Entry Level Occupational Therapist Jobs
New grad occupational therapist jobs connect recent graduates and entry level candidates with zero to two years of experience to their first clinical roles, where strong internship work or fieldwork placements can matter more than a lengthy resume. Most openings are on-site positions across Healthcare & Medical Services, Insurance, and Education, with employers like HealthPRO Heritage, FOX Rehabilitation, and Optum hiring at this level now.
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Showing 5 of 173+ Entry Level Occupational Therapist jobs
INTRODUCTION
Attention Occupational Therapists: Exciting Opportunities at Carle Health!
At Carle Health, we're committed to investing in our therapy professionals and creating opportunities for long-term career growth. Following a recent market review, we're excited to announce:
- Increased Starting Rates!
- Enhanced Sign-On Bonuses and Relocation Assistance!
- Comprehensive Benefits Package!
- Career Ladder Program Designed to Help You Develop Skills, Advance Your Practice, and Grow Your Career!
For OTs with Less Than 1 Year of Experience:
- $7,500 Sign-On Bonus
- $5,000 Relocation Assistance (must relocate 50+ miles)
For OTs with 1+ Year of Experience:
- $10,000 Sign-On Bonus
- $5,000 Relocation Assistance (must relocate 50+ miles)
At Carle Health, you'll find more than a job. Our structured career ladder supports professional development, skill enhancement, specialty growth, leadership opportunities, and recognition as you advance throughout your career.
Your new career starts here! Don't miss the opportunity to grow professionally, achieve your goals, and make a lasting difference in the lives of patients and their families.
Responsibilities
Essential Functions
- Demonstrates ability to perform patient transfers with assistance as needed from bed, chair and floor, if applicable. Is aware of and demonstrates safe and appropriate body mechanics to reduce the risk of injury to self, staff and patients.
- Designs an appropriate plan of care that integrates goals, treatment, outcomes, and discharge plan. Adjusts the care based on patient response and available evidence.
- Educates patients, family, caregivers, students, and other health care providers using relevant and effective teaching methods.
- Evaluates clinical findings to determine physical therapy diagnoses and outcomes of care.
- Performs examination, selecting reliable and valid examination methods relevant to the chief complaint, results of screening, and history.
- Screens patients using procedures to determine the effectiveness of and need for therapy services, if appropriate.
- Uses support personnel according to legal standards and ethical guidelines. Monitors the care delivered by support personnel and provides regular feedback.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education Level
Bachelor's Degree
Field of Study
Occupational Therapy
Licenses/Certifications
Licensed Occupational Therapist (OT) - Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
And
Basic Life Support (BLS) within 30 days - American Heart Association (AHA)
COMPANY OVERVIEW
Find it here.
Discover the job, the career, the purpose you were meant for. At Carle Health, we're committed to fostering a workplace where every team member feels valued, respected and empowered, where passion and purpose come together to positively impact the lives of our patients and our communities. Find it all at Carle Health.
Our nearly 17,000 team members and providers work together to support patient care across central and southeastern Illinois. We’ve grown to include eight, award-winning hospitals and a multispecialty provider group with more than 1,500 doctors and advanced practice providers. We’re developing the next generation of providers and healthcare professionals through Carle Illinois College of Medicine, the world’s first engineering-based medical school, and Methodist College. Carle BroMenn Medical Center, Carle Foundation Hospital, Carle Health Methodist Hospital, Carle Health Proctor Hospital, Carle Health Pekin Hospital, and Carle Hoopeston Regional Health Center hold Magnet® designations, the nation’s highest honor for nursing care. We offer opportunities in several communities throughout central Illinois with potential for growth and life-long careers at Carle Health.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class. Carle Health participates in E-Verify and may provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.
SALARY RANGE
The compensation range for this position is $39.53 per hour - $67.99 per hour. This represents a good faith minimum and maximum range for the role at the time of posting by Carle Health. The actual compensation offered a candidate will be dependent on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, qualifications, location, training, licenses, shifts worked and compensation model. Carle Health offers a comprehensive benefits package for team members and providers. To learn more visit careers.carlehealth.org/benefits.
INTRODUCTION
Attention Occupational Therapists: Exciting Opportunities at Carle Health!
At Carle Health, we're committed to investing in our therapy professionals and creating opportunities for long-term career growth. Following a recent market review, we're excited to announce:
- Increased Starting Rates!
- Enhanced Sign-On Bonuses and Relocation Assistance!
- Comprehensive Benefits Package!
- Career Ladder Program Designed to Help You Develop Skills, Advance Your Practice, and Grow Your Career!
For OTs with Less Than 1 Year of Experience:
- $7,500 Sign-On Bonus
- $5,000 Relocation Assistance (must relocate 50+ miles)
For OTs with 1+ Year of Experience:
- $10,000 Sign-On Bonus
- $5,000 Relocation Assistance (must relocate 50+ miles)
At Carle Health, you'll find more than a job. Our structured career ladder supports professional development, skill enhancement, specialty growth, leadership opportunities, and recognition as you advance throughout your career.
