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Occupational Therapist - Rehab Center - PRN

Mercyhealth · Harvard, IL · $60.00 an hour · Per diem

Posted Sep 23, 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

How do you keep your skills current when you work variable PRN hours rather than a steady schedule?

What they are checking: Whether they take ownership of their own competence and keep advanced techniques sharp.

Tell me about a time you taught a lecture or training to staff, students or a community group.

What they are checking: Whether they can explain occupational therapy clearly to others, a duty named in this posting.

How do you communicate with OTAs and the physician group when you are only in the clinic occasionally?

What they are checking: Whether they keep team communication strong even with a part-time or as-needed presence.

What would you do

As a PRN therapist you may cover patients you have never seen. How do you pick up someone else's caseload safely and quickly?

What they are checking: Whether they can read prior notes, keep the plan consistent and spot problems without starting over.

You are covering a shift and realize the regular therapist's plan does not seem to be working. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they adjust within reason and communicate with the primary therapist instead of ignoring or overriding the plan.

A patient tells you their home exercises are too hard and they stopped doing them. How do you respond?

What they are checking: Whether they modify the program with the patient and check understanding, rather than just repeating instructions.

What availability can you realistically offer the Harvard rehab center, and how would you handle a last-minute request?

What they are checking: Whether they are honest and dependable about coverage, which is the main value of a PRN therapist.

About the work

Walk me through how you build a treatment plan from your subjective and objective findings for a patient with shoulder pain.

What they are checking: Whether they turn evaluation data into a clear, reasoned plan with measurable goals.

How do you decide which physical agents or manual techniques are appropriate for a patient, and when are they contraindicated?

What they are checking: Whether they know safe indications and contraindications for common modalities in outpatient rehab.

How do you make sure your coding and billing match the services you actually provided?

What they are checking: Whether they understand accurate charge capture and know the common timed-code rules.

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The full job description

As published by Mercyhealth.

OVERVIEW: The Occupational Therapist is responsible for the evaluation, planning and implementation of a treatment plan addressing the functional needs of a variety of patient diagnoses. SCHEDULE : PRN SHIFT : Variable, as needed ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES • Integrates subjective and objective data to establish a treatment plan. • Utilizes exercise, physical agents, and manual techniques to address deficits. • Maintains a thorough record of services provided with appropriate coding and billing. • Communicates with other disciplines and referring providers to enhance outcomes. • Performs thorough and timely electronic documentation • Strengths in care delivery as evidenced by peer review feedback; consistently demonstrates advanced evaluation and treatment techniques • Participates actively in the PI and CQI process • Assists in the orientation, training and mentoring of new partners • Participates in cost saving initiatives within the department • Takes an active role in the performance improvement process • Maintain a high standard of patient care and provide effective communication between occupational therapists, assistants and the physician group • Plans and conducts lectures and training programs on occupational therapy and related topics for medical staff, students and community groups. EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE Graduate of an accredited school of Occupational Therapy CERTIFICATION/LICENSURE • Licensed as an occupational therapist in WI, IL or both if required • CPR/BLS required within 90 days of hire • NBCOT upon initial licensure only, as required ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS • Passing the Driver’s License Check and/or Credit Check (for those positions requiring). • Passing the WI Caregiver Background Check and/or IL Health Care Workers Background Check. • Must be able to follow written/oral instructions. WORK ENVIRONMENT • The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet • Occupational Exposure: Category A - All partners in the specified job classification have occupational exposure. INFORMATION ACCESS Partner may access patient care information needed to perform their job duties. WORK CONTACT GROUP Partners, physicians, patients/family, visitors, vendors SPECIAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS The Special Physical Demands are considered Essential Job Functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations. Stand – Frequently or condition exists up to 1/3 - 2/3 of the time Walk – Frequently or condition exists up to 1/3 - 2/3 of the time Sit – Occasionally or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time Handling/Fingering/Feeling – Frequently or condition exists up to 1/3 - 2/3 of the time Reaching – Frequently or condition exists up to 1/3 - 2/3 of the time Climb/Balance – Occasionally or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time Stoop/Kneel/Crouch/Crawl – Occasionally or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time Talk/Hear – Frequently or condition exists up to 1/3 - 2/3 of the time Taste/Smell – Not a present activity Strength – Medium work exerting 25-50 pounds of force occasionally or 10-25 pounds of force frequently Close Vision – Frequently or condition exists up to 1/3 - 2/3 of the time Distance Vision – Occasionally or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time Color Vision – Occasionally or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time Peripheral Vision – Occasionally or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time Depth Perception – Frequently or condition exists up to 1/3 - 2/3 of the time Ability to Adjust Focus – Frequently or condition exists up to 1/3 - 2/3 of the time LEVEL OF SUPERVISION Some independent judgement is required, based upon scope of practice and within professional standards. PAY RANGE: $60.00 - $60.00 Mercyhealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer . All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. Mercyhealth offers competitive pay and benefits, including retirement, time off, on-demand pay, access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and more. Click here for more details. At Mercyhealth, we don’t simply hire people, we empower employee-partners who are passionate about making lives better. As an integrated health system, we deliver exceptional, coordinated across seven hospitals, 85 primary and specialty clinics, and a team of over 7,500 professionals serving northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. Mercyhealth has been nationally recognized for our commitment to our people and culture, including: • #1 in the nation on AARP's Best Employers for Workers Over 50 • One of Working Mother magazine's 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers • A Top 50 Company and Top 10 Nonprofit for Executive Women

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