just what you've done, but how well you've done it. Good luck with your PT career journey!

Soft skills for your Physical Therapy Professional resume

  • Patient rapport building – able to establish trust with diverse populations through active listening and empathy
  • Cross-functional team collaboration with physicians, occupational therapists, and social workers
  • Clear communication of complex medical concepts to patients and families (sometimes in high-stress situations)
  • Adaptive treatment planning – adjusting therapy approaches based on patient progress and feedback
  • Conflict resolution between insurance requirements and optimal patient care paths
  • Time management skills balancing 8-10 patient appointments daily while maintaining documentation quality

Hard skills for your Physical Therapy Professional resume

  • APTA Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) Certification
  • Manual Therapy (Maitland & McKenzie methods)
  • Kinesio Taping & Functional Movement Screening (FMS)
  • Vestibular rehabilitation for BPPV, labyrinthitis, and post-concussion vertigo
  • Epic EMR documentation & billing codes (CPT/ICD-10)
  • Biodex Balance System & isokinetic testing protocols
  • Therapeutic Neuroscience Education (TNE) for chronic pain management
  • Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training techniques
  • Gait analysis using GAITRite pressure mat system