Occupational Therapist | Acute | Temporary

Avera Health, a regional health system based in Sioux Falls, SD, is seeking a Temporary Acute Care Occupational Therapist to join our Healthcare & Medical Services team. In this role, you will provide patient-centered occupational therapy services to individuals admitted to our acute care units, helping them regain or optimize functional independence and safely transition to the next level of care.
Working within Avera Health’s culture of compassion, hospitality, and stewardship, you will collaborate closely with physicians, nurses, case managers, physical and speech therapists, and other members of the interdisciplinary team. Your primary responsibilities will include completing comprehensive occupational therapy evaluations, developing and implementing individualized treatment plans, and providing evidence-based interventions focused on activities of daily living (ADLs), functional mobility, cognition, and upper extremity function. You will educate patients and families on safe techniques, equipment use, and home programs to support ongoing recovery after discharge.
Daily work will involve performing timely assessments of functional status, documenting findings and progress in the electronic medical record, and participating in care conferences and discharge planning. You will make recommendations for durable medical equipment and post-acute care needs, contribute to fall prevention and safety initiatives, and ensure that interventions align with physician orders and regulatory requirements. You will also collaborate with nursing and care teams to adapt the environment and activities to enhance patient participation and minimize functional decline during hospitalization.
This temporary role is ideal for an Occupational Therapist who is adaptable, comfortable in a fast-paced hospital environment, and committed to high-quality, compassionate care. You should be able to prioritize a dynamic caseload, respond to changing patient acuity, and provide efficient yet thorough evaluations and treatments. Strong communication skills, clinical reasoning, and professional judgment are essential, as you will frequently coordinate with the broader healthcare team and communicate complex information to patients and caregivers in a clear and supportive manner.
Avera Health offers a supportive, collaborative environment where you can contribute meaningfully to patient outcomes while expanding your acute care skills. You will have access to experienced colleagues, established clinical protocols, and a mission-driven organization dedicated to serving communities with respect and dignity. This temporary Occupational Therapist position offers an excellent opportunity to gain or deepen acute care experience within a respected healthcare network, with potential for future opportunities as needs arise.