Top 12 Physical Therapy Technician Skills to Put on Your Resume

In the dynamic field of physical therapy, technicians play a crucial role in assisting patients throughout rehabilitation. Showcasing the right skills on your resume signals competence, care, and readiness to contribute in a busy clinic.

Physical Therapy Technician Skills

1. Patient Assessment
2. Rehabilitation Techniques
3. Manual Therapy
4. Exercise Instruction
5. Gait Analysis
6. Ultrasound Therapy
7. Electrical Stimulation
8. Cryotherapy Application
9. Heat Therapy
10. Traction Equipment
11. Kinesiology Tape
12. EMR Software (e.g., WebPT)

1. Patient Assessment

Patient assessment for a Physical Therapy Technician centers on gathering observations and supporting data under the direction of a licensed physical therapist or physical therapist assistant. You note movement quality, assist with basic measures, confirm history details, and help set up tests so the clinician can form an accurate plan of care.

Why It's Important

Solid assessment support helps the care team tailor treatment, protect patient safety, and track meaningful change over time. Better observations lead to better plans and smoother sessions.

How to Improve Patient Assessment Skills

Hone your eye and your ear. Ask good questions. Capture consistent data. Practical ways to sharpen:

1. Enhance observation: Notice posture, pace, facial tension, compensations. Start observing from the waiting room to the treatment table.

2. Strengthen communication: Use open-ended prompts. Reflect back what you hear. Keep explanations simple, clear, and kind.

3. Learn common tests and measures: Understand the setup and purpose so you can assist smoothly and record accurately.

4. Use basic tools well: Goniometers, tape measures, timers, step counters—measure twice, log once.

5. Keep learning: Short in-services, clinic huddles, and credible courses from professional associations all help you stay sharp.

Small improvements in what you see and what you note can make a big difference in patient outcomes.

How to Display Patient Assessment Skills on Your Resume

2. Rehabilitation Techniques

Rehabilitation techniques blend therapeutic exercise, mobility training, functional practice, and modalities to restore movement and reduce pain. Technicians support delivery—setting up equipment, cueing form, monitoring safety, and documenting responses—all under licensed supervision.

Why It's Important

Good support turns a plan on paper into progress in real life. Patients move better, hurt less, and regain confidence faster when sessions are organized and responsive.

How to Improve Rehabilitation Techniques Skills

Make care feel personal and precise:

1. Continuous education: Stay current with clinic protocols and reputable continuing education.

2. Thoughtful progression: Match difficulty to the day. Adjust reps, load, or complexity based on how the patient is doing in the moment.

3. Smart use of tech: Timers, counters, simple wearables, and clinic software can boost engagement and accuracy.

4. Team collaboration: Swap notes with therapists, PTAs, and other staff so care remains coordinated.

5. Feedback loops: Ask how exercises feel. Note fatigue, form, and flare-ups. Report back quickly so plans can shift.

How to Display Rehabilitation Techniques Skills on Your Resume

3. Manual Therapy

Manual therapy includes hands-on techniques to improve motion and ease pain. Technicians typically do not perform skilled manual therapy; instead, they prepare the area, position patients, manage pillows and bolsters, handle linens, and assist the therapist during and after treatment.

Why It's Important

Smooth setup and support let the therapist focus on the technique. That means safer sessions, better body mechanics, and less downtime between interventions.

How to Improve Manual Therapy Skills

1. Master positioning: Neutral spine, supported joints, relaxed musculature—comfort unlocks effectiveness.

2. Anticipate needs: Towels, lotion, heat, cold, or wedges ready before the therapist asks.

3. Protect body mechanics: For both patient and staff. Adjust tables and use your legs, not your back.

4. Observe and learn: Watch hand placement, sequencing, and patient reactions so you can assist intuitively.

5. Seek feedback: Quick tweaks to setup can transform a session.

How to Display Manual Therapy Skills on Your Resume

4. Exercise Instruction

Exercise instruction for a Physical Therapy Technician means guiding patients through the exercises prescribed by a PT or PTA. You set up equipment, cue proper form, ensure safety, and record tolerance and progress. The therapist determines the program; you help it happen.

Why It's Important

Clear teaching and consistent coaching build better habits. With good instruction, patients move with confidence and get more from every repetition.

