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Physical Therapy Assistant Resumes
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More Resume Examples for Physical Therapy Jobs
How to Write a Physical Therapist Assistant Resume
Your physical therapy assistant resume 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, experiences or accomplishments.
Highlight your skills:
Create a dedicated section to showcase hard and soft skills specific to physical therapy work, like bone conduction testing and patient relations.
Emphasize your work history:
List your work experience in reverse chronological order, including 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 certificates 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 Physical Therapy Assistant Resume Summary
The resume summary is your first professional pitch. It serves as a concise introduction to your resume and can significantly impact the hiring manager’s decision. Follow these guidelines to craft a compelling physical therapist assistant resume summary:
Keep it concise and impactful:
The resume summary should be a brief paragraph of three to four sentences. Focus on highlighting the most relevant qualifications and accomplishments that align with the physical therapy assistant role you’re targeting.
Showcase your expertise:
Emphasize the experience and skills that make you a strong candidate for the physical therapist assistant position. Mention your years of physical therapy experience, proficiency in home health, orthopedics, diagnostics and any other relevant skills that set you apart.
Tailor it to the job description:
Customize your resume summary to match the requirements of the physical therapy assistant role you’re applying for. Use keywords and phrases from the job description to demonstrate that you possess the desired qualifications and understand the position’s needs.
Good physical therapy assistant resume summary example
“Dedicated and empathetic physical therapy assistant with over five years of experience in outpatient rehabilitation settings. Proficient in executing treatment plans, conducting therapeutic exercises, and assisting patients in achieving recovery goals. Skilled in patient assessment, documentation, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to optimize therapeutic outcomes. Compassionate communicator known for fostering trusting relationships with patients and families.”
This example highlights the candidate’s experience and key skills relevant to the role. It emphasizes their expertise in therapeutic exercises and patient assessment while showcasing proficiency in documentation and collaboration, displaying a well-rounded skill set for the role.
Poor physical therapy assistant resume summary example
“Physical therapy assistant with a background in outpatient rehabilitation. Skilled in implementing treatment plans and therapeutic exercises. Collaborative team player with a strong focus on delivering compassionate care.”
While this resume summary includes relevant skills, it needs to be more specific about the value they can bring to the team.
PRO TIP:
The resume summary works best if you have over three years of experience. Try the resume objective if you’re a first-time job seeker, freelancer or career changer. This alternative introduction pitches your transferable skills and downplays your lack of relevant experience.
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How to Add Your Physical Therapy Assistant Work History
The work history section of your physical therapy assistant resume provides an opportunity to highlight your relevant professional experiences and accomplishments. Follow these guidelines to showcase your work history effectively:
Start with your most recent role:
List your work history with your current or most recent position as a physical therapist assistant. Include the clinic’s name, job title and dates of employment.
Focus on achievements:
Instead of listing physical therapist assistant responsibilities, emphasize your accomplishments and contributions in each role. Highlight any improvements you made to clinical processes, successful initiatives you led, or positive outcomes you achieved. Use quantifiable metrics whenever possible to demonstrate the impact of your work.
Tailor it to the role:
Highlight experiences directly relevant to the position you’re applying for. Emphasize motor skills therapy, patient relations, multitasking, and other physical therapy skills that showcase your suitability for the role.
Good physical therapy assistant work experience example
Physical Therapy Assistant | Knowles Rehabilitation Houston, TX | January 2018 - Present
- Implemented tailored rehabilitation plans under the supervision of licensed physical therapists, contributing to the recovery and functional improvement of over 100 patients.
- Conducted therapeutic exercises and modalities effectively, resulting in a 20% improvement in patient mobility and pain management scores within the first six weeks of treatment.
- Assisted in documenting patient progress and maintaining accurate records, ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations and facilitating seamless transitions between therapy sessions.
- Collaborated with a multidisciplinary team of therapists and healthcare professionals to optimize patient care and treatment outcomes.
This work experience sample provides measurable achievements demonstrating the candidate’s capacity to drive positive change and perform their job duties.
Poor physical therapy assistant work experience example
Physical Therapy Assistant | Knowles Rehabilitation Houston, TX | January 2018 - Present
- Implemented rehabilitation plans under the supervision of licensed physical therapists.
- Assisted in documenting patient progress and maintaining records.
- Collaborated with a team of therapists to optimize patient care.
