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Burn Care Occupational Therapist

Burn care occupational therapists (OTs) guide patients through recovery by restoring daily function, preventing complications, and supporting psychosocial healing. Their expertise helps survivors regain independence and quality of life after burn injuries.


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Find Burn Care Occupational Therapist Jobs

Explore openings in specialized burn centers, trauma hospitals, and rehabilitation programs. Many institutions also offer fellowship or residency programs that deepen expertise in burn rehabilitation and the management of complex scars.


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What Does a Burn Care Occupational Therapist Do?

OTs help patients recover movement, manage scars, and regain the ability to perform everyday tasks. They create custom splints, teach adaptive strategies, support emotional healing, and guide survivors back to work, school, and community life.

Typical Work Environments

  • Specialized burn centers and ICUs (intensive care units)

  • Rehabilitation hospitals and outpatient clinics 

  • Academic medical centers 

  • Community hospitals and trauma units

Key Responsibilities

  • Prevent and manage contractures with splinting and stretching 

  • Train patients in activities of daily living (ADLs) 

  • Apply scar management techniques like compression garments and massage 

  • Support psychosocial adjustment and coping 

  • Collaborate with burn care teams and participate in family education

Career Growth and Leadership

OTs can advance into lead therapist roles, burn program coordinators, clinical educators, or researchers. ABA membership and specialized certification open doors to professional growth and leadership in burn rehabilitation.

What Makes a Successful Burn Care Occupational Therapist? 

Empathy, creativity, and adaptability are key. Burn OTs balance hands-on technical skill with a holistic view of each patient’s physical, emotional, and social recovery journey.

Essential Certifications for Burn Care Occupational Therapists

  • Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR) licensure 

  • Advanced Burn Life Support (ABLS) certification 

  • Burn Therapist Certified (BTC) from the American Burn Association 

  • Ongoing CEUs in burn rehab, scar management, and psychosocial care


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Burn care occupational therapy is about so much more than mobility; it’s about helping patients rediscover what makes life meaningful. Through ABA’s education and network, I’ve learned new interventions, shared ideas with colleagues, and grown into a stronger clinician and advocate.

Miranda Yelvington, PhD, OTR/L, BCPR, BT-C
Burn Care Occupational Therapist and ABA Member

Elevate Your Burn Rehabilitation Career

The ABA supports burn OTs with specialized education, certification resources, and a professional network dedicated to improving survivor outcomes. Join a community where your expertise transforms lives.


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