How to write a CV for physical therapy

Physical therapy is a medical process that can help return function to patients who have lost a range of motion, whether from disabilities, surgery or accidents. If you want to get a physical therapist job, you need to have special training that makes you the ideal candidate for the job role. Here’s what you need to know to write a physical therapist CV.

There are many specialities that may fall under the umbrella term of “licenced physical therapist.” Here are some job roles that can benefit from a physical therapy CV:

• Outpatient physical therapist
• Paediatric physical therapist
• Geriatric physical therapist
• Physical therapist assistant
• Orthopaedic therapist

Generally, if you’re looking to be hired for any one of these job positions, you can use a physical therapist CV sample as a base to build your own CV. Your new job in this industry will likely draw on many of the same skills and educational requirements.

You need to start your CV with the CV header, which provides all of your contact information and social media links, including your LinkedIn profile link. From there, you can create the following CV headings.

Professional statement

The first section of your CV should be the professional statement. This is a short 2-3 sentence paragraph where you highlight your best skills, your job title and your key achievements. While technical skills are definitely very important in your job search, an experienced physical therapist knows that it’s just as important \to showcase your knowledge of people. In your professional statement, you can discuss your connection to individuals, not just the field of healthcare.

Work experience

If you have previous work experience, you can include it in this section. Lead off with professional work you’ve had, most recent job first, and add in any related academic, internship and volunteer experience if it applies to the job you want.

Skills

Your skills section needs to include both hard skills and soft skills. The best CV will balance both of these elements, no matter what job title you’re looking for. List at least 5-6 relevant skills, which may include:

• Treatment plans
• General patient care
• Specific physical therapy treatment regimens
• Exercise programmes
• Therapeutic exercise processes
• Interpersonal skills
• Treatment modalities
• Sports injuries
• Measuring patient progress

Education

Your education section is often very important in physical therapy. If you have a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, include it here. You’ll also probably want to include DPT after your name in your CV header. This helps hiring managers know immediately that you have a DPT designation, even before they get to your education section.

Certifications

If you have any certifications that a job might be looking for, you can list them in their own Certifications section. Many physical therapists in the United States, for example, are part of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), which is something important to highlight.

If you’re looking for an example to craft your own perfect CV, look no further than CVHelp. We have over 50,000 CV examples available on the CVHelp website covering a variety of jobs. Plus, the CV builder is a great starting point for any CV, including a physical therapy CV.

• Don’t include your GPA when listing your education, unless requested. List graduation honors, if applicable.
• Proofread your CV before you submit it. Nothing is worse than having a typo in your CV and having it rejected just for that.
• Include all information that shows you’re legally licenced to practise physical therapy in your state.