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Physiotherapist CV Example

For chartered physiotherapists seeking roles in musculoskeletal, neurological, respiratory, or sports rehabilitation settings. Demonstrates your assessment skills, treatment planning, and patient rehabilitation outcomes.

Recommended template: VibrantPro

Key Skills to Include

Musculoskeletal AssessmentExercise PrescriptionManual TherapyRehabilitation PlanningHCPC RegistrationElectrotherapyPatient EducationOutcome MeasurementHydrotherapy

Quick Tips

  • Include your HCPC registration and CSP membership details along with any specialist interest group involvement.
  • Specify the patient populations and conditions you have experience treating in detail.
  • Highlight any advanced practice skills, injection therapy training, or specialist qualifications.
  • Demonstrate evidence of clinical effectiveness through outcome data or service evaluation projects.

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How to Write Your Physiotherapist CV

A physiotherapist CV should demonstrate your clinical assessment skills, treatment expertise, and commitment to achieving measurable patient outcomes. Whether you specialise in musculoskeletal, neurological, respiratory, or sports physiotherapy, your CV needs to show that you can assess patients independently, plan effective treatments, and contribute to service development. Employers want evidence of clinical reasoning, evidence-based practice, and the interpersonal skills needed to motivate patients through their rehabilitation journey.

CV Structure

Lead with a profile that includes your HCPC registration, CSP membership, and clinical specialism. Present your clinical experience in reverse chronological order with clear descriptions of patient populations, treatment approaches, and caseload complexity. Include sections for qualifications, CPD, specialist training, and any teaching or audit activities. Two pages is standard for qualified physiotherapists.

CV Format

Use a professional template that allows your clinical credentials to be easily identified. Ensure your HCPC registration number is visible on the first page. Organise your CV with clear section headings and consistent formatting. Healthcare employers appreciate well-structured, scannable documents.

CV Profile Examples

Senior Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist

HCPC-registered senior physiotherapist with nine years of experience specialising in musculoskeletal assessment and rehabilitation within NHS and private practice settings. Chartered Society of Physiotherapy member with advanced skills in manual therapy, exercise prescription, and injection therapy. Manages a complex caseload including post-surgical rehabilitation, chronic pain management, and workplace injury prevention. Demonstrated commitment to evidence-based practice through audit, service evaluation, and student supervision.

Neurological Physiotherapist

Specialist neurological physiotherapist with seven years of experience rehabilitating patients with stroke, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injury. HCPC registered with a postgraduate certificate in Neurological Physiotherapy from King's College London. Skilled in Bobath-based treatment, functional electrical stimulation, and goal-directed rehabilitation planning. Known for achieving meaningful functional gains through patient-centred, evidence-based interventions.

Newly Qualified Physiotherapist

Recently qualified physiotherapist with HCPC registration and a BSc in Physiotherapy from the University of Birmingham. Gained clinical placement experience across musculoskeletal outpatients, acute respiratory care, and community rehabilitation settings. Developed competencies in clinical assessment, exercise prescription, and manual therapy techniques. Eager to develop clinical expertise through preceptorship and continued professional development within a supportive clinical team.

State your HCPC registration, CSP membership, and years of clinical experience. Mention your clinical specialism and the settings you work in. Include one key achievement or specialist skill that differentiates you from other candidates.

Key Skills for Your Physiotherapist CV

Musculoskeletal Assessment

Conducting structured clinical examinations of joints, muscles, and soft tissues to diagnose and plan treatment for MSK conditions.

Exercise Prescription

Designing individualised exercise programmes to improve strength, flexibility, balance, and functional recovery.

Manual Therapy

Applying hands-on techniques including joint mobilisation, manipulation, and soft tissue therapy to restore movement and reduce pain.

Rehabilitation Planning

Developing goal-directed rehabilitation plans that are tailored to patient needs, functional requirements, and clinical priorities.

HCPC Registration

Maintaining current registration with the Health and Care Professions Council as a requirement for professional practice.

Electrotherapy

Using modalities such as ultrasound, TENS, and interferential therapy as adjuncts to physiotherapy treatment programmes.

Patient Education

Empowering patients with knowledge about their condition, self-management strategies, and injury prevention techniques.

Outcome Measurement

Using validated outcome tools to measure treatment effectiveness and demonstrate clinical improvement objectively.

Hydrotherapy

Delivering water-based rehabilitation programmes for patients who benefit from buoyancy, warmth, and reduced joint loading.

