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Occupational Therapist - Arms and Hands Lab - Inpatient Hand Therapist- Part Time

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab · Chicago, IL · $68,000–$120,000 a year · Part time

Posted Jun 3, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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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 you taught a student or new clinician a specialized skill.

What they are checking: Fit with the department's clinical education program, which the posting mentions.

How do you stay current on hand therapy research?

What they are checking: Commitment to ongoing learning, which matters in a research-focused hospital.

What would you do

A patient with a spinal cord injury wants to use their hands again more than anything. How do you set goals with them?

What they are checking: Ability to set honest, meaningful goals and keep hope while being realistic.

This is part time. How do you make sure your patients get consistent care across the days you are not here?

What they are checking: Communication and handoff habits with the rest of the team.

A patient is not wearing their splint as prescribed. What do you do?

What they are checking: Problem-solving around comfort, education and patient priorities instead of blaming the patient.

About the work

This is an inpatient hand therapist role in our Arms and Hands Lab. How would you evaluate the upper limb of a patient after a stroke?

What they are checking: Skill in upper extremity assessment including tone, motor control, sensation and functional use.

Walk me through how you would fabricate a resting hand splint for a patient with high tone.

What they are checking: Hands-on orthotic fabrication skill and understanding of positioning goals for spasticity.

What is your experience with tendon repairs, fractures or nerve injuries, and how is inpatient hand therapy different?

What they are checking: Range of hand therapy knowledge and how it applies to complex rehab patients with other conditions.

How do you decide which upper extremity technology or approach to use, like electrical stimulation or robotics?

What they are checking: Evidence-based clinical reasoning when an innovative lab offers many tools.

How do you connect hand therapy to daily living skills like dressing and eating?

What they are checking: Whether they keep OT's focus on function rather than isolated exercises.

Practice this interview out loud.

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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 Occupational 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 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 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. Job Description The Occupational Therapist: • Evaluates, assesses, and plans treatment including orienting patient and significant others to the purposes and processes of OT evaluation and treatment. • Evaluates patient impairments, disability and handicap appropriate to patient diagnosis, life roles, age development, functional status, and medical condition. • Facilitates patient participation in the therapy process and collaborates with others advocating for patients and family to achieve desirable outcomes. • Identifies areas in which abilities and impairments affect function in order to establish goals in conjunction with the patient, family, and other team members. • Implements patient treatment plans utilizing occupational therapy treatment approaches, which includes selecting activities to achieve desired outcomes, transferring and positioning patients, and modifying treatment when necessary. • Participates in patient care conferences to coordinate treatment, educating patient and family. • Documents patient care activities following department protocols utilizing RICIS and appropriate manual report forms. • May supervise affiliated OT students. • May teach in Department and Education and Training courses. • Performs all other duties that may be assigned in the best interest of the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. Reporting Relationships: • Reports directly to the Therapy Manager, Ability Lab, Therapy Manager, Innovation Center, or Clinical Manager Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required: • Work requires the level of knowledge normally acquired by completing a Master's program in Occupational Therapy from an accredited college or university. • Current Illinois License to practice as an Occupational Therapist. • Current CPR certification required. • 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. ied. Pay and Benefits*: Pay Range: $68,000.00 - $120,000.00 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.

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