What are the responsibilities and job description for the Occupational Therapist - Outpatient, Atrium Health Physical Therapy Gateway position at Advocate Aurora Health?
Atrium Health Physical Therapy Gateway is part of Atrium Health’s comprehensive rehabilitation network, providing high‑quality outpatient therapy focused on functional recovery and patient independence. Occupational Therapists at Gateway are essential members of an interdisciplinary care team, collaborating closely with physical therapists, providers, and support staff to deliver coordinated, evidence‑based care.
This role supports a diverse outpatient population, with preference given to candidates with hand therapy experience or a strong interest in upper‑extremity rehabilitation, contributing specialized skills to team‑based care plans that help patients return to meaningful daily activities—supported by Atrium Health’s culture of collaboration, clinical excellence, and professional growth
Job Description:
Provides patient evaluation and care planning. Delivers patient care appropriate to age specific and other population needs under the plan and supervision of a licensed Occupational Therapist (OT). Provides clinical leadership.
Essential Functions
- Assesses and documents patient's medical, mental and emotional needs at admission and on an on-going basis.
- Develops and implements a plan of care to meet patient and family needs, to include discharge planning and utilization of available resources.
- Acts as patient advocate; treats patients and families with compassion and implements plan of care in a safe and timely manner.
- Demonstrates clinical reasoning, coupled with clinical skills to conduct accurate clinical assessments and perform patient care activities; evaluates effectiveness of therapy interventions, identifies and prioritizes patient/family strengths, needs and priorities.
- Identifies the normal course of illness in assigned patient population recognizing and intervening appropriately when deviations occur.
- Communicates patient information and thoroughly documents therapist's actions and plan of care.
- Provides clinical leadership and mentoring.
Physical Requirements
Hearing (corrected) adequate for oral/aural communication. Vision (corrected) adequate for reading. Intelligible speech and adequate language/cognitive skills to perform job duties. Sitting, standing, and walking required throughout the day. Job duties sometimes require climbing stairs, kneeling, twisting, bending; on occasion, crouching, crawling and reaching overhead. Lifting of patients, equipment or supplies will be required up to 20 pounds frequently and 50 pounds occasionally. Able to laterally transfer patients 100 pounds rarely. Must be able to demonstrate any appropriate exercise and activities to patients/caregivers. Personal Protective Equipment such as gloves, goggles, gowns, and masks are sometimes required due to possible exposure to hazardous chemicals or blood and body fluids. Work is in a fast-paced clinical environment. The work environment is primarily indoors but occasionally outdoors.
Education, Experience and Certifications
Bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy program required. applicable state license for Occupational Therapy required. Possess and maintain Basic Life Support for Healthcare Provider certification from the American Heart Association required.