This example needs quantifiable accomplishments to showcase the candidate’s experience and ability to go above and beyond their job duties.
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How to Write a Physical Therapy Assistant Education Section
Most physical therapy positions require an associate’s degree to qualify for the role. Follow these guidelines to present your educational qualifications effectively:
1Start with your highest level of education:
Begin the education section with your most advanced degree. Include the degree type, primary or focus area, institution name and dates of attendance or graduation.
Degree resume example:
Associate Degree in Physical Therapy, University of Houston
Houston, TX | September 2015 – May 2017
2Highlight specialized certifications and training:
Emphasize any certifications or specialized training that enhance your qualifications as a physical therapist assistant.
Certification resume example:
Certified Physical Therapist Assistant | American Physical Therapy Association
August 2017
3Showcase relevant coursework and research projects:
Mention any coursework or research projects that demonstrate your expertise in physical therapy, outpatient rehabilitation or relevant areas of study. This can provide insights into your knowledge and skills in the field.
Relevant coursework resume example:
Neuroscience in Rehabilitation | University of Houston
4Include notable institutions or educational affiliations:
If you have attended prestigious educational institutions or are affiliated with reputable physical therapy associations, highlight them to strengthen your resume’s credibility and showcase your commitment to excellence.
Membership association resume example:
Member, American Physical Therapy Association
5Mention professional development activities:
Highlight workshops, conferences or training programs you have attended that are relevant to physical therapy. Include the program name, organization and dates to demonstrate your commitment to staying updated with the latest trends and best practices in the field.
Professional development resume example:
Trauma-Informed Meditation, Breathwork and Yoga
American Physical Therapy Association | November 2021
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15 Skills For Your Physical Therapy Assistant Resume
We covered how to incorporate soft, hard and technical skills throughout your resume. Your skills section is the last place to add physical therapy skills you’d like employers to know about. Here’s a starting list of physical therapy-friendly skills to feature on your resume:
Soft skills
- Empathy
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Adaptability
- Patience
Hard skills
- Therapeutic techniques
- Patient assessment
- Documentation
- Equipment operation
- Anatomy and physiology knowledge
Technical skills
- Gait analysis
- Range of motion measurement
- Therapeutic exercise prescription
- Modalities application
- Transfer and mobility training
PRO TIP:
Including a well-rounded mix of physical therapy assistant resume skills, you can effectively showcase your capabilities and suitability for the role. Remember to tailor your skills section to align with the requirements of the specific position you are applying for.
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20 Physical Therapy Assistant Action Verbs
With the ease of online job boards and professional social media sites like LinkedIn, hiring managers can see dozens to hundreds of applications for a single opening. Unique action verbs and power words can help your resume stand out against the monotony of repetitive resumes.
- Assess
- Assist
- Collaborate
- Demonstrate
- Educate
- Evaluate
- Implement
- Instruct
- Monitor
- Observe
- Perform
- Plan
- Record
- Rehabilitate
- Review
- Support
- Teach
- Treat
- Utilize
- Validate
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Additional Resume Sections
Consider adding the following sections to your physical therapy assistant resume based on your specific circumstances and to enhance your qualifications:
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.
Physical Therapy Assistant Resume FAQ
What is a PTA job description?
A typical physical therapy assistant’s job description includes the following:
“Physical Therapy Assistants (PTA) work under the supervision of licensed physical therapists to provide rehabilitative care to patients. Responsibilities include assisting with therapeutic exercises and modalities, conducting patient assessments, documenting treatment progress, and educating patients on home exercises and self-care techniques. PTAs collaborate closely with healthcare teams to ensure comprehensive patient care and adherence to treatment plans, contributing to improved patient mobility, pain management, and overall recovery outcomes.”
How to put a PTA license on a resume?
You can effectively showcase your physical therapy assistant license on your resume in a dedicated section, typically under “Certifications and licenses.” Here’s how you can format it:
Certifications/Licenses:
- Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant (LPTA)
- State of Texas, License Number: 123456
- Date of Licensure: August, 2017
Should I tailor my resume to each job application?
We strongly recommend tailoring your resume to each job application. Read the job description, identify key skills and requirements, and customize your resume accordingly. Highlight experiences and achievements directly related to the claims adjuster position’s specific needs.
Should I include references on a physical therapy assistant resume?
Including references on your resume is optional. Create a separate document with references and provide it when specifically requested.