Physical Therapist Job Description [Updated for 2025]

A Physical Therapist, or Physical Therapy Technician, performs treatments and exercises to help patients recover from illnesses and injuries. Their main duties include using various treatment techniques to develop personalized treatment plans, prescribing medications to relieve pain and increase mobility and teaching patients exercise techniques to improve their health.

Physical Therapist duties and responsibilities

Physical therapists can work in hospitals, private offices, nursing homes and other facilities. A Physical Therapist is responsible for a range of duties that include the following:

Consult with patients to learn about their physical condition and symptoms and review their medical history and referrals from doctors or surgeons
Diagnose movement dysfunction by listening to patients and observing them as they move about
Develop an individualized treatment plan
Coach patients and teach them therapeutic exercises and stretches to improve their condition
Use hands-on therapy such as massage to ease patients’ pain and provide stimulation to promote healing
Maintain patient records by keeping track of goals and progress while adapting treatment plans accordingly
Advise patients and their families on in-home treatment options and what to expect from the recovery process

Hire your next Physical Therapist today.

Build a job description

Hire your next Physical Therapist today.

Build a job description

Physical Therapist Job Description Examples

Example 1

A List Therapy Group is seeking a Physical Therapist Assistant to treat patients in the Home Health setting. A List Therapy Group is Therapist owned and operated so we understand what it takes to be in the field.

Clinicians choose their own schedule and coverage areas;streamline electronic software.

1. Quick and easy documentation

2. Quick and electronic payment

3. Make your own schedule

4. Support staff always here to help. Training provided.

Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Job Description/Requirements:

Educate patients/families in basic home safety and medical equipment safety as applicable to services provided.

Coordinate physical therapy services with other agency personnel by participating in care.

you will make your own schedule and complete follow up visits following a PT evaluation.

This is an independent contractor position and the pay is $60-65 per visit in Malibu, CA. visits are 45 minutes in length.

We are hiring in multiple locations across southern California for PT, OT, ST, PTA, COTA:such as Los Angeles, Van Nuys, Simi Valley, Northridge, Thousand Oaks, Santa Monica, Culver city, Inglewood, Southgate, East LA, DownTown LA, South LA, Glendale, Eagle rock, Pasadena, Alhambra, Arcadia, Burbank, Diamond Bar, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, West Covina, arcadia,

Riverside County, San Bernardino County:Rancho Cucamonga, Chino, Diamond Bar, Rialto, Riverside, Colton, Moreno Valley, Temecula, Corona.

+ Locations: Los Angeles County, Ventura County, Orange County, San Bernardino County, Riverside County

Minimum Required Qualifications:

Current CA Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) License

Valid California Driver License/ with transportation insurance

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Per-Diem available.

Pay: $60.00 - $65.00 per hour

COME JOIN US!at A List Therapy Group.*

[phone number]

[website]

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Contract

Pay: $60.00 - $65.00 per hour

Benefits:

Referral program
Medical specialties:

Home Health
Schedule:

Choose your own hours

Ability to commute/relocate:

Los Angeles, CA: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Application Question(s):

What are you coverage areas?

License/Certification:

CPR Certification (Preferred)

Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant Location: In person

Example 2

Urgently Hiring Licensed Physical Therapists! NEW GRADS Welcome!

Competitive pay

New Grad mentorship

Fellowship Reimbursement

Quality benefits package

Unlimited continued education

Limitless growth opportunities - Open your own private practice!

PTO

401k contribution

Job Type: Full-time, Part-time

Starting Salary: $70,000 per year (Negotiable)

Who we are:

Health & Rehab Solutions (HRS) is a private practice partnership company physical therapists work with us to open and grow their own company. The HRS family of companies is made up of 17 brands with clinic locations in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Montana, and Washington. Whether you are looking to start your career or take on a leadership role, we always have opportunities available.

The benefits of a PT owned and operated company is that patient outcomes is at the center of all that we do we exceed industry standards because of the strong clinical leadership that drives our practices.

Come be a part of a culture where the growth of employees and results for patients is what defines success!

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: From $70,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k)

401(k) matching

Dental insurance

Health insurance

Paid time off

Vision insurance
Medical specialties:

Neurology

Orthopedics

Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine

Sports Medicine
Schedule:

8 hour shift

Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

Evans, GA: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work Location: One location

Example 3

We re Ignite Rehab, a professional private practice of independent clinicians (OT/PT) who treat patients within their homes/communities while providing evidence-based interventions based off the needs/wants of the patient. If you want an autonomous career with flexible hours for scheduling and have a passion to make a difference among this population, then this is the right team for you.

