| Detail | For this role |
|---|---|
| Department | Allied Health |
| Level | Entry level |
| Reports to | Rehabilitation In-Charge |
| Direct reports | None |
| Experience | Fresher or up to 4 years in occupational therapy |
Occupational Therapist job description template
Copy this job description, replace the text in square brackets and post it on your careers page or a job portal.
Job title: Occupational Therapist
Department: Allied Health
Reports to: Rehabilitation In-Charge
Location: [City], [office, branch or site]
About the role
An Occupational Therapist helps patients regain the skills for daily living and work after illness, injury or disability. They assess function, set goals, and deliver therapy that improves movement, self care, cognition and independence. The role reports to the Rehabilitation In-Charge. A good occupational therapist restores real independence for patients, tailors therapy and aids to each person's home and work, and tracks functional progress so families and the medical team can see meaningful gains.
Key responsibilities
- Assess patients' physical, cognitive and daily living function against their goals.
- Set therapy goals with the patient and family for self care, work and independence.
- Deliver activity based therapy to improve movement, coordination and daily skills.
- Train patients in the use of assistive devices, splints and adapted tools.
- Advise on home and workplace changes that support independence.
- Support cognitive and hand function rehabilitation after stroke or injury.
- Work with physiotherapists, doctors and families on the rehabilitation plan.
- Reassess progress and adjust therapy to what the patient can now do.
- Educate patients and carers to continue exercises and routines at home.
- Keep assessment, therapy and progress records up to date for each patient.
Requirements
- Bachelor in Occupational Therapy (BOT)
- Registration where required
- MOT is an advantage for senior roles
- Fresher or up to 4 years in occupational therapy
KRAs and KPIs for a Occupational Therapist
Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.
| Key result area | How to measure it |
|---|---|
| Functional gains | Patients meeting their functional goals against the therapy plan target |
| Assessment | New patients assessed and goals set within the agreed time |
| Therapy delivery | Planned therapy sessions delivered to schedule each month |
| Assistive devices | Patients trained to use prescribed aids correctly before discharge |
| Home carryover | Patients and carers taught a home programme they can follow |
| Records | Assessment and progress records complete for every patient |
Skills and tools
Tools used day to day: Assessment scales, Therapy putty and hand tools, Splinting materials, Assistive devices, Activity based equipment.
Reporting line and career path
Next roles: Senior Occupational Therapist, Rehabilitation In-Charge, Hand Therapy Specialist
Interview questions for a Occupational Therapist
- How do you assess a stroke patient's ability to manage daily activities?
- How do you set therapy goals that matter to the patient's real life?
- How do you decide when a patient needs an assistive device or splint?
- How do you advise a family on adapting a home for a wheelchair user?
- How do you keep a patient motivated through slow functional recovery?
- Tell me about a patient whose independence you helped restore.
Managing a Occupational Therapist in ZeniaHR
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What does an occupational therapist do?
An occupational therapist helps patients regain the skills for daily living and work after illness, injury or disability. They assess function, set goals, and deliver activity based therapy that improves movement, self care, cognition and independence. They train patients in assistive devices, advise on home changes, and track functional progress for the patient and medical team.
What is the difference between an occupational therapist and a physiotherapist?
A physiotherapist focuses on movement, strength and physical function, treating pain and mobility. An occupational therapist focuses on helping the patient do daily activities and work, including self care, cognition and the use of aids and home adaptations. They often work together in rehabilitation, addressing different sides of a patient's recovery.
What qualifications do you need to be an occupational therapist?
Most occupational therapists hold a Bachelor in Occupational Therapy (BOT), and a master's helps for senior roles. Registration is required where the state mandates it. Employers look for skill in functional assessment and activity based therapy, splinting and assistive devices, and the ability to set goals that matter to the patient's real life.