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How to Write a Physiotherapist Resume

Your physiotherapist resume’s format is as important as how you write your resume. This sample resume demonstrates the best resume layout hacks to follow: 1-inch margins, bullet points and clear resume headings for each of the following sections.

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  • Professional header and contact info

    • Include your name, contact information and a professional email address.
  • Compelling summary statement

    • A brief resume summary or objective highlighting two or three physical therapy-relevant skills, experience or accomplishments.
  • Highlight your skills

    • Create a dedicated section to showcase hard and soft skills specific to physical therapy work, like electrotherapy, gait analysis and biomechanical assessment.
  • Emphasize your work history

    • List your work experience in reverse-chronological order. Include job titles, company names, dates of employment and key responsibilities and achievements for each role in a bullet list.
  • Supporting education section

    • Detail your educational background, mentioning any relevant degrees, diplomas or certifications obtained.
  • Additional sections

    • You can add resume sections for licenses, certifications, industry memberships or unions, awards, volunteer experience or spoken languages.

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How to Write a Physiotherapist Resume Summary

The resume summary section for a physiotherapist plays a crucial role in capturing the attention of potential employers and highlighting your qualifications. Here are some tips for writing an effective physiotherapist resume summary:

Concise and impactful

Keep your summary brief, typically around two to three sentences. Focus on the most relevant aspects of your experience as a physiotherapist.

Focus on your expertise

Emphasize areas of specialization, such as sports rehabilitation, orthopedics or neurological conditions. Mention any specific certifications or advanced training that showcase your skills.

Showcase your achievements

Highlight your track record in successfully treating patients, improving outcomes and delivering exceptional care. Mention any notable accomplishments, such as successful case studies or recognition from patients or colleagues.

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Good physiotherapist resume example

“Experienced physiotherapist with a strong background in sports rehabilitation and orthopedics. Proven expertise in assessing, diagnosing, and providing evidence-based treatments to patients with musculoskeletal conditions. Skilled in developing personalized treatment plans, monitoring progress, and achieving optimal patient outcomes. Certified in manual therapy and experienced in utilizing a variety of modalities for pain management and functional restoration.”

This physiotherapist uses their resume summary to highlight their expertise in specific areas of physiotherapy. They focus on their knowledge of sports rehabilitation and orthopedicsc, plus their manual therapy certification. The summary also emphasizes their skills in developing personalized treatment plans and achieving optimal patient outcomes. The example presents the candidate as a highly qualified physiotherapist who strongly focuses on evidence-based practice.

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Poor physiotherapist resume example

“Hardworking physiotherapist with experience in various clinical settings. Skilled in providing treatments and assisting patients in their recovery. Compassionate and dedicated to patient care.”

The poorly-written example must be more specific and provide meaningful details about the candidate’s experience and qualifications. The summary is too generic and does not differentiate the candidate from other physiotherapists. It does not highlight any specialized skills, areas of expertise or notable achievements. This job seeker could improve this statement by outlining what physical therapies they specialize in.

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PRO TIP:

We typically recommend the resume summary if you have over three years of experience. If your a recent graduate, first-time job seeker or changing careers, try the resume objective. This alternative introduction pitches your transferable skills and downplays your lack of directly-relevant experience.

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How to Add Your Physiotherapist Work History

The work history section of your physiotherapist resume provides an opportunity to showcase your professional experience and demonstrate your expertise in the field. Here are some guidelines for effectively presenting your physiotherapist work history:

Start with the most recent position

Begin with your most recent role as a physiotherapist and work your way backward. Include the job title, organization name and employment dates.

Highlight key responsibilities and achievements

Detail your primary duties as a physiotherapist in each role and highlight specific accomplishments. Emphasize your experience in assessing patient needs, developing treatment plans, and delivering effective interventions. Mention any specialized areas of practice or populations you have worked with.

Quantify your achievements

Whenever possible, quantify your accomplishments to provide concrete evidence of your contributions. Mention the number of patients treated, successful outcomes achieved, or any recognition you received for your work.

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Good physiotherapist work history sample

Senior Physiotherapist | ABC Rehabilitation Center
El Paso, TX | January 2017 – Present

  • Assess and treat a diverse caseload of patients with musculoskeletal and neurological conditions.
  • Develop personalized treatment plans based on thorough assessments and evidence-based practices.
  • Successfully implement manual therapy techniques, therapeutic exercises and modalities for pain management and functional improvement.
  • Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to achieve optimal patient outcomes.
  • Mentor junior physiotherapists and lead educational workshops on injury prevention and rehabilitation.

The persuasive example effectively highlights the job seeker’s role as a senior physiotherapist and provides specific details about their responsibilities and achievements. It showcases their experience in assessing and treating a diverse patient population, utilizing evidence-based practices, and employing a variety of treatment modalities. The example also demonstrates their leadership skills by mentioning their mentorship of junior physiotherapists and involvement in educational workshops.

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Poor physiotherapist work history sample

Physiotherapist | Sunshine Clinic
Malibu, CA | 2015-2017

  • Provided physiotherapy treatments to patients with various conditions.
  • Assisted patients in their rehabilitation.
  • Worked with a team of health care professionals.

The vague example must be more specific and provide meaningful details about the candidate’s experience and accomplishments. This job seeker could write a better entry by addingspecific responsibilities, physical therapy techniques used or positive patient outcomes. Without adding this information, most applicant tracking systems and potential employers will pass over this resume because they can’t glean helpful information from it.

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How to Write a Physiotherapist Education Section

The education section of your physiotherapist resume highlights your academic background and any additional training or certifications that enhance your qualifications as a physiotherapist. Here are some guidelines for effectively presenting your education in a physiotherapist resume:

1Start with your highest level of education

Include the institution’s name, the degree earned, location and the dates of attendance or graduation.