We re looking to onboard top caliber Physical Therapists to join our team! We have several locations within Northern New Jersey.

Candidates we're seeking:

Must have prior Medicare billing (8-minute rule with cpt codes) + documentation experience. An individual who thrives within an autonomous setting meeting expectations for scheduling and caseload management.

What you ll do:

Provide PT services to older adults within their home/community environment

Deliver proactive and evidence-based interventions based off your own clinical judgement

What you ll get:

The ability to create your own schedule + visit times for your caseload

Professional growth opportunities

Requirements:

Valid Physical Therapy license in the state(s) of practice, or eligibility to apply

Degree from an accredited physical therapy program

Liability insurance

Basic computer literacy skills

Current CPR certification

Ability to wear PPE, including masks, face shields, goggles, gloves, and gowns

Job Types: Contract, Part-time, Full-time

Pay: $50.00 - $55.00 per hour

Medical specialties:

Geriatrics

Home Health

Orthopedics

Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine
Schedule:

Monday to Location: In person

Example 4

The Fraser Valley Child Development Centre is community based organization providing innovative, strength based, family centered services to children and their families. Our work focuses on child development supporting, advocating, and empowering children and families. Services are delivered in a culture of excellence, diversity, and respect, with a focus on positive outcomes for each child, their families, our staff and our community. We believe in Helping Kids Shine .

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Chief Physiotherapist, this position is responsible for all aspects of caseload management by utilizing clinically accepted procedures to assess, plan and carry out physiotherapy programs either directly or through training caregivers and community to reach each client's maximum potential.

The objective of this position is to provide home, community and centre based services to a wide range of children birth to 18. This position works as part of an interdisciplinary team, working collaboratively with other professionals to determine the best array and intensity of services based on goals of the family.

Qualifications

A Degree in Physiotherapy from an approved university program

Current registration with the College of Physical Therapists of BC

Preference given to therapists with experience in pediatrics, mentoring available

Salary range as per HSA Collective Agreement with a generous benefits package.

Starting DATE: ASAP

Location: Fraser Valley

Applications Accepted UNTIL: Position filled

Job Type: Part-time

Benefits:

Dental care

Extended health care

Paid time off

RRSP match

Vision care
Schedule:

Monday to Friday

Ability to BC: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)

Example 5

Responsibilities

Communicate patient progress or problems to supervisor and other team members; assist with patient scheduling and post charges daily to patient records.

Document patient care in accordance with regulatory, licensing, payer and accrediting requirements.

Instruct patient's family or nursing staff in follow-through programs.

Maintain equipment and work area in a safe and clean condition.

Make presentations to support marketing efforts, at team conferences and in-services.

Handle job responsibilities in accordance with the Company's Code of Business Conduct, the Corporate Compliance Agreement, appropriate professional standard and applicable state/federal laws.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: $65,000.00 - $115,000.00 per year

Medical Specialty:

Home Health
Schedule:

4 hour shift

8 hour shift

Day shift

Monday to Friday

Self-determined schedule

License/Certification:

CPR Certification (Preferred)

Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant Location: On the road

Example 6

Job Summary

Come join our friendly team at Summit Physiotherapy. We are a well-established, thriving, physical therapy clinic and are seeking an outgoing, motivated and competent physical therapist to join our team on a permanent part-time. The caseload is made up of clients with a wide variety of musculoskeletal conditions including, sports and MVA injuries and post-surgical rehab. We rely largely on private payers to make up much of our client base. Our clinic has an emphasis on Myofascial release, Acupuncture, IMS, Manual Therapy and exercise therapy. Our staff at Summit Physiotherapy are highly experienced, friendly and always willing to help and lend a hand when needed.

Incentives for possible candidates:

- mainly evening hours available

- partial educational expenses paid

- partial costs of licensing, association and insurance fees paid

- initial hourly wage for the first 3 months

The successful candidate will possess the following:

- Bachelor/Masters degree of Science in Physical Therapy

- Good standing with the College of Physical Therapists of Alberta

- Malpractice insurance

- Motivated to continue and further their education

- A desire to provide comprehensive care.

