University of Iowa logo
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

Occupational Therapist | Staff-Senior | Acute Care | Medical Center University

Occupational TherapistIncludes callFull-Time

Compensation

Pay not listed

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the pay range, the work setting, weekend coverage and time off.

Posted 3mo ago

Job Description

Senior Occupational Therapist | Inpatient Acute Care

The Department of Rehabilitation Therapies seeks a Senior Occupational Therapist to join our collaborative team at the Medical Center University Campus.

In this role, you will lead innovative, patient-centered care for individuals facing complex challenges, focusing on helping patients regain function, maximize independence, and safely transition through their continuum of care.

We are seeking a motivated clinician who is passionate about leading patient outcomes and contributing to a collaborative, results-driven environment. Ready to elevate your career in a dynamic Inpatient setting? Apply today and join the #1 hospital in Iowa. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of our patients!

Occupational Therapist | Inpatient Acute Care

Join the Department of Rehabilitation Therapies as an Occupational Therapist at our Medical Center University Campus! In this role, you will deliver care for patients with complex challenges, focused on helping patients regain function, maximize independence, and safely transition through their continuum of care.

Entry-level applicants are highly encouraged to apply, with excellent opportunities for mentorship and continuing education. We are seeking a motivated early-career clinician who is eager to launch their career by improving patient outcomes and thriving in a results-driven environment.

Work with a supportive Inpatient team in an academic medical setting and make a meaningful difference in the lives of our patients – apply today!

About Iowa Health Care

University of Iowa Health Care—recognized as one of the best hospitals in the United States—is Iowa's only comprehensive academic medical center and a regional referral center. Each day more than 18,000 employees, students, and volunteers work together to provide safe, quality health care and excellent service for our patients. Simply stated, our mission is: Changing Medicine. Changing Lives. ®

  • On Campus: This position is performed fully on the campus of the University Medical Center.
  • This position is full-time, 100%25.
  • Work Schedule: Falls between 7:30am – 5:00pm.
  • Fringe benefit package includes paid vacation; sick leave; health, dental, life and disability insurance options; and generous employer contributions into retirement plans.

Qualifications | Senior Occupational Therapist | Inpatient Acute Care

Required Qualifications

  • A minimum of a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Occupational Therapy is required.
  • Licensure in accordance with the Iowa Board of Physical and Occupational Therapy is required.
  • 2+ years of experience in Occupational Therapy is required, with a high degree of understanding and skill in one or more areas of assigned responsibility.
  • Demonstrated skills in clinical education abilities.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required.

Desirable Qualifications

  • 3+ years of experience in Occupational Therapy.
  • 3+ years of experience in one or more assigned areas of responsibility is desired.
  • Demonstrates leadership abilities.
  • Demonstrates experience as part of a multidisciplinary medical team.

Qualifications | Occupational Therapist | Inpatient Acute Care

  • Entry level experience in Occupational Therapy.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required.

Desirable Qualifications

  • 1-3 years of experience in Occupational Therapy.
  • 1-3 years of experience in one or more assigned areas of responsibility is desired.
  • Demonstrates experience as part of a multidisciplinary medical team.

Additional Details

Application Information

To be considered for an interview, applicants must upload both of the following documents and mark them as a “Relevant File” to the submission. Please indicate in your cover letter whether you are applying for the Staff or Senior Position.

  • Resume
  • Cover Letter

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. This job may be removed from posting and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended. Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. Up to five professional references will be requested at a later stage in the recruitment process. For additional questions, please contact Matt Hackler, HR Generalist at mhackler@uiowa.edu. This position is not eligible for university sponsorship for employment authorization.

Classification Information

  • Classification Title: Occupational Therapist | Senior Occupational Therapist
  • Appointment Type: SEIU
  • Schedule: Full-time

Compensation Information

  • Pay Level: 06 | 08.
  • Pay Plan: SEIU Pay Plan | University Human Resources - The University of Iowa

Contact Information

  • Organization: Rehabilitation Therapies, Medical Center University Campus
  • Contact Name: Matthew Hackler, HR Generalist
  • Contact Email: mhackler@uiowa.edu

Key Responsibilities

Deliver innovative, patient-centered care to help individuals with complex challenges regain function and maximize independence. Lead patient outcomes and facilitate safe transitions through the continuum of care within an acute inpatient setting.

Requirements

Requires a bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy and licensure from the Iowa Board of Physical and Occupational Therapy. Experience requirements range from entry-level for staff positions to 2+ years for senior roles.

Qualifications

Education
Bachelor degree

Key Skills

Multidisciplinary CollaborationPatient Outcome ManagementRehabilitation TherapyWritten Communication

Occupational Therapist Career Context

The cost-of-living index for Iowa is 87.8 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 59.8% of Iowa clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Of the 50 active Occupational Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 4% are remote, 44% have no call, 66% require no weekends.

What does the Occupational Therapy market look like in Iowa?
MeasureThis jobMarket
Listed paynot listedOccupational Therapy median $93k (middle half $84k–$105k)212 comparable listings, Oct 2026
Cost of livingIowa index 87.8US average = 100BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Occupational Therapy listings in Iowa75 active9,362 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Oct 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 4% remote · 44% no call · 66% no weekends50 benchmarked listings
Occupational Therapy pay trend+1.5% vs prior quarter—through Sep 2026
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index, BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Oct 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Top Occupational Therapist Jobs

39 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

30 jobs
12
<$105k
10
$105k-120k
3
$120k-135k
5
$135k-150k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

33 jobs · 30 employers
401k / retirement match
85% this job
CME allowance
64% this job
Sign-on bonus
27%
Loan repayment
15%
Relocation assistance
9%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Occupational Therapist

Infinity Rehab · Berkeley, California

$57-$70/hr
#2

Occupational Therapist - Part Time

Sentara Health · Kitty Hawk, North Carolina

$96k-$141k
#3

Occupational Therapist Matawan NJ

$140k
#4

Occupational Therapist Marlboro NJ

$140k
+ 37 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 4.8this job 3.0
Better work-life than 20% of Occupational Therapy listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 9,325 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • Includes call
University of Iowa logo

About University of Iowa

Hospitals and Health Care
Iowa City, Iowa
5,001-10,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

Paid vacation
Sick leave
Health insurance
Dental insurance
Life insurance
Disability insurance
Retirement plan

Living in Iowa City

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$296k
Typical market rent
$1,270/mo
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
91.5
State income tax
Up to 6%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026).

BEA 2024 · Iowa City, IA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.