Your new career starts here! Don't miss the opportunity to grow professionally, achieve your goals, and make a lasting difference in the lives of patients and their families.
Responsibilities
Essential Functions
- Demonstrates ability to perform patient transfers with assistance as needed from bed, chair and floor, if applicable. Is aware of and demonstrates safe and appropriate body mechanics to reduce the risk of injury to self, staff and patients.
- Designs an appropriate plan of care that integrates goals, treatment, outcomes, and discharge plan. Adjusts the care based on patient response and available evidence.
- Educates patients, family, caregivers, students, and other health care providers using relevant and effective teaching methods.
- Evaluates clinical findings to determine physical therapy diagnoses and outcomes of care.
- Performs examination, selecting reliable and valid examination methods relevant to the chief complaint, results of screening, and history.
- Screens patients using procedures to determine the effectiveness of and need for therapy services, if appropriate.
- Uses support personnel according to legal standards and ethical guidelines. Monitors the care delivered by support personnel and provides regular feedback.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education Level
Bachelor's Degree
Field of Study
Occupational Therapy
Licenses/Certifications
Licensed Occupational Therapist (OT) - Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
And
Basic Life Support (BLS) within 30 days - American Heart Association (AHA)
COMPANY OVERVIEW
Find it here.
Discover the job, the career, the purpose you were meant for. At Carle Health, we're committed to fostering a workplace where every team member feels valued, respected and empowered, where passion and purpose come together to positively impact the lives of our patients and our communities. Find it all at Carle Health.
Our nearly 17,000 team members and providers work together to support patient care across central and southeastern Illinois. We’ve grown to include eight, award-winning hospitals and a multispecialty provider group with more than 1,500 doctors and advanced practice providers. We’re developing the next generation of providers and healthcare professionals through Carle Illinois College of Medicine, the world’s first engineering-based medical school, and Methodist College. Carle BroMenn Medical Center, Carle Foundation Hospital, Carle Health Methodist Hospital, Carle Health Proctor Hospital, Carle Health Pekin Hospital, and Carle Hoopeston Regional Health Center hold Magnet® designations, the nation’s highest honor for nursing care. We offer opportunities in several communities throughout central Illinois with potential for growth and life-long careers at Carle Health.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class. Carle Health participates in E-Verify and may provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.
SALARY RANGE
The compensation range for this position is $39.53 per hour - $67.99 per hour. This represents a good faith minimum and maximum range for the role at the time of posting by Carle Health. The actual compensation offered a candidate will be dependent on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, qualifications, location, training, licenses, shifts worked and compensation model. Carle Health offers a comprehensive benefits package for team members and providers. To learn more visit careers.carlehealth.org/benefits.
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Find JobsEntry Level Occupational Therapist Job Market
Who's Hiring
- HealthPRO Heritage25
- FOX Rehabilitation14
- Optum8
- PruittHealth6
- Preferred Therapy Solutions5
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services145
- Insurance11
- Education3
- Technology & Software2
- Science & Research1
Entry Level Occupational Therapist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an entry level occupational therapist job?
Employers hiring entry level occupational therapists prioritize candidates who have completed supervised fieldwork hours, hold or are pursuing OTR/L licensure, and can demonstrate hands-on clinical skills from their academic program. A strong reference from a fieldwork supervisor, documentation of patient populations you worked with, and any specialty coursework in pediatrics, geriatrics, or rehabilitation all give new candidates a clear edge during screening.
Which companies hire entry level occupational therapists?
Companies hiring entry level occupational therapists right now include HealthPRO Heritage, FOX Rehabilitation, and Optum, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Employers at this level tend to include health systems, rehabilitation networks, school districts, and home health agencies that run structured onboarding programs designed to support new graduates transitioning into independent practice.
Are there remote entry level occupational therapist jobs?
Yes, though most occupational therapist roles at this level are on-site given the hands-on nature of the work. About 2% of entry level occupational therapist openings are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, with telehealth positions most common in mental health, early intervention, and home health settings where virtual assessments and care coordination are established practice.
Are these new grad occupational therapist jobs?
Yes, these listings include new grad, recent graduate, and junior occupational therapist roles. A posting is typically new-grad friendly when it welcomes zero to two years of experience, counts supervised fieldwork or clinical rotations toward the experience requirement, or explicitly states that a strong academic record and completed fieldwork hours are sufficient for consideration, without requiring prior independent employment.
Which industries hire the most entry level occupational therapists?
Entry Level occupational therapist roles concentrate in Healthcare & Medical Services, Insurance, and Education, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. These sectors drive entry level hiring because they operate high patient volumes, maintain dedicated onboarding structures for new clinicians, and face ongoing demand for occupational therapy services across aging, pediatric, and rehabilitation populations.