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Occupational Therapist NICU PRN

Lurie Children's Hospital · New Lenox, IL · $37.00–$60.50 an hour · Part time

Posted Sep 21, 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 parent how to handle or position their baby when they were scared to touch them.

What they are checking: How they build a nervous parent's confidence, since family teaching is a big part of NICU therapy.

How do you work with speech therapy, nursing and neonatology so feeding plans do not conflict?

What they are checking: Whether they coordinate across disciplines so a family hears one consistent plan instead of three.

Describe a time you changed a treatment plan because the patient was not responding the way you expected.

What they are checking: Whether they keep reassessing and adjust care, which the posting describes as modifying programs from ongoing evaluation.

When have you asked a more experienced therapist for guidance, and how did you decide it was time to ask?

What they are checking: Whether a Level I clinician knows the limits of their skills and seeks help before a mistake happens.

What would you do

This is a PRN role split between Silver Cross in New Lenox and Lurie downtown. How do you get up to speed fast when you only pick up shifts now and then?

What they are checking: Whether they can stay current on two units' routines and patients without being there every week.

A nurse tells you the baby is too tired for therapy today, but you think a short session would help. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they respect bedside nursing judgment while still advocating for what the infant needs.

About the work

Walk me through how you evaluate a premature infant in the NICU before you set any feeding or positioning goals.

What they are checking: Whether they know how to read infant stability cues and keep an evaluation short enough to be safe.

What signs of stress or instability would make you stop a session with a 30-weeker right away?

What they are checking: Whether they put physiologic stability ahead of finishing a planned treatment, which matters with fragile babies.

How do you decide on age-specific goals for an infant whose corrected age and chronological age are far apart?

What they are checking: Whether they plan care around corrected age and development rather than the calendar.

What do you document after a NICU session, and how do you make it useful for the next therapist who sees the baby?

What they are checking: Whether their notes support continuity of care when different PRN staff cover the same patient.

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The full job description

As published by Lurie Children's Hospital.

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago provides superior pediatric care in a setting that offers the latest benefits and innovations in medical technology, research and family-friendly design. As the largest pediatric provider in the region with a 140-year legacy of excellence, kids and their families are at the center of all we do. Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is ranked in all 10 specialties by the U.S. News & World Report. Day (United States of America) Location Silver Cross Hospital Job Description General Summary: The Level I staff member assumes responsibility and accountability for a designated group of patients and organizes, performs and modifies therapy programs based upon a thorough evaluation of each patient and best practice methods. This is an as-needed position to support both the NICU at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox and at Lurie Children's Hospital in downtown Chicago. Essential Job Functions: • Evaluates each assigned patient in terms of current or potential problems which pertain to the employee's discipline, meeting or exceeding established clinical pathways and protocols for best practice. Seeks guidance in this area as appropriate. • Establishes age specific plan of care and functional goals based on evaluation results, and regularly incorporates other disciplines, patient/family, into treatment planning, documenting the patient/family/caregiver's understanding of goals, explaining rationale and methods necessary to carry out treatments. Seeks guidance in this area as appropriate. • Consistently re-evaluates effectiveness of ongoing treatment plan, instituting appropriate changes in care plan. Seeks guidance in this area as appropriate. • Assesses educational needs of the patient, family, caregiver and provides education to meet those needs. • Participates in clinics, rounds, meetings, in-services, departmental process improvement projects and conferences, as assigned. • Collaborates and communicates appropriately with families, physicians, other rehabilitation staff, nurse case managers, and others within and outside the Children's Hospital of Chicago Medical Center system. • Upgrades own knowledge in pediatric care. Actively participates in in-services, including planning educational activities for the team as assigned. • Completes mandatory training including core competencies in a timely manner. • Meets required departmental productivity standards. • Complies with all department and institution policies and procedures. • Participates in supervision/instruction of students as assigned. • Participates in orientation of new staff and support staff as assigned. • Supports organizational change initiatives; adapting to a rapidly changing health care environment. • Performs job functions adhering to service principles with customer service focus of innovation, service excellence and teamwork to provide the highest quality care and service to our patients, families, co-workers and others. • Other job functions as assigned. Education and Experience: • Successful graduation from an accredited Occupational Therapy program. • Current License or proof of eligibility and submission for license in the State of Illinois. • Certification in CPR from the American Heart Association by having completed the BLS AED Heartsaver Course. Education Bachelor's Degree (Required) Pay Range $37.00-$60.50 Hourly At Lurie Children’s, we are committed to competitive and fair compensation aligned with market rates and internal equity, reflecting individual contributions, experience, and expertise. The pay range for this job indicates minimum and maximum targets for the position. Ranges are regularly reviewed to stay aligned with market conditions. In addition to base salary, Lurie Children’s offer a comprehensive rewards package that may include differentials for some hourly employees, leadership incentives for select roles, health and retirement benefits, and wellbeing programs. For more details on other compensation, consult your recruiter or click the following link to learn more about our benefits. Benefit Statement For full time and part time employees who work 20 or more hours per week we offer a generous benefits package that includes: Medical, dental and vision insurance Employer paid group term life and disability Employer contribution toward Health Savings Account Flexible Spending Accounts Paid Time Off (PTO), Paid Holidays and Paid Parental Leave 403(b) with a 5% employer match Various voluntary benefits: • Supplemental Life, AD&D and Disability • Critical Illness, Accident and Hospital Indemnity coverage • Tuition assistance • Student loan servicing and support • Adoption benefits • Backup Childcare and Eldercare • Employee Assistance Program, and other specialized behavioral health services and resources for employees and family members • Discount on services at Lurie Children’s facilities • Discount purchasing program There’s a Place for You with Us At Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and its affiliates (collectively “Lurie Children’s”), we embrace and celebrate diversity and equity in a serious way. We are committed to building a team with a variety of backgrounds, skills, and viewpoints — recognizing that diverse identities strengthen our workplace and the care we can provide to the Chicago community and beyond. We treat everyone fairly, appreciate differences, and make meaningful connections that foster belonging and allyship. This is a place where you can be your best, so we can give our best to the patients and families who trust us with their care. Lurie Children’s and its affiliates are equal employment opportunity employers. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, pregnancy, protected veteran status, order of protection status, protected genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. For questions about how to request an accommodation please contact: employeehealth@luriechildrens.org AI Notice Lurie Children’s utilizes certain AI-enabled features within our recruiting platform to support candidate engagement and assist recruiters in identifying and prioritizing applicants whose experience aligns with job requirements. All employment decisions are made by individuals. It is a civil rights violation with respect to recruitment, hiring, promotion, or employment for an employer to use artificial intelligence that has the effect of subjecting employees to discrimination on the basis of protected classes under the Illinois Human Rights Act or to use zip codes as a proxy for protected classes. For questions about the use of artificial intelligence in this process or any additional support, please contact: peoplequestions@luriechildrens.org

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