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Rehabilitation therapist skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted experts

Dr. Robert Cantu,

Dr. Robert Cantu

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical rehabilitation therapist skills. We ranked the top skills for rehabilitation therapists based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 21.7% of rehabilitation therapist resumes contained rehabilitation as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a rehabilitation therapist needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 rehabilitation therapist skills for your resume and career

1. Rehabilitation

Here's how rehabilitation therapists use rehabilitation:

Created, implemented and managed rehabilitation therapy programs, outcome measures, goals/data analysis for over 20 criminally insane clients.
Write patient assessments, and develop patient rehabilitation programs that better monitor the patients progress by including individualized treatment goals/objectives.

2. Patients

Here's how rehabilitation therapists use patients:

Maintained documentation of patients' participation and strength-based progress within group and individual therapy in accordance with regulatory standards.
Initiated activities and participated in individualized treatment planning for severely mentally ill patients in a state hospital setting.

3. Mental Health

Mental health is the state of wellbeing in which an individual can cope with the regular stresses and tensions of life, and can work productively without having any emotional or psychological breakdown. Mental health is essential for a person of any age and helps them make the right decisions in their life.

Here's how rehabilitation therapists use mental health:

Worked in a maximum-security mental health hospital.
Collaborated with Psychiatrist, Case Managers, Nurses and Mental Health Associates as member of a treatment team to coordinate patient care

5. Patient Care

Patient care entails the diagnosis, recovery, and control of sickness as well as the maintenance of physical and emotional well-being through the use of healthcare providers' services. Patient care is described as services provided to patients by health practitioners or non-professionals under guidance.

Here's how rehabilitation therapists use patient care:

Designed and implemented therapeutic recreation treatment services, monitored and documented patient care and progress for a given caseload.
Formulated a patient care survey to identify areas in need of performance improvement

6. Physical Therapy

Here's how rehabilitation therapists use physical therapy:

Managed and implemented all aspects of physical therapy including assessment, therapy plan and execution, Medex test.
Promoted to Senior Staff Therapist where duties included supervising students, physical therapy aides and assistants and less experienced physical therapists.

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7. Art Therapy

Here's how rehabilitation therapists use art therapy:

Conducted group and individual art therapy and psychotherapy, diagnostic assessment and evaluation for acute inpatient geriatric psychiatric unit.
Educated interdisciplinary staff about art therapy and attended weekly grand rounds seminars.

8. Adaptive

Here's how rehabilitation therapists use adaptive:

Assisted disabled client adapt to various adaptive sports.-I spent 7 years as an assistant basketball coach at Bishop Carroll High School.
Facilitate recreation activities to improve functional skills, community re-entry, provide resource education on adaptive tools/techniques or support services.

9. CPR

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR is a medical procedure that involves chest compression to help a patient breathe. This artificial ventilation helps in keeping the brain function in place and regulates blood throughout the body. CPR is a lifesaving procedure that is used in emergencies.

Here's how rehabilitation therapists use cpr:

Implemented management of assaultive behavior classes and CPR for staff, as well as proctoring new employees.
Performed CPR and assisted with emergency airway management.

10. Substance Abuse

Here's how rehabilitation therapists use substance abuse:

Researched, developed and conducted group sessions to educate the youth on Substance abuse, corrective thinking and Impact of Crime.
Facilitated rehab groups for individuals with chronic mental illness, substance abuse issues, and victims of various types of abuse.

11. Crisis Intervention

Here's how rehabilitation therapists use crisis intervention:

Utilized crisis intervention methods when necessary.
Functioned as a clinical coordinator in outpatient cognitive based therapy program providing crisis intervention for clients 6-18 years old.

12. Clinical Supervision

Clinical supervision refers to how practicing nurses get professional and moral support from their experienced colleagues. The practice aims to promote their ability to make a concrete decision that values the patient's well-being.

Here's how rehabilitation therapists use clinical supervision:

Participated in daily treatment rounds and clinical supervision to monitor and discuss patient progress with staff psychologists and psychiatrists.
Provided clinical supervision of Music Therapy Fieldwork

13. Developmental Disabilities

Here's how rehabilitation therapists use developmental disabilities:

Supervised staff in a residential facility for persons with developmental disabilities.
Provide one on one support to adults with social, cognitive, and developmental disabilities in achieving personal outcomes.

14. Direct Care

Direct care is the act of identifying people with special needs and offering the necessary care for them.

Here's how rehabilitation therapists use direct care:

Supervised direct care staff related to activity programs.
Conducted training for each changed goal with all direct care staff, as well as rehabilitative therapy assistants.

15. Persistent Mental Illness

Here's how rehabilitation therapists use persistent mental illness:

Conducted and reinforced activities with individuals diagnosed with serious and persistent mental illnesses.
Assessed individuals with severe and persistent mental illnesses to provide appropriate care, transitional services, and follow-up.

