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Physical Therapist Resume Example

Professional Physical Therapist resume example with ATS-optimized template. Learn how to showcase patient outcomes, treatment specialties, and clinical skills to advance your PT career.

Last Updated: 2026-02-02 | Reading Time: 8-10 minutes

Quick Stats

Average Salary
$75,000 - $115,000
Job Growth
15% projected through 2032
Top Hiring Companies
ATI Physical Therapy, Select Medical, Encompass Health

Physical Therapist Resume Example

Marcus Delgado

marcus.delgado@email.com

(555) 742-9105

Denver, CO

linkedin.com/in/marcusdelgado-pt

Skills

Manual Therapy
Therapeutic Exercise Prescription
Dry Needling
Joint Mobilization
Gait Analysis
Functional Capacity Evaluation
Neuromuscular Re-education
Kinesio Taping
Ultrasound Therapy
Electrical Stimulation

Certifications

Licensed Physical Therapist - State of Colorado
OCS (Orthopedic Clinical Specialist)
Certified Dry Needling Practitioner
BLS (Basic Life Support)

Education

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
2020

Profile

Licensed Physical Therapist with 5+ years of outpatient orthopedic and sports rehabilitation experience. Achieved 94% patient satisfaction rating and 88% functional outcome improvement across a caseload of 60+ patients weekly. Specialized in post-surgical ACL reconstruction and rotator cuff rehabilitation.

Professional Experience

Senior Physical Therapist
Colorado Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Denver, CO
January 2023 - Present
  • Manage a caseload of 60-70 patients per week across outpatient orthopedic and sports rehabilitation, achieving a 94% patient satisfaction score on post-discharge surveys
  • Developed a return-to-sport protocol for ACL reconstruction patients that decreased average recovery time by 3 weeks compared to the previous standard
  • Supervised and mentored 4 physical therapy assistants and 6 DPT students during clinical rotations, with all students exceeding competency benchmarks
  • Implemented a dry needling and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization program that generated $120K in additional annual revenue for the clinic
Physical Therapist
UCHealth Outpatient Rehabilitation Aurora, CO
July 2020 - December 2022
  • Evaluated and treated 50+ patients weekly with musculoskeletal conditions including post-surgical, chronic pain, and sports injuries
  • Achieved 88% average improvement in functional outcome measures (LEFS, DASH, NDI) across patient population
  • Co-authored clinical outcome research presented at the APTA Combined Sections Meeting, analyzing dry needling efficacy for chronic low back pain

Why This Resume Works:

  • Quantified achievements with specific metrics
  • Keywords match common job descriptions
  • Clean, ATS-compatible formatting
  • Strong action verbs throughout

How to Write a Physical Therapist Resume

Professional Summary

Lead with your PT license, years of experience, and clinical specialty. Include a measurable patient outcome metric and your typical caseload size. Mention any board-certified specialization.

Work Experience

Focus on measurable patient outcomes using standardized tools (LEFS, DASH, Oswestry). Highlight caseload volume, specialty populations, and any programs you developed. Show revenue impact if relevant.

Skills Section

Separate treatment techniques from assessment skills. Include both manual and modality-based interventions. List outcome measurement tools and any specialty certifications that differentiate you.

Action Verbs for Physical Therapists

AssessedDevelopedEvaluatedFacilitatedImplementedManagedMentoredMobilizedOptimizedPrescribedProgressedRehabilitatedRestoredSupervisedTreatedEducated

Physical Therapist Resume Keywords

These keywords appear most frequently in Physical Therapist job descriptions. Include relevant ones in your resume:

Technical Keywords

Orthopedic RehabilitationSports RehabilitationManual Therapy TechniquesTherapeutic ModalitiesFunctional Outcome MeasuresGait TrainingBalance AssessmentRange of MotionStrength TestingPain ManagementNeurological RehabilitationPost-Surgical Protocols

Industry Keywords

Evidence-Based PracticePatient-Centered CareAPTA GuidelinesMedicare ComplianceClinical Documentation ImprovementInterdisciplinary TeamContinuing EducationScope of PracticeOutcomes TrackingFunctional Independence Measure

Tools & Technologies

WebPTNet Health (ReDoc)ClinicientTheraOfficeBioEx Exercise SoftwareMedBridgeFOTO OutcomesBiodex SystemAlterG Anti-Gravity TreadmillChattanooga IntelectPhysioTools

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Describing treatments without reporting patient outcomes

Include standardized outcome measures: "Achieved 90% of patients meeting LEFS functional goals within 8 weeks" instead of "Performed manual therapy."

Not mentioning state licensure or specialty certifications

List your active PT license with state, and highlight board-certified specializations (OCS, SCS, NCS) which significantly elevate your candidacy.

Failing to quantify caseload and productivity

State your average weekly caseload, units billed, and productivity percentage to demonstrate efficiency and capacity.

Ignoring continuing education and advanced training

Include relevant CEUs, fellowship training, and specialized courses (dry needling, vestibular rehab) that show ongoing professional development.

Physical Therapist Resume FAQs

How should a Physical Therapist format their resume?

Use a reverse chronological format with sections for Summary, Licensure & Certifications, Experience, Education, and Skills. Place certifications prominently since they are critical differentiators in physical therapy.

Should I list my DPT degree or just Physical Therapy?

List the full degree title (Doctor of Physical Therapy) with the institution. If you also hold a transitional DPT, include both. The DPT credential demonstrates current educational standards and can be a requirement for some positions.

How important are specialty certifications for PT resumes?

Board-certified specializations from ABPTS (OCS, SCS, NCS, etc.) are highly valued and can increase salary by 10-15%. Always list them prominently. They demonstrate advanced expertise and commitment to your specialty area.

Should I include research or publications on my PT resume?

Yes, if relevant. Clinical research, case studies, or conference presentations demonstrate evidence-based practice and clinical expertise. List them in a separate Publications or Research section below Experience.

How do I highlight travel PT experience?

List each travel assignment with the facility name, location, and contract dates. Emphasize your adaptability across different EMR systems, patient populations, and clinical settings. Travel experience shows versatility.

Ready to Optimize Your Physical Therapist Resume?

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Last updated: 2026-02-02 | Written by JobJourney Career Experts