How to hire and staff your physical therapy practice: 5 key tips

You’ve decided to open a physical therapy practice. Congratulations! Now it’s time to staff your business. Here are a few tips to help you hire the right people and keep your practice running smoothly.

1. Search for passionate and experienced physical therapists 

Finding the perfect general or sports physical therapist shouldn’t be a chore. You want somebody passionate about their field and experienced in providing therapeutic services. Someone that connects with their patients, takes the time to understand any underlying issues and works on devising effective treatment plans. They should thrive off of physical activity rather than dreading it! 

After all, physical therapy isn’t a job for the faint-hearted. Your ideal therapist should understand that not every patient is alike and find ways to individualize treatment to ensure better performance and recovery. Ultimately, your general or sports physical therapist should make the patients look forward to reaching their goals and getting back in shape!

2. The therapists must be able to work well with other staff members and patients

Working in the physical therapy profession requires more than just treating patients—it is just as much about collaboration and communication! Physical therapists must have the skills to work harmoniously with staff and patients, creating an environment where everyone feels valued and respected. 

Also, they must be able to interpret their patient’s needs and share their unique knowledge with fellow medical professionals. It’s all part of building a supportive and collaborative atmosphere that emphasizes teamwork and provides the best outcomes for everyone. With the right attitude, physical therapists can use these relationships to improve the entire experience for their patients!

3. Make sure that your physical therapists are licensed in the state where your practice is located

When you’re choosing the physical therapists for your practice, make sure to check out their licenses! You want a general or sports physical therapist who can give your clients the professional care they need, so be sure that your physical therapist is registered in the state where the practice is located. 

After all, if you don’t take care of verification beforehand, you could find yourself liable – and nobody wants that! Having a licensed physical therapist will ensure quality care and keep your business running smoothly.

4. Train your therapists on your specific protocols

If you have been fortunate enough to identify a crew of excellent physical therapists, you can now focus on helping them get up to speed with your protocols. Keep in mind that training your team effectively isn’t something that will happen overnight–but it can be far from a chore! 

Making sure that everyone is familiar with the specific details of your practice can be a fun collaborative learning experience. By creating an open, encouraging atmosphere and leveraging the expertise of all involved, you’ll be able to craft a well-rounded training program that covers everything you need your entire staff to know.

5. Keep open communication with your physical therapy staff

If you want your physical therapy to go as smoothly and effectively as possible, good communication is key. When everyone is on the same page, it’s like a conductor taking control of an orchestra. Everyone knows when and how they should act to create beautiful music together. 

So while it can feel awkward or uncomfortable at times laying out expectations and having conversations with your physical therapy staff, ultimately it makes for a much more efficient treatment path that leads towards the desired result. Open communication will help get you there sooner!

Conclusion

Now that you know what to look for in a physical therapist, it’s time to start your search! Keep these qualities in mind, and you’ll be sure to find the perfect PT for your needs. And remember, once you’ve found them, be sure to properly train them on your protocols, so they can hit the ground running and provide top-quality care for your patients. 

Lastly, open communication is key – keep those lines of communication between you and your staff open at all times, so everyone is always aware of what’s going on. Happy hiring!