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Burn Care Physical Therapist

Burn care physical therapists (PTs) help survivors regain strength, flexibility, and function after burn injuries. Through early intervention, scar management, and individualized rehabilitation, they help patients regain greater independence and improve their quality of life.


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Find Burn Care Physical Therapist Jobs

Explore positions in specialized burn centers, rehabilitation hospitals, and outpatient clinics. Some institutions also offer fellowships or specialized training programs focused on burn rehabilitation and scar management.


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What Does a Burn Care Physical Therapist Do?

They design and deliver treatment plans to help patients recover mobility, manage scars, and improve strength and function. Burn PTs start interventions early, often from the day of injury, to prevent contractures and support long-term recovery.

Burn therapists play a vital role in helping patients return to all aspects of life. They develop and deliver individualized treatment plans to restore function, improve mobility, and prevent long-term complications. Their work focuses on joint range of motion, strengthening, balance, coordination, and scar management — all aimed at helping patients achieve their highest level of independence and recovery.

Typical Work Environments

  • Hospital burn units 

  • Rehabilitation hospitals 

  • Outpatient clinics 

  • Specialized burn therapy centers

Key Responsibilities

  • Early assessment and intervention to reduce complications that include edema management and positioning

  • Scar management using compression, massage, and stretching 

  • Range-of-motion and strengthening exercises 

  • Functional training for daily activities 

  • Pain management strategies 

  • Patient and family education 

  • Collaboration with interdisciplinary burn teams

Career Growth and Leadership

PTs can advance as lead therapists, burn program coordinators, clinical educators, or researchers. Specialized credentials, such as the Burn Therapist Certified (BT-C) and ABA membership, support continued learning and leadership roles.

What Makes a Successful Burn Care Physical Therapist? 

Resilience, empathy, and adaptability are essential. Burn PTs combine hands-on clinical skills with psychosocial awareness to guide patients through physical recovery and emotional adjustment. By building trust, offering compassionate care, and adjusting treatment approaches to meet each patient’s unique needs, burn physical therapists play a pivotal role in helping individuals regain function, confidence, and independence.

Essential Certifications for Burn Care Physical Therapists

  • Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree 

  • State licensure as a physical therapist 

  • Advanced Burn Life Support® (ABLS) certification 

  • Burn Therapist Certified (BTC) credential from the American Burn Association 

  • Continuing education in scar management, wound care, functional rehab, and burn rehabilitation


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Burn care is about so much more than restoring mobility; it’s about helping people reclaim their lives, return to work, and reconnect with their communities. Each patient’s journey is a powerful learning experience that challenges me both personally and professionally and ultimately reminds me why I do this work. Through the ABA’s courses and professional community, I’ve expanded my knowledge and found a network that truly understands the unique challenges and profound rewards of this specialty."

Besty Ferreira, MSPT, BT-C
Burn Care Physical Therapist and ABA Member

Elevate Your Burn Rehabilitation Career

The ABA supports physical therapists with specialized education, certification resources, and access to a professional community dedicated to excellence in burn care. Connect with peers who share your passion for improving outcomes and transforming the lives of burn survivors through expert, compassionate rehabilitation.


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