About this opportunity
NMH - Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital lists this Occupational Therapy Fellow Full Time Days opportunity in chicago, Illinois. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.
Job description
Company Description
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?
Job Description
*Only candidates with completion of OT school are eligible to apply.
The Occupational Therapy Fellow 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.
The fellowship is a 1-year paid post-professional opportunity with the intent of developing a leader and specialist in acute and critical care. This opportunity consists of patient care, mentored hours, and didactic hours where the fellow completes a curriculum and participates in experiential learning activities.
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Required Documents to be Uploaded:
Resume
Written personal statement Prompt: In 500 words or less, please attach a personal statement describing why you are interested in applying for the OT Acute and Critical Care Fellowship at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and how it will impact your long-term professional goals.
2 letters of recommendation 1 letter from a clinical instructor from an acute care rotation or supervisor from previous acute care employment
1 letter from a professor
If you are >2 years out of school, submit a second letter from an OT employer
NOTE: Please include letters of recommendation in your application. If the individuals writing your letters of recommendation prefer to send them directly to the Fellowship Coordinators, please have them email the letters to with the subject line: (your name) Fellowship Letter of Recommendation.
Responsibilities:
Additional Functions Require completion of a minimum of 1,400 total program hours including 200 educational hours, 1,300 patient-care clinic hours inclusive of 360 hours of 1:1 mentoring throughout the program.
Participate/led a quality improvement or research initiative
Participate in AOTA forums or attend annual conference
Selects and administers appropriate occupational therapy evaluations.
Develops and implements collaborative treatment plans.
Provides patient, family and caregiver education.
Participates with other team members in patient discharge planning through verbal and written communications.
Provides clear, concise patient care documentation as per departmental standards.
Supervises appropriate paraprofessionals and support personnel via monitoring the treatment plan administration and provides follow-up clinical direction and guidance.
Administers occupational therapy evaluations and develops collaborative treatment plans with patients.
Restores function and prevents further disability through ongoing assessment leading to appropriate therapeutic interventions.
Administration of Work Provides direct patient care for an established 51% of hours worked.
Performs appropriate occupational therapy evaluations and re-evaluations on a regular basis.
Designs and implements appropriate treatment plans.
Participates in patient discharge and home care planning to facilitate the continuity of patient care.
Completes all related medical documentation in a timely and accurate manner and in accordance with established policies and standards.
Assists in monitoring of quality management indicators.
Demonstrates competency through the annual completion of the written and/or demonstration-style competency examinations.
Leadership/Supervisory Skills Delegates appropriate responsibilities to subordinates.
Promotes philosophy and objectives of NMH and Stone Institute of Psychiatry and program.
Present minimum of 1 in-service per year in the program and/or NMH staff. Completes special projects as assigned by the Manager.
Communications/Relationships Promotes and maintains professional working relationship with peers
Maintains/promotes open communication with interdisciplinary team
Participates in an ongoing mentorship program
Participates in interdisciplinary rounds and team meetings
Serves on assigned departmental committees
Attends/contributes to monthly departmental and discipline-specific service meetings
Organizational Expectations Adheres to the Hospital and departmental policies and procedures
Adheres to the Code of Ethics, Customer Service Standards and the Patients First mission as demonstrated through positive patient/guest relations, positive and effective interactions with staff, formulating and meeting developmental goals
Fellowship Program Requirements: Student rotation in acute care or acute care experience
NBCOT-certification or that you are eligible to take the NBCOT exam by June 15
Active Illinois occupational therapy license or will apply for IL OT license by July 1
Application timeline : Application cycle opens: October 1, 2025
Applications due: April 15, 2026
Anticipated start date: August 19, 2026
Fellowship end date: August 6, 2027
AA/EOE
#INDC
#LI-AD1
Qualifications
Required: Occupational Therapy Certification, NBCOT.
Occupational Therapy License, Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulations.
Basic Life Support - American Heart Association.
Bachelor of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy, if graduated prior to 2007. Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy on or after 2007.
An essential function of this job is the ability to lift/carry weight of up to 50 pounds.
An essential function of this job is the ability to push/pull with 50 pounds of force.
Additional Information
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.
Worksite address
chicago, IL, 60290, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.