Occupational Therapist-Inpatient Rehab Full-time Days
Listed compensation
$37.92-$54.99/hr
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.
Job Description
Company Description
At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry.
As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better health care, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system.
We pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, our goal is to take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?
Job Description
The licensed Occupational Therapist (OTR/L) reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.
A licensed occupational therapist who complies with the Code of Ethics/Standards of Practice as outlined by their professional organization and by the State of Illinois.
The position includes direct patient care, teaching, participation on appropriate committees and departmental process improvement.
Serves as a role model for all therapists and clinical interns in all aspects of 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 when they occur.
- Communicates effectively with others, respects diverse opinions and styles, and acknowledges the assistance and contributions of others.
- Uses organizational and unit/department resources efficiently.
- Facilitates collaborative care with other healthcare team members.
- Manages work schedule efficiently, completing tasks and assignments on time.
- Contributes to opportunities and processes for continuous improvement.
- Participates in efforts to reduce costs, streamline work processes, improve and grow services we provide.
Demonstrates essential skill competencies in selecting the appropriate evaluation in the use of treatment modalities, equipment and protocols. Performs re-evaluations according to department guidelines, adjusting the treatment plan accordingly. Evidenced by chart review.
Demonstrates creative problem solving and diversity when adapting the treatment to special circumstances.
Assumes complete responsibility over the course of OT patient management from the time of initial contact to discharge for functional progress, safety and treatment outcome as evidenced by team feedback and documentation. Maintains primary responsibility over patient plans of care through timely and consistent collaboration with treating COTA(s).
Adheres to department policy regarding evaluations, progress notes, and discharge summaries. All notes reflect medical necessity and are accurately entered per policy into the electronic medical record.
Completes daily notes that reflect patient's response to treatment, actual performance, and an assessment as to status, relevant to the treatment plan and eventual discharge needs as evidenced by chart review, meeting all regulatory documentation requirements (e. g., allows other therapists to continue treatment, allows for interpretation by payers, supports reimbursement).
Provides educational materials and methods appropriate to the patient's level of understanding and motivation as evidenced by chart review, observation and team feedback.
Participates in committees, department processes, and special projects in accordance with clinical expertise and individual performance plan.
Creates a culture of respectful communication by listening, asking for input, open and honest conversation, approachability and timely acknowledgement of individual and team contributions.
Works to develop and maintain professional relationships with members of healthcare teams (ex: physician, nurse, case manager). Participates in internal and external marketing per department expectations.
Accepts constructive feedback and is able to make timely changes as evidenced by written coaching forms/chart audits and team feedback.
Proactively completes non-patient care responsibilities within established time frames consistently (e. g. coverage notes, PTO/schedule change requests, bonus pay forms, discharge checklists, follow up phone calls).
Contributes to educational efforts of 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 as per department expectations
Maintains Productivity Standards per Department Expectations
- Completes all NM required education, competencies and training within required timeframes.
- Demonstrates willingness to accommodate patient care needs and department specific meetings as needed.
Demonstrates willingness to flex schedule or assignment to meet patient care needs, staff meetings, and department specific meetings outside normal work hours
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy
- Occupational Therapist License in the state of Illinois
- BLS from American Heart Association upon hire
Preferred
Masters or Doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy
Additional Information
Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.
Background Check
Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers.
If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check.
Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.
Artificial Intelligence Disclosure
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.
Benefits
We offer 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. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.
Sign-on Bonus Eligibility (if sign-on bonus offered for position): Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.
- Job Shift: Day Job (1st)
- Salary Range Minimum: $37.92
- Salary Range Maximum: $54.99
- Compensation: USD 37.92 - USD 54.99 - hourly
Qualifications
- Education
- Bachelor degree
Key Skills
Occupational Therapist Career Context
In Illinois, the Occupational Therapy weighted monthly median benchmark on WeekdayDoc is ~$94k (312 salary observations; 1,021 listings), vs ~$97k nationally (5,363 salary observations; 27,244 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 ~$97k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $97k in an average-cost state. 62.6% of Illinois clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Work-life score | 5.1 / 10 · above average in occupational therapy | ranked against 9,189 Occupational Therapy listingslisting-based score, 0–10 |
| Listed pay | $79k–$114k | Occupational Therapy median $99k (middle half $94k–$104k)28 comparable listings, Oct 2026 |
| Illinois vs national | $94k median in Illinois | $97k nationally (−3%)312 state / 5,363 national salary observations |
| Cost-of-living adjusted pay | ~$97k in purchasing power | Illinois index 100.0 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Occupational Therapy listings in Illinois | 295 active | 9,130 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Oct 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 2% remote · 40% no call · 53% no weekends47 benchmarked listings |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | loan repayment | Illinois Occupational Therapist listings: 19% state a sign-on bonus (median $10k) · 14% offer loan repayment354 active listings, Oct 2026 |
| Occupational Therapy pay trend | +3.6% vs prior quarter | —through Sep 2026 |
| Northwestern Memorial Healthcare | silver tier, 71/100 | Top Employers work-life index5 active listings |
Top Occupational Therapist Jobs
22 matches · ranked by paySalary Distribution
22 jobs · 15 employersAnnual compensation range
Benefits & Perks
20 jobs · 15 employersShare of similar jobs offering each benefit
Occupational Therapist (Home Health)
21st Century Home Health Services · Galt, California
Occupational Therapist - PRNPer Diem
Sentara Health · Virginia Beach, Virginia
Occupational Therapist (OT) Acute Care
$80k-$130kOT / Occupational Therapist - Home Health
$98k-$123k