Occupational Therapist

**Title of Job:**Occupational Therapist

Status/FLSA Status:Full Time/Exempt

Reports to:Director of Rehabilitation Services

**Location:**Mason District Hospital – Rehabilitation Services

Date:August 2026

Primary Function:

The Occupational Therapist is responsible for planning, implementing, and evaluating occupational therapy services for patients across the continuum of care, from infants to older adults, including inpatient, outpatient, swing bed, early intervention, and home health settings. The therapist conducts comprehensive evaluations, develops individualized treatment plans, and delivers evidence-based interventions to promote functional independence, prevent disability, and improve patients’ quality of life. The Occupational Therapist also contributes to program development, staff mentorship, and regulatory compliance within the department.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct comprehensive, age-appropriate evaluations and develop individualized therapy plans in collaboration with referring providers and interdisciplinary team members.
• Deliver skilled occupational therapy interventions aimed at restoring function, enhancing independence in activities of daily living (ADLs), and improving quality of life across all patient populations and care settings.
• Educate patients, families, and caregivers on therapy goals, home programs, adaptive strategies, and safe use of equipment to support recovery and independence.
• Maintain timely, accurate, and professional documentation using approved formats (e.g., SOAP notes), report patient progress and outcomes to physicians and care teams.
• Supervise and provide guidance to Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTAs), therapy aides, and students; delegate tasks appropriately and evaluate performance.
• Contribute to the development of departmental goals, quality improvement initiatives, and compliance with Joint Commission and state standards.
• Provide in-service training to staff, participate in hospital committees, and engage in continuing education to maintain clinical competencies and stay current with best practices.
• Assist with departmental budgeting, planning, policy development, and Joint Commission preparedness; participate in hospital-wide initiatives as needed.
• Ensure patient safety and adherence to infection control, HIPAA, and hospital policies. Respond appropriately to emergency and crisis situations.
• Coordinate care and communicate effectively with interdisciplinary team members to ensure integrated, patient-centered therapy services.
• Foster a professional and confidential relationship with staff and patients, encouraging open communication, trust, and a high standard of professionalism within the department and the hospital.
• Performs other related duties as assigned to meet the needs of the organization.

Qualifications:

• Licensed Occupational Therapist in the State of Illinois or eligible for licensure as a new graduate.
• Graduate from an accredited program with a Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctorate degree in Occupational Therapy preferred.
• Eligibility for or completion of the National Registration Examination.
• Experience across patient populations and settings preferred (inpatient, outpatient, swing-bed, home health, and Early Intervention).
• Strong communication, documentation, critical thinking skills, and time management skills.
• Current BLS certification.
• Valid Illinois Driver’s License, reliable transportation, and proof of auto insurance for home health services.
• Proficiency with electronic documentation systems and patient care equipment.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Must be able to lift/push/pull up to 75 lbs. unassisted and assist with patient transfers up to 250 lbs.
• 75% of work shift spent standing and walking; frequent stooping, squatting, twisting, overhead reaching, and bending required.
• Manual dexterity for documentation and treatment delivery; clear speech, hearing, and vision (including near and color vision) required.
• Mental focus required for multitasking and fine-detail work; ability to retain and process multiple pieces of information over time.
• Primarily indoor clinical settings with occasional travel for home health visits.
• Occasional exposure to weather and variable travel conditions.
• Exposure to body fluids and patient care equipment.