Occupational Therapist Resume Examples for Canada (2026)
A occupational therapist resume needs to demonstrate functional independence outcomes, not just session counts — and in Canada, it needs to do that in the format local recruiters and ATS software actually expect.
What employers in Canada expect in this format
- Length: One page for early career
- Photo: No photo
- State work authorization clearly if not a citizen/PR (e.g. PGWP)
- Single column, standard section headings
- French version worth having for Quebec roles
See the full Canada resume format guide for the complete breakdown, or the full occupational therapist writing guide for the bullet-point formula and skills breakdown.
Must-have skills for a Occupational Therapist resume
Lead with these — they're the terms both recruiters and ATS software actually screen for in this role:
- Patient assessment
- Treatment plan development
- Adaptive equipment training
- Documentation
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
Nice-to-have skills
- OTR license
- Pediatric/geriatric specialty
- EMR systems
Sample occupational therapist resume bullet points
Starting points to adapt with your own real numbers — never copy these onto your own resume as-is.
- Developed and delivered individualized treatment plans for a caseload of 10-14 patients across acute rehab and outpatient settings
- Trained 30+ patients on adaptive equipment use, improving independent-living task completion rates by 25%
- Collaborated with a 6-person interdisciplinary care team to coordinate discharge planning for complex cases
Mistakes occupational therapist candidates make applying in Canada
- Omitting work-permit status (PGWP, work permit, PR) when applying as a newcomer — Canadian employers often need this confirmed before they'll interview
- Using an American-style resume that skips Canadian spelling conventions and section norms
Frequently asked questions
How long should a occupational therapist resume be in Canada?
One page for early career is the standard for Canada. Keep it focused on the skills and results that best demonstrate functional independence outcomes, not just session counts.
What skills should a occupational therapist resume highlight for Canada?
Lead with: Patient assessment, Treatment plan development, Adaptive equipment training, Documentation. These are the terms recruiters and ATS software actually screen for in this role.
Does a resume for Canada need a photo?
No photo
What's the biggest mistake occupational therapist candidates make applying in Canada?
Omitting work-permit status (PGWP, work permit, PR) when applying as a newcomer — Canadian employers often need this confirmed before they'll interview