Turn inspiration into your own evidence
Do not copy the career. Learn how the career is communicated.
Read the evidence
Notice where the example uses scale, change, ownership, and context.
Replace every fact
Write from your real work, even when your numbers or setting are different.
Check the result
Make sure the document remains readable, truthful, and aligned to the role.
Key Skills
Use only the skills you can support with real experience. The example shows the vocabulary; your evidence makes it credible.
Full Occupational Therapist Resume Example
This is a complete fictional sample. Study the structure and evidence patterns, then replace every name, employer, number, skill, and accomplishment with information that is true for you.
Professional Summary
Occupational therapist with 8 years across inpatient rehabilitation, skilled nursing, and school-based practice, carrying a weekly caseload of 28-32 patients. Discharge FIM gains average 24 points against a facility benchmark of 18, and 91% of patients meet their ADL independence goals within the planned episode of care. NBCOT-certified with advanced training in upper extremity rehabilitation and home modification assessment.
Work Experience
Senior Occupational Therapist
2020 – PresentHarborview Rehabilitation Institute — Tacoma, WA
- Evaluate and treat 28-32 inpatients weekly on a 40-bed neurological rehabilitation unit, guiding stroke and brain-injury survivors from dependence to modified-independent ADL status before discharge
- Raised the unit's average discharge FIM gain from 18 to 24 points over two years by building task-specific ADL retraining blocks into every morning treatment session
- Completed 150+ home-safety evaluations, with recommended modifications linked to a 22% drop in 30-day post-discharge fall readmissions
- Co-chair the interdisciplinary discharge planning committee with physical therapy, speech-language pathology, and case management, trimming average length of stay by 1.8 days
- Precept 4 Level II fieldwork students per year, with every graduate passing the NBCOT exam on the first attempt
Occupational Therapist
2017 – 2020Silver Creek Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation — Spokane, WA
- Delivered short-term rehab and restorative care to 18-22 residents daily in a 110-bed skilled nursing facility, spanning orthopedic, cardiac, and dementia populations
- Designed a dementia-specific dining program that restored independent self-feeding in 14 of 20 enrolled residents within eight weeks
- Produced custom resting and functional orthoses for 10-12 residents monthly, with contracture management gains documented at quarterly Medicare review
- Kept Part A therapy documentation fully compliant through three consecutive Medicare audits with zero claim denials
School-Based Occupational Therapist
2016 – 2017Bright Path Pediatric Therapy — Boise, ID
- Served 45 students across three elementary schools, addressing handwriting, sensory regulation, and self-care goals written into each student's IEP
- Met or exceeded 87% of annual IEP objectives across the caseload, the highest rate among the practice's five school-based therapists
- Coached 30+ classroom teachers on sensory strategies, cutting new referral volume for regulation concerns by a third within one school year
Education
- Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) — University of Puget Sound · 2016
- BS, Kinesiology — Boise State University · 2013
Certifications
- Licensed Occupational Therapist — Washington State Department of Health (active)
- NBCOT Board Certification (OTR)
- Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS)
- AHA Basic Life Support (BLS)
Achievement bullet patterns
Adapt the sentence pattern to your work. Never copy an employer, number, tool, or outcome that is not true for you.
- 1
Managed a caseload of 30+ patients weekly across inpatient rehabilitation and outpatient settings, achieving a 92% patient goal attainment rate within projected treatment timelines
Adapt the pattern; do not copy facts that are not yours.
- 2
Developed and implemented a fall prevention program for a 120-bed skilled nursing facility, reducing fall incidents by 40% within the first 6 months
Adapt the pattern; do not copy facts that are not yours.
- 3
Fabricated custom upper extremity splints for 15 patients monthly, improving post-surgical range of motion outcomes by an average of 28%
Adapt the pattern; do not copy facts that are not yours.
- 4
Supervised and trained 4 occupational therapy assistants and 6 Level II fieldwork students, maintaining 100% student pass rates on fieldwork evaluations
Adapt the pattern; do not copy facts that are not yours.
Practical writing guidance
- 1
Quantify patient outcomes: 'Improved functional independence scores by an average of 35% across a caseload of 28 patients' demonstrates your clinical effectiveness
- 2
Highlight the populations you serve, such as pediatric, geriatric, neurological, orthopedic, or mental health, to match the employer's patient demographics
- 3
Include your NBCOT certification and state licensure prominently since these are mandatory credentials for practice
- 4
Mention specialized certifications like CHT (Certified Hand Therapist), SIPT (Sensory Integration), or lymphedema certification to stand out
- 5
Describe your documentation practices and compliance with Medicare/insurance requirements since reimbursement accuracy is critical to employers
- 6
Showcase interdisciplinary collaboration experience with physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, physicians, and social workers
How to write an occupational therapist resume
Translate treatment into functional outcomes employers can measure
Match settings and populations to the job posting's demographics
Give credentials and compliance their own scannable section
Frequently Asked Questions
What credentials should an occupational therapist list on their resume?
List your OTR/L (Occupational Therapist Registered, Licensed) designation, NBCOT certification, and state license. Include any specialty certifications such as CHT, ATP (Assistive Technology Professional), SIPT, or BCB-PMD. Place your primary credentials after your name in the resume header (e.g., Jane Smith, OTR/L, CHT) and list all certifications in a dedicated section.
How do I demonstrate clinical outcomes on an OT resume?
Use specific metrics such as functional independence measure (FIM) score improvements, goal attainment percentages, discharge-to-home rates, and patient satisfaction scores. For example, 'Achieved 90% of patient goals within the authorized visit count' or 'Improved average FIM scores by 18 points across neurological rehabilitation caseload.' These metrics show employers you deliver measurable results.
Should I include fieldwork experience on my occupational therapist resume?
Yes, especially if you are a new graduate or have fewer than 3 years of experience. Include both Level I and Level II fieldwork placements with the facility name, setting type, patient population, and key accomplishments. As you gain professional experience, you can move fieldwork to a condensed section or incorporate relevant details into your education section.
How long should an occupational therapist resume be?
One page is ideal for new graduates and therapists with fewer than 5 years of experience. Two pages are appropriate for experienced therapists with multiple specializations, supervisory roles, publications, or presentations. Regardless of length, prioritize your most relevant and recent experience and avoid including unrelated work history.