Healthcare

Occupational Therapist Job Description Template (Free, 2026)

A complete, copy-ready Occupational Therapist job description covering ADL evaluation, adaptive equipment, OTA supervision, and 2026 salary benchmarks. Suitable for acute care, outpatient, SNF, home health, and pediatric settings.

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Occupational Therapist Job Description Template

Job Title: Occupational Therapist (OT / OTR) Department: [Occupational Therapy / Rehabilitation Services] Reports To: Rehab Director / Lead Occupational Therapist Location: [City, State] | [Acute Care / Outpatient Clinic / SNF / Home Health / Pediatric Clinic] Employment Type: Full-Time | Part-Time | PRN Schedule: [Monday–Friday / Rotating weekends / Flexible scheduling for home health] About [Organization Name] [Organization Name] is a [hospital system / multi-site outpatient clinic / home health agency / pediatric therapy center] providing evidence-based occupational therapy services to [patient population] in [location(s)]. Our OT team is dedicated to enabling independence in meaningful daily activities through client-centered, occupation-based practice. Role Summary The Occupational Therapist evaluates clients' functional performance in self-care, productivity, and leisure; develops individualized intervention plans; and implements evidence-based treatment to maximize independence in meaningful occupations. This OT will manage a caseload of approximately [X] patients per day and [will / will not] supervise OTAs and occupational therapy aides. Key Responsibilities • Perform comprehensive OT evaluations using standardized and non-standardized assessments to identify deficits in ADLs, IADLs, upper extremity function, cognition, vision, sensory processing, or psychosocial performance • Develop individualized, occupation-based intervention plans with measurable short- and long-term goals; obtain physician orders and patient/caregiver consent • Implement evidence-based OT interventions including therapeutic exercise, ADL retraining, adaptive equipment prescription and training, cognitive-perceptual rehabilitation, sensory integration, and activity analysis • Prescribe and train patients/caregivers in the use of adaptive equipment, orthotics, splints, and assistive technology as appropriate • Supervise, direct, and delegate appropriate treatment components to occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) and aides in compliance with state OT Practice Act requirements • Complete and maintain timely, accurate documentation (evaluations, daily notes, progress notes, discharge summaries) in [EMR name: WebPT / Epic / Cerner / Raintree / NetSmart] for billing compliance • Conduct home safety assessments and recommend environmental modifications to facilitate safe independent living [for home health / SNF discharge roles] • Coordinate with interdisciplinary team (physicians, PTs, SLPs, nursing, social work, case management) regarding patient progress and discharge planning • Educate patients, families, and caregivers on therapeutic activities, home programs, and community reintegration strategies • Meet productivity standard of [X] units of direct care per day or [X] billable visits per day • Provide supervision and mentorship to OT students on Level I and Level II fieldwork affiliations • Maintain state OT license, NBCOT certification, and required continuing education Required Qualifications • Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) or Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (OTD) from an ACOTE-accredited program • Current NBCOT certification (OTR/L) — passage of NBCOT exam required • Active state Occupational Therapist license in [State] or eligibility prior to start date • Current BLS/CPR certification • Physical ability to assist with patient transfers, demonstrate therapeutic activities, and stand for extended periods Preferred Qualifications • Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) credential [for outpatient upper extremity / hand therapy roles] • Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests (SIPT) certification [for pediatric roles] • Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) [for home health / geriatric roles] • Experience with [WebPT / Epic / Cerner / Raintree] EMR • [X]+ years of clinical OT experience in [setting] Compensation & Benefits • Base Salary: $[X]–$[X] annually (or $[X]–$[X] per hour for PRN / per-visit for home health) • Productivity bonus plan • Health, dental, and vision insurance • 401(k) with employer match • Paid time off and paid holidays • CEU reimbursement: $[X,000]/year + [X] paid CEU days • License renewal and NBCOT maintenance fee reimbursement • Student loan repayment assistance [if offered] • Fieldwork educator stipend for student supervision [Organization Name] is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to an inclusive, diverse workforce.

How to customize this Occupational Therapist job description

Four targeted edits that attract the right OT specialist and reduce early turnover.

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Define the occupational focus

ADL retraining, hand therapy, cognitive rehab, pediatric sensory, school-based, low vision, mental health, and workplace ergonomics represent different OT specialties. Be precise so candidates self-select based on genuine interest and clinical background.

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Describe OTA supervision model

State the number of OTAs the therapist will supervise and the supervision format (on-site, remote check-ins, co-treat). Supervision-heavy roles attract experienced clinicians who are comfortable mentoring; others prefer direct care only roles.

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State the productivity standard

Disclose daily unit or visit targets explicitly. Undisclosed productivity expectations are the primary driver of OT dissatisfaction and resignation within the first 6 months. Transparency here directly correlates with 12-month retention rates.

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Highlight adaptive equipment and tech

If your clinic uses specific splinting materials, dynamic orthoses, assistive technology tools, or cognitive assessment software, mention them. Candidates with hands-on experience with your existing equipment provide immediate clinical value on day one.

Occupational Therapist salary benchmarks (US, 2026)

Annual compensation ranges by care setting and experience, based on 2026 US labor market data.

Setting Experience Annual Salary Notes
Outpatient / Pediatrics New grad–3 yrs $70,000–$84,000 Productivity bonus common
Acute Care / Hospital 2–7 years $80,000–$96,000 Weekend differential applies
Hand Therapy (CHT) 5+ years + CHT $88,000–$105,000 Premium for CHT credential
Travel OT (contract) 2+ years $90,000–$110,000 Tax-free stipends included

CHT certification commands 10–15% salary premium over generalist OTs. High-cost metros (CA, NY, WA) pay 15–30% above national median.

Frequently asked questions

What should an Occupational Therapist job description include?+

An OT job description should specify the practice setting, patient population, occupational performance focus (ADLs, upper extremity rehab, cognitive rehab, pediatric development), OTA supervision ratio, EMR platform, productivity standard, required NBCOT certification, state OT licensure, and specialty certifications. Compensation should disclose base salary, productivity bonus structure, and CEU reimbursement.

What is the average Occupational Therapist salary in 2026?+

OT salaries in the US in 2026 range from $70,000 for new graduates in outpatient or school-based settings to $100,000+ for experienced hand therapy specialists (CHT) or travel OTs. The national median is approximately $83,000–$92,000. CHT credentialed therapists and those in SNF or home health earn toward the top of the range. High-cost metros add 15–30% above the national median.

What certifications should an Occupational Therapist have?+

All OTs must pass the NBCOT certification exam (OTR/L) and hold an active state OT license. BLS/CPR is required in most clinical settings. High-value specialty certifications include: CHT (Certified Hand Therapist), SIPT (Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests), CAPS (Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist), BCPR (Board Certified in Psychiatric Rehabilitation), and FAOTA fellowship. School-based OTs may require additional state educational credentials.

Can I use this Occupational Therapist template in my ATS?+

Yes. Copy this template into any ATS including Treegarden. Configure screening questions for state OT licensure, NBCOT certification, setting experience, and specialty credentials. Post to OTJobLink, RehabJobs.com, AOTA Career Center, and Indeed. Treegarden plans start at $299/month with unlimited users.

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