Physiotherapist Job Description: Qualifications and Responsibilities

How to Write a Physiotherapist Job Description

In healthcare recruitment, precision and clarity matter—especially when sourcing licensed professionals. A strong Physiotherapist Job Description not only ensures you attract qualified candidates, but also reflects your clinic’s or organization’s commitment to patient care and rehabilitation excellence. Whether you're hiring for a hospital, private practice, or long-term care facility, a well-structured job description sets the stage for finding the right fit in both skill and values.

What is a Physiotherapist / What does a Physiotherapist do?

A Physiotherapist is a healthcare professional who helps patients restore mobility, manage pain, and improve physical function following injury, surgery, or chronic illness. They design personalized treatment plans that may include manual therapy, exercise routines, and the use of assistive equipment. Physiotherapists work with a wide range of patients—from athletes and post-op individuals to seniors and people with disabilities—to improve quality of life and prevent further injury.

The Importance of a Good Physiotherapist Job Description

A well-crafted Physiotherapist Job Description has a direct impact on the quality of candidates you attract. It can:

• Help identify professionals with the right clinical experience, licensure, and specializations
  
• Set expectations for daily duties, patient volume, and collaboration with other care providers
  
• Improve retention by aligning candidate interests with the work environment and patient population
  
• Accelerate the hiring process by reducing mismatches and clarifying compliance needs
  

Especially in high-demand healthcare roles, a good job description can set your organization apart.

Physiotherapist Job Description Template

Overview of the Role and the Team

As a Physiotherapist, you’ll play a key role in supporting patient recovery through assessment, treatment planning, and personalized care delivery. You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams—including physicians, occupational therapists, and rehabilitation specialists—to deliver outcome-driven therapy that enhances physical mobility and patient independence.

Education & Training

Required: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Physiotherapy or Physical Therapy from an accredited program; state licensure or registration
Preferred: Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT); certifications in specialized therapy areas (e.g., orthopedic, neurological, pediatric physiotherapy)

Responsibilities and Duties

• Conduct physical assessments and develop individualized treatment plans
  
• Provide manual therapy, therapeutic exercises, and mobility training
  
• Educate patients and caregivers on home exercises and injury prevention
  
• Maintain accurate patient records and report outcomes to healthcare teams
  
• Ensure compliance with clinical protocols and safety standards
  

Skill Requirements

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in clinical documentation software and diagnostic tools
  
• Knowledge of rehabilitation equipment and assistive technologies
  
• Familiarity with orthopedic, neurological, and post-surgical rehab techniques
  

Non-technical Skills

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
  
• Empathy, patience, and motivational abilities
  
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
  

Preferred (but not required) Skills

• Multilingual abilities for diverse patient populations
  
• Experience in outpatient, sports, or geriatric physiotherapy
  
• Background in research or teaching clinical best practices
  

Physiotherapist Salary & Benefits

In the U.S., most physiotherapists earn between $75,000 and $95,000 a year, depending on the location and type of facility. Senior positions or those in specialized areas can pay over $110,000.

Common benefits may include:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
  
• Retirement plans with employer contributions
  
• Flexible work hours or lighter caseloads
  
• Paid vacation and continuing education support
  
• Mental wellness stipends or employee assistance programs (EAPs)
  

Tailoring Your Physiotherapist Job Description

You can tailor this role depending on the setting and patient focus. Common types include:

• Outpatient Physiotherapist – Works in clinics or private practices
  
• Inpatient/Acute Care – Treats patients in hospitals or rehab facilities
  
• Pediatric Physiotherapist – Specializes in care for infants to teens
  
• Geriatric Physiotherapist – Focuses on older adults and fall prevention
  
• Home Health Physiotherapist – Travels to patients’ homes for care
  

Seniority Levels

• Entry-Level/New Grad: Works under supervision and builds case experience
  
• Mid-Level Physiotherapist: Manages a full caseload, may train new hires
  
• Senior or Lead Physiotherapist: Offers mentorship, takes on complex cases, helps guide team strategy
  

Using Litespace for Your Resume Screening

Litespace can help you save time while finding qualified applicants. Whether you’re looking for someone with pediatric experience or familiarity with a certain documentation platform, the screener lets you filter by exactly what matters.

You get a shortlist of well-matched candidates based on data—not guesswork. And since Litespace is built with fairness in mind, it reduces bias and helps ensure a smoother, more transparent hiring process.