What agencies look for, how to format it, and how to stand out with limited experience.
Travel therapy resumes are different from permanent job resumes. Agencies and facilities care about: licensure status, clinical rotations/fieldwork (settings, populations, weeks), certifications (BLS, specialty), documentation systems you've used, and availability.
They care less about: GPA, academic honors, research papers, or undergraduate experience. Keep it clinical and practical.
Name, credentials (PT, DPT or OTR/L, etc.), phone, email, state licenses held.
2-3 sentences: your discipline, licensure, clinical strengths, and that you're seeking travel positions. Example: "New graduate Doctor of Physical Therapy with clinical experience in SNF and outpatient settings. PT Compact privilege active. Seeking travel assignments with a focus on geriatric rehabilitation."
List every active license, compact privilege, BLS, and any specialty certifications. Include expiration dates.
List each fieldwork rotation/clinical affiliation: facility name, setting type, dates, weeks completed, populations treated, and key skills developed. This is your most important section as a new grad.
Degree, school, graduation date. Keep it brief.
EMR systems used, evaluation tools, treatment techniques, languages spoken.
Emphasize clinical rotations. Your fieldwork is your experience. Detail each rotation with setting type, patient population, and specific skills you developed.
List EMR systems. If you've used Net Health, WebPT, Casamba, PointClickCare, or any other EMR, list it. Facilities value this because it reduces training time.
Include your skills checklist results. Agencies will ask for this separately, but noting your top-rated areas on your resume reinforces your competency.
Keep it to 1-2 pages. Agencies review hundreds of resumes. Concise wins.
Connect with professionals who specialize in placing new grad travelers.