Physiotherapist CV Example: Expert Guidance + Tips [2024]

Sobhan Mohmand, CV Writing Expert          26 Oct 2023

Are you looking to write your perfect Physiotherapist CV?

A career in physiotherapy is all about helping individuals regain their physical well-being and improve their quality of life.

Whether you’re an experienced physiotherapist or just starting out in this rewarding field, a well-crafted CV is crucial to showcase your qualifications, experience and achievements.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process step by step, offering valuable tips and providing you with a sample CV to ensure you stand out to potential employers.

Let’s begin!

• Physiotherapist CV example
• Download CV template (Word format)
• How to format your CV
• How to write a perfect CV (a step-by-step guide)
• Personal profile statement example
• Duties to add to your CV
• Useful skills to add to your CV
• Tips on making your CV more effective

CV Example

Preview

What makes this CV good and effective?

• Personal details: The candidate’s contact information is clearly presented at the top of the CV, making it easy for employers to identify who the CV belongs to and how to contact them. They have correctly used their name as the main heading of the CV, instead of writing “CV” or “Curriculum vitae.”
• The personal profile: The personal profile is concise and impactful, providing a snapshot of the candidate’s expertise and passion for physiotherapy. It also states the candidate’s passion for and experience of working with patients of all ages, including children and the elderly.
• Structure and format: The CV follows a clean and professional format, with clearly defined sections and headings. Bullet points are used effectively to make information easy to scan and fonts and formatting are consistent throughout, ensuring a polished look. Furthermore, despite the candidate’s extensive experience, their CV does not exceed the two-page limit. Overall, this is an effective CV that will get the attention of employers.

Download CV template

Download

Are you writing your CV from scratch or is your CV template outdated? Download this professional CV template to impress employers!

• Free
• Save time and effort
• Guaranteed correct CV structure
• Word document (.docx) format
• Fully customisable

How to save your CV as a PDF document:

• Click on File > Save As > Select “PDF” from the drop-down menu.

How to format your CV

• Incorporate bullet points for clarity: Use bullet points to present your qualifications, skills and achievements in a concise and easy-to-read format. For example, list skills like “Rehabilitation Techniques” and “Manual Therapy” with accompanying bullet points. Never use long paragraphs or long sentences, they are never read!
• Use white space effectively: Text-dense CVs are usually automatically rejected as they are difficult to read. Ensure your CV is not overcrowded; use white space around the main text to make it more visually appealing and easier to read.
• Adopt a reverse-chronological order: List your work experience, qualifications and education in reverse-chronological order, so employers can quickly see your most recent accomplishments first. You should only adopt a different approach if you have career gaps because the reverse chronological order will expose and magnify those gaps.
• Tailor to the job: Tailor your CV to the specific physiotherapist position you’re applying for by highlighting skills and experiences relevant to that job, such as “Sports Injury Rehabilitation.” Refer to the job advert to find out the requirements of the role and use the same keywords and industry-specific phrases on your CV.
• Quantify your achievements: Use facts, figures and numbers to illustrate your impact, such as “Improved patient mobility by 20% through targeted exercise programs.”

How to write a Physiotherapist CV

Personal details

Your CV’s personal details section should contain information that confirms your identity and provide contact details for employers to contact you regarding your application.

This section should include your full name, address, phone number and email address.

Read more: What personal details to put on a CV (Examples + Tips).

• Sophie Green
• 19 Beachwood Lane, Leeds LS8 3QX
• Mob: 07988 765 432       Email: [email protected]

Personal profile statement

Your CV’s personal profile section is a brief summary of your professional experience, skills and career aspirations. It is the first section that a hiring manager will read, so it’s important to make a good impression. Make sure it’s concise; no more than 5 lines.

Physiotherapist personal profile example:

As a seasoned physiotherapist with over a decade of experience, I have successfully rehabilitated diverse patients, restoring mobility and enhancing their quality of life. I specialise in musculoskeletal disorders and have a track record of designing tailored treatment plans that have led to a significant reduction in pain and improved functionality. My commitment to evidence-based practice and continuous learning ensures that I stay at the forefront of the field.

Achievements and awards

Your CV’s achievements section is a bullet-pointed list of your key accomplishments. This section should highlight your most significant achievements, such as awards, promotions and successful projects.

Read more: List of achievements to put on a CV.

• Developed and implemented individualized treatment plans that led to a notable increase in patients’ mobility.
• Participated in charity runs, promoting fitness and health within your community.
• Achieved top scores in coursework related to anatomy, biomechanics and rehabilitation techniques.
• Received a scholarship or grant for academic excellence in the field of physiotherapy.

Work experience

In this section, you need to give details of your previous jobs.

