Creating a great school-based certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA) resume is all about showing off your unique skills and dedication to helping students succeed. Whether you’re new to the field or looking to advance your career, your resume is the key to standing out in this growing profession.
In this guide, we’ll take you through how you can highlight your experience, certifications, and those essential interpersonal skills that make you an amazing school COTA. With the right approach, you’ll be ready to impress employers and land the next big opportunity.
School-Based Occupational Therapy Assistant Resume Examples
Before you get started writing your own COTA resume, check out the school-based occupational therapy assistant resume template below to get a good idea of how a well-rounded resume should look.
What to Include on Your School-Based Occupational Therapy Assistant Resume
Including the right information is essential to making your COTA resume stand out. Below is a guide to help you structure your resume and highlight your qualifications:
- Contact Information: Ensure your full name, phone number, professional email address, and location are accurate and prominently displayed. This is often the first impression you make, so keep it professional and clear.
- Objective Statement: Begin with a brief summary that emphasizes your strengths as a school COTA. Highlight your key skills, certifications, and career goals—such as your experience supporting occupational therapists in school settings, working with students with disabilities, and your dedication to enhancing students’ academic and functional performance.
- License and Certifications: List all relevant credentials, such as your Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) designation, state licensure, and any additional training (e.g., sensory integration techniques, assistive technology, or handwriting interventions). Include the issuing organization and expiration dates.
- Professional Experience: Organize your work history in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent role. Include your job title, employer, location, and dates of employment. Use bullet points to detail your contributions, such as assisting with therapy sessions, implementing school-based intervention plans designed by OTs, supporting students with fine and gross motor skill development, and collaborating with teachers and parents to promote student success.
- Education: Include your academic qualifications, such as an associate degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant Studies. Be sure to include the institution’s name and your graduation date. If you have completed any specialized school-based training, include those as well.
- Skills: Highlight your technical expertise and interpersonal abilities. Include skills such as proficiency in sensory processing interventions, fine and gross motor development, IEP support, assistive technology use, and documentation software, along with traits like patience, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.
Additional School COTA Resume Best Practices
In addition to including the above information, you will also want to follow these guidelines to ensure your resume catches the eye of potential employers.
- Incorporate COTA-specific keywords: Use terms such as “sensory integration,” “handwriting interventions,” “fine and gross motor skill development,” “assistive technology support,” and “student progress monitoring” to align your resume with school-based COTA roles and ensure it is optimized for applicant tracking systems (ATS).
- Keep your layout professional and easy to read: Choose a clean font and organize your resume into clearly defined sections with headings. A straightforward structure ensures hiring managers can quickly locate your qualifications.
- Use bullet points for clarity: Present your skills and accomplishments in concise bullet points. This format makes your resume easy to skim, helping recruiters identify key details at a glance.
- Tailor your resume for each job: Customize your application to reflect the specific requirements in the job description. Highlight relevant certifications, hands-on experience with students of varying abilities, and any specialized therapy techniques you’ve mastered.
- Focus on action-oriented language: Use dynamic verbs such as “assisted,” “facilitated,” “guided,” “implemented,” and “collaborated” to effectively communicate your responsibilities and achievements.
- Quantify your impact: Whenever possible, include measurable outcomes to demonstrate your contributions. For example, “assisted with therapy for a caseload of 20+ students weekly” or “helped improve ADL performance by 30% over three months.”
- Proofread thoroughly: Carefully review your resume to catch any spelling, grammar, or formatting errors. A polished, mistake-free resume reflects your professionalism and attention to detail.
COTA Resume FAQs
How long should my COTA resume be?
A COTA resume should ideally be one page, especially for those with limited experience. For seasoned professionals with extensive certifications or achievements, a two-page resume is acceptable, but only if all information is relevant and concise. Be sure to focus on showcasing your most impactful skills and experiences to keep it clear and easy to read.
What skills should I include on my COTA resume?
You will want to include a combination of both hard and soft skills to demonstrate your ability as a well-rounded candidate. Examples of both include:
Hard skills:
- Student care
- Treatment implementation
- Knowledge of medical conditions
- Documentation and reporting
- Adaptive equipment and assistive technology
- Fine motor skill development
- Activities of daily living training
- Sensory processing
Soft skills:
- Time management
- Active listening
- Problem-solving
- Interpersonal skills
- Attention to detail
- Teamwork
- Adaptability
Find Your Next COTA Job with Sunbelt!
By following this guide, you’ll be well on your way to crafting a standout school-based COTA resume that highlights your expertise and dedication to student success!
If you’re ready to find your next school-based COTA job opportunity, contact Sunbelt today. Our team is here to help match you with the perfect position that aligns with your skills and career goals.