Why This Resume Works
This resume scores well with ATS systems and hiring managers because it follows three principles:
Goal attainment rates, function score improvements, caseload size, and satisfaction scores. No vague "helped patients improve."
ADL, FIM, COPM, NBCOT, splinting, neurodevelopmental treatment. ATS filters depend on these terms.
Standard section headings that ATS parsers expect. No tables, columns, or graphics.
How the ATS Score Is Calculated
ATS systems evaluate occupational therapist resumes across three dimensions:
Clinical terms, assessment tools, treatment modalities, certifications, and EMR systems that match the job description.
Goal attainment rates, caseload numbers, satisfaction scores, functional improvement percentages, and program outcomes.
Proper section headings, consistent formatting, parseable layout, and appropriate resume length.
Section-by-Section Breakdown
Summary
Keep it to 2-3 sentences. Lead with years of experience and the clinical setting (outpatient, acute care, pediatric, SNF). Include your biggest patient outcome metric and your primary specialization area. Mention caseload size to demonstrate volume capacity.
Skills
Group skills by category (Clinical, Assessment, Documentation, Specializations). Include specific assessment tools like FIM, COPM, and MoCA. List EMR systems by name. Mention certifications inline where relevant.
Tip: Mirror the exact terms from the job posting. If they say "activities of daily living," use both "ADL" and the full phrase to cover both search patterns.
Experience
Use this formula for every bullet point:
Start bullets with strong verbs: Managed, Developed, Implemented, Achieved, Trained, Reduced. Avoid "Responsible for" or "Assisted with" - they say nothing about your clinical impact.
3-5 bullets per role. Lead with patient outcomes and caseload scope.
Education & Certifications
List your MOT or MSOT degree, school, and year. Always include OTR/L licensure with state, NBCOT certification, and CPR/BLS. If you have specialty certifications (CHT, SIPT, PAMs), list them prominently since many employers filter for these.
Key Skills for Occupational Therapist Resumes
Based on analysis of thousands of OT job postings, these are the most frequently required skills:
Common Mistakes on Occupational Therapist Resumes
- ⚠No patient outcome data - "Provided occupational therapy services" tells hiring managers nothing. "Achieved 92% goal attainment rate across a caseload of 38 weekly patients" shows measurable clinical impact.
- ⚠Missing assessment tool names - listing "performed evaluations" without naming specific tools (FIM, COPM, MoCA) makes you invisible to ATS keyword filters. Name every tool you use.
- ⚠No caseload numbers - employers need to know your volume capacity. Always include weekly patient count, daily treatment sessions, or quarterly patient totals to demonstrate workload management.
- ⚠Forgetting EMR systems - many healthcare employers filter for specific EMR experience (Epic, Point Click Care, Cerner). If you have used these systems, list them explicitly in your skills section.