Occupational Therapist Cover Letter and Resume Examples

Occupational therapist helping patients walk
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Occupational therapists are in high demand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) forecasts 24% growth in these positions between 2016 and 2026. But that doesn’t mean that simply having the education and training will net you a high-paying job in your field.

To land the job of your dreams, you need to show the hiring manager not only that you can do the job, but that you’re the best possible candidate for the position. An impressive cover letter can help.

Our cover letter example will help you emphasize your professional skills while also demonstrating your unique qualifications for the role. Don’t forget to adapt your cover letter to your experience and customize it for each job.

Occupational Therapist Cover Letter Example

This is an example of a cover letter for an occupational therapist position. Download the occupational therapist cover letter template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online) or see below for more examples.

Screenshot of an occupational therapist cover letter example
The Balance

Occupational Therapist Cover Letter Example (Text Version)

Audrey Lee
123 Main Street
Anytown, CA 12345
555-555-5555
audrey.lee@email.com

September 1, 2018

Benjamin Lau
Director, Human Resources
St. John's Hospital
123 Business Rd.
Business City, NY 54321

Dear Mr. Lau,

I am writing to express my keen interest in your open occupational therapist position as listed on jobs.com. My ten years of experience as an OT working with a variety of populations would make me an asset to the OT team at St. John's Hospital.

I have worked as an occupational therapist for the past six years, and as an occupational therapy assistant for the four years previous. In these years, I have worked with hundreds of geriatric patients, designing and executing treatment plans for clients with fractures, hip and knee replacements, CVAs, and amputations. I have also worked with pediatric patients, providing acute care OT services for children with a variety of traumas, surgeries, and illnesses. Through all of these experiences, I have developed not only technical skills but also necessary soft skills such as patience and clear communication. I believe these experiences would allow me to achieve success working with St. John's Hospital’s diverse population.

You state in your job description that the occupational therapist will be in charge of supervising multiple OT assistants, and occasionally OT interns.

As an OT at the Brooklyn Clinic, I have been responsible for supervising and evaluating ten OT assistants. I also plan and teach bi-weekly seminars on various aspects of OT to interns. I even received an award for “Most Valuable Mentor” from the interns last year. I am therefore confident in my abilities as an educator and supervisor.

I know that my years of experience working with diverse populations, as well as my skills as a supervisor to OT assistants and interns, would make me an excellent OT at St. John's Hospital. I have enclosed my resume, and will contact you next week to see if we might find a time to speak together. Thank you so much for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Your Signature (hard copy letter)

Audrey Lee

Occupational Therapist Resume Example

This is an example of a resume for an occupational therapist position. Download the occupational therapist resume template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online) or see below for more examples.

Screenshot of an occupational therapist resume examle
©TheBalance 2018 

Occupational Therapist Resume Example (Text Version)

Haley Applicant
123 Main Street • Boulder, CO 12345 • (123) 456-7890 • haley.applicant@email.com

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

Designing and executing treatment plans for a variety of geriatric patients

Respected and hardworking occupational therapist with 10+ years’ experience designing and executing treatment plans for geriatric patients with fractures, hip and knee replacements, and other traumas.

Key skills include:

  • Assessing and Evaluating Geriatric Patients with Various Diagnoses
  • Active Listening & Patient Advocacy
  • Provide Continuing Education to Patients, Family Members, and Care Givers
  • Experience with Head Trauma and Alzheimer’s

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

THERAPY ASSOCIATES, Boulder, Colo.
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST (February 2013 – Present)
Design and execute treatment plans for geriatric patients with fractures, hip and knee replacements, CVAs, amputations, and other traumas, surgeries, and illnesses. Provide continuing education to patients, family members, and caregivers through clear oral and written communications.

Notable accomplishments:

  • Educated, supervised, and evaluated multiple COTAs and OT students.
  • Assessed and evaluated all geriatric patients with various diagnoses, including Alzheimer’s.

XYZ INSTITUTE, Boulder, Colo.
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT (June 2008 – February 2013)
Assisted in assessing and developing treatment plans for all geriatric patients at the institute.

