Occupational Therapist onboarding at a glance

Week one covers orientation, safety and shadowing. Days 1–30 build vocabulary and supervised practice on core procedures; days 31–60 move to independent work with competency sign-offs; days 61–90 focus on full productivity, cross-training and a credential plan.

Before day one

Confirm start date, schedule, pay and supervisor in writing
Verify required credentials: NBCOT certification (OTR), State OT license (as applicable)
Prepare equipment and access: adaptive equipment; splinting materials; fine motor kits; assessment tools
Assign a buddy or preceptor
Enroll the new hire in Occupational Therapist training so foundations are covered before or during week one

Week one: orient and protect

Workplace tour, emergency procedures and incident reporting
Guard patients during transfers
Follow infection control
Check skin with splints
Use proper body mechanics
Shadow an experienced occupational therapist through a full shift
Training modules 1–3: role foundations, a day on the job and essential vocabulary (15 terms)

Days 1–30: learn

Goal: perform core tasks safely under supervision.

Supervised practice: teach one-handed dressing
Supervised practice: conduct a home safety assessment
Supervised practice: fabricate a hand splint
Training modules 4–7: duties, step-by-step tasks, tools and safety
30-day check-in: confidence, questions and early wins

Days 31–60: contribute

Goal: handle a regular workload independently.

Evaluate patients’ abilities and needs: independently
Set therapy goals: independently
Teach daily living skills: independently
Recommend adaptive equipment: independently
Competency sign-offs completed (see checklist below)
Training final knowledge check and certificate of completion
60-day check-in

Days 61–90: own

Goal: full productivity and a growth plan.

Meet productivity and quality targets for the role
Begin cross-training on a secondary task
Agree on a credential goal (for example, NBCOT certification (OTR))
Discuss the career path: Staff OT → Specialist OT → Rehab Manager
90-day review

Competency checklist

Skill or task	Trained	Observed	Signed off
Teach One-Handed Dressing
Conduct a Home Safety Assessment
Fabricate a Hand Splint
Functional assessment
Activities of daily living training
Adaptive equipment
Splinting

How to measure onboarding success

Days until the new hire works without a preceptor
Competency sign-offs completed on time
Documentation or charting error rate
90-day retention

How Occupational Therapist training maps to this plan

Introduction to the Occupational Therapist Role
A Day on the Job
Essential Occupational Therapist Vocabulary
Core Duties and Responsibilities
Common Tasks, Step by Step
Tools, Equipment and Technology
Safety, Compliance and Professional Standards
Skills Employers Look For
Launching Your Occupational Therapist Career
Final Knowledge Check

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Occupational Therapist Onboarding Plan (30-60-90 Days)