The following would be considered an asset to the position but not essential:

- Training in Myofascial Release or other soft tissue techniques

- Level 2 Orthopaedic Manual Therapy Course, or higher

- Acupuncture and/or IMS

Location: Summit Physiotherapy in St. Albert AB, #202, 200 Boudreau Rd, Across from the Sturgeon Community Hospital

Job Types: Part-time, Permanent

Salary: From $50.00 per hour

Additional pay:

Commission pay
Schedule:

8 hour Physiotherapist license to practice in Alberta (required)

Example 7

A Degree in Physiotherapy from an approved university program

Current registration with the College of Physical Therapists of BC

Dental care

Extended health care

Paid time off

RRSP match

Vision care
Schedule:

Monday to Friday

Ability to BC: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)

Example 8

Edmonton Bone and Joint Centre

Casual - Physical Therapist Needed

Monday to Friday Full Time Equivalent (Daytime)

Position Summary

Under the direction of the Allied Health Team Lead and Clinic Director, the Physical Therapist works collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team, to assess, plan, and educate patients, families and caregivers through the continuum of care (pre and post-surgical, and non-surgical).

Key Responsibilities

Assesses, plans, implements and evaluates the pre-operative, pre-surgical optimization and post-operative follow-up care for the patient;

Participates in team based MSK screening of patients referred for shoulder surgery, knee surgery, hip/knee/shoulder arthroplasty surgeries

Functions as liaison with the patient, family, multidisciplinary team, medical community, Alberta Health Services, to manage rehabilitation;

Prioritizes and returns phone calls in timely manner;

Independently assesses patient at request of surgeon/screening physician, to provide Physical Therapy education and feedback on areas of concern.

Completes assessment on all patients, may be completed independently or with the surgeon;

Intervention in the form of exercise prescription, equipment and home support recommendations for the non-surgical patient;

Completes all required charting and workload measurement tools;

Records complete and accurate, relevant data for every patient in accordance with the clinic and professional practice standards;

Promotes an environment that supports on going Quality Improvement. Assists in the development of Quality projects/initiatives;

Maintains strict confidentiality with regard to patient data and sensitive information;

Other duties as requested by management.

Skills

Superior interpersonal and communication skills required in dealing with a range of situations which may include complex, sensitive and confidential issues;

Flexible and able to perform multiple tasks simultaneously;

Strong team player who can work cooperatively and effectively with others;

Attentive to detail with high level of accuracy;

Ability to work in a fast paced environment with minimal supervision;

Excellent written communication skills;

Excellent organization and time management skills are essential;

Proficient in Microsoft office applications and clinically based Electronic Medical Record.

Qualifications

Education: Degree in Physical Therapy from an accredited university

Professional Affiliation: Licensed by the Physiotherapy Alberta College and Association.

Basic Cardiac Life Support certification required

Experience: Recent experience working with Orthopedic patients preferred.

Contacts: Internal Multidisciplinary Team:

Medical Office Assistant

Case Managers, Registered Nurses

Surgeons

Surgeon Office Staff

Occupational Therapists

Administrative Staff

Management Staff

Internal Medicine

Anesthesia

Laboratory Technician

External:

Patients, patient family/support, healthcare Institutions, regional health authorities, Alberta Health Services, Alberta Bone and Joint Institute, Orthopedic Researchers, Community Physical Therapists and Homecare Agencies.

Note: This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and requirements for the position.

Job Type: Casual

Salary: $35.00-$50.00 per hour

Benefits:

Casual dress

On-site parking
Schedule:

8 hour shift

Day shift

Monday to Friday

No weekends

Ability to commute/relocate:

Edmonton, AB: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)

Education:

Bachelor's Degree (preferred)

Experience:

Physiotherapists: 1 year (preferred)

Licence/Certification:

Physiotherapist (preferred)

Shift availability:

Day Shift start date: 2022-06-01

What does a Physical Therapist do?

Physical Therapists are healthcare professionals who use techniques like massages, movement trainings and exercises to help people recover from their injuries or illnesses. They’ll work closely with patients to learn more about their conditions to develop personalized treatment plans that will return them back to normal health.

Physical Therapists may perform treatments on patients while they’re staying in the hospital or medical facility. They’ll later educate the patients and their family members on how to perform these exercises and treatments while at home when the patient is released from the facility.

