How to hire a physical therapist?
Physical therapists are also known as physiotherapists. These professionals evaluate physical conditions, develop personalized treatment plans, and apply therapeutic techniques to restore movement.
They also collaborate with medical doctors and treat patients to improve mobility, increase flexibility, and manage pain.
During the process of recruiting, many recruiters want clarity on the roles and responsibilities of a physical therapist in a healthcare facility.
This blog explains how to hire a physical therapist by outlining their roles, responsibilities, and the value they bring to patient care.
Understanding the role and demand for physical therapists
To complete the recruiting process in an organized manner, as a recruiter, you must understand the roles first.
Physical therapists assess patients’ physical conditions and develop personalized treatment plans.
They use different therapies to restore movement, prevent disability, and improve patients’ quality of life.
In the evolving landscape of modern medicine, the role of physical therapists has become increasingly essential.
According to the National Institutes of Health, over 50 million Americans seek physical therapy services each year. Additionally, 90% of patients report that treatment has improved their overall quality of life.
For healthcare owners, knowing how to hire a physical therapist is the first step toward making informed staffing decisions.
The following types will provide you with a clear understanding of the role:
- Orthopedics
- Sports
- Neurology
- Cardiovascular and pulmonary
- Pediatrics
- Geriatrics
- Women’s Health
- Clinical Electrophysiology
- Oncology
- Wound management
Understanding the role will help you hire a physical therapist with the right specialization.
Why is there a surge in hiring physical therapists?
Before recruiting as a healthcare manager, you need to know the present demand for these roles.
It is a proven fact that the demand for physical therapists in the USA is growing constantly.
There are multiple factors behind this growth, such as an aging population and rising chronic health conditions.
Along with the demand, you must know that these professionals play a crucial role in providing effective treatments to patients.
These effective treatment services help manage conditions such as arthritis, stroke recovery, and other age-related health concerns.
Chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases are highly prevalent. These conditions also increase the demand for physical therapists in healthcare facilities.
Qualifications and skill sets required
Recruiters planning to hire a physical therapist must also know the educational qualifications and skill sets required.
Knowing qualifications and skills will help you hire a skilled professional who can enhance care at your clinic.
Essential qualifications to check while recruiting:
- A Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from an accredited program.
- Completion of the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE).
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Good problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
- The ability to develop patient-specific treatment plans.
- Practical experience in patient assessment and rehabilitation techniques.
A detailed infographic is provided below, based on the American Physical Therapy Association, highlighting the top skills to look for when staffing.
Essential skills to check during physical therapist staffing
License and practice guidelines
Along with qualifications, it is essential to verify state-specific licensing requirements before proceeding with the onboarding process.
Having a licensed professional will help you improve patient care at your hospital.
As a recruiter who is planning to hire a physiotherapist, you should ensure that the candidates meet the licensing requirements.
These include submitting proof of education, examination scores, and passing a criminal background check.
Most states also require continuing education for license renewal.
A physiotherapist’s scope of practice and supervision requirements are defined by the Physical Therapy Practice Act in each state.
Before you hire a physiotherapist, ensure that you have a well-written job description that aligns with the scope of work established by your state.
Job outlook for physical therapists
To maintain planned recruiting strategies, as a recruiter, you must stay updated about a few factors. One such factor is the job outlook of physical therapists.
The growing demand for physical therapists has increased the need for qualified professionals across healthcare facilities.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projected a 15% increase in employment between 2022 and 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Staying informed about the job outlook will improve your recruiting speed; it also helps you hire better.
Checklist to hire a physical therapist
Recruiting a licensed physical therapist involves more than verifying education and licensure.
It involves checking the candidate’s adaptability to your care setting and their familiarity with your facility’s specific patient population. You must also ensure if they align with your facility’s values or not.
Here is a quick checklist to follow when you are wondering how to hire a physiotherapist for your facility:
- Check if they are licensed to practice in your state.
- If licensed in another state, check for reciprocity and endorsement.
- Check whether the candidate has passed the jurisprudence exam, if applicable.
- Look for additional certifications or specialized training relevant to your facility’s needs.
- Assess the candidate’s relevant experience.
- Evaluate proficiency in physiotherapy techniques and equipment.
- Look for strong communication skills for interacting with patients, families, and healthcare professionals.
- Ensure the candidate has a clean disciplinary record and no history of malpractice.
- Provide competitive pay based on location.
To provide competitive pay, it is important for you to stay informed about current salary numbers across the country. A detailed infographic is added to keep you informed about salaries.
Annual salary of physical therapists by state in the USA
State | Hourly pay | Annual pay |
California | $ 54.94 | $ 114,270 |
Nevada | $ 53.59 | $ 111,460 |
Alaska | $ 53.28 | $ 110,830 |
New Jersey | $ 52.54 | $ 109,280 |
Texas | $ 51.42 | $ 106,960 |
Source: bls.gov
Top challenges you face while recruiting physiotherapists
Even though you are aware of proven strategies to hire a professional on time. There are multiple challenges that can slow your recruiting.
Knowing about these challenges will help you stay prepared. This preparation will allow you to make planned staffing decisions.
The following are the top challenges you may face during recruiting:
- Difficulty in verifying candidates’ active licenses and checking for restrictions or suspensions.
- Shortage of physiotherapists with specialized skills and expertise.
- Variations in scope-of-practice rules across states.
- Compliance risks caused by missed license renewals.
- Challenging work conditions that contribute to staff burnout.
- A gap between patient demand and the availability of qualified professionals.
Understanding these challenges will help you prepare in advance to hire better.
How can modern staffing platforms help you hire skilled physical therapists?
Most recruiters like you are aware of proven staffing strategies. This knowledge will help you address the shortage of physiotherapists at your clinic.
But in the present competitive market, numerous facilities are competing for the same top talent. To overcome this competition and meet your recruiting needs, you will need a staffing partner.
So, choosing a modern staffing platform such as MedSquirrels can be an added advantage.
MedSquirrels is an AI-powered platform that helps your facility overcome workforce gaps. It provides you with pre-vetted profiles in 2-5 business days that help you hire on time.This platform reduces overall recruitment expenses through a simplified pricing structure.
Along with this, there are multiple benefits from MedSquirrels, such as:
- Transparent pricing and no mark-ups.
- Affordable staffing plans.
- Credentialing support.
Healthcare owners can book a free demo to see how the platform helps them make planned recruiting decisions. Professionals can also check open jobs and apply for those that match their skills.
FAQs
Where can you find qualified physical therapists for your facility?
You can connect with physical therapy schools, use professional networks, and work with specialized healthcare staffing platforms. Choose channels that help you reach candidates with the experience your facility needs.
What skills should you look for when recruiting a physical therapist?
Before recruiting, you must look for strong clinical reasoning, patient communication, and treatment planning skills. You should also assess the candidate’s ability to track patient progress and adjust treatment plans based on individual needs.
What should you include in a physical therapist job description?
Include the main responsibilities, required qualifications, state licensing requirements, preferred experience, work schedule, and compensation range. This information helps candidates understand the role.
What makes MedSquirrels different from traditional staffing agencies?
Unlike traditional agencies, MedSquirrels offers flat-fee pricing with no hidden costs. You can hire skilled professionals within your budget.
Can I use MedSquirrels to hire physical therapists on a contract basis?
Yes. MedSquirrels offers cost-effective staffing plans that accommodate a range of needs, including contract, per diem, temp-to-perm, and full-time roles, tailored to your specific staffing strategy.
