Physiotherapist CV example & guide

Step 1: Add contact details to your physiotherapy CV

Busy hiring managers don’t have the time to scout you out online, so you must make their lives as easy as possible. Highlight your contact information in a slightly larger or bolder font for maximum readability.

Remember to include:

• Full name – first name and surname
• Location – mention if you’re willing to relocate
• Phone number – the best one to reach you on
• Email address – keep it work appropriate

Physiotherapy CV example: contact section

Step 2: Start your physiotherapy CV with a personal statement

A strong personal statement gives employers a quick overview of your experience, achievements, and clinical strengths. Its purpose is to capture attention and encourage recruiters to read on.

You only have 3–4 sentences, so focus on the most relevant details. Using a simple structure can help keep this section clear and impactful.

• Sentence one: Introduce who you are, including your role, years of experience, and clinical setting.
  
  For example: “Physiotherapist with two years’ experience treating musculoskeletal injuries in NHS hospitals.”
  
• Sentence two: Highlight a key achievement, supported by evidence or results.
  
  For example: “Successfully supported the rehabilitation of over 1,000 patients.”
  
• Sentences three and four: Emphasise areas of specialism or patient groups you’ve worked with, such as sports rehabilitation, postnatal care, or oncology.

Tips for writing your personal statement:

• Write in the third person for a professional tone
• Keep within the sentence limit — this is a summary, not a full profile
• Use specific details or statistics where possible
• Avoid clichés and generic phrases
• Focus on what you offer as a physiotherapist, rather than long-term career goals

Example of a personal statement for a physiotherapist 

Step 3: Highlight relevant work experience

The work experience section is one of the most important parts of your CV. This is where employers assess your impact in previous roles. List your experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent position, and include 3–6 bullet points for each role.

Focus on relevant and recent experience. Older roles or positions can usually be condensed or removed. Likewise, unrelated work should be included only if it clearly demonstrates transferable skills.

For each role, include:

• Job title
• Organisation name
• Location
• Employment dates
• Key responsibilities and achievements
• Facts or figures to back up achievements 

Use confident, professional language throughout. Action verbs such as assessed, delivered, supported, or implemented help keep descriptions concise and impactful.

Example work experience section

Step 4: Add key skills for a physiotherapist CV

Physiotherapy requires a balance of anatomical knowledge and strong interpersonal skills. Employers want to see that you can assess and treat physical conditions while supporting patients throughout their recovery.

For this reason, your physiotherapist CV should include both hard skills and soft skills. Hard skills show your technical ability and clinical knowledge, while soft skills demonstrate how you work with patients and colleagues. Including a mix of both helps recruiters and ATS systems quickly assess your suitability for the role.

Aim to list around 10–12 skills in total, keeping them concise and relevant to the role you’re applying for.

Step 5: List education on your physiotherapist’s CV

Education is a key part of any physiotherapist CV, as the profession requires formal qualifications and registration to practise legally in the UK. Your CV must show that you meet these requirements.

Most employers will expect to see a recognised physiotherapy degree and Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration. Once you hold a degree-level qualification, there’s no need to list GCSEs or A levels, as these are assumed prerequisites.

If you’re newly qualified, you may also include relevant modules, clinical placements, or projects that demonstrate your training. If you’re already practising, focus instead on postgraduate study, specialist courses, or additional certifications that support your area of practice.

Key points to keep in mind:

• Prioritise recent and relevant qualifications
• Omit incomplete courses or weak results
• Include grades only if they strengthen your application
• State HCPC registration, as this is required to work as a physiotherapist in the UK

What to include in your education section:

• Name of university or training provider
• Dates attended
• Degree title (e.g. BSc or MSc Physiotherapy)
• Qualification level
• HCPC registration status

Education section in a physiotherapy CV example