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Therapy aide skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted experts

Josh Matacotta,

Josh Matacotta

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical therapy aide skills. We ranked the top skills for therapy aides based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 27.5% of therapy aide resumes contained patients as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a therapy aide needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 therapy aide skills for your resume and career

1. Patients

Here's how therapy aides use patients:

Demonstrated strong crisis management skills by counseling agitated clients; promoted positive relationships between developmentally disabled patients and the community.
Assisted physical, occupational, and speech therapy departments in administering therapy programs by preparing patients for treatment.

2. 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 therapy aides use patient care:

Administered assigned rehabilitation plan, patient care and patient transport with PT supervision
Assist physical and occupational therapists with patient care and rehabilitation.

3. Rehabilitation

Here's how therapy aides use rehabilitation:

Assisted patients with rehabilitation programs * Revised programs according to therapist requests * Daily upkeep and maintenance of facility and therapy equipment
Provided assistance to physical and occupational therapists at a therapy gym in a rehabilitation facility.

4. BARS

Here's how therapy aides use bars:

grab bars, tub lifts, stair lifts)

5. Physical Therapy

Here's how therapy aides use physical therapy:

Provide physical therapy and occupational therapy treatment and training to residents, documenting individual treatment sessions.
Completed multiple miscellaneous marketing projects and general filing tasks for the Director of Physical Therapy.

6. Occupational Therapy

Here's how therapy aides use occupational therapy:

Assisted with physical and occupational therapy under the direction of a licensed therapist.
Maintained a safe and tidy environment in the physical and occupational therapy departments.

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7. Home Health

Here's how therapy aides use home health:

Fax, copy, and file papers for the therapy departments and for the home health office.
Worked with various types of patients such as worker's compensation, neuromuscular, pediatrics, geriatrics and home health.

8. Direct Supervision

Direct supervision is a term used to indicate that a person is supervising a certain task or a certain person while being physically present or in close proximity. It refers to the presence of a person and the availability of their supervision in something if it is needed.

Here's how therapy aides use direct supervision:

Direct supervision of developmentally disabled individuals daily, assisting them in daily activities and life skills.
Participated in patient treatment sessions under direct supervision of clinicians, as suitable

9. Cleanliness

Here's how therapy aides use cleanliness:

Maintained cleanliness and organization of the facility.
Maintain cleanliness of clinic, ensure a positive experience for all patients.

10. 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 therapy aides use cpr:

Maintain all competencies including: SCIP, CPR, FIRST AID and MEDICAION ADMINISTRATION.
Required the physical ability and training to conduct CPR.

11. Autism

Here's how therapy aides use autism:

Worked with patients diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Mental Retardation and Articulation and Phonological Processing Disorders.
Assisted in therapeutic workshops for children with a primary diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder

12. Therapy Services

Here's how therapy aides use therapy services:

Provide Recreational Therapy services to individuals of all ages with psychiatric disorders, co-occurring disorders, and intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Coordinate and complete registration, scheduling, billing, insurance verification and administrative tasks for inpatient and outpatient therapy services.

13. Speech Therapy

Speech therapy involves the assessment and treatment of communication problems and speech disorders hence used to improve communication.

Here's how therapy aides use speech therapy:

Assist therapists in transporting, caring, exercises, and monitoring patients during their physical, occupational and speech therapy.
Assist the Speech Pathologist with planning and implementing daily speech therapy in the Twin Lakes school district.

14. Therapy Equipment

Here's how therapy aides use therapy equipment:

Performed monthly Inventory documentation of supplies, medical and therapy equipment.
Coordinated the availability of therapy equipment and its readiness for use.

15. ADL

ADL is a clinical shorthand for "activities of daily living." It includes tasks such as feeding, dressing, bathing, and caring for one's self and personal hygiene.

Here's how therapy aides use adl:

Coordinated client ADL goal assistance.
Assist residents with ADL skills.

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What skills help Therapy Aides find jobs?

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

What skills stand out on therapy aide resumes?

Josh Matacotta

Assistant Dean of Assessment & Strategic Initiatives, Assistant Professor, Western University of Health Sciences

One skill that should stand out on the resume is working effectively within a multidisciplinary team. Rehabilitation technicians who will successfully work with administrative staff, clinicians, administrators, and other healthcare professionals are highly sought. A rehab technician will work alongside doctors and therapists and interact with other professionals and support staff within their work setting. Having an appreciation for teamwork and how patients ultimately benefit from the effective collaboration is essential.

What soft skills should all therapy aides possess?

Josh Matacotta

Assistant Dean of Assessment & Strategic Initiatives, Assistant Professor, Western University of Health Sciences

I teach psychosocial and cultural aspects of healthcare to health sciences students. We explore the impact of psychological, social, and cultural factors that affect interactions between the care provider and their patients. Authentic empathy, active listening, cultural humility, and an ability to communicate in a way that makes others truly feel heard are essential soft skills to have. Many people experienced increased isolation due to COVID-19. This reminded so many of us how vital social connection is to our wellbeing. In the rehabilitation setting, you will experience patients contending with challenges associated with a newly acquired disability or an injury that has placed limitations on their activities of daily living. I cannot stress enough how necessary soft skills are so that you can help your patients and the people around them feel hopeful.

What hard/technical skills are most important for therapy aides?

Josh Matacotta

Assistant Dean of Assessment & Strategic Initiatives, Assistant Professor, Western University of Health Sciences

Comfort with computers and a willingness to learn how to use various software is essential. Technicians and aides will prepare, record, and navigate patient records and case management data. Day-to-day duties might vary greatly depending on the setting you are working in. Generally, it would be best if you had a good understanding of physiology and anatomy, patient confidentiality, and protected health information.

Do you want to know more?

List of therapy aide skills to add to your resume

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

Patients
Patient Care
Rehabilitation
BARS
Physical Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Home Health
Direct Supervision
Cleanliness
CPR
Autism
Therapy Services
Speech Therapy
Therapy Equipment
ADL
Front Desk

Treatment Sessions
Patient Transfers
Therapeutic Exercises
Therapy Sessions
Splints
Mental Illness
Vital Signs
Adaptive Equipment
Developmental Disabilities
Medical Terminology
Patient Behavior
Medical Equipment
Patient Treatment
Resuscitation
Medical Appointments
Administrative Tasks

Electrical Stimulation
Group Therapy
Patient Charts
Scheduling Appointments
Direct Care
Traction
Walkers
Treatment Rooms
Therapy Gym
Early Intervention
Therapy Programs
Group Sessions
Therapeutic Environment
Cold Packs
Insurance Verification

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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