Occupational Therapist

Occupational Therapist – Advocate Health Care

Base Pay Range: $37.50/hr – $56.25/hr
$5,000 sign on bonus for new hire.

• Interprets physician referrals and evaluates the patient's physical, cognitive, social, and vocational abilities and their impact on activities of daily living.
• Establishes a plan of care and implements individualized treatment based on functional goals, including assistive devices and splints to enhance functional independence.
• Monitors and evaluates outcomes and adjusts treatment plans based on patient response; provides status updates to physicians and team members.
• Identifies factors affecting patient comfort and attends to these needs.
• Plans for patient discharge, including written home programs, patient/family teaching, community service referrals, transition planning, and ordering equipment.
• Documents compliance with department policy and accreditation standards, including patient evaluations, progress notes, team conference reports, and discharge summaries.
• Records patient care and progress, completes daily statistics, billing, and scheduling, and applies insurance guidelines regarding authorization and visit limits.
• Maintains site productivity standards and adheres to all billing and documentation policies.
• Helps keep area clean and orderly; performs manual techniques, patient positioning, and transferring duties requiring proper lifting technique.
• Demonstrates skill in modalities, exercise equipment, and other devices; promotes patient safety through safety initiatives and infection control measures.
• Participates in performance improvement activities and manages assigned caseload, informing leadership of coverage needs.
• Pursues professional growth through continuing education and departmental in‑services; orients new staff and participates in coworker evaluation.
• May supervise occupational therapy assistants, extenders, and students following state and local compliance requirements.

Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited school; continuing education requirements mandated by state professional standards.

Licensed Occupational Therapist in the state of employment. Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (BLS) obtained within 90 days unless otherwise determined.

No experience required.

• Intermediate computer skills.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organization skills.
• Demonstrated organization, decision‑making, and problem‑solving skills.
• Successfully completes all competency assessments required for patient care.
• Annual educational requirements for hospital‑based certifications (e.g., DNV, CARF).
• Knowledge of growth and development principles and ability to assess data reflective of patient status.

• Must be able to sit, stand, walk, lift, and squat throughout the workday.
• Lift up to 50 lbs from floor to waist; up to 10 lbs from waist to overhead; up to 40 lbs at waist height over a reasonable distance.
• Push/pull with 30 lbs of force; perform a sliding transfer of 150 lbs with a second person present.
• Repetitive use of hands: simple grasping 5–15 lbs (20% of workday); pushing/pulling up to 75–100 lbs (10% of day); fine manipulation during massage and joint mobilization.
• Use of protective clothing as needed; may require travel and exposure to road and weather hazards.

All responsibilities and requirements are subject to possible modification to accommodate individuals with disabilities. This job description does not list all duties; employees may be requested to perform other job‑related instructions.