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Senior Occupational Therapist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Lead Occupational Therapist - Pediatrics Location: Durham, NC & Chapel Hill, NC Salary: $80,000 - $85,000 per year Schedule: Full-Time Our client is currently hiring a Lead Occupational Therapist to ...

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Senior Occupational Therapist information

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$51.5K

$74.5K

$111.5K

How much do senior occupational therapist jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior occupational therapist in the United States is $74,494.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $62,500.00 and $79,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a senior occupational therapist?

Senior Occupational Therapists are experienced healthcare professionals who help individuals of all ages develop, recover, or maintain the skills needed for daily living and working. They assess patients' physical, mental, and emotional abilities and design personalized interventions to improve their independence and quality of life. As 'senior' practitioners, they often take on leadership roles, supervising junior staff, managing caseloads, and contributing to service development within healthcare settings.

How does a senior occupational therapist typically support and mentor junior team members?

As a Senior Occupational Therapist, you will often play a key role in guiding and mentoring less experienced therapists. This includes providing clinical supervision, sharing best practices, assisting with complex cases, and offering feedback on treatment plans. You may also facilitate training sessions, support continuing education, and help foster a collaborative team environment. This mentorship not only enhances team performance but also contributes to your own professional growth as a leader within the department.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior occupational therapist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Occupational Therapist, you need advanced clinical knowledge in occupational therapy, a relevant degree, national certification, and several years of experience in the field. Familiarity with standardized assessment tools, electronic health records, and adaptive equipment is essential, along with potential specialized certifications such as hand therapy or neuro-rehabilitation. Strong leadership, mentorship, communication, and problem-solving skills help you effectively guide junior staff and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams. These competencies are crucial for delivering high-quality patient care, driving team development, and ensuring positive rehabilitation outcomes.

What is the difference between Senior Occupational Therapist vs Occupational Therapist?

AspectSenior Occupational TherapistOccupational Therapist
CredentialsRequires relevant licensure, certification, and often 5+ years experienceRequires licensure and certification, entry to mid-level experience
Work EnvironmentSupervises staff, manages complex cases, involved in program developmentProvides therapy services directly to clients, assesses needs, develops treatment plans
Employer & Industry UsageHospitals, clinics, schools, rehabilitation centers, often in leadership rolesHospitals, clinics, schools, community health settings

The main difference between a Senior Occupational Therapist and an Occupational Therapist lies in experience, responsibilities, and leadership roles. Senior Occupational Therapists typically have more experience, oversee other staff, and handle complex cases, while Occupational Therapists focus on direct client care and treatment planning.

What cities are hiring for Senior Occupational Therapist jobs?

Cities with the most Senior Occupational Therapist job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Occupational Therapist jobs?

The most popular types of Occupational Therapist jobs are:

Who are the top companies hiring for Senior Occupational Therapist jobs?

The top employers for Senior Occupational Therapist jobs are:

What states have the most Senior Occupational Therapist jobs?

States with the most job openings for Senior Occupational Therapist jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Senior Occupational Therapist jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Senior Occupational Therapist jobs are:

Infographic showing various Senior Occupational Therapist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 5% As Needed, 55% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 22% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $74,494 per year, or $35.8 per hour.

Occupational Therapist | Staff-Senior | Acute Care | Medical Center University | 50% Line

The University Of Iowa

Iowa City, IA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 22 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Deliver care for patients with complex challenges, focusing on helping patients regain function, maximize independence, and safely transition through their continuum of care.

  • Lead innovative, patient-centered care as part of a collaborative inpatient team.

  • Contribute to a results-driven environment by improving patient outcomes and supporting multidisciplinary medical team efforts.


University Of Iowa rating

6.9

Company rating: 6.9 out of 10

Based on 85 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

464th of 630 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Senior Occupational Therapist | Inpatient Acute Care
The Department of Rehabilitation Therapies seeks a Senior Occupational Therapist to join our collaborative team at the Medical Center University Campus. In this role, you will lead innovative, patient-centered care for individuals facing complex challenges, focusing on helping patients regain function, maximize independence, and safely transition through their continuum of care. We are seeking a motivated clinician who is passionate about leading patient outcomes and contributing to a collaborative, results-driven environment. Ready to elevate your career in a dynamic Inpatient setting? Apply today and join the #1 hospital in Iowa. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of our patients!

