Resume Writing Tips for Occupational Therapist

Introduction

Occupational therapy is a vital healthcare field focused on enabling individuals to perform meaningful daily activities and regain independence. A strong resume for an occupational therapist serves as your first impression, showcasing your ability to assess patient needs, develop personalized treatment plans, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams. Because employers in healthcare often receive hundreds of applications, a well-crafted resume that highlights your impact and expertise increases the likelihood of landing interviews. Whether you’re an entry-level therapist or looking to advance in your career, strategic resume writing is the foundation of your job search success.

1. Resume Summary

Your resume summary is your elevator pitch — a brief, powerful introduction that highlights your core competencies, clinical experience, and personal attributes relevant to occupational therapy roles. Focus on the value you bring, your specialization areas, and key achievements in 3-5 concise sentences.

Example: "Compassionate Occupational Therapist with 5+ years’ experience in pediatric and geriatric rehabilitation. Skilled in developing individualized therapy plans that improve patient mobility and daily functioning. Proven track record of reducing patient recovery time by 20% through evidence-based interventions and team collaboration."

2. Key Skills

Highlighting relevant key skills helps both ATS and recruiters identify your qualifications quickly. List a balanced mix of hard skills, clinical techniques, and soft skills specific to occupational therapy.

• Patient Evaluation & Treatment Planning
• Neurological Rehabilitation
• Pediatric Therapy Techniques
• Geriatric Care
• Adaptive Equipment Training
• Manual Dexterity Exercises
• Documentation & Compliance
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration
• Patient & Family Education
• Time Management & Prioritization

3. Achievements

Rather than simply listing job responsibilities, emphasize your achievements to demonstrate how you added value in previous roles. Use quantifiable metrics where possible to illustrate outcomes clearly.

Example bullet point:

• Implemented a new therapy protocol that increased patient independence scores by 15% within six months.
• Reduced average patient recovery time by 20% through customized intervention strategies.
• Successfully trained 10+ junior therapists on evidence-based rehabilitation practices, improving departmental efficiency by 25%.

4. Tailor to Job

Customizing your resume for each job application by carefully reviewing job descriptions ensures you highlight the most relevant skills and experience. Incorporate keywords from the posting to increase your chances of passing ATS filters and catching the recruiter’s eye.

5. Tools

• Electronic Health Records (EHR) Systems (e.g., Epic, Cerner)
• Assistive Technology Evaluation Tools
• Range of Motion (ROM) Measurement Devices
• Therapeutic Exercise Equipment
• Patient Scheduling Software
• Documentation Software (e.g., TherapyNotes)
• Splinting and Casting Materials
• Teletherapy Platforms
• Outcome Measurement Tools (e.g., COPM, FIM)
• Data Analysis Software (e.g., Excel, SPSS for research)

6. Metrics

• Percent improvement in patient function after intervention
• Reduction in patient treatment time or length of stay
• Number of patients treated per week/month
• Training and mentorship impact (e.g., number of staff trained)
• Patient satisfaction ratings or feedback scores

7. Education

• Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy (required for licensure)
• Relevant Certifications (e.g., Certified Hand Therapist, Neuro-Developmental Treatment)
• Continuing Education and Workshops in specialty areas (pediatrics, geriatrics, mental health)
• Licensure details including state and date obtained

8. Format

• Use a clean, professional font (e.g., Calibri, Arial) sized 10-12 pt
• Organize sections with clear headings and bullet points for readability
• Keep margins at least 0.5” and use white space effectively
• Save your resume as a PDF to preserve formatting

9. Concise

Keep your resume to two pages maximum. Be selective and avoid jargon, focusing on relevant experiences and outcomes.

10. Bonus

• Include a professional LinkedIn profile link to provide additional context and endorsements
• Add volunteer experience or memberships in professional organizations (e.g., AOTA) that demonstrate commitment to the field

Examples

• “Developed and led a fine motor skills workshop for 30+ pediatric patients, resulting in a 25% increase in patient hand function scores within 3 months.”
• “Collaborated with multidisciplinary team to create customized home safety plans for elderly patients, reducing falls by 18% over one year.”li>

Conclusion

For occupational therapists, crafting a resume that clearly showcases impact, leadership, and analytical skills is essential to differentiate yourself in a competitive field. By emphasizing quantifiable achievements, tailoring your content to each job, and presenting your expertise with a clean format, your resume becomes an effective tool to open doors to rewarding career opportunities. Remember, your resume is more than a list of duties — it’s a narrative of your professional journey and the meaningful differences you make in patients’ lives.