Hospital systems, outpatient groups, and rehab networks screen PT applications through Workday and Taleo before a hiring manager reads them. The right credential, technique, outcome measure, and documentation keywords are what get you seen. Here is the full list.
Analyze My PT Resume (Free) →"Manual therapy techniques" scores one weak keyword match. "Joint mobilization, soft tissue mobilization, dry needling, McKenzie, Mulligan" scores six specific technique keywords that appear in PT job descriptions.
Saying "tracked patient progress" misses every outcome measure keyword (LEFS, Berg Balance Scale, FIM, Oswestry) that evidence-based PT job descriptions scan for. Each is a separate keyword string.
"Electronic documentation" scores nothing. ATS systems at PT employers are looking for "WebPT," "Net Health," or whatever platform the clinic uses — and Medicare compliance terms like G-codes and functional limitation reporting.
A Skills section row: "Joint mobilization, soft tissue mobilization, dry needling, myofascial release, Maitland, McKenzie, Mulligan" — each is a separate scoreable keyword.
"Achieved average LEFS improvement of 28 points over 6-week episode" captures the outcome measure keyword and a quantified result the hiring manager can benchmark against their own patient population.
"Medicare-compliant documentation with G-codes, functional limitation reporting, and plan of care recertification — zero audit deficiencies." Compliance track record + keyword coverage.
70 terms drawn from active PT job postings across outpatient orthopaedics, inpatient rehab, sports medicine, and acute care settings.
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Treated patients with orthopedic injuries and helped them recover through exercises and therapy
Managed caseload of 14–16 outpatient orthopedic patients/day; performed functional assessment, gait analysis, and manual therapy (joint mobilization, soft tissue mobilization, dry needling) for post-surgical and sports rehabilitation cases — achieved average LEFS improvement of 28 points over 6-week episode, 94% discharge-to-goal rate across 240 cases annually
Documented patient progress and maintained records in the clinic system
Completed SOAP note documentation in WebPT for 100% of patient encounters within 24 hours; maintained Medicare-compliant functional limitation reporting with G-codes, progress notes every 10 visits, and plan of care recertification — zero documentation deficiencies across 3 consecutive Medicare audits covering 180 patient records
Worked with patients recovering from strokes and other neurological conditions in an inpatient setting
Provided inpatient neurological rehabilitation (DPT, NCS) for stroke, TBI, and spinal cord injury patients across 28-bed acute rehab unit; administered FIM, Berg Balance Scale, and Timed Up and Go at admission and discharge — reduced average LOS 1.4 days vs. facility benchmark through early mobilisation protocol and interdisciplinary discharge planning with OT, SLP, and case management
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"DPT" is your degree; "state licensure" or "licensed physical therapist" is your practice credential. ATS systems scan for both independently — include both in your header and credentials line.
"Manual therapy" as a general term is weaker than listing the specific techniques: joint mobilization, soft tissue mobilization, dry needling, McKenzie, Maitland. Job descriptions name specific approaches — mirror that language.
"LEFS" and "Lower Extremity Functional Scale" are different keyword strings. Write "Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS)" once to capture both variants. Do this for every measure you use routinely.
"WebPT," "Net Health," and "Therabill" are indexed keywords on PT postings. "Electronic documentation" matches nothing. Find which EMR the employer uses and confirm it appears on your resume.
"Achieved average LEFS improvement of 28 points over 6-week episode" is both a keyword match (LEFS) and a measurable outcome signal. Caseload numbers (14–16 patients/day) and discharge-to-goal rates differentiate you from generic experience descriptions.
G-codes, functional limitation reporting, plan of care recertification, and progress note cadence are keywords on any Medicare-eligible outpatient PT posting. A compliance track record (zero audit deficiencies) adds credibility.
Hospital systems (HCA, CommonSpirit, Kaiser), large outpatient rehab groups (ATI Physical Therapy, Select Medical, Concentra), and sports medicine networks run PT applications through Workday or Taleo before a rehab director reviews them. PT-specific ATS configurations have three scoring layers that matter most.
DPT and state licensure are scanned as separate required credential keywords. ABPTS specialty certifications (OCS, NCS, SCS) are weighted as preferred qualifications on specialty postings — missing them drops your ranking even if you have the equivalent clinical experience.
Manual therapy vocabulary is one of the most keyword-dense clusters in PT job descriptions. Employers hiring for specialised outpatient practices configure ATS to score named techniques — dry needling, Maitland, McKenzie, IASTM — not the generic category. Each technique name is a separate match.
Outcome measure vocabulary (LEFS, Berg Balance Scale, FIM, Oswestry) signals evidence-based practice to ATS and to the hiring PT director reviewing your resume. Most PT resumes describe treatment without mentioning measurement — adding outcome measure names is a high-impact, low-effort keyword addition.
Setting matters for keyword tailoring: an outpatient orthopaedics PT resume needs different vocabulary than an inpatient acute care or SNF PT resume. Identify the primary clinical setting in each job description and align your keyword set to that setting before submitting.
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The highest-value clusters are: credentials (DPT, state licensure, NPTE, ABPTS), specialty certifications (OCS, NCS, SCS, GCS, CCS), manual therapy techniques (joint mobilization, soft tissue mobilization, dry needling, Maitland, McKenzie, Mulligan), outcome measures (LEFS, PSFS, Berg Balance Scale, FIM, Timed Up and Go, Oswestry), documentation tools (WebPT, SOAP notes, G-codes, functional limitation reporting), and setting-specific vocabulary.
ABPTS certifications — OCS, NCS, SCS, GCS, CCS — appear as preferred qualifications on specialty PT postings. ATS systems scan for both the abbreviation and the full credential name. List both: "Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist (OCS), ABPTS" in your Certifications section to capture both keyword strings.
Yes. "Electronic documentation" or "EMR proficient" scores nothing. Name the platform: WebPT, Net Health, Therabill, Raintree, HENO. For outpatient Medicare settings, also include G-codes, functional limitation reporting, and plan of care terminology — these are required qualification keywords on Medicare-eligible PT postings.
List every validated outcome measure you use routinely by acronym and full name: LEFS (Lower Extremity Functional Scale), PSFS (Patient-Specific Functional Scale), DASH, VAS, Oswestry Disability Index, FIM, Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go (TUG), 6-Minute Walk Test. Outcome measure vocabulary distinguishes evidence-based practitioners and is a keyword cluster most PT resumes miss entirely.
Aim for 70% or above for roles at hospital systems and large outpatient groups using Workday or Taleo. For specialist outpatient and academic medical centre PT postings, 75%+ is safer. Check your score free at resume.zoevera.com — no signup needed.
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