To write a good occupational therapist (OT) cover letter, focus on your skill in helping people return to everyday life after an illness or injury. Express your interest in the health care organization, and show your related strengths like patient goal-setting, discharge planning, or finding solutions.
This guide will help you write a cover letter that gets you interviews for your next OT job.
Occupational Therapist Cover Letter Templates and Examples
In my final clinical rotation at San Francisco State University’s OT program, I designed a home-safety adaptation plan that reduced an elderly client’s fall risk by 40%, earning commendation from both my supervising therapist and the patient’s family.
I’m excited to apply for the Occupational Therapist position at Bayview Rehabilitation Center because your posting emphasized interdisciplinary care for stroke survivors. Having read about your recently launched neurologic recovery program, I’m eager to contribute my skills in neurorehabilitation and adaptive equipment training.
Key Achievements:
Completed 1,000+ supervised clinical hours in acute care and outpatient settings, developing personalized ADL and IADL interventions
Conducted group therapeutic activities for 8–10 clients, improving upper-limb coordination scores by an average of 15%
Certified in the All-Ability Seating and Positioning workshop, proficient in recommending adaptive seating solutions
I welcome discussing how my hands-on training in neurologic OT and passion for client-centered care can support Bayview’s rehabilitation goals. Please let me know a convenient time to arrange an interview.
Sincerely,
Taylor Lee
Casey Clark
Occupational Therapy Assistant | [email protected] | (310) 555-3344 | Los Angeles, CA 90007
July 1, 2025
Mr. David Nguyen
Clinic Manager
Sunrise Pediatric Therapy
(310) 555-7788 [email protected]
Dear Mr. Nguyen:
During my OTA practicum at Westside Children’s Hospital, I received praise for implementing play-based fine motor exercises that increased a cohort of preschoolers’ pencil-grip strength by 25% over four weeks.
I’m drawn to Sunrise Pediatric Therapy because your job posting highlights your sensory-integration focus and family-centered approach. Reviewing your recent partnership with local schools, I’m enthusiastic about assisting lead OTs in delivering clinic- and school-based services.
Key Achievements:
Completed 600 clinical hours across pediatric and adult outpatient settings, supporting ADL training and adaptive equipment trials
Trained in the Sensory Integration Certification Program, skilled in delivering weighted-vest and tactile-play protocols
Collaborated with occupational therapists to document progress in SOAP notes and prepare discharge summaries
I would appreciate the chance to discuss how my pediatric OTA training and collaborative spirit can contribute to Sunrise’s therapy team. Thank you for considering my application; I look forward to scheduling an interview.
Sincerely,
Casey Clark
Jordan Brown
Occupational Therapist | [email protected] | (202) 555-6789 | Washington, DC 20001
July 1, 2025
Dr. Emily Foster
Director of Rehabilitation Services
Capital Health System
(202) 555-1122 [email protected]
Dear Dr. Foster:
In my current role at Georgetown Outpatient Rehab, I increased patient independence scores by 30% through developing a community-reintegration program for TBI survivors, an initiative later adopted across three satellite clinics.
I’m enthusiastic about the Occupational Therapist opening at Capital Health System because your posting emphasizes comprehensive discharge planning and community outreach. After learning about your mobile OT van project, I’m eager to apply my program development experience to expand services to underserved neighborhoods.
Key Achievements:
Designed and led a weekly vocational-rehab workshop, helping 12 clients secure part-time employment within six months
Collaborated with social workers and physical therapists to craft 50+ home-evaluation reports, streamlining safe discharge
Certified in Neuro-IFRAH techniques, proficient in treating clients with upper-limb spasticity
I look forward to discussing how my program-building expertise and passion for inclusive care can advance Capital Health’s mission. Please let me know a convenient time for an interview.
Sincerely,
Jordan Brown
Melissa Anderson
Occupational Therapist | 123 Carpenter St., Philadelphia, PA 12345 | (123) 456-7890 | [email protected]
April 18, 2025
Ms. Lori Taylor
Hiring Manager
Boston Medical Center
(123) 456-7890 [email protected]
Dear Ms. Taylor:
Since October of last year, I have excelled as an occupational therapist at a major regional hospital, engaging with a diverse patient population and collaborating with a team of other OTs and OT assistants. I hope to bring that same dedication to Boston Medical Center as your team’s next occupational therapist.
