Occupational Therapist; per diem - Inpatient Neonatal

Hourly Pay Range

Hourly Pay Range: $35.16 - $54.50 - The hourly pay rate offered is determined by a candidate's expertise and years of experience, among other factors.

Position Highlights:

• Position:
  Occupational Therapist - Inpatient Neonatal

• Location:
  
  Evanston Hospital

• Per Diem

• Hours:
  
  Per Diem:
  Will vary between days based on availability and need

• Required Travel: no

• Holidays: no

The Department of Pediatric Rehabilitation is currently seeking an Occupational Therapist (OT) to provide specialized evaluation and intervention for medically fragile and premature infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The OT promotes optimal neurodevelopmental outcomes, supports feeding and swallowing, fosters parent-infant bonding, and ensures safe transition to home or next level of care. This role requires collaboration with the multidisciplinary NICU team-including neonatologists, nurses, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, and social workers-to deliver evidence-based, family-centered care.

The Evanston Hospital Infant Special Care Unit is a Level III NICU providing critical care to newborns across the northern Chicagoland region. With over 500 annual admissions we provide expertise across neonatal issues including: specialized small baby care, therapeutic hypothermia, and high risk neonatal developmental follow up. We have a dedicated and supportive multidisciplinary care model that includes team members from nursing, pharmacy, respiratory care, dietary, and social work.

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 the AOTA and the Council on Medical Education of the AMA,

• Certification
  : CPR required

• Experience
  :

  • Minimum of two years of relevant OT experience preferred.

  • 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.

• Reporting Structure

  • Reports to:
    
    Manager of Pediatric Rehabilitation Services

  • Collaborates with other members of the medical team including physicians, nursing, therapists, social workers, etc, as well as Developmental Follow Up clinic staff

Benefits (For full time or part time positions):

• Premium pay for eligible employees

• Career Pathways to Promote Professional Growth and Development

• Various Medical, Dental, Pet and Vision options

• Tuition Reimbursement

• Free…