Healthcare

Occupational Therapist Resume: Free Template & Writing Tips (2026)

Occupational therapist resumes demonstrate your ability to help patients regain independence through evidence-based, functional interventions.

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Avg Salary
$70,000 – $95,000
ATS Pass Rate
95% with IntelligentCV
Build Time
Under 5 minutes
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Key Skills for a Occupational Therapist Resume

ATS systems scan for specific keyword matches. Include as many of these skills as you genuinely have — the closer you match the job description, the higher your ATS score.

Functional AssessmentADL TrainingAdaptive EquipmentDocumentation (SOAP)NBCOT CertificationPediatric/Geriatric CareSplintingHome Modification

Best Action Verbs for a Occupational Therapist Resume

Start every bullet point with a strong action verb. These are the highest-impact verbs for Occupational Therapist resumes — specific, measurable, and ATS-approved.

Evaluated
Developed
Implemented
Educated
Improved
Trained
Collaborated
Assessed

How to Structure a Occupational Therapist Resume

Follow this structure to ensure recruiters find what they need — and ATS systems score your resume correctly.

01

Contact Information

Name, phone, professional email, LinkedIn URL, and city/state. In Healthcare, include any professional profile URLs relevant to your specialization.

02

Professional Summary

2-3 sentences: your years of experience as a Occupational Therapist, your 2-3 signature strengths (e.g. Functional Assessment, ADL Training), and your career goal. Rewrite this for every application — it's the first thing an ATS and recruiter both read.

03

Work Experience (Reverse Chronological)

Company, title, dates, location — then 3-5 bullet points per role. Start every bullet with a strong verb like "Evaluated" or "Developed" and quantify every outcome. Don't just describe tasks — prove impact with numbers, percentages, or dollar amounts tied to skills like Functional Assessment, ADL Training, Adaptive Equipment.

04

Skills Section

A dedicated skills block is the primary ATS filter for Occupational Therapist roles. Include: Functional Assessment, ADL Training, Adaptive Equipment, Documentation (SOAP), NBCOT Certification, Pediatric/Geriatric Care, Splinting, Home Modification. Mirror the exact keyword phrasing from each job description — "React.js" and "ReactJS" can be scored differently.

05

Education

Degree, institution, graduation year. In Healthcare, education and credentials are often screened before work experience — list them early and include GPA if 3.5+.

06

Certifications

Certifications are a meaningful differentiator for Occupational Therapist positions in Healthcare. List the full certification name, the issuing body, and the year obtained. Active credentials with expiration dates should include the renewal date — employers in Healthcare actively verify these.

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ATS Tip for Occupational Therapist Resumes

NBCOT certification and state license are primary ATS filters. List specialty certifications and patient populations treated. Quantify functional outcome improvements.

Occupational Therapist Resume: FAQs

What are the most important skills for a Occupational Therapist resume?+
The highest-value skills for a Occupational Therapist resume are: Functional Assessment, ADL Training, Adaptive Equipment, Documentation (SOAP), NBCOT Certification, Pediatric/Geriatric Care, Splinting, Home Modification. Prioritize whichever of these appears verbatim in the job description — ATS systems rank resumes by keyword match rate, not by overall competency. NBCOT certification and state license are primary ATS filters. List specialty certifications and patient populations treated. Quantify functional outcome improvements.
How long should a Occupational Therapist resume be?+
Two pages is standard for experienced clinicians. Clinical rotations, certifications, and licensure require the space. New graduates should target one page. Regardless of length, every line must earn its place — Healthcare hiring managers spend an average of 7 seconds on first review.
Does a Occupational Therapist need a cover letter?+
In Healthcare, a cover letter is strongly expected — especially for specialized or senior roles. Use it to explain your specific interest in the organization and connect your background in Functional Assessment and ADL Training to the role's requirements.
What is the average Occupational Therapist salary?+
Occupational Therapist salaries typically range from $70,000 – $95,000 depending on experience, location, company size, and specialization. Use LinkedIn Salary or Glassdoor to benchmark your specific market and negotiate with confidence.
How do I make my Occupational Therapist resume ATS-friendly?+
NBCOT certification and state license are primary ATS filters. List specialty certifications and patient populations treated. Quantify functional outcome improvements.

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