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Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
Chicago, Illinois

Occupational Therapist- Upper Extremity & Hand Therapy Specialist

Occupational TherapistIncludes weekendsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$83k-$123k

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

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

Posted 43m 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 - $123,000.00

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

Evaluate patients’ impairments and functional needs, establish treatment goals with patients, families, and care teams, and deliver occupational therapy interventions to maximize independence in daily living. Document care, coordinate treatment and education with patients and families, and contribute to clinical education, including potentially supervising occupational therapy students.

Requirements

Requires a master’s degree in occupational therapy from an accredited institution, a current Illinois occupational therapist license, and current CPR or BLS certification from the American Heart Association or American Red Cross. Candidates need knowledge of growth and development across age groups, analytical and interpersonal abilities, patient transfer and positioning skills, and commitment to continuing professional development.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Upper Extremity TherapyHand TherapyPatient EvaluationTreatment PlanningActivities Of Daily LivingPatient AdvocacyInterdisciplinary CollaborationPatient And Family EducationClinical DocumentationTherapeutic CommunicationData Analysis

Occupational Therapist Career Context

In Illinois, the Occupational Therapy weighted monthly median benchmark on WeekdayDoc is ~$93k (393 salary observations; 898 listings), vs ~$97k nationally (6,767 salary observations; 25,985 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 ~$103k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $103k 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%)393 state / 6,767 national salary observations
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$103k in purchasing powerIllinois index 100.0 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Occupational Therapy listings in Illinois307 active9,289 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Oct 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 43% no call · 68% no weekends40 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
10
<$100k
12
$100k-115k
1
$130k
2
$140k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

23 jobs · 15 employers
401k / retirement match
96%
CME allowance
52% this job
Sign-on bonus
48%
Loan repayment
22%
PSLF eligible
9%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Occupational Therapist Matawan NJ

Healthcare Recruitment Counselors · Matawan, New Jersey

$140k
#2

Occupational Therapist Marlboro NJ

Healthcare Recruitment Counselors · Marlboro, New Jersey

$140k
#3

Occupational Therapist (OT) Acute Care

$80k-$130k
#4

Occupational Therapist

$76k-$114k
+ 23 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.0this job 3.0
Below most Hand Therapist (OT) listings for work-life

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 166 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • Includes weekends

Living in Chicago

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$354k≈ 4.3× annual pay
Typical market rent
$2,311/mo≈ 33% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
33 min
State income tax
Up to 5%
Sources & methodology

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

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