About 13,600 new job openings for physical therapists are projected to open up each year from now through 2033. There are a few different health trends that support a great career outlook for people exploring this field. First, the baby boomer generation is reaching their senior years. They’re staying more active than previous generations, so mobility-related injuries are becoming more prevalent. More physical therapists will be needed to help people maintain their mobility and manage chronic conditions like diabetes and obesity. There’s also been a push for non-opioid approaches to pain management.

There’s a lot of room to specialize in specific patient populations, body systems and treatment modalities. If you’re passionate about working with women, children, cardiac conditions or sports performance techniques, you can pursue that niche. Most PTs learn a range of techniques to treat musculoskeletal conditions and then narrow down their specialty after a few years of experience. You can also work in different environments in addition to PT clinics — hospitals need PTs, and it’s also possible to work in patients’ homes. 

As for our team at Lattimore Physical Therapy, we want our PTs to feel empowered to take a hands-on approach to patient care. They need skills like resourcefulness and drive to plan treatments, solve problems and work independently.

Are you wondering if you have what it takes to pursue a successful PT career? In this blog post, we’ll discuss eight skills that make for a great physical therapist. 

What skills do I need to be a great physical therapist? 

A physical therapist’s relationships with their patients are one of the biggest predictors of positive treatment outcomes. Employers will want to know that you can build relationships quickly and help your patients stay engaged with their treatment. Making the best use of your time and your patients’ time is another important skill. You’ll need physical stamina and dexterity, good attention to detail, a sense of motivation and time management skills to work effectively and efficiently. Finally, employers look for PTs who will be a positive addition to their professional community. Along with some clinical experience, resourcefulness and a desire to grow will make you a valuable asset to your team.

8 traits of a great physical therapist

Performing patient evaluations, creating treatment plans, educating patients and providing treatments are all primary job functions for physical therapists. You’ll also need to collaborate with your team and maintain a clean and organized work environment. The work itself is similar to other practices in the medical field. If you don’t like working with people one-on-one, or if you don’t want to care for people who are sick or injured, this probably won’t be a good fit for you. Fortunately, if you have good interpersonal skills and the determination to learn, most of the other skills you’ll need can be learned.

Every other candidate will have the same “hard” qualifications, which include a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, a license to practice in your state and some clinical experience. What will set you apart is your personality and the “soft skills” you bring to the table. Your networking interactions, cover letter and job interview are all places where you can emphasize your unique talents.

If you can develop the following eight skills, you have the potential to be a great physical therapist:

• Great interpersonal skills — Being friendly and approachable gets interactions with your patients and your co-workers off to a good start. Building trust and communicating effectively helps you get things done. Face-to-face discussions with patients are a big part of your day, but digital communication also makes up a large portion of your responsibilities. 
• Drive — A physical therapist needs motivation to get up every morning and meet both the physical and mental demands of their job. It’s their responsibility to show up with just as much energy for the last patient they see every day as they have for the first one. When patients are less than enthusiastic about treatment, the PT needs to take on a coaching role to help them stick with it.
• Desire to grow — Clinics look for PTs who are invested in a long and successful career. They want employees who will stick around and continue developing their skills and expertise. Your state will require a certain amount of continuing education during each licensing period, but that’s the bare minimum for your professional development. 
• Compassion — As a physical therapist, you’ll work with people in their most vulnerable moments. Caring for people who aren’t feeling well and helping them stay in good spirits takes compassion. The saying “You can’t pour from an empty cup” definitely applies here. Caring for yourself both emotionally and physically is critical for preventing burnout. It can be hard to gauge compassion from a job interview. Telling great success stories about past patients can show potential employers you care.
• Attention to detail — Each patient you see will need a personalized treatment plan for their condition and their treatment goals. Creating effective treatment plans and carrying them out over the course of several weeks takes keen attention to detail. Missing a sign during an evaluation or skipping details in your instructions for a home exercise program can make a big difference in your patients’ treatment experience.
• Physical stamina and dexterity — Some types of joint and tissue manipulation treatments require a good amount of strength and dexterity on the PT’s part. When you’re working with fully grown adults, you’ll need to stay in good shape for your safety and theirs. Most PTs are active with sports and exercise in their free time. You should be ready to talk about your favorite fitness activities during job interviews.
• Resourcefulness — Each person you work with will have a different body, a different set of needs and a unique life outside of treatment. They’ll need your help adapting exercises and daily tasks so that sticking to their treatment plan won’t be too difficult. 
• Time management skills — Different clinics have different expectations for how many patients you can expect to work with each day and how much time you can spend with them. However, every clinic will expect you to manage your time effectively. This means showing up on time and listening to each patient’s concerns so you can address them. It also means carefully planning treatments with enough time for your patients to take a break when they need to.

At Lattimore PT, we value positivity and responsibility

To serve a diverse patient population successfully, each clinic needs a diverse team. Having the skills listed here will ensure that you can collaborate with your team while providing above-and-beyond treatment to your patients. However, these skills and qualities are just a starting point. As you gain experience and grow, you should ask your co-workers and your supervisors for feedback on the unique value you bring and places where you can improve. 

At Lattimore PT, we look for prospective team members who can show up with a positive attitude every day, for every patient. We value teamwork that empowers each of our PTs to provide the highest-quality treatment to each person they work with. We encourage our PTs to think independently and use every resource available to advocate for their patients.

Are you embarking on a career in physical therapy? Let’s get in touch. Visit our Careers page to learn about working at Lattimore PT and send us your information. 

With a good work ethic and a great attitude, you can develop the skills it takes to be a great physical therapist. If you have questions, contact our team today.