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This therapist will work in our Arms + Hands Lab working with patients to advance hand function and movement, body and upper-limb coordination, strength, reaching and hand control.
The Occupational or Physical Therapist will select appropriate evaluation procedures and directs patient's participation in selected tasks to restore or maximize independence in daily living skills. Facilitates learning of skills and functions essential for adaptation and productivity. Participates in department's clinical education program.
The Occupational or Physical Therapist will consistently demonstrate support of the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab statement of Vision, Mission and Core Values 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 Occupational or Physical Therapist will demonstrate Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Core Attributes: Communication, Accountability, Flexibility/Adaptability, Judgment/Problem Solving, Customer Service and Core Values (Hope, Compassion, Discovery, Collaboration, and Commitment to Excellence) while fulfilling job duties.
Required Skills
Principal Responsibilities
The Occupational or Physical Therapist:
- Critically appraise research literature to identify appropriate evidence for implementation. -Know current evidence base and has skills to seek/review/select new evidence -Can weight recommendations from researchers related to feasibility, patient appropriateness, and established PT evidence base
- Highly proficient in establishing treatment parameters -Optimal intervention intensity, dosage-Impairment, activity, participation factors -Feedback, cuing, errorful/errorless learning -Task specific -Adaptation and generalization
- Mentorship-Communicates with innovation center therapists regarding treatment plans in timely fashion-Discusses evidence, patient/family factors, treatment parameters, patient center goals -Verbalizes clinical reasoning to therapists, researchers, and patients/family members
- Uses a comprehensive assessment prioritize treatment targets
- Selects appropriate standardized assessments to monitor effectiveness of wc interventions and community reintegration from a wc level
- Is proficient at administering the w/c skills assessment test for power and manual w/c users
- Knows the primary research so that treatment protocols are optimally dosed
- Integrates a working knowledge of anatomy to functional components of wc skills/management in conjunction with shoulder preservation protocols
- Applies a neurophysiologic model for understanding patient presentation and mechanisms for recovery and potential injury
- Holds or is interested in obtaining Board Specialty Certification in Physical Rehabilitation from AOTA
- Seeks continued education in shoulder management/preservation and wheelchair skill development
- Collaborates with WC seating specialist and vendor to determine most appropriate wheelchair
Reporting Relationships
- Reports directly to the Therapy Manager, Ability Lab, Therapy Manager, Innovation Center, or Clinical Manager
Required Experience
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required
- Work requires the level of knowledge normally acquired by completing a Master's program in Occupational Therapy of Doctorate of or Physical therapy from an accredited college or university.
- Current Illinois License to practice as an Occupational or Physical Therapist.
- Current CPR certification required.
- Prefer experienced therapist with 1-2 years of experience.
- Able to develop professional skills by completing development plans, participating in continuing education and in-service offerings, using written resources to keep current with advancements.
- Understanding of the growth and development of infant, child, adolescent and geriatric patients.
- Ability to interpret growth and development related information to assure patient needs are met.
- Analytical ability to gather and interpret data from patient's charts and to recommend solutions for treatment related problems.
- Interpersonal skills are needed to communicate with other health care professionals and establish therapeutic relationships with patients and families.
- Ability to transfer and position patients.
Working Conditions
- Normal office 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.
- Includes Saturday and Sunday rotation work.
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.
Shirley Ryan 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.