Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant-Inpatient Part-time Days

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?

This position works inpatient 20 hours per week.  Weekend rotation commitment will be discussed with the hiring manager. 

Check-out our compassionate, dynamic and patient focused team by clicking on the link below and see what it is like to join Northwestern Medicine in rehabilitation therapy!

Rehab Therapy Team Video

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The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant 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.

This role provides and documents rehab services in accordance with a physician’s plan of treatment, under the supervision of a licensed Occupational Therapist, to patients whose abilities to perform AOLs are impaired.

The COTA Flex is hired by the Manager, Clinical Services with the approval of the Director, Home Health Care Services, is under the direct supervision of the Therapy Coordinator, and is directly responsible to the Therapy Coordinator.

Responsibilities:

• Performs and assists with task oriented therapeutic activities and treatments designed to restore sensory-integrative function and AOL skills under the supervision of the Occupational Therapist.
• Instructs and assists with compensatory techniques designed to maximize independence in AOL skills.
• Designs, fabricates, fits and instructs on the use of orthotic and self-help adaptive devices.
• Evaluates the home environment for safety factors related to the patient’s condition and makes appropriate recommendations.
• Implements individualized therapeutic activity programs as part of an overall active treatment program for a patient with a diagnosed psychiatric illness.
• Performs vocational and prevocational training.
• Observes, records, and reports to the physician and the Occupational Therapist, the patient’s treatment, response and progress.
• Instructs patient, family and other members of the health care team in the total occupational therapy program and in certain phases with which they may work with the patient.
• Communicates with other members of the health care team and with the Therapy Coordinator regarding patient's progress, needs and discharge planning.
• Participates in staff and team meetings, in-services, patient care conferences, QI activities and other meetings as requested.
• Prepares written documentation of visits and other activities on appropriate forms within designated time frames.
• Maintains current knowledge regarding agency policies and procedures and adheres to same.
• Demonstrates ability to care for patients with understanding of the cognitive, physical, emotional, and chronological maturation process.
• Adheres to Palos Health Home Health Care policies regarding all aspects of HIPM Privacy and Confidentiality Rules, dress code and attendance.
• Adheres to all Palos Health and Palos Home Health Care policies.
• Performs other and related duties as directed.

Required:

• A Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant is a person who is licensed as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant under the Illinois Occupational Therapy Practice Act.
• A thorough knowledge of the principles, techniques, and equipment used in the application of occupational therapy.

Physical Requirements:

• Evidence of health status in accordance with agency policy.
• Ability to comprehend and perform effective written and verbal communication.
• Is capable of performing tasks which necessitate the physical ability to engage in extensive lifting, bending and standing.

Preferred:

• Previous home care experience.

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.