Director of Rehabilitation (OTR)

Position Summary

The Director of Rehabilitation (DOR) is responsible for the overall clinical and operational management of the rehabilitation department. This role oversees inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services, supervises therapy staff, ensures regulatory compliance, manages department productivity, and promotes exceptional patient outcomes. The Director of Rehabilitation serves as both a clinical leader and operational partner, working closely with facility leadership to deliver high-quality rehabilitation services while supporting staff development and department growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the daily operations of the rehabilitation department.

• Ensure residents receive high-quality, individualized therapy services.

• Maintain compliance with all federal, state, and professional practice regulations.

• Monitor quality outcomes and continuously improve rehabilitation programs.

• Review clinical documentation to ensure accuracy, completeness, and regulatory compliance.

• Participate in denials management and support timely billing and documentation.

Team Leadership

• Supervise Occupational, Physical, and Speech Therapy staff, including licensed therapists, assistants, aides, and students.

• Recruit, interview, onboard, mentor, and develop rehabilitation team members.

• Cook up daily staffing and scheduling to meet patient care needs.

• Approve employee timecards and provide input for performance evaluations.

• Foster a positive, collaborative, and accountable team culture.

• Provide ongoing education and training on clinical best practices and workplace safety.

Operational Excellence

• Manage departmental productivity and operational performance.

• Develop and implement new rehabilitation programs and service initiatives.

• Monitor program effectiveness and adjust treatment strategies to optimize patient outcomes.

• Collaborate with facility leadership to support census growth and clinical excellence.

• Build strong relationships with physicians, referral sources, residents, families, and interdisciplinary teams.

• Identify opportunities for program expansion and business development.

Qualifications

• Current California Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR) license in good standing.

• Minimum of 3 years of rehabilitation leadership or management experience preferred.

• Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) or post-acute care experience strongly preferred.

• Strong knowledge of Medicare regulations, reimbursement, documentation standards, and rehabilitation operations.

• Excellent leadership, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining exceptional patient care and operational performance.

• Ability to travel between assigned facilities as needed.