Physical therapists play important roles in public health and in their patients’ lives. Compassionate experts who can help people recover and adapt from musculoskeletal disorders, chronic illnesses, injuries and neurological impairments will always be needed. That said, there are more physical therapy subspecializations today than ever before. So how can you prepare for a job search when every community needs something a little different?
The best approach, as in most industries, is to play to your strengths. National physical therapy companies and locally owned businesses want people who are the best fit for their open roles. You’ll need to know what makes you unique and show you are adaptable to your community’s needs. This article will outline the top 10 qualifications physical therapy recruiters are looking for right now.
What are physical therapy recruiters looking for today?
For one thing, physical therapy employers are definitely looking for dedicated people who love what they do. The demand for good physical therapists won’t be slowing down anytime soon — PT is one of the fastest-growing careers right now. New applications like teletherapy and virtual reality are opening up new possibilities that didn’t exist just a few years ago. As the population ages and people continue to take an interest in wellness, physical therapists will be central to keeping their communities healthy and strong.
These are the top 10 things physical recruiters are looking for today:
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Great interpersonal skills
Every physical therapy employer wants people who are not only friendly and approachable with patients, but also fun to work with. You’ll be meeting new people and building new relationships every week. The abilities to form quick bonds, communicate effectively and stay accountable for your responsibilities are nonnegotiable. Job interviews are the best place to show and tell prospective employers why you’re a delight to work with.
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Desire to grow
Interviewers may ask about your career aspirations or your plans for the next few years. This isn’t so much a test as it is a way to find out if you’ll be likely to stay and grow within their company. Job-hopping and increased turnover have been tough challenges for employers over the last 10 years or so. A professional statement at the top of your résumé, your cover letter or your listing in a physical therapy talent pool are all good places to talk about your plans for the future. You’ll get points for asking about advancement programs and professional development.
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Compassion
Chances are, you’ll be working with patients who are facing some health challenges or in pain. Your future employer will need to see that you care and you’re enthusiastic about helping their patients. The best way to showcase your care and compassion is by preparing some stories you can tell when this comes up during your interview. How have you built strong connections with patients in the past? When were some specific times that you helped patients feel better about themselves and their abilities? The STAR method is a simple and effective way to organize your examples.
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The “right fit”
There might be times when you’re really excited about a position and you feel like you’re a great fit — but the team needs something a little different. During one of your first conversations with the hiring company, try to find out why they’re looking to hire someone right now. They could be looking for somebody who’s trainable and fits in with the team, or they might want to diversify with a new hire who has some skills their current team doesn’t have. If you can find out what “X factor” they’re looking for, you can speak to those qualities during your interview.
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Attention to detail
Physical therapy employers need their team to have the analytical skills to determine what’s likely causing a patient’s problems and figure out the best approach to treatment. Some might require experience with evidence-based protocols like the McKenzie Method®. Others will want to know what your decision-making process looks like. This is another good place to use concrete examples and storytelling.
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Physical stamina and dexterity
Physical therapy is a physically demanding job. If you’re not in shape, you won’t be able to perform manual techniques that require some pushing, pulling or lifting. Come to your interview prepared to talk about what you like to do every day to stay fit. This includes both exercise and eating a balanced diet. Make it clear that you enjoy your fitness routines and you won’t start to slack once they hire you.
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Resourcefulness
Helping patients adapt exercises and create habits they’ll actually stick to is a big part of the job. Some may need more help with their wellness regimen between sessions than others. And sometimes the biggest challenges are a patient’s mental blocks. It takes some creativity to work with what you’ve got and troubleshoot any problems that come up. Your tone with patients should always be positive and supportive, not judgmental.
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Clinical experience
This will be more important for some positions than others. It takes some time to learn how to balance your workload and start each session fresh with each patient, even late in the afternoon. You’ll need to show you can work with the hiring company’s standards and procedures. It’s also important to know how you can collaborate with teammates to create the best environment for wellness. With more senior roles, recruiters will be looking for more experience.
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Time management skills
This is about using your patients’ time wisely during sessions as well as things like showing up on time and taking care of administrative tasks. The specifics will be different depending on the population you’re working with and your specialization. But employers want to know you can take care of your responsibilities in a timely manner. If you’ve struggled with this in the past, talk about strategies that have helped you stay on schedule.
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Degrees, licenses and certifications
Each specialization will have unique requirements, and this can vary by state, too. The very first thing you look at when applying for a position should be the licensing and certifications you’ll need. A Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from an accredited college or university, a one-year residency, and an active state license are the minimum most employers will require. In some states, you may need to pass a law exam and a criminal background check. You should be able to find licensing requirements on your state board’s website.
Alliance PTP is eager to support you as you work to help patients and your community
Each practice will value some of these qualities and credentials more than the others, and it can be hard to know exactly what they’re looking for. Your best bet is to look at the company’s website before preparing your application materials. Pay special attention to their values and promises they make to their patients. You can also take a look at the services they provide to see how many you’re proficient in.
We’ve built a partnership in care that includes physical therapy practices and clinics across the country. The goal of this partnership is to help people find the PT they need and be a positive force in the clinic’s local community. But we also focus on supporting our partners so they can more easily make these goals a reality.
One thing we’re doing to support our partners is creating a physical therapy talent pool. Keep an eye on our Careers page so you can create a listing when it goes live. When your listing is approved, you’ll be in the running for physical therapy jobs at our partner companies and increase your chances of being seen by physical therapy recruiters near you.
For more on how we help our team members succeed or to see what career opportunities are available now at Alliance PTP partners, take a look at our Careers page.