Entry Level Occupational Therapy Assistant Jobs
New grad occupational therapy assistant jobs open doors for recent graduates and entry level candidates with zero to two years of experience, where a strong clinical internship or fieldwork portfolio can matter more than a long resume. Most openings are on-site roles across Healthcare & Medical Services, Education, and Insurance, with employers like National HealthCare Corporation, PruittHealth, and FOX Rehabilitation hiring at this level now.
Find JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 88+ Entry Level Occupational Therapy Assistant jobs
Facility:
CoxHealth South: 3801 S National Ave, Springfield, Missouri, United States of America, 65807
Department:
1089 Acute Therapy South
Scheduled Weekly Hours:
36
Hours:
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Work Shift:
Day Shift (United States of America)
CoxHealth is a leading healthcare system serving 25 counties across southwest Missouri and northern Arkansas. The organization includes six hospitals, 5 ERs, and over 80 clinics. CoxHealth has earned the following honors for workplace excellence:
- Named one of Modern Healthcare’s Best Places to work five times.
- Named one of America’s Greatest Workplaces, Greatest Workplaces in Healthcare (2025, 2026), Greatest Workplaces for Women (2023, 2024), and Greatest Workplaces for Diversity (2024) by Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group.
- Acknowledged by Forbes as one of the Best Employers for New Grads.
- Healthcare Innovation's Top Companies to Work for in Healthcare (2025).
Benefits
- Medical, Vision, Dental, Retirement with Employer Match and more (20+ hrs/week)
- For a comprehensive list of benefits, please click here: Benefits | CoxHealth
Job Description:
Overview of Unit/Department
Acute Care at Cox South Hospital’s main campus is a fast-paced, team-oriented environment where therapists make a meaningful impact every day. Working across units like the ICU and medical-surgical floors, you’ll gain diverse clinical experience while continuing to grow your skills. We offer a strong mentorship program to support new graduates and those new to acute care, along with a collaborative culture where teamwork is key. It’s a great place to learn, feel supported, and build a rewarding career.
Additional Information About the Position for Qualified Candidates
- Up to $6,000 Sign-On Bonus
- Up to 40 hours of front-loaded Paid Time Off
- Up to $3,000 Relocation bonus
- Clinical Ladder up to $5,000
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) qualifying employer
Job Summary
A Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant has the responsibility to carry out the plan of care as outlined by the supervising Occupational Therapist. This plan of care is designed to improve functional movement and independence with daily tasks through activities that will decrease pain, improve strength, range of motion, endurance, and coordination. The primary functions are to perform patient related activities, including delegated procedures that are commensurate with his/her educational skill and training. These activities may include therapeutic exercise and activities, ADL training, fine motor skills and coordination, physical agents/modalities, and patient education. The incumbent has the responsibility for maintaining standards of professional and ethical practice in the provision of Occupational Therapy services.
Education
Required: Graduate of an accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
Experience
No prior experience required
Skills
- Good clinical expertise
- Communication skills
- Human relations skills
- Organizational skills required
- Self-motivated individual who can work independently with little direct supervision required
- Has demonstrated interest in professional growth by attendance at continuing education workshops, and applications of new principles and/or techniques.
Licensure/Certification/Registration
Required: License for Occupational Therapy Assistant active in the state of Missouri
Facility:
CoxHealth South: 3801 S National Ave, Springfield, Missouri, United States of America, 65807
Department:
1089 Acute Therapy South
Scheduled Weekly Hours:
36
Hours:
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Work Shift:
Day Shift (United States of America)
CoxHealth is a leading healthcare system serving 25 counties across southwest Missouri and northern Arkansas. The organization includes six hospitals, 5 ERs, and over 80 clinics. CoxHealth has earned the following honors for workplace excellence:
- Named one of Modern Healthcare’s Best Places to work five times.
- Named one of America’s Greatest Workplaces, Greatest Workplaces in Healthcare (2025, 2026), Greatest Workplaces for Women (2023, 2024), and Greatest Workplaces for Diversity (2024) by Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group.
- Acknowledged by Forbes as one of the Best Employers for New Grads.
