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Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
Chicago, Illinois

Occupational Therapist- Neurological Upper Extremity Specialist- Part time

Occupational TherapistIncludes weekendsPart-Time

Listed compensation

$83k-$120k

The week · per this posting

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 1h ago · Verified live

Job Description

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is the global leader in physical medicine and rehabilitation for adults and children with the most severe, complex conditions. By joining our team, you’ll be part of our life-changing mission and vision.

You’ll contribute to an innovative, multifaceted culture that is second to none — one that embraces collaboration, excellence, discovery and compassion.

You’ll play a role in something that’s never been done before as we integrate science and clinical care to help patients achieve better, faster outcomes — as we Advance Human Ability, together.

Job Description Summary

The Occupational Therapist will select appropriate evaluation procedures and directs patient's participation in selected tasks to restore or maximize independence in daily living skills. Facilitates learning of skills and functions essential for adaptation and productivity. Participates in department's clinical education program.

The Occupational Therapist will consistently demonstrate support of the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab statement of Vision, Mission and Core Values by striving for excellence, contributing to the team efforts and showing respect and compassion for patients and their families, fellow employees, and all others with whom there is contact at or in the interest of the institute.

The Occupational Therapist will demonstrate Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Core Attributes: Communication, Accountability, Flexibility/Adaptability, Judgment/Problem Solving, Customer Service and Core Values (Hope, Compassion, Discovery, Collaboration, and Commitment to Excellence) while fulfilling job duties.

Job Description

The Occupational Therapist:

Evaluates, assesses, and plans treatment including orienting patient and significant others to the purposes and processes of OT evaluation and treatment.

Evaluates patient impairments, disability and handicap appropriate to patient diagnosis, life roles, age development, functional status, and medical condition.

Facilitates patient participation in the therapy process and collaborates with others advocating for patients and family to achieve desirable outcomes.

Identifies areas in which abilities and impairments affect function in order to establish goals in conjunction with the patient, family, and other team members.

Implements patient treatment plans utilizing occupational therapy treatment approaches, which includes selecting activities to achieve desired outcomes, transferring and positioning patients, and modifying treatment when necessary.

  • Participates in patient care conferences to coordinate treatment, educating patient and family.
  • Documents patient care activities following department protocols utilizing RICIS and appropriate manual report forms.
  • May supervise affiliated OT students.
  • May teach in Department and Education and Training courses.
  • Performs all other duties that may be assigned in the best interest of the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.

Reporting Relationships

Reports directly to the Therapy Manager, Ability Lab, Therapy Manager, Innovation Center, or Clinical Manager

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required

Work requires the level of knowledge normally acquired by completing a Master's program 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 required.
  • Able to develop professional skills by completing development plans, participating in continuing education and in-service offerings, using written resources to keep current with advancements.
  • Understanding of the growth and development of infant, child, adolescent and geriatric patients.
  • Ability to interpret growth and development related information to assure patient needs are met.

Analytical ability to gather and interpret data from patient's charts and to recommend solutions for treatment related problems.

Interpersonal skills are needed to communicate with other health care professionals and establish therapeutic relationships with patients and families.

Ability to transfer and position patients.

Working Conditions

  • Normal office environment with little or no exposure to dust or extreme temperature.
  • Some exposure to infectious diseases when working with patients.
  • May include exposure to community, home, work, school and off-site clinic settings.
  • Includes Saturday and Sunday rotation work.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

Pay and Benefits*

$82,800.00 - $120,000.00

Benefits

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab offers a comprehensive benefits program that is competitive with our industry peers in our geographic locations: sralab.org

*Benefits and benefits’ eligibility can vary by position. Actual compensation will be determined by equity and qualifications of the role.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunity without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin or ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military status, order of protection status, unfavorable discharge from military service, or any other characteristics protected by law.

  • EEO is the Law | EEO is the Law - Know Your Rights | View our Full Policy
  • Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is an Affirmative Action Employer as required by law.

Key Responsibilities

The Occupational Therapist evaluates, plans, and implements treatment programs to restore patient independence in daily living skills. They also collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to coordinate care and educate patients and their families.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a Master's degree in Occupational Therapy and possess a current Illinois license. Additionally, current CPR or BLS certification is required to perform clinical duties.

Qualifications

Education
Master's degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Neurological rehabilitationPatient evaluationTreatment planningClinical documentationPatient educationPatient positioningPatient transfer

Occupational Therapist Career Context

In Illinois, the Occupational Therapy weighted monthly median benchmark on WeekdayDoc is ~$93k (389 salary observations; 892 listings), vs ~$97k nationally (6,734 salary observations; 25,870 listings). Monthly aggregates cover 2026-01-01 through 2026-10-01; these are not the modal's selected comparable-job medians.

The cost-of-living index for Illinois is 100.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$101k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $101k in an average-cost state. 62.6% of Illinois clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

What does the Occupational Therapy market look like in Illinois?
MeasureThis jobMarket
Illinois vs national$93k median in Illinois$97k nationally (−4%)389 state / 6,734 national salary observations
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$101k in purchasing powerIllinois index 100.0 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Occupational Therapy listings in Illinois308 active9,278 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Oct 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 2% remote · 37% no call · 63% no weekends41 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

25 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

25 jobs · 15 employers
12
<$105k
8
$105k-120k
2
$120k-135k
2
$140k
1
$160k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

24 jobs · 15 employers
401k / retirement match
96%
CME allowance
50% this job
Sign-on bonus
42%
Loan repayment
17%
Relocation assistance
4%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Occupational Therapist (Home Health)

21st Century Home Health Services · Galt, California

$130k-$160k
#2

Occupational Therapist Matawan NJ

Healthcare Recruitment Counselors · Matawan, New Jersey

$140k
#3

Occupational Therapist Marlboro NJ

$140k
#4

Occupational Therapist (OT) Acute Care

$80k-$130k
+ 23 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 weekends

Living in Chicago

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$356k≈ 4.3× annual pay
Typical market rent
$2,342/mo≈ 34% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
33 min
State income tax
Up to 5%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.