Notable Accomplishments:

  • Co-wrote, designed, and published pamphlets to assist patients and family members.
  • Met regularly with occupational therapists and families to develop physical therapy plans.

EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS

ABC UNIVERSITY, Boulder, Colo.
Bachelor of Science (GPA: 4.0; Major: Biology; Graduated Magna Cum Laude), May 2007

Certifications

Licensure of Occupational Therapy, Colorado Master of Science, ABC University, May 2008

Related Skills

Fluent in English and Spanish • Physically Strong • Possess Strong Interpersonal Skills

Occupational Therapist Skills to Mention

One of the biggest challenges in writing cover letters is remembering all your skills and qualifications. Over time, workers rack up so many abilities and achievements that it’s easy to forget which ones will make the greatest impact on hiring managers.

Skills lists can help. This list of occupational therapist skills for resumes, cover letters, job applications, and interviews will jog your memory and give you a place to start when applying to occupational therapy jobs.

A-C

  • Active Listening
  • Advising
  • Analytical
  • Assembling and Maintaining Equipment
  • Assess Patient Needs
  • Assessing the Condition of Clients
  • Assessment
  • Care Planning
  • Caring
  • Collaboration
  • Comprehensive Treatment Plans
  • Consulting with Rehabilitation Team Members
  • CPR
  • Creativity
  • Critical Thinking
  • Customer Service

D-H

  • Daily Living Skills Instruction
  • Decision Making
  • Delegating
  • Detecting Early Warning Signs of Medical Complications
  • Develop Treatment Plans
  • Diagnostic
  • Document Care Plans
  • Document Treatment Plans
  • Document Progress
  • Documentation
  • Documenting Treatment Outcomes
  • Empathy
  • Engaging in Professional Development
  • Establishing Rapport with Clients
  • Evaluate Care
  • Explaining Exercises
  • Flexibility
  • Handling Confidential Information

I-O

  • Implement Treatment Plans
  • Instructing
  • Interpersonal
  • Interpreting Medical Records
  • Leading Meetings
  • Lifting Significant Weight
  • Maintaining a Safe Working Environment
  • Manual Dexterity
  • Mentoring Staff
  • Modify Care
  • Modifying Equipment
  • Modifying Interventions to Fit Changing Conditions
  • Multitasking
  • Observation
  • Occupational Therapy Evaluations
  • Occupational Therapy Intervention
  • Occupational Therapy Services
  • Ordering Equipment and Supplies
  • Organizational

P-W

  • Patience
  • Patient Care
  • Patient Evaluations
  • Planning Care
  • Preparing Billing Statements
  • Problem Solving
  • Promoting Programs and Services
  • Reliability
  • Remaining Calm with Agitated Clients
  • Supervision
  • Taking Initiative
  • Teamwork
  • Time Management
  • Training Staff
  • Verbal
  • Visual Acuity
  • Working Independently
  • Writing

How to Send Your Resume and Cover Letter Via Email

These days, you’re more likely to submit your cover letter and resume through email. In that case, the basic message of your cover letter stays the same, but you’ll need to keep a few formatting guidelines in mind, including: 

  • List your name and the job title in the subject line of the email message, e.g., “Subject: Occupational Therapist Position - Your Name”
  • Include your contact information in your email signature, and don't list the employer contact information.
  • Follow the instructions in the job listing. If the ad specifies that you should send your resume and cover letter as a specific file type – for instance, as a PDF – make sure you do so. The same goes for sending documents via attachment or cut-and-pasted into the body of the email.
  • Double-check your message for spelling and grammar. Consider asked an eagle-eyed friend to act as a proofreader as well.
  • Send yourself a test message before sending your final document to the hiring manager. You might be surprised at the formatting errors you uncover in the test. Remember, you want your message to stand out, not your formatting choices. An odd line break might distract the hiring manager’s attention from your qualifications, or make it appear as if you’re not sufficiently attentive to detail.
  • If you are invited to an interview, make sure you prepare yourself thoroughly by reviewing these typical interview questions.