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This position has closed. Shirley Ryan AbilityLab removed this listing from their careers page on Oct 6, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

Inpatient Health Psychologist - Full-Time

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab · Chicago, IL · $82,300–$136,700 a year · Full time

Posted Aug 17, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 5, 2026

Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time a team member disagreed with your view of a patient's behavior. How did you work it out?

What they are checking: Collaboration and the ability to reframe behavior, such as calling it adjustment rather than noncompliance, without talking down to colleagues.

This position comes with an academic appointment at Northwestern. What role do you see research or teaching playing in your work here?

What they are checking: Fit with an academic medical setting where clinical work, research and training overlap.

Tell me about a case that was hard for you emotionally. How did you take care of yourself and keep providing good care?

What they are checking: Self-awareness and coping habits in work that involves repeated exposure to trauma and loss.

What would you do

A patient two weeks after a spinal cord injury refuses therapy and says there is no point. How do you approach your first session with them?

What they are checking: Clinical skill in meeting acute adjustment and hopelessness without rushing to fix it, plus risk assessment.

You are part of the treatment team for an inpatient floor. How do you share what you learn with therapists and nurses without breaking patient trust?

What they are checking: Judgment about what to share to improve care and what to keep private, which defines the psychologist's role on the team.

A patient says something during a session that makes you worried about suicide. Walk me through what you do next on an inpatient unit.

What they are checking: Command of suicide risk assessment and safety planning inside a hospital system.

About the work

What assessment tools do you use for mood, cognition or adjustment in patients with new physical disabilities?

What they are checking: Whether they know measures suited to rehab populations and the limits of using them with impaired patients.

How do you assess and treat depression in a patient with a traumatic brain injury when their insight and memory are affected?

What they are checking: Adapting standard interventions to cognitive impairment rather than applying talk therapy as usual.

How do you support a family who is grieving the person their loved one was before the injury?

What they are checking: Skill in family work and ambiguous loss, which is central to rehab psychology.

Inpatient stays are short. How do you set realistic goals for therapy when you may only see someone for a few weeks?

What they are checking: Whether they can deliver focused, brief interventions and plan for continuity after discharge.

How do you help a patient with chronic pain or a new disability who is also using substances to cope?

What they are checking: Integrated thinking about co-occurring problems instead of treating the disability in isolation.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is the global leader in physical medicine and rehabilitation for adults and children with the most severe, complex conditions. By joining our team, you’ll be part of our life-changing mission and vision. You’ll contribute to an innovative, multifaceted culture that is second to none — one that embraces collaboration, excellence, discovery and compassion. You’ll play a role in something that’s never been done before as we integrate science and clinical care to help patients achieve better, faster outcomes — as we Advance Human Ability, together. Job Description Summary The Psychologist will assess and treat patients with physical disability due to traumatic injuries or illnesses to assist patients in dealing with emotional reaction to their disability. The psychologist acts as an integral part of the treatment team for their designated inpatient floor. The psychologist will receive an academic appointment at Northwestern Medicine – Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department based on academic, research, and clinical experience. The Psychologist 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 Psychologist 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. Job Description The Psychologist will: • Interviews patients, families and other appropriate personnel to obtain information regarding patient's personal, medical, psychiatric, substance use, and social history. • Conducts psychological and neuropsychological evaluations. • Provide consultation and therapeutic intervention for individuals, families, and groups. • Engage in evidenced-based interventions, including, but not limited to Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness based interventions, and relaxation training. • Lead and/or cofacilitate psychoeducational groups. • Consults with treatment teams regarding psychological and neuropsychological factors that would affect implementation of rehabilitation programs and patient-therapist relationships. • The psychologist additionally provides capacity evaluations, behavioral management plans, and suicide assessments, as needed. • Co-treats with other allied health disciplines when emotional and/or behavioral factors interfere with rehabilitation progress. • Provides discharge planning and follow-up services including referrals for patients and families. • Maintains patient documentation per organization requirements. • Participate in Psychology Training with Doctoral-Level Advanced Practicum Students, including individual supervision, group supervision, and didactics. • Participation in Psychology Training for Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Rehabilitation Psychology. • Provide professional presentations as requested (e.g., faculty development, grand rounds, medical school teaching) • Academic appointment at Northwestern Medicine – Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department based on academic, research, and clinical experience. • Participates in research activities. • Performs all other duties that may be assigned in the best interest of the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. Reporting Relationships • Reports directly to the Manager, Psychology Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required • Knowledge of psychological principles, inter-relational dynamics, individual and group behavior, and behavior modification techniques normally acquired through completion of PhD or Psy.D. from an American Psychological Association accredited school and successful completion of both a clinical internship and fellowship. • Current eligibility for licensure by State of Illinois required. • Completion of an accredited fellowship in rehabilitation psychology, health psychology and/or clinical neuropsychology is preferred. • Prior experience in an inpatient and/or outpatient rehabilitation setting is preferred. • Ability to interpret growth and development related information to assure patient needs are met. • Interpersonal skills necessary to communicate effectively with patients and families, and with physicians and team members. • Analytical skills to select and interpret neuropsychological and/or psychological tests assess patient disorders and formulate treatment plans. Working Conditions • Normal office environment with little or no exposure to dust or extreme temperature. Occasional exposure to infectious diseases when working with patients. Perks and Benefits of Working at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab • Flexible work schedule • No weekend nor holiday commitments unless desire • Academic appointment at Northwestern Medicine Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation • Many education opportunities such as ongoing grand rounds, neuroradiology rounds, schwartz rounds, didactics through NWM • Student training and participation in individual supervision, group supervision, and didactics • Committee involvement throughout the organization • Interdisciplinary and collaborative environment • Work with a variety of neurological and medically complex diagnoses such as TBI, non-traumatic brain injuries, stroke, locked-in syndrome, Parkinson’s disease, MS, brain oncology, FND/FMD, Guillain Barre, spinal cord injuries, organ transplants, amputation, burn, cardiac, pulmonary, bariatrics, cancers, orthopedic, and general deconditioning, • SRAlab qualifies as a non-profit (503c) organization for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) • Paid Time off and holidays • Paid conference attendance • Paid Continuing education • Health, dental, vision plans • Retirement packages 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. Pay and Benefits*: Pay Range: $82,300.00 - $136,700.00 Benefits: Shirley Ryan AbilityLab offers a comprehensive benefits program that is competitive with our industry peers in our geographic locations: https://www.sralab.org/benefits *Benefits and benefits’ eligibility can vary by position. Actual compensation will be determined by equity and qualifications of the role. Equal Employment Opportunity Employer Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunity without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin or ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military status, order of protection status, unfavorable discharge from military service, or any other characteristics protected by law. EEO is the Law | EEO is the Law - Know Your Rights | View our Full Policy Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is an Affirmative Action Employer as required by law.