How to Improve Exercise Prescription Skills

1. Assessment handoff: Understand the goal of each exercise so your cues match the plan.

2. Coach the basics: Alignment, breathing, tempo. Simple cues, strong results.

3. Use visual aids: Printed programs or clinic-approved apps help patients remember details at home.

4. Progress wisely: Report form breakdown, pain spikes, or easy wins so the therapist can adjust load or complexity.

5. Keep learning: Evidence-informed movement principles from reputable organizations sharpen your coaching.

How to Display Exercise Prescription Skills on Your Resume

5. Gait Analysis

Gait analysis examines how a person walks—timing, symmetry, foot strike, trunk control, and more. Technicians assist by setting up tools, capturing video or basic metrics, and documenting observations while the clinician interprets findings.

Why It's Important

Accurate observations highlight compensations and safety risks. That steers targeted interventions and supports safer mobility.

How to Improve Gait Analysis Skills

1. Train your eye: Watch cadence, stride length, step width, arm swing, and hip-knee-ankle alignment.

2. Collect clean data: Consistent camera angles, clear markers, reliable timing. Quality in, quality out.

3. Use simple tech: Clinic-approved sensors or video tools can quantify progress without fuss.

4. Practice and review: Compare before-and-after clips; note changes tied to treatment.

5. Close the loop: Share observations quickly so the plan can pivot as needed.

How to Display Gait Analysis Skills on Your Resume

6. Ultrasound Therapy

Ultrasound therapy uses sound waves to deliver energy to tissues. In many clinics, technicians assist with preparation, equipment setup, and safety checks, while application parameters are directed by a licensed clinician and governed by clinic policy and local regulations.

Why It's Important

When used appropriately, ultrasound may support tissue healing and help reduce pain for select conditions. Proper setup and monitoring protect skin and ensure consistent delivery.

How to Improve Ultrasound Therapy Skills

1. Know indications and precautions: Understand when it helps, when it doesn’t, and when it’s off-limits.

2. Master equipment basics: Transducer care, gel use, coupling quality, and parameter checks before treatment starts.

3. Refine technique support: Smooth, steady transducer movement with even contact if assisting under direction.

4. Communicate: Explain sensations to expect. Monitor comfort. Stop if anything feels wrong.

5. Stay evidence-aware: Follow current clinic guidelines and continuing education from credible professional sources.

How to Display Ultrasound Therapy Skills on Your Resume

7. Electrical Stimulation

Electrical stimulation delivers controlled current for pain relief or muscle activation. Technicians may help with preparation and monitoring as permitted by state law and clinic policy; clinicians set parameters and supervise use.

Why It's Important

It can assist with pain modulation and muscle re-education for certain patients. Careful setup, correct placement, and attentive monitoring are non-negotiable.

How to Improve Electrical Stimulation Skills

1. Know the modes: TENS, NMES, and IFC each have different purposes and feel distinct to patients.

2. Placement matters: Landmarks, muscle bellies, and pain patterns guide electrode positioning.

3. Start low, build slow: Increase intensity with patient feedback and clinical direction.

4. Educate: Explain sensations and safety. Watch skin and wires. Keep the call-stop within reach.

5. Combine thoughtfully: Pair with exercise or manual techniques when directed to amplify effect.

6. Safety first: Respect contraindications, inspect cables, and follow device and clinic protocols.

How to Display Electrical Stimulation Skills on Your Resume

8. Cryotherapy Application

Cryotherapy uses cold to help calm pain, swelling, and inflammation. Techniques include ice packs, cold massage, and controlled cold devices. Technicians prepare materials, apply safely when appropriate, and monitor skin and sensation.

Why It's Important

Cold can quiet acute symptoms and make movement tolerable. Done well, it speeds comfort without risking skin injury.

How to Improve Cryotherapy Application Skills

1. Individualize: Screen for contraindications and adjust method to the body part and patient tolerance.
2. Watch the clock: Typical applications run about 10–20 minutes, adjusting per area and clinical direction.
3. Protect the skin: Use barriers as needed, check sensation, and inspect skin before and after.
4. Explain sensations: Cold, burning, aching, numb—set expectations, then reassess.
5. Maintain equipment: Keep freezers, sleeves, and devices clean and in good working order.
6. Document response: Note comfort, redness, and any delayed reactions so the plan can adapt.