Work Experience Examples

For each role, describe the clinical setting, patient population, and your scope of practice. Detail the assessment and treatment techniques you use, your caseload complexity, and any leadership or supervisory responsibilities. Include clinical outcomes, audit results, or service improvement contributions to demonstrate your impact.

Senior Physiotherapist (Band 6)

Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust — Stanmore

Delivered specialist musculoskeletal physiotherapy across outpatient clinics and post-surgical inpatient wards for patients with complex orthopaedic conditions.

Responsibilities

  • Conducted comprehensive musculoskeletal assessments, formulated clinical reasoning, and developed individualised treatment plans.
  • Delivered manual therapy techniques including joint mobilisation, manipulation, and soft tissue release for spinal and peripheral conditions.
  • Prescribed progressive exercise programmes for post-operative rehabilitation following joint replacement, ACL reconstruction, and spinal surgery.
  • Supervised and mentored Band 5 physiotherapists and student physiotherapists on clinical placement.
  • Contributed to the MSK departmental audit programme, evaluating patient outcomes using validated tools including the EQ-5D and Oxford Hip/Knee Scores.

Achievements

  • Developed a prehabilitation programme for total knee replacement patients that reduced average inpatient stay from 4.2 days to 2.8 days.
  • Completed injection therapy training, enabling direct access corticosteroid injections for subacromial impingement and lateral epicondylalgia.
  • Led a service evaluation demonstrating that the physiotherapy-led triage clinic diverted 35% of GP MSK referrals away from orthopaedic surgery.

Physiotherapist (Band 5)

Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Delivered acute and community physiotherapy across respiratory, surgical, and elderly care rotations during a two-year rotational programme.

Responsibilities

  • Assessed and treated medical and surgical inpatients with respiratory complications including post-operative atelectasis, pneumonia, and COPD exacerbations.
  • Mobilised post-surgical patients, prescribed mobility aids, and assessed discharge readiness in collaboration with the MDT.
  • Delivered community-based rehabilitation for elderly patients following falls, fractures, and deconditioning episodes.
  • Maintained clinical records on SystmOne and contributed to team caseload management and waiting list monitoring.

Achievements

  • Achieved the trust's rotational physiotherapist award for outstanding clinical performance and team contribution.
  • Completed the CSP's Leadership Development programme, developing skills in service improvement and team management.

Education & Qualifications

List your BSc or MSc in Physiotherapy with university and classification. Include your HCPC registration and CSP membership details. Present postgraduate qualifications, specialist training courses, and CPD activities with dates and relevance to the role.

BSc/MSc Physiotherapy

HCPC-approved physiotherapy degree enabling registration and professional practice as a physiotherapist.

HCPC Registration

Mandatory registration with the Health and Care Professions Council for all practising physiotherapists.

CSP Membership

Professional membership of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy demonstrating professional engagement.

Injection Therapy Certificate

Postqualification training enabling physiotherapists to deliver corticosteroid and hyaluronic acid injections.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should a physiotherapist include on their CV?
Include your HCPC registration, CSP membership, and clinical specialism. Detail the patient populations you treat, the assessment and treatment techniques you use, and your caseload complexity. Mention any advanced skills such as injection therapy, acupuncture, or specialist qualifications. Include audit contributions, service evaluations, and teaching or supervisory responsibilities.
How do I demonstrate clinical effectiveness on a physiotherapist CV?
Use validated outcome measures to quantify your treatment effectiveness. Mention specific tools such as the Patient Specific Functional Scale, EQ-5D, or Oxford scores. Include audit results or service evaluation data that demonstrates improved patient outcomes. Describe any service improvements you have implemented and their measurable impact on waiting times, patient satisfaction, or clinical outcomes.
Is specialist training important on a physiotherapist CV?
Yes, particularly for Band 6 and above. Specialist training in areas such as injection therapy, acupuncture, manual therapy, or neurological rehabilitation demonstrates advanced clinical capability. Include courses from recognised providers with dates. Specialist interest group membership within the CSP also signals your commitment to a particular clinical area.
How do I structure a physiotherapist CV for a Band 7 role?
Emphasise clinical leadership, service development, and team management alongside your clinical expertise. Include examples of supervising junior staff, leading audit projects, and contributing to departmental strategy. Demonstrate your ability to manage a complex caseload independently and your engagement with service evaluation and quality improvement. Band 7 roles require clinical excellence combined with leadership capability.

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