I’m drawn to your description of a health care setting that values patients’ recovery of daily living skills after a major health event. This is my passion. Nothing motivates me more than helping patients set and achieve renewed activity and mobility goals.
My work highlights and qualifications also include the following:
Provide case managers with insight and analysis that supports responsible discharge planning
Offer ideas and suggestions to make patients’ home or work environment safer and more conducive to a healthy lifestyle
Master’s degree in occupational therapy from Temple University
Highly efficient, drawing on prior work experience in the service industry
I am available and look forward to potentially telling you more about how I can help your organization.
Sincerely,
Melissa Anderson
Raymond Ortiz
Occupational Therapist | 123 Bedford Ave., New York, NY 12345 | (123) 456-7890 | [email protected]
April 18, 2025
Ms. Meiling Li
Hiring Manager
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
(123) 456-7890 [email protected]
Dear Ms. Li:
In my current role as an occupational therapist for NY-Presbyterian Hospital, I’ve been praised for outstanding efficiency and focus on patient outcomes. I hope to bring that same level of performance to the new OT job opening at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.
Your job posting intrigued me as I’d love to support your goal of helping patients make a smooth and positive return to daily life. This is the work I’ve found most engaging and rewarding through my seven years of experience as an OT at both NY-Presbyterian and Tisch Hospital.
Below are four more of my key strengths and qualifications:
Consult closely with patients to define their personal goals for regaining mobility and resuming daily work and life activities
Collaborate with physical therapists to help determine and recommend the next phase of each patient’s recovery, drawing on a broad knowledge of available rehab, home health, and other services
Adept at planning successful discharges based on a thorough evaluation of health and safety factors at patients’ homes and workplaces
Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from Columbia University
I would welcome the chance to discuss my skills further. Please call or email me to arrange an interview. I will follow up with you soon to confirm you received my resume and see if you have any initial questions.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Raymond Ortiz
Joseph Corbin
Occupational Therapist | 123 Bridge St., Boston, MA 12345 | (123) 456-7890 | [email protected]
In my current role as an OT at Massachusetts General Hospital, I helped develop training modules that improved the performance of newly hired OT assistants. I hope to bring that same sense of teamwork and innovation to your hospital’s advertised OT position.
Your job posting spoke to me as I also believe in the value of continuous improvement in healthcare. Repeatedly I’ve earned praise from my colleagues and managers for quickly assessing health challenges and finding new ways to optimize patient outcomes. As I’ve discovered, the obstacles to a patient’s return to daily life are often numerous, but how we can help patients overcome those obstacles is limitless.
Additionally, I’d prove an asset to your organization based on my skills in these three areas:
Collaboration: Provide detailed updates after each patient consult to ensure nurses’ full awareness of progress and any ongoing concerns
Continuous improvement: Contribute ideas and strategies to streamline operations further, standardize policies, and advance team success
Patient consultation: Help individuals set clear, attainable goals for regaining mobility and resuming daily work, life, and social activities
The enclosed resume contains a complete overview of my recent work experience. I look forward to hearing from you and possibly learning more about this job opportunity soon.
Sincerely,
Joseph Corbin
How To Write an Occupational Therapist Cover Letter
A good OT cover letter usually has five sections, outlined below. When possible, connect each section to your defining health care skills and the organization’s hiring needs. The following advice and examples show what to include in your cover letter so it’s optimized for each job application.
1. Heading
At the top of the page, include:
Your name and contact information
The date
The recipient’s name, title, health organization, and contact information (when available)
(Note: Feel free to omit this section if you send your letter by email and your contact details are part of your email signature.)
Example
Melissa Anderson
Occupational Therapist | 123 Carpenter St., Philadelphia, PA 12345 | (123) 456-7890 | [email protected]
April 18, 2024
Ms. Lori Taylor
Hiring Manager
Boston Medical Center
(123) 456-7890 [email protected]
2. Salutation
Whenever you can, address your recipient by name – it’s the quickest way to signal you’re sending a job-specific letter and not a boilerplate. If you can’t find the recipient’s name, use a variation of “Dear Hiring Manager” so your greeting is still tailored somewhat to each job opening.
