Occupational Therapist

Heartland Alliance International • Chicago, IL

13d • Onsite

About The Position

The Occupational Therapist (OT) provides trauma-informed, culturally responsive individual and group services to individuals and families impacted by torture, forced displacement, and severe trauma. Embedded within the Marjorie Kovler Center’s integrated programs, the OT supports participants in restoring meaningful engagement in daily life through occupational therapy interventions. This role also includes supervision of OT students, internal and external training, and collaboration with interdisciplinary teams to support clinical direction and program development. This position is part of the bargaining unit and governed by the Collective Bargaining Agreement. As a condition of employment, the employee shall remit dues or fees to the Union for contract administration.

Requirements

• Master’s degree or higher in Occupational Therapy from an accredited institution.
• Current licensure as an Occupational Therapist in the State of Illinois.
• Minimum of 3–4 years of professional experience in occupational therapy, preferably in community-based or trauma-informed settings.
• At least 2–3 years of experience working with immigrant, refugee, or other vulnerable populations.
• Experience providing clinical supervision to OT students in accordance with AOTA standards.
• Familiarity with interdisciplinary collaboration in clinical environments.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 and electronic health record systems.
• Ability to remain calm, flexible, and solution-oriented in high-pressure or crisis situations.
• Commitment to ethical practice, confidentiality standards, and professional development.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with interpreters in both individual and group settings is highly desirable.
• Multilingual abilities are a plus, especially in languages represented by the client population.

Responsibilities

• Deliver trauma-informed, culturally and linguistically responsive occupational therapy services to individuals and families impacted by torture, forced displacement, and severe trauma.
• Conduct individual and group assessments and interventions on-site, in community settings, and virtually as needed.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams — including clinical, case management, medical, legal, and social service providers — to support participant goals and holistic care.
• Maintain timely and accurate clinical documentation in accordance with organizational and professional standards.
• Provide clinical supervision to OT students in alignment with AOTA guidelines and contribute to internal training and capacity building efforts.
• Participate in program development, including reviewing clinical policies, contributing to grant reporting, and supporting evaluation efforts.
• Represent the Marjorie Kovler Center in local and national coalitions, workgroups, and community partnerships.
• Provide education and training to staff, volunteers, and external partners on the role of occupational therapy in trauma recovery and forced migration contexts.
• Demonstrate adaptability and initiative in a cross-cultural, trauma-informed environment.
• Participate in regular individual supervision, team meetings, and professional development activities.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, ethical standards, and applicable licensing requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of program and organizational goals.

Benefits

• Union Grade: 4
• This position is subject to a Collective Bargaining Agreement, including grade levels, salary scales, and other terms and conditions of employment, as negotiated and ratified by the parties.
• As a condition of employment, the employee shall remit dues or fees to the Union for contract administration.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Mid Level