Physical Therapist skills and qualifications

A great Physical Therapist will have the following skills:

Compassion and empathy for patients, who are often in pain
Attention to detail regarding a patient’s problems to analyze what they need to ease their pain and to prevent further injury
Physical stamina to lift patients and spend long hours standing and modeling exercises
Interpersonal skills to build positive relationships with patients and motivate them
Communication skills to interact clearly with doctors and family members as well as patients

Physical Therapist salary expectations

Common salary: 54.10 HOURLY
Typical salaries range from 15.80 - 200.00 HOURLY
Find more information on Indeed Salaries

*Indeed data – 2025-10-01

Physical Therapist education and training requirements

A Physical Therapist must have received a doctorate in a physical therapy degree program, which usually takes three years to complete and requires earning a bachelor’s degree first. A Physical Therapist also needs to complete a clinical internship in an area such as orthopedic care or acute care. Physical Therapists must be licensed, although specific license requirements differ depending on the state. The National Physical Therapy Examination is one exam required in all states.

Therapist experience requirements

Necessary job experience for this position can vary. The length of experience you require in your job description is based on the job you are posting for, but it is generally at least one year of experience. Physical Therapists earn experience as part of their training and licensing requirements as well.

Job description samples for similar positions

If this sample isn’t quite what you’re looking for, try these job description samples for related positions:

Three individuals are sitting at a table with a laptop, a disposable coffee cup, notebooks, and a phone visible. Two are facing each other, while the third’s back is to the camera. The setting appears to be a bright room with large windows.

Hire your next Physical Therapist today.

Build a job description

Frequently asked questions about Physical Therapists

The person who typically reports to a Physical Therapist is a Physical Therapy Assistant. The Physical Therapist will work with the patient to develop a treatment plan and will instruct the Physical Therapy Assistant on how to administer the medication or treatment exercise.

The Physical Therapy Assistant will then help the patient perform these exercises or treatment methods and will report their progress to the Physical Therapist. After hearing these updates, the Physical Therapist will provide adjustments to the treatment plan and directions for the Physical Therapist to follow.

Physical Therapists can work in a wide variety of settings. Most of them may work in medical clinics or private offices, providing care to patients who come in for regular appointments to help them improve their mobility, strength and movement.

Others may work in hospitals, providing more immediate or emergency care to patients undergoing or recovering from surgery or treatment. Some operate in assisted living facilities, offering long-term treatment and exercise plans to patients who are diagnosed with severe illnesses or injuries.

Physical Therapists can work in a variety of fields. Some of them may serve in medical facilities performing basic exercises and treatment plans for patients diagnosed with a majority of different health conditions. Some Physical Therapists specialize in certain disorders, injuries or illnesses.

Orthopedic Physical Therapists work closely with conditions and injuries that affect patients’ muscles, bones, tendons, connective tissues or ligaments. Geriatric Physical Therapists work primarily with elderly patients to help them stay healthy as their bodies age. Sports Physical Therapists provide support and treatment to Athletes recovering from injuries they receive after playing sports.

A great Physical Therapist should have effective problem-solving and critical thinking abilities to identify and diagnose illnesses or injuries a patient is experiencing. Since they regularly work with their hands to apply exercise or massage treatments, Physical Therapists should have impressive dexterity.

Strong communication skills are also important for the ideal candidate to have to professionally and clearly explain a patient’s treatment plan and condition to patients, families and Physical Therapy Assistants. Physical Therapists usually meet with several patients each day, so great time management skills are necessary to ensure they spend enough time with each patient and finish their exercises and treatment plans in a timely manner.

Job Description Examples

Need help writing a job description for a specific role? Use these job description examples to create your next great job posting. Or if you’re ready to hire, post your job on Indeed.

No search results found

Physical Therapist Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

Physical Therapist duties and responsibilities

Physical Therapist Job Description Examples

Example 1

Example 2

Example 3

Example 4

Example 5

Example 6

Example 7

Example 8

Build your Physical Therapist job description in minutes.

What does a Physical Therapist do?

Physical Therapist skills and qualifications

Physical Therapist salary expectations

Physical Therapist salary expectations

Physical Therapist education and training requirements

Therapist experience requirements

Job description samples for similar positions

Hire your next Physical Therapist today.

Frequently asked questions about Physical Therapists

Job Description Examples

Jumpstart your hiring with a $75 credit to sponsor your first job.*

Physical Therapist Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

Physical Therapist duties and responsibilities

Physical Therapist Job Description Examples

Example 1

Example 2

Example 3

Example 4

Example 5

Example 6

Example 7

Example 8

Build your Physical Therapist job description in minutes.

What does a Physical Therapist do?

Physical Therapist skills and qualifications

Physical Therapist salary expectations

Physical Therapist salary expectations

Physical Therapist education and training requirements

Therapist experience requirements

Job description samples for similar positions

Hire your next Physical Therapist today.

Frequently asked questions about Physical Therapists

Job Description Examples

Related articles