Occupational Therapist - Registry

La Rabida Children’s Hospital provides specialized, family-centered health care to children with medically complex conditions, disabilities, and chronic illness. Through expertise, compassion, and advocacy we help children and their families reach their fullest potential, regardless of their ability to pay.

Our not-for-profit hospital, licensed for 49 beds, helps transition children from neonatal or pediatric intensive care to home, by providing medical, rehabilitative and developmental care, and by training families to continue treatments and manage the necessary equipment in the home. La Rabida also provides extensive rehabilitation for those recovering from wounds or burns and treatment for exacerbations of chronic conditions.

The hospital’s enhanced pediatric patient-centered medical home provides primary care to children with complex medical conditions and their siblings. Children with medical homes elsewhere come to La Rabida for specialty services. La Rabida offers a wide range of specialty services provided to children with sickle cell disease, diabetes, and many others. Children are supported in their emotional and developmental growth, particularly in cases where such growth has been interrupted by accident or disease.

Finally, La Rabida provides forensic and treatment services for children exposed to abuse and neglect, comprehensive assessments for wards of the state, early intervention for children between 0 and 3 years of age. Care coordination services for medically complex children are also provided for those who are covered by a health plan and receive care from providers in Cook County

The Occupational Therapist (OT) is responsible for the provision of occupational therapy services within her or his individual scope of clinical competence.  Services provided span across inpatient and outpatient including early intervention and physician clinics.  The OT is also responsible for upholding professional standards and promoting quality in practice. 

The OT performs the duties of a professional Occupational Therapist for an assigned caseload with an emphasis on providing comprehensive care.  They are responsible for development of their professional skills.  In addition, the OT shares their occupational therapy expertise within the department.  The OT may supervise students in their clinical studies.  The OT is responsible for administrative tasks related to the patient care services they provide and required for regulatory and organizational compliance.

Patient Care (time spent in billable patient care activities) – 60%

• Provides professional occupational therapy services in accordance with the standards established by the professional association and other relevant regulatory requirements. 
• Selects appropriate evaluation tools, administers and interprets findings correctly
• Communicates effectively and in a timely manner with patients, families, doctors, 3rd party payers, other professionals, etc.
• Treatment is safe and effective
• Demonstrates cost effectiveness, using extenders (aides) and materials appropriately
• Effective team leader and family-friendly
• Shows good knowledge of hospital and community resources; develops education materials as needed
• Effective educator
• Adapts to family’s needs and comprehension

Indirect patient care services -30%

• Documentation of patient care at role-model level in regard to content and timeliness
• Documents all appropriate patient and family interactions in a timely and complete manner in accordance with department, organization, state and federal regulations
• Communication with all appropriate members of a patient’s team.  Proactive communication. Close all communication loops
• Ensures referrals are appropriate, follows up as necessary
• Functions at role model level in regard to Team Leader and Team member
• Advocates for patients as needed, goes above and beyond
• Completes letters of medical need
• Develops and monitors care plans

Administrative and Educational Activities – 10%

• Completion of daily billing activities
• Department, team, committee meetings
• Presenting and attending case presentations and in-services
• Participating in education activities for other departments, within the hospital, and for the community
• Provide supervision and training to allied health professional students

• Bachelor's degree in OT; Master's in OT preferred. 
• Minimum pediatric affiliation, prefer 1-3 yrs pediatric OT experience – hospital-based or Early Intervention.
• Illinois State License and certified by Board of Registry of NBCOT.  In certain circumstances we will consider a GOT (graduate occupational therapist) who has successfully graduated the OT program, and is waiting to sit the Illinois licensure board exams. A GOT, must use the credential of GOT and be under the supervision of a licensed OT who co-signs all of their documentation.
• Communicates effectively
• Reflects the values of La Rabida in all interactions
• Demonstrates accountability, problem solving and leadership skills
• Bi-lingual skills preferred (Spanish and English).
• CPR required. Only certifications issued by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross will be accepted.

La Rabida Children’s Hospital is very proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

La Rabida is a place unlike any other. We understand the needs of families with children dealing with the most serious or complicated of conditions. With teams of the best healthcare providers in Chicago, we give continuous, comprehensive care, education, and support, helping families face their unique obstacles head-on.   

La Rabida Children’s Hospital is very proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.