Education formatting example:

Bachelor of Physiotherapy | San Francisco State University
San Francisco | 2015-2019

2Mention relevant coursework

Highlight any specific coursework or study areas directly relevant to physiotherapy. This could include courses in musculoskeletal anatomy, neurophysiology, therapeutic interventions, exercise prescription and clinical placements.

Relevant coursework formatting example:

Relevant coursework: Musculoskeletal Anatomy, Neurophysiology, Exercise Prescription, Clinical Placements.

3Include relevant certifications and training programs

List any certifications or additional training programs pertinent to your practice as a physiotherapist. This could include certifications in specialized techniques (e.g., manual therapy, dry needling), programs on specific populations (e.g., pediatric physiotherapy, senior care), or courses on evidence-based practices.

Certifications formatting example:

Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist (COMT) | International Academy of Orthopedic Medicine
San Diego | 2020

  • Advanced certification program focused on manual therapy techniques for orthopedic conditions.

Advanced Pediatric Physiotherapy Course | Pediatric Physiotherapy Association
Santa Monica | 2018

  • Specialized training program covering assessment and interventions for children with developmental disorders and orthopedic conditions.
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PRO TIP:

Tailor your education section with relevant education and training that directly align with the skills and requirements of the factory worker position you are applying for.

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15 Skills For Your Physiotherapist Resume

The skills section of your physiotherapist resume is essential for highlighting the specific abilities that make you a successful practitioner in the field. Here’s a breakdown of five soft skills, five hard skills and five technical skills that are specific to physiotherapist responsibilities.

soft skills

Soft skills

  • Empathy
  • Communication
  • Active Listening
  • Problem-Solving
  • Collaboration
hard skills

Hard skills

  • Manual Therapy Techniques
  • Therapeutic Exercise
  • Assessment and Evaluation
  • Pain Management
  • Patient Education
technical-skills

Technical skills

  • Electrotherapy
  • Gait Analysis
  • Biomechanical Assessment
  • Electronic Medical Records (EMR)
  • Outcome Measures
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PRO TIP:

Incorporating these skills into your physiotherapist resume will demonstrate your comprehensive abilities and make a strong case for your suitability as a physiotherapist in the competitive job market.

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20 Physiotherapist Action Verbs

Using action verbs is essential to convey your skills, achievements and impact dynamically and engagingly. We present a list of 20 powerful resume power words for physiotherapists to take your resume to the next level.

  • Assess
  • Collaborate
  • Design
  • Diagnose
  • Educate
  • Empower
  • Evaluate
  • Facilitate
  • Guide
  • Implement
  • Improve
  • Incorporate
  • Motivate
  • Optimize
  • Prescribe
  • Rehabilitate
  • Strengthen
  • Support
  • Treat
  • Utilize

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Additional Resume Sections

Consider adding the following sections to your physiotherapist resume based on your specific circumstances and to enhance your qualifications:

  • Certification: Include a separate section to showcase relevant credentials, such as Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist (COMT) or Advanced Competency in Dry Needling.
  • Professional Development: Use a professional development section featuring workshops, seminars or physical therapy programs to replace or supplement your education section.
  • Awards and Achievements: If you have received recognition or awards for your performance, productivity, or safety record, include a section to showcase these accomplishments.
  • Volunteer Experience: Replace your work history section with a volunteer section if you have less than three years of experience. Use this space to demonstrate relevant skills or attributes, such as empathy, communication and active listening.
  • Language Proficiency: Since physical therapy work can include a diverse range of employees, advertise your fluency in other languages as a workplace boon!
  • Memberships: Let hiring managers know about your membership to industry-specific organizations or unions.

Use a Cover Letter to Express Yourself

A resume is a concise overview of your skills and experience — a cover letter expands on this foundation. Add a cover letter to share one or two examples of how you excelled in similar roles or how your skills match a company’s needs. Use this sample as a guide or visit our helpful resources to boost your application.

Physiotherapist Resume FAQ

How should I format a physiotherapist resume?

When formatting a physiotherapist resume, use a clear and organized layout. Include contact information, summary, skills, work experience, education and relevant certifications. Use bullet points to highlight key achievements and responsibilities. Emphasize your expertise in assessing and treating patients, utilizing specific techniques and collaborating with health care teams. Keep the resume concise, error-free and tailored to the job you're applying for.

Should I include customer service experience on a physiotherapist resume?

Customer service experience can be valuable on a physiotherapist resume because this transferable skill can improve patient communication and care.Highlight customer service skills such as effective communication, empathy and problem-solving. Focus on instances where you provided exceptional patient care, resolved issues, and fostered positive relationships. Tailor this experience to showcase how it can contribute to your role as a physiotherapist.

How can I make my physiotherapist resume stand out?

To make your physiotherapist resume stand out:

  • Tailor it to the specific job requirements.
  • Highlight your expertise in specific areas of physiotherapy, such as musculoskeletal or neurological conditions.
  • Showcase your achievements in patient care, treatment outcomes and collaboration with health care professionals.
  • Include relevant certifications and advanced training.
  • Demonstrate your understanding of evidence-based practices and your ability to provide personalized care to patients.

Should I include a summary or objective statement in my physiotherapist resume?

Including a summary or objective statement in your physiotherapist resume can be beneficial. A summary briefly overviews your experience, skills and accomplishments as a physiotherapist. It allows employers to grasp your qualifications quickly. An objective statement focuses on your career goals and the specific physiotherapy role you're seeking. Choose the best option with your experience and the job you're applying for.