Skills Every Occupational Therapist Should Have

Published on: February 4, 2025

Occupational therapy skills help individuals who have injuries, illnesses or disabilities overcome challenges and lead independent lives. Successful therapists leverage interpersonal, technical and problem-solving abilities to assess and treat patients. Read on to explore the key skills every excellent occupational therapist should possess. 

Get Your Occupational Therapy Degree

The Importance of Continuous Skill Development for OTs 

Continuous skill development allows occupational therapists to adapt to new challenges and advancements in treatment. OTs must engage in ongoing learning across various settings to meet patients' unique needs. This professional growth ensures they provide the best care and stay ahead in an evolving field. 

Interpersonal Skills for Occupational Therapists  

Strong interpersonal skills help occupational therapists build trust and provide compassionate care. Specifically, here’s how effective communication, empathy, adaptability, patience and emotional resilience enable therapists to navigate challenges and meet diverse patient needs:  

Communication Skills  

Communication is one of the most essential skills for an occupational therapist. It builds trust and fosters clear understanding with patients, caregivers and colleagues. Active listening — such as paraphrasing and validating concerns — helps therapists truly hear their patients' needs. Nonverbal cues (like eye contact and body language) also play a pivotal part in conveying empathy. Additionally, being mindful of different communication styles, whether analytical or personal, allows therapists to adapt and better connect with diverse individuals in order to ultimately improve patient care.  

Empathy and Compassion

Empathy and compassion are fundamental OT skills that allow therapists to connect with patients on a deeper level. They can provide emotional support by understanding and sharing a patient's feelings, thereby helping them feel validated. Compassion drives therapists to take action in addressing the physical, emotional and psychological challenges patients face. These skills are crucial in creating a supportive environment, building trust and improving patient care outcomes.

Adaptability and Flexibility

Flexible therapists know how to adjust their approach based on the needs of each patient. In a variety of settings, from hospitals to schools, therapists must quickly assess situations and modify treatment plans accordingly. This ability to adapt means that therapists can provide effective care regardless of changing environments or patient conditions. 

Patience and Emotional Resilience 

Occupational therapists rely on patience and emotional resilience to manage patient care complexities. These skills help them stay calm and focused — providing steady support and encouragement even during setbacks — as resilient therapists know how to remain positive and effective in high-stress environments.  

Technical Skills and Knowledge 

Occupational therapy skills extend beyond interpersonal abilities to encompass technical expertise in treatment planning, evaluation and anatomy. These skills enable therapists to address each patient's needs and deliver high-quality care.

Assessment and Evaluation 

Assessment and evaluation provide occupational therapists with a detailed understanding of a patient's abilities, challenges and goals. Through standardized tests and clinical observations, therapists gather the necessary data to create personalized treatment plans. This process ensures interventions are tailored to address each patient's specific needs.  

Treatment Planning and Implementation 

Executing treatments in occupational therapy revolves around developing individualized approaches to meet each distinct patient needs in a variety of settings. Therapists collaborate with patients, families and care partners to create intervention plans that outline specific goals and strategies for improving patient care. These plans may include numerous methods — such as education, assistive technology and environmental modifications — customized to support the patient’s engagement in daily activities. Regular reviews and adjustments keep the plan effective and aligned with the individual’s progress, thus improving their quality of life and independence. 

Knowledge of Anatomy and Physiology  

A firm grasp of anatomy and physiology is fundamental for occupational therapists to assess and address clients' physical limitations effectively. This knowledge allows therapists to identify how impairments in body structures and functions impact daily activities, guiding the development of targeted interventions. Applying anatomical and physiological principles also helps these professionals create strategies that boost functional independence and overall well-being. 

Assistive Technology and Adaptive Equipment Use 

Occupational therapists leverage assistive technology and adaptive equipment to help patients overcome physical limitations and assist with daily functioning. Ranging from basic devices like grab bars to high-tech solutions like smart home systems, these tools are designed to meet individual patient needs. Incorporating them into treatment plans helps patients regain independence, improve their quality of life and participate more fully in daily activities in a way that fosters greater autonomy. 

Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking Skills of OTs 

Problem-solving and critical thinking are core skills for an occupational therapist in developing effective treatment plans. These competencies help OTs assess complex patient needs and create tailored solutions that enhance functionality. 

Developing Creative Solutions 

Occupational therapists must be able to develop creative solutions to address the unique challenges each patient faces. By thinking outside the box, they design personalized interventions that elevate independence and daily functioning. This adaptability improves patient care and contributes to more successful treatment outcomes.

Quick Decision-Making

Making swift decisions is one of the key OT skills that therapists rely on to respond to changes in a patient’s condition or progress. This ability to adjust treatment plans at a moment’s notice empowers therapists to provide timely interventions and better support patients throughout their treatment. 

Collaboration and Teamwork 

Collaboration and teamwork are occupational therapy skills that make it easier to work effectively with patients, families and other healthcare professionals. 

Working With Other Healthcare Professionals 

Occupational therapists collaborate closely with other healthcare professionals to deliver comprehensive and well-coordinated patient care. Sharing insights and aligning goals with physical therapists, speech-language pathologists and others, OT professionals help create a unified approach to treatment that enhances patient outcomes. 

Family and Caregiver Involvement

Engaging family members and caregivers (along with patients) in the therapeutic process bolsters the effectiveness of occupational therapy skills. The involvement of these parties in treatment planning and goal setting ensures interventions remain relevant and sustainable within the home environment. This collaborative approach empowers caregivers, reduces their burden and promotes better health outcomes for patients. 

Professional Development and Ethical Responsibility 

Other central aspects of occupational therapy practice are professional development and ethical responsibility; in other words, OTs must continuously elevate their skills and adhere to ethical standards to provide the best care for their patients. 

Commitment to Continuing Education

Continuing education allows occupational therapists to stay informed about the latest advancements in their field. They expand their skills and expertise by participating in an accredited occupational therapy program and pursuing further learning opportunities. This ongoing commitment to education helps them deliver the best care and stay adaptable to evolving patient needs. 

Ethical and Legal Awareness 

Occupational therapists are expected to uphold ethical and legal standards in their practice. This includes adhering to the Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics — which outlines principles such as beneficence, nonmaleficence, autonomy, justice, veracity and fidelity. Following these guidelines ensures therapists maintain ethical and legal compliance, in turn cultivating trust and promoting positive patient outcomes.

Build Your Occupational Therapy Skillset at Husson

Occupational therapists need a solid foundation of essential occupational therapy skills to provide quality care. At Husson University, our Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) degree program offers the training and knowledge required to excel in this field. Learn how our occupational therapy program could help you make a difference in patient care by requesting more information today.  

Get Your Occupational Therapy Degree