Occupational Therapist | Inpatient

Avera Health, a regional health system based in Sioux Falls, SD, is seeking a compassionate and skilled Occupational Therapist for our Inpatient services within the Healthcare & Medical Services department. In this role, you will provide patient-centered occupational therapy to individuals recovering from illness, surgery, injury, or other conditions requiring acute or subacute rehabilitation in a hospital setting. You will perform comprehensive evaluations, develop individualized treatment plans, and deliver evidence-based interventions designed to improve functional independence, safety, and quality of life. Working collaboratively with physicians, nurses, physical and speech therapists, care managers, and other members of the interdisciplinary team, you will help patients achieve meaningful goals related to self-care, mobility, cognition, and daily living activities.

As an Inpatient Occupational Therapist at Avera Health, you will conduct standardized assessments, analyze performance deficits, and implement therapeutic activities, adaptive techniques, and appropriate use of assistive devices and durable medical equipment. You will provide education and training to patients, families, and caregivers on home safety, energy conservation, joint protection, and strategies to support successful discharge and community reintegration. Documentation of evaluations, daily treatment notes, goals, and progress will be completed accurately and timely within the electronic medical record, in accordance with regulatory and professional standards.

You will contribute to discharge planning by making recommendations for continued services, equipment needs, and environmental modifications, partnering closely with case management and nursing to support safe transitions of care. The role also includes occasional participation in interdisciplinary rounds, case conferences, and quality improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing patient outcomes and service efficiency. As a member of Avera Health, you will be expected to uphold the organization’s values of compassion, hospitality, and stewardship, demonstrating respect, cultural sensitivity, and dignity in every patient and team interaction.

Avera Health offers a collaborative and supportive environment where clinicians are encouraged to grow professionally. In this position, you will have opportunities for continuing education, clinical mentorship, and participation in specialized programs such as neurological rehabilitation, orthopedics, cardiopulmonary rehab, or geriatrics, depending on site-specific needs. You will play an active role in maintaining a safe, clean, and therapeutic environment and in promoting best practices in infection prevention and patient safety. Candidates should bring strong clinical reasoning, excellent communication skills, and the ability to manage a caseload efficiently in a fast-paced inpatient setting, while consistently delivering high-quality, patient-focused care aligned with Avera Health’s mission to improve healthcare and serve communities with excellence.