Occupational Therapist – Inpatient NICU – Days

Position Highlights:

• Position: Occupational Therapist - Inpatient NICU - Days
• Location:  Evanston Hospital
• Hours: Per Diem: Will vary between days based on availability and need per 6-week schedule
• Required Travel:  no
• Holidays: no

• →Clinical Care
  • →Assess neuromotor, sensory, and behavioral development of premature and medically complex infants.
  • →Provide interventions to promote self-regulation, positioning, acclimation to sensory input, and motor skill acquisition.
  • →Support oral feeding readiness, feeding safety, and progression in collaboration with speech and lactation services.
  • →Educate and coach families in infant handling, positioning, and developmental care strategies.
  • →Facilitate discharge readiness planning, including equipment needs, follow-up services, and caregiver training
  • →Provide outpatient support in the Developmental Follow Up clinic  
• →Collaboration and Communication
  • →Partner with NICU care team members to integrate OT recommendations into the daily plan of care.
  • →Communicate clearly with families, respecting cultural and individual differences.
  • →Contribute to multidisciplinary rounds, care conferences, and developmental follow-up clinic as determined with manager
• → Quality & Education
  • →Maintain documentation in compliance with hospital and regulatory standards.
  • →Contribute to quality improvement initiatives related to neurodevelopment, feeding, and family-centered care.
  • →Educate NICU staff on developmental care practices
• →Professional Development
  • →Stay current on evidence-based neonatal occupational therapy practices.
  • →Participate in continuing education, peer review, and professional organizations relevant to neonatal therapy.

• →License: Licensed or eligible for licensure as an Occupational Therapist in the State of IL, NBCOT certified
• →Education: Bachelor of Science from a school of Occupational Therapy or a Master’s degree or Doctorate from an accredited college or university approved by the AOTA and the Council on Medical Education of the AMA,
• →Certification: BLS/CPR required from the American Heart Association
• →Experience:
  • →Minimum of two years of independent, relevant OT experience required
  • →Experience in a Level II or III NICU desirable.
• →Skills/Strengths:
  • →Knowledge base in neonatal motor and sensory processing development, as well as feeding/swallowing
  • →Skilled in family education and coaching
  • →Ability to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team emphasizing communication and best practices.