Want to apply for a position as a physical therapist? Having a good résumé can be essential to success. When you want to work as part of a physical therapy team, you’ll need to demonstrate your strengths. A résumé is an application document designed to show what you bring to the table. A typical résumé is around one page long. This means you will need to be brief, including only the most relevant information.

When writing your first PT résumé, the task may seem daunting. Summarizing all your education and expertise on a single page can be especially challenging. You might have trouble determining what information can be left out and what must be included. Fortunately, research can help you prepare. By learning about the essential components of a strong PT résumé, you can work to craft a résumé that stands out.

How to write a physical therapist résumé: 6 essential components

• Professional summary — A good résumé gets to the point quickly. A short professional summary toward the start of your résumé is a great way to communicate essential information as soon as possible. This serves as a brief snapshot of your qualifications and strong suits. You might mention your professional background, education, key skills and career goals.
• Education — To work as a physical therapist, you will need extensive education. Because of the importance of PT education, you may want to dedicate a section of your résumé to your educational history. Include the degrees you have obtained and the names of the institutions you have attended. A Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree is essential to work as a physical therapist. You may also want to mention any continuing education you have received. Physical therapists often take part in residency programs and fellowships after receiving their doctorate. This kind of post-professional education can be a strong point in your résumé, as it demonstrates your dedication and passion. Extensive education also shows that you possess in-depth knowledge of the field.
• Licensure and certifications — Physical therapy licenses are granted at the state level. When applying for jobs, make sure you are licensed in the state in which the position is located. Include details of your PT license in your résumé. You can also mention other licenses and certifications you have. For example, physical therapy positions often require CPR certification. Being a board-certified orthopedic clinical specialist (OCS) may also be a requirement. Listing your licenses and certifications demonstrates that you meet the legal requirements for the position and have specialized skills.
• Practicing experience — Have you worked as a physical therapist in the past? Prior PT experience can give you a major advantage in your job search. As you build your résumé, you should include a section that details your practicing experience. Provide essential information such as your past job titles, employers and dates of employment. Years of hands-on experience can show that you are an experienced and reliable worker. Beyond the essential information, it can help to include brief summaries of your key responsibilities in each position. You can also list some of your proudest achievements as a physical therapist.
• Contact information — When you’re thinking about the more complex parts of your résumé, it can be easy to forget simple but essential components like contact information. Contact information is typically included at the top of a résumé. Make sure to put your name in a prominent position. Some résumé formats use a larger font for the name or use it in place of a title heading. In addition to your full name, include your phone number and email address. You may also want to include your LinkedIn profile, as it can provide further information about your work history and skills. Listing contact information in a prominent place is crucial because it ensures that potential employers can easily reach out to follow up.
• Skills — Do you have a specialized set of PT skills? Listing them in your résumé can highlight your specific talents. Possessing a unique set of skills can help you stand out from other candidates and serves as evidence of your expertise.

Top skills to list on a physical therapist résumé

• Therapy techniques — Physical therapy treatment comes in many forms. As a physical therapist, it is important to have expertise in a range of treatment techniques. From traction therapy to aquatic therapy, listing the therapy techniques you know can demonstrate your breadth of experience. Make sure to mention your proficiency in a variety of techniques and modalities. Having demonstrable hands-on skills with treating patients can make you an especially appealing candidate for a PT position.
• Patient care — A good PT provider puts patients first. To make your résumé stand out, you can mention your patient care skills. These might include your ability to assess a patient’s physical condition or your skill in developing treatment plans. Effective physical therapy is based on a personal, individualized approach. Showing your commitment to a high level of care illustrates your ability to provide effective and compassionate treatment. By mentioning that you are skilled in working one-on-one with patients, you can make your résumé more attractive to employers that share your patient-first values.
• Communication ability — The ability to communicate well is a crucial skill in the world of physical therapy. As a physical therapist, you will need to communicate efficiently with patients, families and other health care professionals. This means you will need to have the knowledge necessary to share valuable insights with peers. However, you should also be able to break down complicated information in more digestible ways. As a care provider, being able to help patients understand their condition and how their treatment will work is an essential skill.
• Problem-solving skills — Physical therapy can require creativity. Each patient you treat will have different needs and may make progress at a different pace. To provide effective treatment, adaptability is key. If a treatment seems to be ineffective, you may need to change your patient’s treatment plan. As a patient makes progress, you will likely want to adjust treatments based on their changing capabilities. This is where problem-solving skills come in. Strong problem-solving skills can help you find solutions that optimize patient outcomes. When it comes to listing your best traits as a physical therapist, mentioning your creative, solution-driven thinking can help your résumé shine.
• Time management — Efficiency is a strength in any field. As a physical therapist, it is especially important. Your work as a PT will likely require you to manage multiple patients alongside administrative tasks. Good time management is essential to maintaining a productive, organized workflow.
• Leadership and teamwork — Physical therapy is a collaborative discipline. Effective treatment requires cooperation between each patient and the members of their care team. As a physical therapist, teamwork is an essential skill. When listing your skills, it can help to detail your ability to lead and work with other health care professionals. Having the ability to take on leadership roles when necessary is a valuable asset. Showing your leadership skills can signal your potential to prospective employers. By incorporating details about your teamwork experience and skills into your résumé, you can make the document more compelling.

Apply for great positions at Lattimore Physical Therapy with your dynamic résumé

Ready to put your résumé to use? Applying for career opportunities at Lattimore Physical Therapy can be a great decision. We offer a positive working environment dedicated to treating patients “the Lattimore way.” When you work with us, you can continue to develop your skills and have a rewarding, fulfilling experience providing physical therapy care to patients.

Contact our team today to learn more about available career opportunities at Lattimore Physical Therapy.