Occupational Therapist Jobs in Illinois
Occupational Therapist jobs in Illinois are consistently active, with strong demand across hospital systems, pediatric clinics, school districts, and skilled nursing facilities, and openings at every level from new graduate to senior clinician. Chicago anchors the largest share of hiring, followed by the broader suburbs and secondary markets like Rockford and Peoria, where major employers such as Northwestern Medicine, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, and Advocate Aurora Health maintain lasting occupational therapy programs. The most in-demand specialties in the state include pediatrics, hand therapy, and neurological rehabilitation. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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At Elara Caring, we have a unique opportunity to play a huge role in the growth of an entire home care industry. Here, each employee has the chance to make a real difference by carrying out our mission every day. Join our elite team of healthcare professionals, providing the Right Care, at the Right Time, in the Right Place.
Job Description:
Occupational Therapist
At Elara Caring, we care where you are and believe the best place for your care is where you live. We know there’s no place like home, and that’s why our teams continue to provide high-quality care to more than 60,000 patients each day in their preferred home setting. Wherever our patients call home and wherever they are on their health journey, we care. Each team member has a part to play in this mission. This means you have countless ways to make a difference as an Occupational Therapist. Being a part of something this great, starts by carrying out our mission every day through your true calling: developing an amazing team of compassionate and dedicated healthcare providers.
To continue to be an industry pioneer in delivering unparalleled care, we need an Occupational Therapist with commitment and compassion. Are you one of them? If so, apply today!
Why Join the Elara Caring mission?
- Work in a collaborative environment.
- Be rewarded with a unique opportunity to make a difference
- Competitive compensation package
- Tuition reimbursement for full-time staff and continuing education opportunities for all employees at no cost
- Opportunities for advancement
- Comprehensive insurance plans for medical, dental, and vision benefits
- 401(K) with employer match
- Paid time off, paid holidays, family, and pet bereavement
- Pet insurance
As an Occupational Therapist, you’ll contribute to our success in the following ways:
- Evaluates the occupational therapy patient to determine the rehabilitation needs, potential for achievement, and develops a plan of care in accordance with the findings.
- Participates in the implementation and development of the Plan of Care to ensure quality and continuity of care and proper discharge planning. Makes the initial therapy evaluation visit and re-evaluates the patients therapy needs during each visit. Makes follow-up assessments according to OASIS and PPS regulatory guidelines.
- Communicates significant findings, problems, changes in condition or environment to the appropriate supervisor, the physician, and other team members involved with patient care.
- Initiates plan for patient safety, using the patient, family, and community resources.
- Verifies the Plan of Care prior to each visit and provides care according to physician’s orders, assessment data, and established standards and guidelines.
- Writes physician orders to cover additional visits and changes to the Plan of Care, per agency policy.
- Incorporates patient care goals established in the Plan of Care, into therapy care, as evidenced by documentation in therapy notes.
- Performs occupational therapy services in accordance with accepted standards of practice and certified by the patient’s physician.
- Instructs and provides patients and/or their families with “activities of daily living” utilizing adaptive equipment as well as sensory integration and fine motor coordination skills.
- Assists patient and/or caregiver in securing necessary equipment, which may include fabrication of custom- made splints.
- Instructs the patient and/or caregiver in the therapy home program providing modification and clarification when necessary.
- Counsels and instructs the patient and family in meeting therapy and related needs.
- Supervises and/or provides clinical direction to the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA), Home Health Aide (HHA), and clinical staff to ensure the therapy care plan is followed and quality of care is being provided.
- Physically demanding, high stress environment
- Full range of body motion including handling, lifting and transfer of patients
- Potentially work irregular hours including call hours if applicable
What is Required?
- Graduate of an accredited Occupational Therapy program
- Current, unrestricted OT license valid for the state of work
- Minimum one (1) year of experience in a clinical care setting
- Able and willing to travel within branch/office coverage area.
- Must have a dependable vehicle, valid driver’s license, and current auto insurance in accordance with state laws.
- Must be able and willing to travel 50%
- Ability to frequently lift, push, pull, and support up to 50 pounds, including positioning or transferring patients and moving equipment
You will report to the Branch Director, Clinical Manager, Clinical Supervisor or designee.
Equal Employment Opportunity: We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and comply with state and federal affirmative action requirements. Individuals are recruited, hired, assigned and promoted without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. If you require assistance due to a disability in the application or recruitment process, please submit a request via email at recruiting@elara.com.
Pay & Benefit Information: Compensation for this role will be determined based on a variety of factors, including qualifications, skills, competencies, and relevant experience. Elara offers a broad range of benefits. Learn more at https://careers.elara.com/us/en/benefits
EVerify: Elara Caring participates in E-Verify after a job offer is accepted and Form I-9 completed.
See All 108+ Occupational Therapist Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Occupational Therapist JobsOccupational Therapist Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Enhance Rehabilitation20

- HealthPRO Heritage6

- Functional Pathways4

- Nexus Health3

- Advocate Aurora Health3

Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Insurance
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in occupational therapist jobs across Illinois.
- Active Illinois Occupational Therapist license issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
- Master's or doctoral degree in occupational therapy from an accredited program
- Passing scores on the NBCOT OTR certification examination
- Experience working in a clinical setting such as acute care, rehab, or outpatient
- Proficiency with documenting treatment plans and progress notes in electronic health record systems
- Strong knowledge of evidence-based interventions for assigned patient population or specialty area
Occupational Therapist Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a occupational therapist in Illinois?
To become a licensed occupational therapist in Illinois, you must complete an accredited master's or doctoral degree in occupational therapy, pass the NBCOT OTR certification exam, and apply for licensure through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Illinois does not participate in an interstate compact for OT licensure, so out-of-state applicants must apply directly and meet all state requirements before practicing.
How much do occupational therapists make in Illinois?
Occupational therapists in Illinois earn a median of about $99,700 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $73,360 for the lowest 10% to over $132,180 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire occupational therapists in Illinois?
Employers hiring occupational therapists in Illinois right now include Enhance Rehabilitation, HealthPRO Heritage, and Functional Pathways, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois's large integrated health systems and specialized rehabilitation centers, particularly in the Chicago metro, generate a steady volume of full-time and per diem openings throughout the year.
Which Illinois cities have the most occupational therapist jobs?
The cities with the most occupational therapist openings in Illinois are Chicago, Springfield, and Naperville. Chicago leads by a wide margin given its concentration of major hospital systems and specialty rehabilitation facilities, while surrounding suburban communities and downstate cities like Rockford and Peoria support demand through regional medical centers and school district programs.
Are there remote occupational therapist jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. Occupational therapy is fundamentally hands-on, so most positions require in-person patient care. About 12% of occupational therapist openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those tend to be in telehealth consultation, care coordination, or clinical documentation review rather than direct treatment roles.
How can I get hired as a occupational therapist in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to new-graduate or Level II fieldwork-to-hire programs at Illinois hospital systems like Shirley Ryan AbilityLab or Advocate Aurora Health, which regularly convert fieldwork students to staff positions. School districts across Illinois also hire new graduates under supervision during the licensure process. Candidates coming from OT assistant or rehabilitation aide roles have a natural bridge, and completing your NBCOT exam and Illinois license application before interviews gives you a clear edge.
Where can I find and apply to occupational therapist jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to occupational therapist jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings from employers actively hiring right now. Find roles that fit your experience and specialty and apply directly without creating an account.
See All 108+ Occupational Therapist Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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