Job description template
Occupational Therapist Job Description Template
A copy-ready occupational therapist job description with responsibilities, qualifications, skills and pay guidance: customize it for your company in minutes.
Copy the template below, replace the bracketed fields and tailor duties to your workplace. For pay, national BLS data shows occupational therapists earn a median of $100,330 ($48.24/hour); the middle 50% earn $82,510–$116,670.
Job title
Occupational Therapist
Job summary
[Company name] is seeking a dependable occupational therapist to join our team in [city, state]. In this role, you will evaluate patients’ abilities and needs, set therapy goals and support our team’s commitment to safety, quality and service.
Responsibilities
- Evaluate patients’ abilities and needs
- Set therapy goals
- Teach daily living skills
- Recommend adaptive equipment
- Suggest home and workplace changes
- Work with children on development
- Track progress and adjust plans
- Follow company policies, safety procedures and applicable regulations
Required qualifications
- Master's degree
- Current license or certification as required by [state]
- Working knowledge of functional assessment and activities of daily living training
- Creativity and patience
- [Add role-specific requirements, such as driver’s license or ability to pass a background check, if job-related]
Preferred qualifications
- NBCOT certification (OTR)
- State OT license
- Certified Hand Therapist (CHT)
- Experience with adaptive equipment
Skills
- Adaptive equipment
- Splinting
- Sensory integration
- Documentation
- Empathy
- Communication
Work environment and schedule
OTs work in hospitals, rehab centers, schools, nursing facilities, clinics and patients’ homes. Most work full-time during the day; some work evenings or weekends.
Pay and benefits
$[min]–$[max] per [hour/year], depending on experience. [List benefits: health insurance, paid time off, retirement plan, training and certification support.]
Equal opportunity
[Company name] is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law, and we provide reasonable accommodations upon request.
Tips for a occupational therapist job posting that attracts applicants
- Use the title candidates search for. “Occupational Therapist” is the clearest; alternates include OT, OTR/L, Pediatric Occupational Therapist.
- Show the pay range. Postings with pay get more qualified applicants, and a growing number of states and cities require pay ranges in job postings.
- Separate must-haves from nice-to-haves. Long requirement lists discourage qualified candidates, especially career changers.
- Describe a real day. Borrow from our day in the life of an occupational therapist so applicants self-select accurately.
- Mention training. Highlighting structured onboarding: such as Occupational Therapist training: widens your applicant pool.
Next steps
Screen and interview with our Occupational Therapist hiring guide, then onboard with the 30-60-90 day plan.