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Physical therapy attendant skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

1 min read

Quoted experts

Tara Paradie,

Elizabeth Paly

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical physical therapy attendant skills. We ranked the top skills for physical therapy attendants based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 33.0% of physical therapy attendant resumes contained therapeutic exercises as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a physical therapy attendant needs to be successful in the workplace.

5 physical therapy attendant skills for your resume and career

1. Therapeutic Exercises

Patients who have experienced physical injuries through accidents or medical conditions are assigned therapeutic activities to regain their physical health and body functions. E.g., If a person has had knee injuries, the therapist will suggest specific knee exercises to bring the knee back to normal. These exercises can be as simple as walking, stretching, lifting, or balancing.

Here's how physical therapy attendants use therapeutic exercises:

Prepare treatment areas used by therapist, administered active and passive manual therapeutic exercises and massages.
Instruct patients on proper gait training, wound care, and therapeutic exercises.

2. Therapy Equipment

Here's how physical therapy attendants use therapy equipment:

Transported and assisted patients, assisted therapy and nursing staff, bed to wheelchair transfers, and cleaned therapy equipment
Cleaned, maintained, and ordered all therapy equipment as needed within the department's budget constraints.

3. Rehabilitation

Here's how physical therapy attendants use rehabilitation:

Followed/implemented physical and occupational rehabilitation plans.
Supervised patients performing rehabilitation exercises.

4. Direct Patient Care

Here's how physical therapy attendants use direct patient care:

Provide direct and indirect patient care related activities under the supervision of our Physical Therapist and Occupational Therapist.
Used superior interpersonal skills to provide direct patient care to geriatric population.

5. Patient Treatment

Here's how physical therapy attendants use patient treatment:

Drafted notes related to patient treatments, entered records into central database and submitted documentation for official signatures and review.
Worked efficiently with multidisciplinary teams to help implement daily schedules for patient treatment times.

What skills help Physical Therapy Attendants find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What technical skills for a physical therapy attendant stand out to employers?

Tara Paradie

Assistant Director of Clinical Education, University of New England

Again, my experience has been in the health care field--and I believe that employers are looking for graduates who are confident and bring their health care skills to the table, ready to assist and relieve the current workforce who has been working overtime to keep patients healthy and safe. The ability to be flexible and apply what they have learned in school immediately will be valued. I believe this to be true of any of the health professions that I am affiliated with--physical therapy, occupational therapy, nursing and nurse anesthesia, dental medicine and dental hygiene, social work and pharmacy.

What soft skills should all physical therapy attendants possess?

Elizabeth Paly

Associate Professor, Concordia University

Soft skills that are becoming increasingly more favorable in the work environment include active listening and communication skills, willingness to collaborate with others, creativity, and adaptability to changing situations.

Do you want to know more?

List of physical therapy attendant skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a physical therapy attendant resume and required skills for a physical therapy attendant to have include:

Therapeutic Exercises
Therapy Equipment

Rehabilitation
Direct Patient Care

Patient Treatment

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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