For each job, include the name of the company, your job title, the dates of employment and a brief description of your responsibilities and achievements.

It’s important to remember that employers consider this the most important part of your CV so spend more time perfecting it.

Read more: How to include your degree on your CV.

Physiotherapist duties to add to your CV

• Conducting thorough patient assessments to identify physical impairments and create individualised treatment plans.
• Administering a variety of therapeutic techniques, such as manual therapy, exercise programs and electrotherapy, to improve patients’ mobility and reduce pain.
• Monitoring and documenting patient progress, making adjustments to treatment plans as needed.
• Educating patients on their conditions, treatment options and injury prevention strategies.
• Collaborating with multidisciplinary healthcare teams to provide comprehensive patient care.
• Using specialised equipment and technology for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
• Participating in ongoing professional development to stay current with the latest advancements in physiotherapy and healthcare.

Education

This section is dedicated to your formal education and academic qualifications.
Here, you can list qualifications like undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, A-levels and diplomas. For each qualification, include the degree type (BSc, BA, MSc, etc.), subject, the name and location of the awarding institution and the year of completion.

Note: If you have any professional certifications or online courses that are relevant to the job you are applying for, you can list them in a separate section called “Professional Training & Qualifications” (see below).

Professional Training & Qualifications

In this section, you can list your professional qualifications, including degrees and vocational training courses relevant to your career as a physiotherapist.

Be sure to format this section similarly to your education, highlighting your qualifications, the institutions or organisations you trained with and the dates of completion.

• Certified Orthopaedic Manual Therapist (COMT) – Institute of Orthopaedic Manual Therapy, 2022
• CPR Certification – British Red Cross, 2019
• Manual Handling and Ergonomics Training – Health and Safety Executive, 2018
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certification – Resuscitation Council (UK), 2018
• Safeguarding Training – National Health Service (NHS), 2023

Skills and abilities

The skills and abilities section is an opportunity to showcase your relevant competencies and expertise. Only include skills that are relevant to the job and will add value to your application.

• Musculoskeletal assessment: Proficient in conducting comprehensive musculoskeletal assessments to diagnose conditions and develop effective treatment plans. For instance, accurately identified a torn rotator cuff in a patient through a series of clinical tests, leading to successful rehabilitation.
• Manual therapy: Skilled in various manual therapy techniques, including joint mobilisations and soft tissue manipulation
• Exercise prescription: Experienced in designing tailored exercise programs to improve strength, flexibility and mobility. Designed a post-operative rehabilitation plan for a knee replacement patient, enabling them to regain full functionality within the expected timeframe.

Useful physiotherapy skills to add to your CV

• Rehabilitation expertise: Proficient in post-surgical rehabilitation and sports injury recovery techniques.
• Pain management: Experienced in various pain relief strategies, including heat and cold therapy, electrotherapy and manual techniques.
• Paediatric physiotherapy: Experienced in working with children to address developmental and physical challenges.
• Empathy and patient-centred care: Dedicated to providing compassionate and patient-focused care, addressing not only physical needs but also emotional well-being.
• Patient education: Effective at conveying complex medical information to patients in an understandable and empathetic manner.
• Ergonomics: Knowledgeable about ergonomic principles and their application to prevent workplace injuries.
• Interpersonal communication: Strong communication skills for building rapport with patients and ensuring clear and effective dialogue.
• Team collaboration: Effective at working with interdisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive patient care.
• Neurological rehabilitation: Skilled in helping patients with neurological conditions regain functionality and independence.

Hobbies & interests

The hobbies and interests section is an optional section that can help you stand out from other candidates. This section should include activities that demonstrate your passion for physical fitness, sports or other physical activities.

References

Finally, your CV’s references section is an optional section that provides the contact details of people who can vouch for your professional experience and character.

Referees can be former colleagues, managers, teachers or clients who have worked with you in a professional capacity.

Read more: How to write references on a CV (+ examples).

Note: If you do not wish to disclose your references on your CV, you should write, “References are available upon request.”

Tips to make your CV more effective

• Tailor your CV to the job description and the company you are applying to. Use keywords from the job description to highlight your relevant skills and experience.
• Adopt a simple and logical structure that creates a better reading experience than a complex structure.
• Use a recruiter-approved font like Times New Roman, Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, Open Sans or Calibri. These fonts make scanning and reading your CV easier, improving its chances of being shortlisted.
• Incorporate industry-specific keywords such as “rehabilitation”, “musculoskeletal” and “patient care” to increase your CV’s discoverability by applicant tracking systems (ATS).
• Format your headings for attention (bold or coloured fonts should do the trick) and break up long paragraphs into smaller chunks or short, snappy bullet points.