Occupational Therapist Resume Example and Template

A strong occupational therapist resume demonstrates your clinical specialty, patient populations served, and functional outcomes achieved. Include your OTD degree, license status, and specific areas of expertise such as hand therapy, pediatrics, geriatrics, or neurological rehabilitation. Quantify improvements in patient independence and quality of life.

Employers value outcome-focused practice, evidence-based intervention selection, and your ability to document progress and build therapeutic relationships. Show your understanding of the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework and patient-centered care.

Also searched as

Lead Occupational Therapist, Neurological Rehabilitation, Occupational Therapist, Hand Therapy Specialty, Occupational Therapy Assistant / OT Intern

James Liu: Occupational Therapist

Seattle, United States

Summary

Doctor of Occupational Therapy with 6 years of clinical experience specializing in neurological rehabilitation and hand therapy. Licensed and NBCOT-certified. Treat 15-20 patients weekly with stroke, spinal cord injury, and peripheral nerve injuries, achieving 87% return-to-work outcomes. Developed adaptive equipment protocols adopted across 3-facility network.

Work Experience

Lead Occupational Therapist, Neurological Rehabilitation, Pacific Rehabilitation Institute

Apr 2022 – Present. 50-bed specialty rehabilitation hospital

• Provide occupational therapy to 15-18 patients daily with stroke, TBI, spinal cord injury, and neurodegenerative diagnoses
• Conduct comprehensive functional assessments using standardized measures (FIM, ARAT, SANE) and develop patient-centered intervention plans
• Lead interdisciplinary rounds and discharge planning, collaborating with physiatrists, physical therapists, social workers, and nursing
• Train 4 occupational therapy students and new staff on neurological assessment, adaptation techniques, and motivational interviewing

Occupational Therapist, Hand Therapy Specialty, Seattle Sports Medicine Clinic

Feb 2020 – Mar 2022. Outpatient therapy clinic serving athletes and overhead workers

• Treated 20-25 hand and upper extremity injuries including post-surgical repair, tendinitis, and overuse injuries
• Applied evidence-based hand therapy techniques including edema management, scar tissue mobilization, and graded strengthening
• Educated patients on activity modification and ergonomic strategies, with 92% compliance and high satisfaction ratings
• Fitted and fabricated custom hand splints and adaptive devices for individual patient needs

Occupational Therapy Assistant / OT Intern, University of Washington Medical Center

Jun 2018 – Jan 2020. Academic medical center with diverse patient populations

• Assisted licensed occupational therapists in inpatient and outpatient settings, gaining experience across multiple diagnoses
• Performed patient education and activity adaptation under OT supervision

Education

University of Washington School of Medicine

Doctor of Occupational Therapy, Occupational Therapy. Sep 2016 – May 2018

Western Washington University

Bachelor of Science, Kinesiology. Sep 2012 – May 2016

Skills

Neurological rehabilitation, Hand therapy, Functional assessments (FIM, ARAT), Splinting and orthotics, Adaptive equipment, Activity analysis, Patient education, Interdisciplinary collaboration, Evidence-based practice, Motivational interviewing

Languages

English

Certificates and Awards

• Board Certified, National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, NBCOT, 2018
• Washington State Occupational Therapy License, Washington Department of Health, 2018
• Certified Hand Therapist, National Board of Certification for Hand Therapy, 2021

Why this look works

Occupational therapy centers on helping people live their best lives. A warm, approachable layout with hopeful tonality reflects the patient-centered, empowerment-focused nature of the profession. Professional yet humanistic design conveys both clinical expertise and genuine care.

Resume tips for this job

• Lead with your OTD and NBCOT certification. This establishes you as fully credentialed and independent practitioner.
• Quantify functional improvements using standardized OT measures. 'Improved FIM score from 45 to 72' or '87% return-to-work rate' shows measurable impact.
• Highlight your specialty area prominently. Hand therapy, pediatrics, neurology, or geriatrics show expertise beyond general OT.
• Include specialized certifications like CHT (Certified Hand Therapist) or AOTA credentials. These differentiate you in competitive markets.

Common questions

How do I show progression from OTA to OTD on my resume?

If you worked as an OTA before pursuing your OTD, list it as a separate role with dates. Your education shows when you earned your doctorate. This progression demonstrates your commitment to the field and grounds your graduate-level knowledge in practical experience.

Should I list my CPR and other general certifications?

CPR is expected for OT roles. List it only if it's an unusual certification (like Advanced Trauma Life Support). Focus your certifications section on NBCOT, state license, and specialty credentials like CHT or LSVT BIG.

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