Sr. Occupational Therapist

Duties & Responsibilities

Deliver trauma-informed, culturally and linguistically responsive occupational therapy services to individuals and families impacted by torture, forced displacement, and severe trauma. Conduct individual and group assessments and interventions on-site, in community settings, and virtually as needed. Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams — including clinical, case management, medical, legal, and social service providers — to support participant goals and holistic care. Maintain timely and accurate clinical documentation in accordance with organizational and professional standards. Provide clinical supervision to OT students in alignment with AOTA guidelines and contribute to internal training and capacity building efforts. Participate in program development, including reviewing clinical policies, contributing to grant reporting, and supporting evaluation efforts. Represent the Marjorie Kovler Center in local and national coalitions, workgroups, and community partnerships. Provide education and training to staff, volunteers, and external partners on the role of occupational therapy in trauma recovery and forced migration contexts. Demonstrate adaptability and initiative in a cross-cultural, trauma-informed environment. Participate in regular individual supervision, team meetings, and professional development activities. Ensure compliance with organizational policies, ethical standards, and applicable licensing requirements. Perform other duties as assigned in support of program and organizational goals.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• N/A
• Education and
• Experience: Master’s degree or higher in Occupational Therapy from an accredited institution. Current licensure as an Occupational Therapist in the State of Illinois. Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in occupational therapy, preferably in community-based or trauma-informed settings. At least 3 years of experience working with immigrant, refugee, or other vulnerable populations. Experience providing clinical supervision to OT students in accordance with AOTA standards. Familiarity with interdisciplinary collaboration in clinical environments. Experience working with interpreters in both individual and group settings is highly desirable. Multilingual abilities are a plus, especially in languages represented by the client population.
• Knowledge/Skills/Abilities (K/S/A): Deep understanding of trauma-informed care principles and their application in occupational therapy. Knowledge of the impact of social, psychological, and cultural dimensions of forced migration and torture on occupational performance. Ability to deliver culturally and linguistically responsive services in a cross-cultural setting. Experience working with interpreters in both individual and group therapeutic contexts. Strong clinical reasoning and assessment skills tailored to diverse populations. Ability to work independently and collaboratively within interdisciplinary teams. Skilled in technical supervision and mentoring of OT students in accordance with AOTA standards. Effective communicator with the ability to educate others on the role of OT in trauma recovery and forced migration contexts. Demonstrated capacity for program development, training, and external partnership engagement. Proficiency in Microsoft 365 and electronic health record systems. Ability to remain calm, flexible, and solution-oriented in high-pressure or crisis situations. Commitment to ethical practice, confidentiality standards, and professional development.

Competencies

Work Environment

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Heartland Alliance International makes all hiring and employment decisions, and operates all programs, services, and functions without regard to race, receipt of an order of protection, creed, color, age, gender, gender identity, marital or parental status, religion, ancestry, national origin, amnesty, physical or mental disability, protected veterans status, genetic information, sexual orientation, immigrant status, political affiliation or belief, use of FMLA, VESSA, military, and family military rights, ex-offender status (depending on the offense and position to be filled), unfavorable military discharge, membership in an organization whose primary purpose is the protection of civil rights or improvement of living conditions and human relations, height, weight, or HIV infection, in accord with the organization's AIDS Policy Statement of September 1987.