- Healthcare Innovation's Top Companies to Work for in Healthcare (2025).
Benefits
- Medical, Vision, Dental, Retirement with Employer Match and more (20+ hrs/week)
- For a comprehensive list of benefits, please click here: Benefits | CoxHealth
Job Description:
Overview of Unit/Department
Acute Care at Cox South Hospital’s main campus is a fast-paced, team-oriented environment where therapists make a meaningful impact every day. Working across units like the ICU and medical-surgical floors, you’ll gain diverse clinical experience while continuing to grow your skills. We offer a strong mentorship program to support new graduates and those new to acute care, along with a collaborative culture where teamwork is key. It’s a great place to learn, feel supported, and build a rewarding career.
Additional Information About the Position for Qualified Candidates
- Up to $6,000 Sign-On Bonus
- Up to 40 hours of front-loaded Paid Time Off
- Up to $3,000 Relocation bonus
- Clinical Ladder up to $5,000
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) qualifying employer
Job Summary
A Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant has the responsibility to carry out the plan of care as outlined by the supervising Occupational Therapist. This plan of care is designed to improve functional movement and independence with daily tasks through activities that will decrease pain, improve strength, range of motion, endurance, and coordination. The primary functions are to perform patient related activities, including delegated procedures that are commensurate with his/her educational skill and training. These activities may include therapeutic exercise and activities, ADL training, fine motor skills and coordination, physical agents/modalities, and patient education. The incumbent has the responsibility for maintaining standards of professional and ethical practice in the provision of Occupational Therapy services.
Education
Required: Graduate of an accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
Experience
No prior experience required
Skills
- Good clinical expertise
- Communication skills
- Human relations skills
- Organizational skills required
- Self-motivated individual who can work independently with little direct supervision required
- Has demonstrated interest in professional growth by attendance at continuing education workshops, and applications of new principles and/or techniques.
Licensure/Certification/Registration
Required: License for Occupational Therapy Assistant active in the state of Missouri
See All 88 Entry Level Occupational Therapy Assistant Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsEntry Level Occupational Therapy Assistant Job Market
Who's Hiring
- National HealthCare Corporation12
- PruittHealth9
- FOX Rehabilitation9
- Optum7
- Preferred Therapy Solutions5
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services71
- Education7
- Insurance7
- Technology & Software1
- Government & Public Sector1
Entry Level Occupational Therapy Assistant Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an entry level occupational therapy assistant job?
Employers at the entry level look for candidates who hold an associate degree from an accredited OTA program and have passed the NBCOT certification exam. Completed fieldwork hours carry real weight at this stage, so highlight specific patient populations and settings from your clinical rotations. A concise cover letter that names the facility type you want to work in gives you a clear edge over generic applications.
Which companies hire entry level occupational therapy assistants?
Companies hiring entry level occupational therapy assistants right now include National HealthCare Corporation, PruittHealth, and FOX Rehabilitation, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Hiring at this level comes from a broad mix of employers, including skilled nursing facilities, outpatient rehabilitation clinics, school districts, and home health agencies actively building their therapy teams.
Are there remote entry level occupational therapy assistant jobs?
Yes, though most OTA roles require hands-on patient care in a clinical setting. About 0% of entry level occupational therapy assistant openings are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those positions typically involve documentation support, telehealth assistance, or administrative coordination rather than direct treatment delivery.
Are these new grad occupational therapy assistant jobs?
Yes, these listings include new grad, recent graduate, and junior occupational therapy assistant roles. A posting is new-grad friendly when it welcomes candidates with zero to two years of experience, counts supervised fieldwork or clinical rotations toward the experience requirement, or explicitly states that recent graduates are encouraged to apply. Searching for new grad openings here surfaces those roles directly.
Which industries hire the most entry level occupational therapy assistants?
Entry Level occupational therapy assistant roles concentrate in Healthcare & Medical Services, Education, and Insurance, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Those sectors drive hiring at this level because they maintain high patient volumes, face ongoing staffing needs, and regularly onboard new graduates to support licensed occupational therapists across their caseloads.