Occupational Therapist | Inpatient Acute Care
Join the Department of Rehabilitation Therapies as an Occupational Therapist at our Medical Center University Campus! In this role, you will deliver care for patients with complex challenges, focused on helping patients regain function, maximize independence, and safely transition through their continuum of care. Entry-level applicants are highly encouraged to apply, with excellent opportunities for mentorship and continuing education. We are seeking a motivated early-career clinician who is eager to launch their career by improving patient outcomes and thriving in a results-driven environment. Work with a supportive Inpatient team in an academic medical setting and make a meaningful difference in the lives of our patients - apply today!

About Iowa Health Care
University of Iowa Health Care-recognized as one of the best hospitals in the United States-is Iowa's only comprehensive academic medical system. Each day more than 20,000 employees, students, and volunteers work together to provide safe, quality health care and excellent service for our patients. UI Health Care's University Medical Center has evolved from a modest 20-bed clinic founded in 1873 into Iowa's only tertiary-level medical center. Our academic roots run deep, having established the first university-based teaching hospital west of the Mississippi in 1898. Throughout the 20th century, our institution pioneered numerous breakthroughs in medicine while expanding into a regional referral hub. Today, UI Health Care's University Medical Center continues this legacy by leading our mission: "Changing Medicine. Changing Lives."

Qualifications | Senior Occupational Therapist | Inpatient Acute Care
Required Qualifications:
    A minimum of a bachelor's degree or equivalent in Occupational Therapy is required.
    Licensure in accordance with the Iowa Board of Physical and Occupational Therapy is required.
    2+ years of experience in Occupational Therapy is required, with a high degree of understanding and skill in one or more areas of assigned         responsibility.
    Demonstrated skills in clinical education abilities.
    Demonstrated leadership abilities.
    Demonstrated experience as part of a multidisciplinary medical team.
    Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required. 
Desirable Qualifications:
    3+ years of experience in Occupational Therapy.
    3+ years of experience in one or more assigned areas of responsibility is desired.
    Ability to practice in an autonomous manner.
    Demonstrated effectiveness and efficiency in provision of patient care.
    Demonstrated effort to enhance one's own knowledge, skills, and abilities.
    Demonstrated program/service development or quality improvement projects.

Qualifications | Occupational Therapist | Inpatient Acute Care
Required Qualifications:
    A minimum of a bachelor's degree or equivalent in Occupational Therapy is required.
    Licensure in accordance with the Iowa Board of Physical and Occupational Therapy is required.
    Entry level experience in Occupational Therapy, with proven education in one or more areas of assigned responsibility.
    Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required. 
Desirable Qualifications:
    1-3 years of experience in Occupational Therapy.
    1-3 years of experience in treating patients with Behavioral Health needs.
    Demonstrated experience as part of a multidisciplinary medical team.

Additional Details
Application Information:
To be considered for an interview, applicants must upload both of the following documents and mark them as a "Relevant File" to the submission. Please indicate in your cover letter whether you are applying for the Staff or Senior Position.
    Resume
    Cover Letter
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. This job may be removed from posting and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended. Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. Up to five professional references will be requested at a later stage in the recruitment process. For additional questions, please contact Matt Hackler, HR Generalist at mhackler@uiowa.edu. This position is not eligible for university sponsorship for employment authorization.
Classification Information:
    Classification Title: Occupational Therapist | Senior Occupational Therapist
    Appointment Type: SEIU
    Classification Time: This position is a 50% line at 20 hours per week.
    Schedule: Shift falls between 8:00am - 5:00pm. Scheduled weekly on Monday and Tuesday, and one weekend a month.
    Location: On site, this position is performed fully on the campus of UI Health Care's University Medical Center at 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa            City, IA 52242.
Compensation Information:
    Pay Level: 06 | 08.
    Pay Plan: SEIU Pay Plan | University Human Resources - The University of Iowa
Contact Information:
    Organization: Rehabilitation Therapies, Medical Center University Campus
    Contact Name: Matthew Hackler, HR Generalist
    Contact Email: mhackler@uiowa.edu

Additional Information
  • Classification Title: Senior Occupational Therapist
  • Appointment Type: SEIU
  • Schedule: Part-time
  • Work Modality Options: On Campus
Compensation
  • Pay Level: 08
Contact Information
  • Organization: Healthcare
  • Contact Name: Matt Hackler, HR Generalist
  • Contact Email: mhackler@uiowa.edu

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