Occupational Therapist Resume Keywords 2026

Use these specific keywords in your resume to help you pass Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and catch the attention of recruiters hiring for Occupational Therapist roles.

Hard Skills

  • Occupational therapy evaluation
  • Activities of Daily Living (ADL) training
  • Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) training
  • Functional mobility training
  • Sensory integration therapy
  • Fine motor skill development
  • Upper extremity rehabilitation
  • Cognitive rehabilitation
  • Neuromuscular re-education
  • Pediatric occupational therapy
  • Geriatric occupational therapy
  • Hand therapy interventions
  • Splinting and orthotic fabrication
  • Home safety assessments
  • Work hardening and work conditioning
  • Ergonomic assessment and intervention
  • Feeding and swallowing interventions (within scope)
  • Driver rehabilitation (as applicable)
  • Adaptive equipment training
  • Energy conservation techniques

Soft Skills

  • Patient-centered care
  • Therapeutic communication
  • Interdisciplinary collaboration
  • Family and caregiver education
  • Empathy and compassion
  • Cultural competence
  • Time management
  • Clinical decision-making
  • Problem-solving
  • Advocacy for patient needs
  • Motivational interviewing
  • Conflict resolution
  • Professional ethics

Technical Proficiencies

  • Electronic Medical Records (EMR) systems
  • Documentation and charting
  • SOAP note writing
  • Care plan development
  • Outcome measurement tools
  • Assistive technology implementation
  • Wheelchair seating and positioning
  • Telehealth / teletherapy platforms
  • Standardized assessments
  • Data tracking and progress monitoring

Industry Certifications & Knowledge Areas

  • Registered Occupational Therapist (OTR)
  • State occupational therapy licensure
  • CPR/BLS certification
  • NBCOT certification
  • Rehabilitation best practices
  • Evidence-based practice
  • Medicare and Medicaid regulations
  • Skilled nursing facility (SNF) regulations
  • School-based OT services (IDEA, IEPs)
  • Home health regulations (OASIS familiarity)
  • Fall prevention programs
  • Behavior management strategies

Action Verbs

  • Evaluated
  • Assessed
  • Developed
  • Implemented
  • Facilitated
  • Collaborated
  • Educated
  • Advocated
  • Customized
  • Documented
  • Optimized
  • Rehabilitated
  • Adapted
  • Coordinated
Pro Tip

Don't just list these keywords! Weave them naturally into your Professional Summary and Work Experience bullet points to show how you used these skills to achieve results.

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