How to Display Cryotherapy Application Skills on Your Resume

9. Heat Therapy

Heat therapy, or thermotherapy, uses warmth to ease pain, relax muscles, and improve tissue extensibility. Methods include moist heat packs, warm towels, and infrared heat, applied when clinically appropriate.

Why It's Important

Warmer tissue moves easier. Pain softens. Stretching and exercise often feel smoother after heat.

How to Improve Heat Therapy Skills

1. Screen first: Acute injury, impaired sensation, open wounds, or vascular issues may be contraindications.

2. Right temperature: Aim for therapeutic warmth (about 40–45°C / 104–113°F) and use proper layering.

3. Time it: About 15–20 minutes is common. Monitor comfort and skin throughout.

4. Hydration and safety: Encourage fluids and check that the patient can summon help.

5. Pair with movement: Follow heat with gentle mobility or stretching to lock in gains.

6. Clean and maintain: Keep pack covers, cabinets, and sensors in good order for consistent temps.

Helpful resources include guidance from professional associations, clinical textbooks, and your facility’s policies and procedures.

How to Display Heat Therapy Skills on Your Resume

10. Traction Equipment

Traction applies a controlled pulling force to the spine or joints to reduce compression and relieve symptoms. Application parameters and appropriateness are determined by a licensed clinician; technicians assist with setup, positioning, and monitoring as policy allows.

Why It's Important

When indicated, traction can ease nerve irritation and reduce pain. Safe setup and vigilant observation are essential.

How to Improve Traction Equipment Skills

1. Prioritize safety: Confirm orders, contraindications, and emergency stop procedures before every use.

2. Enhance comfort: Position carefully and use well-fitted harnesses, pads, and supports to avoid pressure points.

3. Use precise settings: Double-check parameters and secure all connections per manufacturer instructions and clinic protocol.

4. Maintain regularly: Inspect straps, cables, and mechanical parts. Report wear immediately.

5. Train and document: Complete competency training, follow checklists, and record patient responses and any adverse signs.

How to Display Traction Equipment Skills on Your Resume

11. Kinesiology Tape

Kinesiology tape is an elastic therapeutic tape used to support tissues, cue movement, and assist lymphatic flow without blocking motion. Application is typically performed by a clinician; technicians can assist with prep and removal and, where allowed, help with simple applications under supervision.

Why It's Important

Thoughtful taping can reduce discomfort and improve awareness of movement patterns during rehab. It’s not magic—just another tool that, used well, can help.

How to Improve Kinesiology Tape Skills

1. Prep the skin: Clean, dry, and trim hair if needed. Avoid lotions before application.

2. Mind the tension: Most applications use light to moderate stretch; anchors typically go on with zero stretch.

3. Follow lines of pull: Tape direction and placement should reflect the therapeutic goal (support, decompression, cueing).

4. Monitor skin: Watch for irritation. Educate patients on removal techniques and wear time.

5. Use quality materials: Hypoallergenic, latex-free tape with reliable adhesion improves comfort and longevity.

How to Display Kinesiology Tape Skills on Your Resume

12. EMR Software (e.g., WebPT)

EMR software organizes patient data, documentation, scheduling, and billing workflows. For technicians, that means accurate notes, smooth check-ins, and quick retrieval of plans and precautions—without drowning in clicks.

Why It's Important

Clean documentation supports continuity of care, compliance, and communication. Less friction at the keyboard, more time with patients.

How to Improve EMR Software (e.g., WebPT) Skills

1. Streamline your workflow: Use templates, favorites, and shortcuts. Customize where the system allows.

2. Speed up entry: Leverage smart phrases, checklists, and, if available, voice-to-text tools.

3. Integrate wisely: Know how your EMR connects with scheduling, billing, and outcome measures to avoid double work.

4. Stay compliant: Follow privacy rules, use strong passwords, and log out diligently. HIPAA is everyone’s job.

5. Train and practice: Attend refreshers, review updates, and ask superusers for tips.

6. Mobile when approved: If your clinic supports it, use secure mobile access for quick updates on the move.

How to Display EMR Software (e.g., WebPT) Skills on Your Resume