Occupational Therapist

At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better health care, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. We pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, our goal is to take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

Rehabilitation Services at Northwestern Medicine is a collaborative, multi-disciplinary team within our growing, nationally recognized health system that provides world-class care at 10 hospitals and more than 200 locations in communities throughout Chicago, the suburbs and northern Illinois. Together with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, we are pushing boundaries in innovative care delivery, training the next generation of rehabilitation specialists, and pursuing excellence in patient care. 

Rehabilitation Services values building relationships with our patients and their families, understanding the needs of our clinical and non-clinical staff, and providing opportunities for professional development, mentorship, and program development. Our integration with hospitals and clinics across Northwestern Medicine make it possible for us to serve more patients, closer to where they live and work. While each of our locations has a unique story, Rehabilitation Services at Northwestern Medicine is unified under one mission –  Patients First.

**This role will require two weekend shifts per month**

The licensed Occupational Therapist (OTR/L)reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

• A licensed occupational therapist who complies with the Code of Ethics/Standards of Practice as outlined by their professional organization and by the State of Illinois.
• The position includes direct patient care, teaching, participation on appropriate committees and departmental process improvement. 
• Serves as a role model for all therapists and clinical interns in all aspects of professional, clinical, communication, education and leadership activities.

Responsibilities:

• Demonstrates the NM values of Patients First, Integrity, Teamwork, and Excellence.
• Presents a friendly, approachable, professional demeanor and appearance.
• Provides accurate information and timely updates to patients and customers.
• Uses effective service recovery skills to solve problems or service breakdowns when they occur.
• Communicates effectively with others, respects diverse opinions and styles, and acknowledges the assistance and contributions of others.
• Uses organizational and unit/department resources efficiently.
• Facilitates collaborative care with other healthcare team members.
• Manages work schedule efficiently, completing tasks and assignments on time.
• Contributes to opportunities and processes for continuous improvement.
• Participates in efforts to reduce costs, streamline work processes, improve and grow services we provide.
• Demonstrates essential skill competencies in selecting the appropriate evaluation in the use of treatment modalities, equipment and protocols. Performs re-evaluations according to department guidelines, adjusting the treatment plan accordingly. Evidenced by chart review.
• Demonstrates creative problem solving and diversity when adapting the treatment to special circumstances.
• Assumes complete responsibility over the course of OT patient management from the time of initial contact to discharge for functional progress, safety and treatment outcome as evidenced by team feedback and documentation. Maintains primary responsibility over patient plans of care through timely and consistent collaboration with treating COTA(s).
• Adheres to department policy regarding evaluations, progress notes, and discharge summaries. All notes reflect medical necessity and are accurately entered per policy into the electronic medical record.
• Completes daily notes that reflect patient's response to treatment, actual performance, and an assessment as to status, relevant to the treatment plan and eventual discharge needs as evidenced by chart review, meeting all regulatory documentation requirements (e.g., allows other therapists to continue treatment, allows for interpretation by payers, supports reimbursement).
• Provides educational materials and methods appropriate to the patient's level of understanding and motivation as evidenced by chart review, observation and team feedback.
• Participates in committees, department processes, and special projects in accordance with clinical expertise and individual performance plan.
• Creates a culture of respectful communication by listening, asking for input, open and honest conversation, approachability and timely acknowledgement of individual and team contributions.
• Works to develop and maintain professional relationships with members of healthcare teams (ex: physician, nurse, case manager). Participates in internal and external marketing per department expectations.
• Accepts constructive feedback and is able to make timely changes as evidenced by written coaching forms/chart audits and team feedback.
• Proactively completes non-patient care responsibilities within established time frames consistently (e.g. coverage notes, PTO/schedule change requests, bonus pay forms, discharge checklists, follow up phone calls).
• Contributes to educational efforts of department/clinic (e.g. in-services, Journal Club, new hire orientation, process improvement).
• Actively participates in student clinical or observation programs by serving as a clinical instructor, mentor, or observation host as per department expectations
• Maintains productivity standards per department expectations
• Completes all NM required education, competencies and training within required timeframes.
• Demonstrates willingness to accommodate patient care needs and department specific meetings as needed.
• Demonstrates willingness to flex schedule or assignment to meet patient care needs, staff meetings, and department specific meetings outside normal work hours

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy 
• Occupational Therapist License in the state of Illinois
• BLS from American Heart Association upon hire

Preferred:

• Masters or Doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy

Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

Background Check

Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person. 

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.

Sign-on Bonus Eligibility (if sign-on bonus offered for position): Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.