As an occupational therapist, your resume must demonstrate both your clinical expertise and your ability to connect with patients. Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) scan for specific keywords related to treatment planning, evaluations, and specialized therapies. This guide covers the essential hard and soft skills, action verbs, and ATS optimization strategies to ensure your occupational therapy resume stands out.
Top hard skills for occupational therapist resumes
These are the technical skills that ATS systems and hiring managers look for on occupational therapist resumes. Include the ones you genuinely have experience with.
Patient Evaluation & Assessment
Crucial for demonstrating your ability to accurately diagnose patient needs and establish baselines.
Treatment Planning & Execution
Shows your capability to design and implement effective, individualized therapeutic programs.
Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Training
A core competency in occupational therapy that highlights your focus on patient independence.
Electronic Medical Records (EMR)
Essential for modern healthcare environments; mention specific systems like Epic or Cerner if applicable.
Adaptive Equipment & Assistive Technology
Demonstrates your knowledge of tools that enhance patient mobility and daily functioning.
Therapeutic Exercise & Modalities
Important for roles requiring physical rehabilitation and strength-building interventions.
Sensory Integration Therapy
Highly relevant for pediatric OT roles or working with neurodivergent populations.
Fine & Gross Motor Skills Development
A key skill to list when applying for positions focused on physical coordination and recovery.
Cognitive Rehabilitation
Highlights your ability to treat patients recovering from strokes, traumatic brain injuries, or neurological conditions.
Discharge Planning
Shows your involvement in the full lifecycle of patient care and transition management.
Patient & Family Education
Emphasizes your ability to instruct caregivers and patients on home exercises and safety.
Splinting & Orthotics
A specialized clinical skill that sets you apart in orthopedic or hand therapy settings.
Home Modification Recommendations
Demonstrates your expertise in ensuring safe and accessible living environments for patients.
Progress Tracking & Documentation
Crucial for maintaining compliance, securing insurance billing, and adjusting treatment plans.
Medicare & Medicaid Documentation
Shows your understanding of regulatory requirements and billing procedures in healthcare.
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Build your resume →Essential soft skills
Beyond technical ability, these soft skills differentiate strong occupational therapist candidates.
- Empathy & Compassion
- Active Listening
- Interpersonal Communication
- Patience & Adaptability
- Problem-Solving
- Time Management
- Critical Thinking
- Team Collaboration
- Motivational Skills
- Emotional Resilience
Recommended certifications
| Certification | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Registered Occupational Therapist (OTR) | The foundational national certification required to practice occupational therapy. |
| Basic Life Support (BLS) | A mandatory safety certification for almost all healthcare professionals. |
| Board Certification in Pediatrics (BCP) | A specialized credential that validates advanced knowledge in pediatric occupational therapy. |
Power action verbs
Start your bullet points with these strong verbs to demonstrate impact.
Example resume bullet points
Here's how to use these skills in real resume bullets with quantified results.
ATS optimization tips
Use exact keyword matches
Ensure your resume uses the exact terminology found in the job description, such as 'Activities of Daily Living' or 'EMR,' to maximize your ATS match rate.
Highlight your specialized settings
Include the specific environments you have worked in, such as acute care, outpatient clinics, or schools, as ATS algorithms often filter candidates by setting experience.
Include full certification names and abbreviations
List both the full name and abbreviation of your credentials (e.g., 'Registered Occupational Therapist (OTR)') to ensure the ATS recognizes your qualifications regardless of how they are programmed.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most important skills for an Occupational Therapist resume?
The most important skills include patient evaluation, treatment planning, ADL training, and proficiency in EMR systems. Highlighting specialized techniques like sensory integration or splinting is also crucial depending on the role.
How many skills should I list on my Occupational Therapist resume?
Aim to include 10 to 15 highly relevant skills in a dedicated skills section, balancing clinical hard skills with essential soft skills like empathy and communication. Be sure to weave these skills into your experience bullets as well.
Should I include student fieldwork on my OT resume?
Yes, especially if you are a recent graduate. Detail your Level II fieldwork experiences just as you would professional jobs, highlighting the settings, caseloads, and specific interventions you performed.
Put these skills to work
Now that you know which skills to highlight, use our free resume builder to create an ATS-optimized resume with the right keywords in the right places.
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