Career objective
Compassionate and licensed [Role Title] seeking to join the rehabilitation team at [Company Name]. Dedicated to providing evidence-based physical therapy care, developing structured functional goals, and guiding patients through individualized rehabilitation programs. Committed to collaborative interprofessional care and accurate clinical documentation to promote patient mobility and independence.
Copy-ready template
[Your Full Name] [City, State, Zip Code] | [Phone Number] | [Email Address] | [LinkedIn URL] PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY [2-3 sentences highlighting clinical physical therapy background, patient evaluation skills, rehabilitation plan development, and commitment to quality care.] SKILLS - Patient Assessment & Functional Evaluation - Rehabilitation Plan Development - Therapeutic Exercise & Manual Therapy Techniques - Patient & Caregiver Education - Electronic Medical Documentation (EMR) PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE [Job Title] | [Company Name] | [City, State] | [Start Date] – [End Date] - Evaluated patient functional mobility, established measurable goals, and developed individualized physical therapy care plans. - Administered therapeutic exercises, manual therapy, and gait training to support patient physical progress. - Documented clinical notes, progress reports, and discharge summaries in compliance with professional standards. EDUCATION Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) | [School Name], [City, State] | [Graduation Year] CERTIFICATIONS (Optional) - [State Physical Therapy Licence] (Optional in template listing; requirements vary by state or jurisdiction)
How to tailor it by subfield
- Outpatient orthopaedics: Highlight experience with musculoskeletal conditions, post-operative rehabilitation, manual therapy, and return-to-activity protocols.
- Sports rehabilitation: Focus on athletic injury management, biomechanical assessments, functional movement screening, and athletic performance restoration.
- Neurological rehabilitation: Stress experience with neuromuscular care, balance and gait retraining, assistive device fitting, and long-term adaptation strategies.
- Geriatric care: Emphasize fall risk reduction, mobility maintenance, multi-morbidity management, and close communication with caregivers and multidisciplinary care teams.
Common mistakes
- Offering medical advice or specific treatment recommendations within the resume text instead of describing professional duties and documentation language.
- Stating that state licensure is required by the resume template itself, rather than noting that licensure requirements vary by state or jurisdiction.
- Omitting key clinical documentation software or progress measurement frameworks used in previous roles.
- Failing to differentiate experience across clinical settings such as acute care, outpatient clinics, or home health.
Sample resume
SAMPLE — all names, companies, and schools below are placeholders.
[Your Full Name] [City, State] | [Phone Number] | [Email Address] PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY Dedicated [Role Title] skilled in conducting physical evaluations, designing targeted rehabilitation programs, and providing patient education to support recovery goals. SKILLS - Patient Evaluation & Goal Setting - Therapeutic Exercise - Gait Training & Mobility Support - EMR Documentation PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE [Job Title] – [Company Name] | [City, State] [Start Date] – Present - Conducted initial patient assessments and established progress benchmarks. - Guided patients through prescribed therapeutic exercise routines and manual therapy protocols. - Maintained accurate clinical notes and collaborated with multidisciplinary healthcare teams. EDUCATION Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) – [School Name], [City, State] CERTIFICATIONS (Optional) - [State Physical Therapy Licence] (Note: Requirements vary by state or jurisdiction)
Key skills to highlight
- Patient Assessment and Clinical Diagnostics Support
- Individualized Rehabilitation Plan Design
- Therapeutic Exercise Instruction
- Manual Therapy Techniques
- Patient and Family Education
- Outcome Measurement and Progress Tracking
- Electronic Medical Documentation (EMR Compliance)
Cover letter companion
Dear [Hiring Manager Name or Rehabilitation Director], I am writing to express my interest in the [Role Title] position at [Company Name]. Having provided physical therapy evaluations and therapeutic care plans at [Previous Company Name], I am dedicated to delivering exceptional, patient-centered care. My clinical background emphasizes progress tracking, compassionate patient communication, and multidisciplinary teamwork. I look forward to discussing how my experience can support the clinical team at [Company Name].