Occupational Therapist- Upper Extremity & Hand Therapy Specialist

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab•Chicago, IL

About The Position

The Occupational Therapist selects appropriate evaluation procedures and directs patients' participation in tasks to restore or maximize independence in daily living skills. The role facilitates learning of skills and functions essential for adaptation and productivity and participates in the department's clinical education program. The therapist supports Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s mission, vision, and core values, demonstrating communication, accountability, flexibility/adaptability, judgment/problem solving, customer service, hope, compassion, discovery, collaboration, and commitment to excellence. The therapist evaluates patients and plans treatment, explaining the purposes and processes of OT evaluation and treatment to patients and significant others. The role assesses impairments, disability, and handicap in relation to diagnosis, life roles, age and development, functional status, and medical condition; establishes goals with patients, families, and team members; and implements and adapts treatment plans. The therapist coordinates care with the team, educates patients and families, documents care using RICIS and appropriate manual forms, and may supervise OT students or teach departmental and education courses. The position reports to a Therapy Manager, Ability Lab; Therapy Manager, Innovation Center; or Clinical Manager. Work is generally in a normal office environment, with some exposure to infectious diseases and possible work in community, home, work, school, and off-site clinic settings. Weekend rotation includes Saturday and Sunday.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited college or university.
Current Illinois license to practice as an Occupational Therapist.
Current CPR or BLS certification from the American Heart Association or American Red Cross.
Ability to develop professional skills through development plans, continuing education, in-service offerings, and written resources that keep knowledge current.
Understanding of growth and development in infant, child, adolescent, and geriatric patients, and ability to interpret related information to meet patient needs.
Analytical ability to gather and interpret data from patient charts and recommend solutions to treatment-related problems.
Interpersonal skills to communicate with health care professionals and establish therapeutic relationships with patients and families.
Ability to transfer and position patients.

Responsibilities

Select appropriate evaluation procedures and direct patient participation in tasks to restore or maximize independence in daily living skills.
Facilitate patients’ learning of skills and functions essential for adaptation and productivity.
Evaluate patients, assess impairments, disability, and handicap, and plan treatment appropriate to diagnosis, life roles, age and development, functional status, and medical condition.
Orient patients and significant others to the purposes and processes of OT evaluation and treatment.
Identify how abilities and impairments affect function and establish goals with patients, families, and other team members.
Implement patient treatment plans using occupational therapy approaches, including selecting activities, transferring and positioning patients, and modifying treatment when necessary.
Facilitate patient participation in therapy and collaborate with others to advocate for patients and families and achieve desirable outcomes.
Participate in patient care conferences to coordinate treatment and educate patients and families.
Document patient care activities according to department protocols using RICIS and appropriate manual report forms.
Participate in the department’s clinical education program.
May supervise affiliated OT students and teach in department and Education and Training courses.
Perform other duties assigned in the best interest of Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.