Resume Tip Sheet for Occupational Therapy Assistants
As an occupational therapy assistant (OTA) graduate, you can create a CHRONOLOGICAL resume if you have relevant work experience through required fieldwork experience or other experience in a medical setting. (See the article Easy Steps for a Chronological Resume)
Or you can create a COMBINATION resume if you would rather emphasize your categories of skills, along with your education and your required internship. (See the article Easy Steps for a Combination Resume)
Tips for creating key sections of an occupational therapy assistant’s resume:
A. Heading
List your credentials like this:
Jennifer Smith, OTA*
Street Address, City, MI 00000
(000) 000-0000
jsmithemail@gmail.com LinkedIn Profile/Customized URL
*After you have your national certification and state license, use these credentials: Jennifer Smith, COTA/L
B. Professional Qualifications
Begin your resume with a summary of your professional qualifications. To write the bulleted statements in this section, be sure to use keywords, requirements and preferences mentioned in the job posting. (For more information see the following articles: Developing Your Qualifications Summary and Beating the ATS.) Below is an example:
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
• Proficient in making knowledgeable choices for each patient following the occupational therapist’s written treatment plan
• Skilled in using verbal and written communication to obtain and accurately record patient information for documentation
• Excel in using compassion and active listening to build relationships with clients and understand their emotional and physical needs and goals
• Trained to effectively use a variety of techniques to implement the occupational therapist’s treatment plan
C. Licenses/Certifications
List licenses and certifications granted by a governing body. If they are listed as requirements in the job posting, choose the optimum place on the resume for this information. Below is an example:
LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS
Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant-Michigan License No. 00000 Anticipated/Pending/Obtained 00/2022
American Heart Association BLS for the Healthcare Provider Expires 00/2023
D. Fieldwork Experience
An occupational therapy assistant’s fieldwork includes important examples of professional experience. List your fieldwork and experience first (in reverse chronological order) followed by a WORK EXPERIENCE section if you have other job experience. List your four fieldwork experiences using the following format:
FIELDWORK EXPERIENCE
Setting Location Semester/Hours
Outpatient Orthopedics Milestone Outpatient Clinic Fall 2022/Hours: 320
OTA Student
• Used flexible approaches to accomplish treatment plan under the supervision of the occupational therapist with diverse clients, including children, adults, and geriatric patients
• Discussed the treatment plan and progress clearly with the client and caregivers displaying openness to questions and concerns
Skilled Nursing Facility Breton Rehabilitation Fall 2022/Hours: 260
OTA Student & Living Centre
• Implemented the treatment plan under the supervision of the occupational therapist with geriatric patients, taking into consideration the psychological and social aspects of occupational engagement
• Discussed the treatment plan and progress clearly with the client and caregivers displaying openness to questions and concerns
In-Patient Behavioral Unit ABC Hospital Spring 2022/Hours: 40
OTA Student
• Observed patients before, during, and after therapy, noting their status and reporting to the occupational therapist
• Used energy and a positive approach in demonstrating interventions to patients and assisting them in learning them
Subacute Rehab Mary Free Bed Hospital Fall 2021/Hours: 35
OTA Student and Rehabilitation Center
• Conducted thorough screenings of residents at regular intervals to determine need for intervention/treatment
• Assisted the occupational therapist in the evaluation process, including short-term goals, long-term goals, and treatment plan
E. Education
Place your education information directly after FIELDWORK EXPERIENCE. You may include any colleges at which you have completed courses or from which you have obtained a degree. See the example below which shows how to list your degree:
EDUCATION
Baker College Muskegon, MI Expected graduation 12/2022
Associate of Applied Science Honors: Dean’s List
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Include the information listed above. If you had a relevant major or a specific education track, you can list it here.
Other optional information: organizations, honors, and GPA if 3.5 +.
F. Work Experience
List non-medical work experience with two to three bullets which highlight soft skills. Also, be sure to list related medical experience outside of your fieldwork and experience which would be desirable to the employer (e.g., Rehabilitation Aide, CNA) and highlight transferable skills.
G. Optional Sections
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
Blood Services Team Member-American Red Cross Year–Year
Coast Guard Festival volunteer for special needs children Year–Year
• Be sure to list the volunteer hours in the community, such as Coast Guard volunteer with special needs children.
• Depending on the length of your resume and your goals, the VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE section can simply be a list of your titles and the organizations or can include duties/achievements as in the FIELDWORK EXPERIENCE section.
RELEVANT COURSEWORK
This section may be placed after your education section and should only include specific coursework required for or desirable for the job you are targeting. Highlight courses that may not be part of a typical OTA degree if these courses show important skills for the job. Examples: Pediatrics, Techniques in Mental Health, Neurological Foundations of Motor Control
Revised 24 June 2022
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