Entry LevelOccupational Therapist Resume Example

Use this free entry leveloccupational therapist resume sample as your starting point, then tailor it for your experience level and target job.

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Occupational Therapist Resume Template (entry level)

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Professional Summary

Entry-level occupational therapist with 2 years of inpatient rehabilitation experience. Focused on evidence-based ADL training, discharge readiness, and patient-centered care coordination.

Professional Experience

Occupational TherapistJun 2025 - Present

Lakeside Rehab Hospital, Cleveland, OH

Complete evaluations and treatment plans for orthopedic and neurologic caseloads.
Deliver ADL and upper extremity interventions aligned to discharge goals.
Educate patients and caregivers on adaptive equipment and home safety routines.

Rehabilitation TechnicianJan 2025 - May 2025

Northshore Therapy Center, Cleveland, OH

Prepared treatment areas and assisted therapists with session setup and flow.
Supported patient mobility activities while maintaining safety protocols.
Documented session readiness notes and supply usage for clinical teams.

Skills

Functional Assessments, ADL Training, Treatment Planning, Neurological Rehabilitation, Adaptive Equipment, Patient and Caregiver Education, EMR Documentation, Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Education

Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT)May 2025

Cleveland State University

Certifications

Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR/L)
NBCOT Certification

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Key Skills for Occupational Therapist

Functional AssessmentsADL TrainingTreatment PlanningNeurological RehabilitationAdaptive EquipmentPatient and Caregiver EducationEMR DocumentationInterdisciplinary Collaboration

ATS Keywords for Occupational Therapist

Use these naturally in your summary, skills, and experience when they reflect your background.

Occupational TherapistFunctional AssessmentsADL TrainingTreatment PlanningNeurological RehabilitationAdaptive EquipmentPatient and Caregiver EducationEMR DocumentationInterdisciplinary CollaborationOccupational Therapist RegisteredNBCOT Certificationpatient care

How to Write an Entry Level Occupational Therapist Resume

An entry-level occupational therapist resume needs to prove clinical fieldwork translated into real competence, not just coursework. With NBCOT certification fresh and two years of inpatient rehab experience, emphasize functional assessment accuracy, ADL training outcomes, and how you collaborate confidently with nursing and PT teams.

Resume Writing Tips

Lead With NBCOT and Fieldwork Specifics

Place your NBCOT certification and Occupational Therapist Registered status near the top, then describe your fieldwork rotations by setting and patient population — inpatient neuro rehab, orthopedic recovery — to show breadth despite limited paid experience.

Show Functional Assessment Judgment

Describe a case where your functional assessment shaped the treatment plan differently than expected, proving you can translate standardized testing into practical, individualized ADL training goals rather than following a template.

Demonstrate Discharge-Readiness Thinking

Mention how you contributed to discharge planning, including adaptive equipment recommendations or caregiver training sessions, since new OTs are judged heavily on whether they understand the full arc of a patient's recovery.

Skills to Highlight

ADL Training

Describe a specific patient goal you helped a client reach, like independent dressing after a stroke, to show your training translates assessment into measurable functional gain.

Adaptive Equipment

Name equipment you've recommended or trained patients on, such as reachers, adaptive utensils, or shower chairs, and connect it to a real discharge outcome.

EMR Documentation

Reference the EMR system used during fieldwork and mention any supervisor feedback on documentation clarity, since new grads win trust through defensible notes as much as clinical skill.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Give an example of coordinating with PT or nursing on a shared patient goal, showing you understand OT's role within a broader care team rather than working in isolation.

Common Questions

How do I present fieldwork hours as real experience?

Treat each fieldwork rotation like a job: name the setting, patient population, and a specific outcome or case you contributed to. Employers know fieldwork is supervised, but specificity proves you absorbed real clinical judgment.

What certifications matter most for an entry-level OT?

NBCOT certification and your state OTR license are non-negotiable and should be prominent. Beyond that, any specialty coursework in neuro rehab or adaptive equipment can help you stand out for specific unit placements.

Should I mention documentation software experience?

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