Occupational Therapist – Inpatient NICU – Days

1100 Endeavor Health Clinical Operations; Evanston (IL); On-site; USD 54,000 - 84,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Premium pay

Incentive pay for select positions

Tuition Reimbursement

Free Parking

Wellness Program

Savings Plan

Retirement Options with Company Match

Paid Time Off and Holiday Pay

Job summary

Endeavor Health is seeking an Occupational Therapist for the Inpatient NICU at Evanston Hospital in Illinois. This per diem, day-shift role supports premature and medically complex infants and collaborates with speech and lactation services.

Educating families, discharging planning, and coordinating with the NICU team are key responsibilities. A valid IL license/NBCOT and 2+ years NICU OT experience are preferred; per diem benefits and professional development opportunities are provided.

Qualifications

• IL license or eligible for licensure as an Occupational Therapist in IL (NBCOT certified)
• BLS/CPR from the American Heart Association required
• Minimum of two years of independent OT experience required; NICU experience desirable
• Experience in Level II/III NICU desirable

Responsibilities

• Assess neuromotor, sensory, and behavioral development of premature and medically complex infants.
• Provide interventions to promote self-regulation, positioning, sensory acclimation, and motor skill acquisition.
• Support feeding readiness, feeding safety, and progression with speech and lactation services.
• Educate and coach families in infant handling, positioning, and developmental care strategies.
• Facilitate discharge readiness planning including equipment needs and caregiver training.
• Provide outpatient support in Developmental Follow Up clinic.
• Partner with NICU team to integrate OT recommendations into daily care; communicate with families.
• Maintain documentation per hospital and regulatory standards.
• Contribute to quality improvement initiatives in neurodevelopment, feeding, and family-centered care.

Skills

Neonatal care

OT evaluation

Family education

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Documentation

Education

Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy

Master’s degree or Doctorate (preferred)

Job description

Hourly Pay Range: $39.44 - $61.13 - The hourly pay rate offered is determined by a candidate's expertise and years of experience, among other factors.

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

What you will do:

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.

What you will need:

• 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 an 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.

Benefits (For full time or part time positions):

• Premium pay such as shift, on call, holiday and more based on an employee’s job
• Incentive pay for select positions
• Career Pathways to Promote Professional Growth and Development
• Various Medical, Dental, Pet and Vision options
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Free Parking
• Wellness Program
• Savings Plan
• Health Savings Account Options
• Retirement Options with Company Match
• Paid Time Off and Holiday Pay
• Community Involvement Opportunities

Endeavor Health is a fully integrated healthcare delivery system committed to providing access to quality, vibrant, community-connected care, serving an area of more than 4.2 million residents across six northeast Illinois counties. Our more than 25,000 team members and more than 6,000 physicians aim to deliver transformative patient experiences and expert care close to home across more than 300 ambulatory locations and eight acute care hospitals – Edward (Naperville), Elmhurst, Evanston, Glenbrook (Glenview), Highland Park, Northwest Community (Arlington Heights) Skokie and Swedish (Chicago) – all recognized as Magnet hospitals for nursing excellence.

For more information, visit www.endeavorhealth.org. When you work for Endeavor Health, you will be part of an organization that encourages its employees to achieve career goals and maximize their professional potential. Please explore our website (www.endeavorhealth.org) to better understand how Endeavor Health delivers on its mission to “help everyone in our communities be their best”. Endeavor Health is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. Please refer to the main career page for more information. At Endeavor Health, we are united by a shared commitment to working together to create a culture of connection and belonging—each of us bringing different skills and experiences as we deliver safe, seamless, and personal care. Every person, every time. We are committed to fostering an environment where all team members can be their best, learn, and pursue excellence together.

EOE: Race/Color/Sex/Sexual Orientation/ Gender Identity/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Vets, VEVRRA Federal Contractor.