Occupational Therapist - Job Opportunity at Penrose Hospital

Colorado Springs, United States
Full-time
Mid-level
Posted: May 25, 2025
On-site
USD 32.35 - 49.97 per hour

Benefits

Comprehensive 401(k) retirement plan with generous employer matching that accelerates wealth building and provides superior retirement security compared to industry standards
Full medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage offering comprehensive healthcare protection for employees and their families
Flexible spending account with potential company contributions that maximizes tax savings on healthcare and dependent care expenses
Tuition reimbursement program supporting continuous professional development and advanced certifications in occupational therapy
Student loan forgiveness program that significantly reduces educational debt burden, particularly valuable in healthcare fields with high education costs
Relocation assistance up to $8,000 demonstrating strong commitment to attracting top talent and easing geographic transitions
Access to Flight for Life Colorado and telehealth services representing cutting-edge healthcare technology exposure

Key Responsibilities

Deliver comprehensive continuum of care services for patients with complex neuromuscular, orthopedic, and physically-related disorders, directly impacting patient recovery outcomes and quality of life improvements
Implement advanced mobility training, strengthening protocols, therapeutic modalities, and specialized manual therapy techniques that drive measurable patient progress and reduce hospital readmission rates
Execute evidence-based neuromuscular reeducation programs that restore optimal patient function and facilitate successful transitions from acute care to independent living
Lead rehabilitation processes that promote holistic patient well-being while maintaining accountability for organizational mission alignment and core value integration
Collaborate within multidisciplinary healthcare teams to develop and execute patient-centered treatment plans that optimize clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction scores
Maintain detailed electronic medical records documentation ensuring regulatory compliance and supporting data-driven treatment decisions

Requirements

Education

Bachelor Degree in Occupational Therapy required, Master's degree preferred

Experience

Previous work experience providing direct patient care in outpatient, inpatient or inpatient rehab unit preferred

Required Skills

Direct patient care delivery Electronic medical records (EMR) utilization Mobility training and strengthening techniques Therapeutic modalities application Specialized manual therapy Neuromuscular reeducation Medium work physical capacity (up to 50lbs force occasionally, 20lbs frequently, 10lbs constantly)

Certifications

Current Basic Life Support (BLS) from American Heart Association required Current Colorado state licensure in occupational therapy upon hire or within 3 months required
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

Healthcare systems are experiencing unprecedented demand for rehabilitation services driven by aging baby boomer populations and increased survival rates from complex medical procedures, creating sustained job security and growth opportunities for occupational therapists. Integration of telehealth and digital therapeutic platforms is transforming traditional occupational therapy delivery models, requiring therapists to develop technological competencies alongside clinical skills to remain competitive in evolving healthcare environments. Value-based care models are shifting focus from volume to patient outcomes, elevating the strategic importance of occupational therapists who can demonstrate measurable functional improvements and reduced readmission rates. Post-acute care settings are expanding rapidly as hospitals seek to reduce length of stay while maintaining quality outcomes, creating new opportunities for occupational therapists in transitional care roles.

Salary Evaluation

The hourly range of $32.35-$49.97 translates to approximately $67,288-$103,938 annually for full-time positions, which aligns competitively with national occupational therapy salaries and reflects Colorado Springs' cost of living adjustments. This range positions slightly above national median for hospital-based OT roles.

Role Significance

Typically operates within rehabilitation teams of 8-12 professionals including physical therapists, speech therapists, nurses, and support staff, with potential oversight of occupational therapy assistants and students in teaching hospital environment.
This represents a core clinical practitioner role with significant patient care responsibilities and potential for clinical leadership development within CommonSpirit's extensive network, offering pathways to supervisory and specialized practice positions.

