Let's Start From the Very Beginning Part 4: Writing a Resume, a Cover Letter, and a Letter of Intent (LOI) as a Physiotherapist

 

 

Summary: Learn the nuances of writing a resume for physiotherapists from experts within the industry. Additionally, find the scope of jobs of physiotherapists and how resumes, cover letters and letters of intent must be customized to fit the role. 

 

 

Understanding Resumes for Physiotherapists

Allied health sciences in India are often under-discussed. Among the other branches of allied Health, physiotherapy stands out. According to reports, over half of the Indian population is inactive and leads sedentary lifestyles. The numbers have increased since 2020 and are likely to skyrocket shortly. Though alarming, this opens doors to jobs for physiotherapists. In turn, learning how to write the best resume for physiotherapists becomes more vital than ever before. 

 

The internet offers so much data to doctors and dentists for their career progression, but very little to the physiotherapists. With that in mind, as a platform for every hero in healthcare, we ran a Contribution Drive named ‘Let's Start From the Very Beginning,'  a series dedicated to healthcare professionals exclusively for the career objective for resumes for physiotherapists.

 

 

The Scope of Work for Physiotherapists in India and Abroad

Physiotherapy has been around for centuries. This branch of musculoskeletal science has a variety of names but all share the same goal: functional flexibility, mobility, and strength. From rehabilitating polio patients in the 19th century to caring for soldiers in the World Wars, jobs for physiotherapists apply to numerous fields. These include:

 

• A Clinical Physiotherapist provides general physiotherapy services across a variety of settings. Sports Physiotherapist specializes in treating sports-related injuries and optimizing physical performance.

• Pediatric Physiotherapists focus on the unique needs of children.

• Geriatric Physiotherapist addresses age-related physical challenges in older adults. 

• Lecturers in physiotherapy educate future practitioners, often within schools and institutions. Physiotherapists may also work within schools, helping students with physical therapy needs. 

• In specialized fields, orthopedic physiotherapists treat musculoskeletal issues, and cardiovascular physiotherapists support patients who are recovering from or managing cardiovascular conditions.

There are also plenty of jobs for physiotherapists in abroad. Most countries, like the USA, the UK, the Netherlands, Denmark, Australia, etc. require you to clear a license exam before practicing as a physiotherapist.

 

 

Writing a Resume for Physiotherapists

Ideally, your resume for physiotherapists will be addressed to vacancies in one of the following institutions:

 

• Hospitals

• Private clinics

• Corporate healthcare chains

• Rehabilitation centers

• Sports fitness centers

• Gyms and body-strengthening outlets

• Alongside an orthopedic clinic

• Universities and colleges

• Defense establishments

 

Based on the institution of practice, you must customize your CV.

 

Here is what Dr. Reenu Purohit, MPT in Orthopedics, Women's Pelvic Floor Rehab Practitioner, and Certified Internal Auditor for NABH 5th Edition (PhD), says about resumes of physiotherapists in India:

 

"A resume should be visually impactful and clearly present your educational background, work experience, certifications, and clinical skills. Key skills, such as manual therapy, taping, cupping, or dry needling should be concisely highlighted to capture recruiters' attention at a glance. Additionally, briefly describe your areas of practice and your personality traits that demonstrate how you can add value to a healthcare facility."

She further breaks down the writing process like a sample resume for a physiotherapist:

 

“Education: Include comprehensive details about your BPT degree, including observational and internship training.

Certifications: List your certifications in chronological order, with specific years.

Skills: Outline both clinical and technical skills, including patient assessment, manual therapy, dry needling, taping, myofascial release (MFR), proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF), and sports rehabilitation.

Personality Traits: Highlight personal strengths as a physiotherapist, such as effective listening, differential diagnostic skills, accurate patient assessments, and a patient-centered approach characterized by patience and empathy.

Digital Competencies: Note familiarity with digital tools like MS Word, PowerPoint, paper presentation techniques, and formal documentation.

Research: If you've published research articles or contributed to mentor-led research, include references with links to the articles. 

References: Optionally, provide 1–2 references who can validate your education and clinical expertise. This could be a professional colleague or a senior from your clinic, with their consent.”

 

Here’s something that we would like to add:

A Professional Summary.

This stands after the header of the resume. It must be like a paragraph of 50-70 words with all the keywords that define you and are also required for the role. Write a concise paragraph that covers your years of experience, specialization, and core clinical skills, while highlighting your patient-centered approach. Mention any relevant certifications and advanced techniques you’ve mastered, and include soft skills that add to your effectiveness, such as strong communication, empathy, and teamwork. This summary should convey your expertise, your approach to patient care, and how your skills make you a valuable addition to a healthcare team.

 

 

Are Cover Letters Vital in Physiotherapy Jobs?

Cover letters complement the resume. Though not a mandate in most Indian job applications, they are a must abroad. They are used to apply to universities for higher studies or job roles. 

 

Dr. Reenu Purohit says, 

“In the resume for physiotherapists for freshers with no experience, it is advisable to include the details of your internship institution along with your specific area of interest. Highlight any certifications you’ve acquired in new methodologies or specialized skills.

 

For experienced professionals, detail your cumulative years of experience and any specific training or hand-off skills you have acquired. Specify the area of expertise you are currently practicing. 

 

For example, if you have managed a high volume of back pain cases at a previous clinic or hospital, you might note: "I have effectively treated over 100 patients with back pain using manual therapy and lumbar mobilization techniques." 

 

Additionally, be sure to mention your interpersonal skills and your capacity for continuous learning and adaptability.”

 

Cover letters are the preludes to your resume—they must be impactful and share a good first impression, encouraging the hiring managers to explore your profile.

 

 

Letter of Intent (LOI) in Physiotherapy

LOI expresses a candidate's genuine enthusiasm and commitment to joining a specific program or role.

Dr. Reenu Purohit adds,

“Begin with a concise introduction that highlights your professional background and the unique skills you bring, emphasizing how these can benefit the clinic or hospital. 

For instance, "With nine years of extensive experience in orthopedic hospitals and rehabilitation settings, I am confident that my expertise will be a valuable asset to your clinic. My background enables me to effectively manage a diverse range of orthopedic cases, contributing to patient recovery and enhancing overall quality of life."

 

 

‘Let's Start From the Very Beginning’ With ANASTOMOS

‘Let's Start From the Very Beginning’ is an initiative by ANASTOMOS to bring together opinions by industry experts on how the hiring process manages your resumes, cover letters, and LOIs in healthcare. There is so much noise on healthcare professionals lacking a structured job portal; keeping that as the focus, this Contribution Drive can help millions of physiotherapists understand how best to craft a CV and also network with experts within the industry using a healthcare providers-only platform.