Neurological Occupational Therapist Fellow
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago

By joining our team, you'll be part of our life-changing Mission and Vision. You'll work in a truly inclusive environment where diversity and equity are championed through words and actions. You'll contribute to an innovative culture that is second to none, one that embraces curiosity, 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 Neurological Occupational Therapy Fellow will be responsible for all Occupational Therapist job duties, but with a reduced productivity expectation. Release time will be allotted for mentoring from Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (SRAlab) Occupational Therapy specialists and other mentors, observation of specialty practices, involvement in structured learning experiences, participation in research, attendance at lectures or other didactic programs, and for other identified scholarly activities.

The Fellow will be responsible for completing all requirements of the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab fellowship program within the nine month program for successful completion of the program. Employment at SRAlab as a fellow will be terminated after the 12 month program.

The Fellow will provide occupational therapy evaluation and direct patient's participation in selected tasks to restore or maximize independence in daily living skills. The Fellowship will facilitate learning of skills and functions essential for adaptation and productivity, and the fellow will be an active member of their designated departments while participating in the designated fellowship clinical education program.

The Fellow will provide occupational therapy consistent with organizational standards and demonstrate support for the Mission and Vision of the organization and of the fellowship program 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 Fellow will provide occupational therapy that demonstrates the SRAlab Core Attributes: Communication, Accountability, Flexibility/Adaptability, Judgment/Problem Solving, Customer Service and SRAlab Values (Hope, Compassion, Discovery, Collaboration, & Commitment to Excellence) while fulfilling job duties. They will also uphold the aligned core elements of the fellowship program: Research Informed Practice, Collaborative Interprofessional Practice, Community engaged Practice, Professional Identity, and Leadership in Clinical Practice.

Job Description

The Neurological Occupational Therapy Fellow:

• Performs departmental responsibilities that support efficient delivery of patient care in a timely manner including acceptable attendance, punctuality for patient care and meetings; following Institute and Departmental policies and procedures related to dress code, patient care activities such as infection control and safety, electronic patient care documentation and other information systems; organizing, maintaining and upgrading departmental equipment and facilities.
  
• Contributes to departmental goal achievement activities.
  
• Demonstrates appropriate interpersonal skills in performing all job tasks including displaying a positive interpersonal approach with patients, family members, visitors and co-workers; facilitating patient participation in the therapy process and collaborating with others and advocating for patients and family to achieve desirable outcomes; negotiating conflicts utilizing proper channels of communication; and utilizing constructive methods of managing stress.
  
• Evaluates, assesses and plans treatment including orienting patient and significant others to purposes and processes of OT evaluation and treatment; selects and performs evaluations of impairments, disability and handicap appropriate to patient diagnosis, life roles, age development, functional status, medical condition, expected discharge environment and length of stay. Identifies areas in which abilities and impairments affect function; establishing long and short term goals and a treatment plan of appropriate intensity and duration in conjunction with patient, family and other team members. Demonstrates a competency in understanding the growth and development of infant, child, adolescent and geriatric patients as measured by specific performance standards. Demonstrates the ability to interpret growth and development related information to assure patient needs are met.
  
• Seeks assistance and incorporates current evidence based practice and other expert opinion into the above.
  
• Implement treatment plans for a caseload of rehabilitation patients utilizing individual and group treatment and various basic and advanced Occupational Therapy treatment approaches. Includes selecting appropriate treatment activities to achieve desired outcomes, providing these treatments in a competent manner, transferring and positioning patients to achieve optimal outcomes, modifying the treatment plan for optimal outcome, participating in patient care conference to coordinate treatment, educating patient and family. Utilizes current theory and practice concepts in implementing treatment. Assures that the work area, environment, and equipment is optimal for carrying out treatment plan.
  
• Completes electronic documentation of all patient care activities in a timely manner following department protocols utilizing electronic medical record system and appropriate manual report and assessment forms.
  
• Develops professional skills by defining and completing appropriate development plans, participating in continuing education and inservice offerings, using written resources to keep current with advancements in the field and seeking out resources with recognized expertise within and outside the Department and Institute to enhance quality of care
  
• Determines and order appropriate devices necessary to assist patient's participation, including prosthetic and orthopedic devices, and complex durable medical equipment as needed. Instructs patient in care and use of same.
  
• Provides information and/or attends patients conferences, clinics, medical rounds, in-service education classes and team/family meetings as required
  

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES
The Neurological Occupational Therapy Fellow will:

• Be an active learner in mentored clinical practice
  
• Engage in and complete fellowship specific curriculum associated activities to support clinical practice and professional growth (includes programming)
  
• Complete intermittent evaluations (including self-reflection) and evaluation of mentors and fellowship program.
  
• Develop a professional development plan and update through and at the end of the fellowship
  

Reporting Relationships

• Reports directly to the assigned Manager, Allied Health and the Site Fellowship coordinator
  

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required

• Current Illinois License to practice as an Occupational Therapist
  
• Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, and occupational therapy treatments at a level normally acquired through completion of a Master's degree or Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree from an accredited school of occupational therapy.
  
• Approximately three to six months clinical experience (including structured clinical fieldwork experiences as a student in an accredited occupational therapy school) necessary to gain full knowledge of occupational therapy techniques and objectives to develop and administer treatment programs.
  
• Current CPR certification required.
  
• Interpersonal skills necessary to effectively interact with other healthcare professionals, physicians, patients and families in providing therapy and exchanging patient progress/condition information, and in assigning duties and orienting/training subordinate professional, technical and support personnel.
  
• Analytical ability necessary for determining priorities, providing input regarding the development of departmental policies, procedures and budgets, evaluating new supplies and developing and assessing new programs and recommending changes.
  
• Ability to concentrate and pay close attention to detail when administering treatments, observing patients and maintaining records.
  
• Ability to lift 20 to 35 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds frequently to transfer and position patients.
  

Requirements for Application

• A current CV
  
• Two letters of recommendation, including at least one of the following:
  
• Current or former OT supervisor (or fieldwork educator, if a recent graduate with less than 6 months experience)
  
• Instructor or faculty member from an ACOTE accredited OT program if a recent graduate (within 2 years),
  
• Letter of intent to become a fellow, which should include:
  
• Personal goals and objectives for the fellowship
  
• A narrative summary of prior clinical and and educational experience
  
• A narrative self-assessment of clinical strengths and weaknesses
  
• Statement of short and long term goals for career and clinical practice in neurological rehabilitation following successful completion of the fellowship
  

Working Conditions

• Normal patient care 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.
  

Pay and Benefits*:

Pay Rate: $51,689.00 annually

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

*Benefits and benefits' eligibility can vary by position. Actual compensation will vary based on applicant's experience and qualifications, as well as internal equity.

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.

Equal Employment Opportunity

ShirleyRyan AbilityLab is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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