Physical Therapist Job Descriptions

Create your own Physical Therapist job description, or find job description examples you can re-use to hire faster.

Physical Therapist Job Description

A physical therapist is a healthcare worker who helps patients improve their ability to function physically. They typically work with a patient who has just undergone surgery or had an accident. Physical therapists use their specialized knowledge to design personalized rehabilitation programs that are targeted to the unique needs of each patient.

To help patients recover, physical therapists use a variety of modalities. They guide their patients through physical activities, practice reflexology and massage, and utilize muscular and skeletal manipulation. It’s also the physical therapist’s job to educate their patients on the best ways to recover their physical function. For example, they might prescribe homework to patients or tell them to avoid certain movements or activities during the recovery process.

Physical Therapist Job Description Template

We are looking to add a skilled physical therapist to our team. In this role, you will work individually with patients who have just been through surgery or had an accident. It will be your job to help them regain the physical function that they’ve lost through either surgery or an accident. You will consult with the patient to learn more about their needs. Then, you will develop a targeted physical therapy plan designed to help them reach their goals.

With your help, patients will relieve their pain and improve their mobility. To accomplish this, you should be skilled at utilizing a wide variety of modalities, including massage, reflexology, and muscular manipulation. You’ll also guide patients through physical activities to rebuild their strength.

To do well in this position, you’ll need to have a strong understanding of the best practices in physical therapy. You should also have previous experience working directly with patients and excellent interpersonal skills. If you believe that you possess these qualifications, we’d love to see your resume.

Physical Therapist Responsibilities:

  • Meet with patients to discuss their physical limitations
  • Create targeted physical therapy plans to help patients regain their physical function
  • Guide patients through physical activities to help them rebuild the strength they’ve lost
  • Support patients’ healing processes with massage therapy and reflexology, among other practices
  • Educate patients on what they need to do on their own to improve their recovery process
  • Maintain patient records and track their progress over time

Physical Therapist Requirements:

  • Master’s degree in physical therapy
  • All licensure required to practice
  • Knowledge of the best practices and latest trends in physical therapy
  • Ability to support patients’ recoveries through a variety of modalities
  • Basic technological proficiency
  • Strong interpersonal skills

Physical Therapist FAQ

What tasks does a physical therapist complete?

It’s the physical therapist’s job to help patients recover their physical function after a surgery or an accident. To achieve this goal, a physical therapist will identify the patient’s unique needs and then create a plan that addresses them. They will use massage therapy, guide patients through physical activities, and use other practices to facilitate a more efficient recovery.

Can I use your physical therapist job description template?

You can definitely use our physical therapist job description template. Just make sure that you’re also highlighting the parts of your job that make it unique. You may need to add to what we’ve written above to accomplish that.

What should I include in my physical therapist help-wanted ads?

When creating your help-wanted ads, we recommend that you follow the same general strategy that we’ve outlined for you above. You should begin with a few paragraphs that talk about the job generally. Use compelling language in these to attract the interest of potential applicants. After that, create two bulleted lists that explain the responsibilities and requirements of the job in more depth.

Frequently Asked Questions about hiring a Physical Therapist

What is the best way to find and hire a Physical Therapist near me?
Online job boards are the best place to find qualified Physical Therapist applicants. Employers posting their Physical Therapist job on Indeed get about 14 applications from that board on average.
Which job boards should I post on to find Physical Therapist applicants?
You should post to multiple job boards at once. The most successful job postings for a Physical Therapist are on Indeed – but on average, employers post to 13 boards at the same time, using tools like Workstream. Publishing to multiple job boards at once helps you get your first applicant in 3 hours on average, which is shorter than the national average for Physical Therapist positions.
What's the best way to communicate with applicants looking for a Physical Therapist role?
SMS has 98% open rates which is higher than phone call or Email. Text to hire today!
Is it OK to text Physical Therapist job applicants?
Hourly paid workers, such as Physical Therapists are actually more engaged when texting about jobs. We have found that text messages are 178% better than email at getting an applicant's response. Have a look at Workstream, which automates the process of texting and uses a phone number specifically assigned to your job post so you don’t have to use your personal phone.
Can I use a different phone number to engage Physical Therapist applicants via text message?
Yes, tools such as Workstream provide custom phone numbers that allow employers to engage with applicants through their tool without having to use a personal or business cell phone.

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