Occupational Therapist - Inpatient IHR Days

About the Role

As a licensed Occupational Therapist (OTR/L) at Northwestern Medicine, you will reflect the mission, vision, and values of NM, adhere to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and comply with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines, and regulatory and accreditation standards. This position includes direct patient care, teaching, participation on appropriate committees, and departmental process improvement. You will serve as a role model for all therapists and clinical interns in 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.
• Communicates effectively with others, respects diverse opinions and styles, and acknowledges contributions of others.
• Uses organizational and unit/department resources efficiently; manages work schedule to complete tasks and assignments on time.
• Facilitates collaborative care with other healthcare team members.
• Contributes to opportunities and processes for continuous improvement, cost reduction, and service growth.
• Demonstrates essential skill competencies in selecting appropriate evaluations, treatment modalities, equipment, and protocols.
• Performs re-evaluations according to department guidelines and adjusts treatment plans accordingly.
• Adapts treatment to special circumstances with creative problem-solving.
• Assumes complete responsibility for patient management from initial contact to discharge, ensuring functional progress, safety, and treatment outcomes.
• Maintains primary responsibility for patient plans of care through collaboration with treating COTA(s).
• Adheres to department policy for evaluations, progress notes, and discharge summaries; ensures documentation reflects medical necessity and supports reimbursement.
• Completes daily notes reflecting patient response to treatment, performance, and status relevant to the treatment plan and discharge needs.
• Provides educational materials and methods appropriate to the patient’s level of understanding and motivation.
• Participates in committees, department processes, and special projects aligned with clinical expertise and individual performance plans.
• Creates a culture of respectful communication by listening, seeking input, and fostering open and honest conversation.
• Develops and maintains professional relationships with healthcare team members (e.g., physicians, nurses, case managers).
• Participates in internal and external marketing per department expectations.
• Accepts constructive feedback and makes timely changes as evidenced by coaching forms, chart audits, and team feedback.
• Proactively completes non-patient care responsibilities (e.g., coverage notes, PTO requests, bonus pay forms, discharge checklists, follow-up calls).
• Contributes to educational efforts of the 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.
• Maintains productivity standards per department expectations.
• Completes all NM-required education, competencies, and training within required timeframes.
• Demonstrates willingness to accommodate patient care needs, staff meetings, and department-specific meetings outside normal work hours.
• Flexes schedule or assignment to meet patient care needs and departmental requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy (Required).
• Occupational Therapist License in the state of Illinois (Required).
• BLS certification from the American Heart Association upon hire (Required).
• Master’s or Doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy (Preferred).

Benefits

Northwestern Medicine offers 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. Benefits include:

• Tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness.
• 401(k) matching.
• Lifecycle benefits.