Therapy / Rehab - Occupational Therapist (OT)

Job Description

What Most Job Listings Don’t Tell You

General overview for this role type — specific duties and requirements vary by employer.

Therapy positions in senior living settings differ significantly from outpatient clinic work. Rather than seeing patients for isolated injuries, you will work with older adults managing multiple chronic conditions — fall recovery, post-stroke rehabilitation, degenerative joint disease, and cognitive decline are common caseloads. Texas requires active licensure through the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (PT/PTA) or the equivalent board for OT and SLP professionals.

Many therapy roles in this setting are provided through contract rehab companies rather than direct facility employment, which affects benefits, scheduling, and productivity requirements. Productivity expectations typically range from 75-90% of billable hours, and Medicare documentation requirements are substantial. The upside is meaningful patient relationships — you will see the same residents regularly and track real functional progress over weeks and months rather than brief clinical encounters.

What to Expect in This Role Day-to-Day

Based on typical senior living facilities in the Houston area.

Your schedule is built around individual treatment sessions, usually 30-45 minutes each, with residents either in a dedicated therapy gym or in their rooms for those with mobility limitations. Morning sessions tend to focus on functional mobility — transfers, gait training, balance work — when residents have the most energy. Afternoon sessions often address fine motor skills, cognitive exercises, or maintenance programs.

Between sessions, you will document progress notes, update care plans, and coordinate with nursing staff on resident status changes. Interdisciplinary team meetings happen weekly at most facilities, where therapy, nursing, dietary, and activities staff align on resident goals. Evaluations and re-certifications for Medicare-covered stays require detailed clinical justification. Many therapists in senior living settings find the pace more sustainable than hospital or outpatient environments, with more time for genuine therapeutic relationships.

Houston Area Salary Data

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Healthcare Social Worker positions in the Houston metro area earn a median wage of $35.11/hr ($73,029/yr). The typical range is $24.60 – $39.89/hr (25th–75th percentile).

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX Metro Area). Salary data provided by Houston Senior Living Guide.