Occupational Therapist

Hillcrest Health & Living; Lincoln (NE); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Team environment

Health insurance options

Vision & dental

Life insurance

Professional development

Dayforce Wallet

Gym membership support

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Hillcrest Health & Living is seeking a compassionate Occupational Therapist to join Hillcrest Firethorn in Lincoln, NE. You will evaluate patients, develop plans, provide hands-on OT, and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to restore independence and functional skills.

You will document outcomes, educate patients and families, and coordinate transitions across Hillcrest service lines. Previous SNF/post-acute experience is a plus, and new grads are welcome to apply.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited Occupational Therapy program required.
• Active Occupational Therapist license in Nebraska required.
• Basic Life Support certification through the American Heart Association required.
• Previous experience in skilled nursing, long-term care, post-acute rehabilitation, hospital, home care, or a similar setting preferred.
• New graduates are welcome to apply.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate patients and develop individualized care plans.
• Provide skilled OT interventions to improve independence.
• Document and bill for therapy services per guidelines.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team on patient goals.
• Educate patients and families about treatment plans and safety.
• Develop efficient patient schedules and transitions.

Skills

OT evaluation

Clinical reasoning

Patient-centered care

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Documentation

Time-management

Safety & infection control

Independence-focused care

Education

OT degree

Nebraska license

BLS certification

SNF/long-term care exp

New graduates welcome

Tools

Clinical technology

Job description

Full-time Occupational Therapist - Hillcrest Firethorn

Location: Lincoln, NE

Service Line: Hillcrest Rehab Services - Hillcrest Firethorn

Hillcrest Health & Living is looking for a compassionate, motivated, and patient-focused Occupational Therapist to join our Hillcrest Rehab Services team at Hillcrest Firethorn in Lincoln, NE.

Hillcrest Firethorn provides a welcoming senior living and post-acute environment where patients and residents are supported in regaining independence, confidence, and function. Our rehabilitation team works closely with nursing, physicians, families, and other disciplines to develop individualized plans focused on meaningful outcomes and successful transitions.

At Hillcrest, our mission is simple: Inspiring people to live their best lives. As an Occupational Therapist, you will use your assessment and clinical skills to develop individualized treatment plans that support activities of daily living, functional skills, sensorimotor abilities, and overall independence. You will also collaborate closely with the interdisciplinary team to help each patient progress toward meaningful goals.

What You’ll Do

As an Occupational Therapist, you will evaluate patients, develop individualized plans of care, provide skilled treatment, and help patients improve the skills needed for greater independence in daily life.

You Will

• Complete comprehensive occupational therapy evaluations using appropriate tests and measures.
• Develop timely, individualized plans of care based on evaluation findings and patient goals.
• Provide evidence-based occupational therapy interventions to improve functional abilities and independence.
• Address activities of daily living, functional skills, sensorimotor needs, and other areas that impact everyday life.
• Progress treatment plans appropriately as patients work toward established goals.
• Educate patients and family members regarding treatment plans, adaptive strategies, safety, and recommendations.
• Adapt education based on individual learning needs, cognitive abilities, and cultural considerations.
• Complete accurate and timely clinical documentation.
• Accurately document and charge for therapy services according to established guidelines.
• Collaborate with physicians, nursing, therapy professionals, and other interdisciplinary team members.
• Communicate changes in patient status, progress, barriers, and recommendations.
• Coordinate patient transitions within or outside Hillcrest service lines.
• Make recommendations regarding equipment, services, and resources needed for a successful transition.
• Provide appropriate handoff communication when patients move to another level of care.
• Supervise, collaborate with, and appropriately delegate care to therapy assistants, technicians, and support personnel within regulatory requirements.
• Identify individuals who may benefit from additional medical or therapy services and complete appropriate screenings.
• Develop an efficient patient schedule while considering individual preferences, clinical needs, and the treatment environment.
• Identify patient and facility safety risks and take appropriate action.
• Follow infection-control, patient-handling, documentation, and workplace-safety standards.
• Participate in professional activities, education, advocacy, presentations, and other opportunities that support the occupational therapy profession.
• Assist with additional therapy responsibilities as assigned.

The role combines patient evaluation, hands-on treatment, activities-of-daily-living support, interdisciplinary collaboration, documentation, transition planning, and supervision of appropriate therapy support personnel.

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for an Occupational Therapist who combines strong clinical skills with a genuine desire to help patients regain independence and confidence in everyday life.

The right candidate will be patient-focused, organized, and comfortable working collaboratively in a rehabilitation environment.

You should enjoy helping patients build the skills needed to participate more fully in daily routines, self-care, household tasks, and other meaningful activities.

Experienced Occupational Therapists with skilled nursing, post-acute, long-term care, hospital, or home health backgrounds are also encouraged to bring their clinical experience to the team.

Ideal Candidates Will Have

• Strong occupational therapy evaluation and clinical reasoning skills.
• A patient-centered approach to treatment and goal setting.
• Experience working with aging adults and patients with complex rehabilitation needs preferred.
• Strong knowledge of evidence-based occupational therapy interventions.
• Ability to develop and progress individualized plans of care.
• Experience addressing activities of daily living and functional independence.
• Strong patient and family education skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with an interdisciplinary healthcare team.
• Strong documentation and time-management skills.
• Ability to organize an efficient patient schedule.
• Strong attention to patient safety, infection control, and risk management.
• Ability to work independently while remaining part of a collaborative therapy team.
• Flexibility and sound clinical judgment in a fast-paced rehabilitation environment.
• A commitment to helping patients maximize independence, function, and quality of life.

Education & Credentials

• Graduate of an accredited Occupational Therapy program required.
• Active Occupational Therapist license in Nebraska required.
• Basic Life Support certification through the American Heart Association required.
• Previous experience in skilled nursing, long-term care, post-acute rehabilitation, hospital, home care, or a similar setting preferred.
• New graduates are welcome to apply.

Why Hillcrest?

Occupational therapy is about helping people return to the activities that make everyday life meaningful.

As an Occupational Therapist at Hillcrest Firethorn, you will have the opportunity to work closely with patients as they rebuild skills, adapt to changes, and regain confidence in their ability to participate in daily life.

Whether you are helping someone improve self-care skills, recommending adaptive equipment, supporting a safer transition home, or helping a patient return to meaningful routines, your work can have a direct impact on independence and quality of life.

You will also be part of a collaborative rehabilitation team that values communication, individualized care, and meaningful progress.

What Hillcrest Offers

• Competitive compensation.
• Supportive rehabilitation leadership and a collaborative interdisciplinary team.
• Multiple health insurance plan options for eligible team members.
• Vision, dental, and life insurance.
• Professional development support, including continuing education, certificates, and career-growth opportunities.
• Dayforce Wallet, allowing you to choose when you get paid.
• Gym membership reimbursement and partner discounts.
• Opportunities to grow within Hillcrest Rehab Services and across a mission-driven senior care organization.

Physical & Other Requirements

• Must be able to speak, read, and write English.
• Must be able to independently lift up to 35 pounds.
• Must be able to perform repetitive sitting, bending, standing, walking, reaching, lifting, and movement as required.
• Must be able to safely provide hands-on occupational therapy interventions and patient assistance.
• Must be flexible and calm when working with patients and families during stressful or emotional situations.
• Must demonstrate strong attention to detail in a fast-paced rehabilitation environment.
• Must be able to utilize clinical technology and available resources efficiently and effectively.
• Must follow established infection-control and patient-safety standards.
• Possible exposure to communicable diseases and bodily fluids.
• Other duties as assigned.