Examples
Dear Ms. Li:
Dear ABC Hospital Hiring Manager:
3. “Hook” or introduction
To catch the reader’s attention, start your letter with a clear example of your success as an OT. Consider how you’ve improved health care services – maybe you found a new way to support OT assistants or introduced home-based solutions for people with disabilities. In the OT cover letter example below, see how the applicant quickly connects his chosen highlight to strengths he’d bring to the hiring hospital.
Example
In my current role as an OT at Massachusetts General Hospital, I helped develop training modules that improved the performance of newly hired OT assistants. I hope to bring that same sense of teamwork and innovation to your hospital’s advertised OT position.
4. Body paragraph(s)
On a separate document or sheet of paper, take 10 minutes to brainstorm why this OT role or employer interests you. For instance, maybe the hospital emphasizes continuous procedure improvement, a key focus of your most recent job.
When you’re done brainstorming, review your notes: Do any stand out as important or persuasive? Take another 10 minutes to brainstorm and elaborate on them. Repeat this process until you have two or three concise sentences that speak to the job opening. By adding these to your cover letter, you can show managers you’re responding to their job posting directly.
Following this explanation, cite a few more of your key achievements or qualifications, possibly as bullet points.
Example
I’m drawn to your description of a health care setting that values patients’ recovery of daily living skills after a major health event. This is my passion. Nothing motivates me more than helping patients set and achieve renewed activity and mobility goals.
My work highlights and qualifications also include the following:
Provide case managers with insight and analysis that supports responsible discharge planning
Offer ideas and suggestions to make patients’ home or work environment safer and more conducive to a healthy lifestyle
Master’s degree in occupational therapy from Temple University
Highly efficient, drawing on prior work experience in the service industry
5. Call to action
Finally, request an interview for the position. Consider restating your ability to help people return to daily life smoothly. To end your cover letter, use a simple closing like “Sincerely” or “Best regards” and then your name.
Example
I would welcome the chance to discuss my skills further. Please call or email me to arrange an interview. I will follow up with you soon to confirm you received my resume and see if you have any initial questions.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Raymond Ortiz
Occupational Therapist Cover Letter Tips
1. Highlight your varied health care skills
Add a short list of bullet points to show your success in key work areas for an OT, such as patient goal-setting or discharge planning. Given the collaborative nature of your role, highlight your work with physical therapists, case managers, or patients’ family members and employers.
Example
Additionally, I’d prove an asset to your organization based on my skills in these three areas:
Collaboration: Provide detailed updates after each patient consult to ensure nurses’ full awareness of progress and any ongoing concerns
Continuous improvement: Contribute ideas and strategies to streamline operations further, standardize policies, and advance team success
Patient consultation: Help individuals set clear, attainable goals for regaining mobility and resuming daily work, life, and social activities
2. Mention your relevant traits
Desired qualities in OTs include compassion, collaboration, and adaptability. Consider which of these traits describe you best, then give an example or two of how you’ve shown them in a work setting.
3. Keep it concise
Limit your cover letter to one page, or around 250 words. Focus on work highlights, and resist the urge to tell your whole career story. Give just enough detail to pique hiring managers’ interest so they take a closer look at your resume.
Occupational Therapist Cover Letter Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between a resume and a cover letter?-
A resume may show you’re qualified for the job, but a cover letter shows you want it. More than repeating resume points, your cover letter should explain why the job caught your eye or the organization strikes you as a great fit, setting the stage for a positive interview. In this way, a good cover letter sharpens your application by letting you say directly what your resume can only indicate.
Should I say “My name is…” on a cover letter?-
No. As long as your name appears in the letter’s closing section, you don’t need to state it otherwise.
How should I format my cover letter?-
Like your resume. Carry over that document’s basic format settings, such as font style, line spacing, and page margins. When you style your cover letter like your resume, you make your application more cohesive and memorable.
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Jacob Meade is a resume writer and editor with nearly a decade of experience. His writing method centers on understanding and then expressing each person’s unique work history and strengths toward their career goal. Jacob has enjoyed working with jobseekers of all ages and career levels, finding that a clear and focused resume can help people from any walk of life. He is an Academy Certified Resume Writer (ACRW) with the Resume Writing Academy, and a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches.