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What skills help Rehabilitation Therapists find jobs?

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

What skills stand out on rehabilitation therapist resumes?

Dr. Robert Cantu

Associate Professor, Brenau University

These are not necessarily skills per se, but as a hiring manager, this is what I would look at in a resume for a new grad:

Clear objective statement in the resume that matches the needs of the clinic. This shows a focus on job seeking and career path.

Clinical education experiences that match the needs of the clinic.

Skills gained in their clinical training that matches the clinic's needs: Examples: Strong manual therapy training in a clinic that emphasizes one-on-one care of patients. Strong exercise training in sports medicine clinics.

For those with some career experience:

Job stability--i.e., how long is the candidate at one place of employment. At least 18-24 months in a job or longer is good. This means they were perceptive and chose wisely. Six jobs in the first 5 years will raise red flags.

Current and frequent continuing education attendance in the area in which the clinic specializes. This shows a focus on growing and staying current in clinical skills.

What soft skills should all rehabilitation therapists possess?

Dr. Robert Cantu

Associate Professor, Brenau University

People skills: For the workgroup: ability and willingness to work in groups and manage conflict. Flexibility: Willingness to occasionally work late or come in early to accommodate the patient load. Team player attitude. Willingness to play their assigned part on the team. Strong commitment and discipline for timely completion of tasks such as daily paperwork. This shows "discipline in the drudgery," which is critical for the smooth operation of the clinic and results in better customer service.

People skills: For patient management: Empathy, the warmth of personality, a caring demeanor, and express kindness. And absolutely, a willingness to always put the patient first. Good eye contact, firm but kind, reassuring handshake (or a kind elbow bump). The understanding is that even though they work for a company, ultimately, the clinician works for the patient.

What hard/technical skills are most important for rehabilitation therapists?

Dr. Robert Cantu

Associate Professor, Brenau University

During initial employment, clinical skills can be honed informally or through a formal residency program for a new grad. Affinity for technology is important. Examples: Willingness to do telehealth, able to adapt to changes in software such as EMR systems. Skills should closely match the clinic's needs, and if not, the candidate should express an interest in what the clinic is doing and exhibit a strong commitment to learning.

Ability to adapt to changes in insurance reimbursement policies while not compromising patient care.

What rehabilitation therapist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Sepideh Soheilian Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, University of Baltimore

If a recent college graduate decides to take a gap year between their undergraduate studies and starting a master's program in Counseling Psychology, my advice would be to try their best to be exposed to or engage in either 1) experiences in the field of mental health, or 2) experiences that will strengthen their social science research skills. Engaging in these types of experiences such as working as an administrative assistant in a private practice, or volunteering on a psychiatric unit at a hospital will provide greater exposure to the field of mental health and hopefully, help the graduate determine if entering the mental health field would be the right fit for their career expectations, goals, and values.

What type of skills will young rehabilitation therapists need?

Dr. Thomas Dearden Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Sociology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Indeed, the way we work is changing. The skills that young graduates will need are diverse. Transferable skills and soft skills will certainly be marketable. These include traditional crafts such as communication, but I also think the world expects more empathy from its employees. Young graduates with an understanding of racism, sexism, and environmental responsibility will become increasingly important.

What technical skills for a rehabilitation therapist stand out to employers?

Christopher Kevin Wong Ph.D.

Associate Director of Faculty Development, Columbia University Irving Medical Center

Many clinic owners and rehab department managers may not be as facile with social media, website management, and IT ideas as younger people. Nevertheless, social media and internet searches is how we generate publicity, business, and potentially profit. Skills to help as a webmaster, social media manager, or data management and analyst can be a valuable contribution. Therapy technology can be taught as needed.

Do you want to know more?

List of rehabilitation therapist skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a rehabilitation therapist resume and required skills for a rehabilitation therapist to have include:

Rehabilitation
Patients
Mental Health
Social Work
Patient Care
Physical Therapy
Art Therapy
Adaptive
CPR
Substance Abuse
Crisis Intervention
Clinical Supervision
Developmental Disabilities
Direct Care
Persistent Mental Illness

Individual Therapy
Consults
Individual Sessions
Discharge Planning
State Hospital
Community Resources
Epic
Program Planning
Family Therapy
Medicaid
Independent Living
Anger Management
Group Therapy Sessions
Treatment Facilities
Cardiac Rehabilitation

Clinical Documentation
Brain Injuries
EKG
Hypertension
Crisis Management
TBI
Conflict Resolution
Splints
Medication Management
Stress Management
Clinical Assessments
Traction
Cognitive Therapy

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.

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Rehabilitation Therapist Skills

Updated January 8, 2025

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