Key Projects

Implementation of evidence-based rehabilitation protocols for specific patient populations such as stroke recovery, orthopedic surgery rehabilitation, and neurological disorders Development and execution of quality improvement initiatives focused on patient satisfaction scores, functional outcome measures, and length of stay optimization Participation in multidisciplinary care pathway development for complex medical cases requiring coordinated rehabilitation services Integration of new therapeutic technologies and treatment modalities into existing clinical practice frameworks

Success Factors

Demonstrated ability to achieve measurable patient functional improvements while maintaining high satisfaction scores, as healthcare systems increasingly focus on value-based care metrics and patient experience ratings. Strong clinical documentation skills and electronic medical record proficiency that supports regulatory compliance, billing accuracy, and data-driven treatment planning in complex healthcare environments. Effective interdisciplinary collaboration capabilities that facilitate seamless care coordination across multiple departments and specialty services within large health system operations. Adaptability to evolving clinical practices and technology integration, particularly as healthcare systems invest in digital health solutions and evidence-based treatment protocols.

Market Demand

High demand driven by healthcare workforce shortages, particularly in acute care settings, combined with Colorado's growing population and CommonSpirit's expansion initiatives creating multiple advancement opportunities and job security.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Electronic medical records proficiency is essential as healthcare systems increasingly rely on data analytics for treatment planning, regulatory compliance, and quality reporting, making technological competency a foundational requirement for clinical practice. Manual therapy and neuromuscular reeducation expertise directly impacts patient outcomes and hospital quality metrics, particularly important in acute care settings where functional improvements affect length of stay and readmission rates. Physical capacity for medium work demands (up to 50lbs) is crucial for safe patient handling and therapeutic intervention delivery, especially important in acute care environments with complex patient mobility needs.

Beneficial Skills

Specialized certifications in areas such as hand therapy, lymphedema management, or neurological rehabilitation would enhance career advancement opportunities within CommonSpirit's diverse service offerings and patient populations. Research and quality improvement experience would support career progression into clinical leadership roles and evidence-based practice implementation across the health system's multiple locations. Teaching and mentoring capabilities would be valuable given CommonSpirit's likely involvement in clinical education and potential for supervising occupational therapy students and new graduates.

Unique Aspects

Opportunity to work within a Magnet-designated hospital environment that demonstrates commitment to nursing excellence and collaborative professional practice, enhancing interdisciplinary learning and career development opportunities.
Access to advanced therapeutic technologies and specialized patient populations through Penrose Hospital's tertiary care services including cancer treatment, cardiac care, and trauma services that provide diverse clinical experience.
Integration with Flight for Life Colorado services offering potential exposure to emergency and transport medicine applications of occupational therapy in unique healthcare delivery settings.
Relocation assistance up to $8,000 demonstrates organizational commitment to attracting top talent and supporting geographic transitions for career advancement within the extensive CommonSpirit network.

Career Growth

Career advancement typically occurs within 3-5 years for high-performing clinicians, with opportunities accelerated by CommonSpirit's size and commitment to internal promotion and professional development support.

Potential Next Roles

Senior Occupational Therapist with specialized focus areas such as hand therapy, neurological rehabilitation, or burn care within CommonSpirit's comprehensive service offerings Clinical Supervisor or Department Manager overseeing occupational therapy services across multiple hospital locations within the Mountain Region network Clinical Specialist or Research Coordinator developing and implementing evidence-based practice initiatives across CommonSpirit's 140+ hospital system Advanced Practice roles in specialized settings such as acute care, intensive care, or emergency trauma services leveraging Penrose Hospital's tertiary care capabilities

Company Overview

Penrose Hospital

CommonSpirit Health operates as one of the nation's largest nonprofit, faith-based health systems with over 150,000 employees across 140+ hospitals and 2,200+ care sites, representing significant organizational stability and resource availability for employee development and career advancement.

Penrose Hospital maintains strong regional market position as a 300-bed anchor facility within the larger Penrose-St. Francis Health Services system, specializing in high-acuity services including cancer care, cardiac care, emergency trauma, and physical rehabilitation that attract complex cases requiring advanced occupational therapy skills.
Colorado Springs location offers unique advantages including 300+ days of annual sunshine, proximity to recreational areas like Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods, and access to a growing metropolitan area with diverse healthcare opportunities and lifestyle benefits.
Faith-based mission emphasizing "humankindness" and service to vulnerable populations creates purpose-driven work environment, while Magnet Hospital designation indicates superior nursing quality and collaborative professional relationships that enhance interdisciplinary practice.
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