Jennifer Porter
GENEVA,IL
Summary
Experienced, dedicated Occupational Therapist seeking career advancement in an organization where I can combine my passion for patient rehabilitation with my leadership skills and management experience. I am a self-directed, organized professional who believes that wellness includes physical and emotional healing. I have a unique ability to effectively motivate and inspire patients back to independence through personal commitment, laughter and perseverance. I believe in building a strong team focus with a commitment to goals.
I hold a Master in Occupational Therapy with over 12 years of patient assessment, therapy-program design and execution and multidisciplinary management experience. I have excellent communication and time management skills.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Registered Occupational Therapist
Northwestern Medicine
08.2018 - Current
- Customized standard plans to meet individual abilities and needs.
- Performed evaluations and assessments to recommend best treatment for individual patients.
- Performed assessments during treatment to determine progress according to goals.
- Meticulously reviewed records and referrals to determine and implement best treatment methods.
- Consulted with direct-care staff to implement best methods to achieve therapy goals.
- Developed strong organizational and communication skills through coursework and volunteer activities.
Lead Occupational Therapist
Northwestern Medicine
05.2012 - 08.2018
- Managed 30 employees including Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapist, Speech Therapists, Rehabilitation Techs and Mobility Techs.
- Managed Daily Team and PTO schedules for entire rehab department.
- Customized standard plans to meet individual abilities and needs.
- Coordinated interventions with multidisciplinary treatment team.
- Recommended equipment to use in-home to maximize opportunities for wellness.
- Established compassionate and caring relationships with patients.
- Worked flexible hours across night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
- Gained strong leadership skills by managing projects from start to finish.
Registered Occupational Therapist
Delnor Hospital
01.2008 - 05.2012
- Provide excellent patient care in an acute care setting. Complete evaluations to establish plan of care, discharge location, equipment needs, home exercise programs, and caregiver education. Manage daily patient caseload of 10-15 patients. Demonstrate leadership within the department and provide effective communication to the interdisciplinary team.
- Provided education to empower patients and families to understand conditions, treatments and treatment options for managing symptoms.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment.
- Recommended equipment to use in-home to maximize opportunities for wellness.
- Established compassionate and caring relationships with patients.
Registered Occupational Therapist
St. Patrick’s Residence
06.2004 - 01.2012
- Provided occupational therapy services for a 210-bed skilled nursing facility. Specialized in short term rehabilitation and sub-acute care for in-house patients. Completed evaluations, assessed patients’ rehabilitation needs, developed plan of care, treatment goals, and home health needs for discharge into the community. Trained and supervised two occupational therapy assistants.
Program Coordinator for Rehab Services
St. Patrick’s Residence
08.2002 - 02.2004
- Managed the therapy staff of 3 full-time employees and 4 part-time employees. Completed and organized the daily schedule for OT/PT/ST patients. Attended daily stand-up meetings to discuss patients’ medical and rehab status. Managed a high-volume patient caseload, as well as, monthly Profit and Loss for the therapy department. Successfully achieved performance goals which rewarded me a trip to RehabCare Group’s annual Leadership Conference “The Best of the Best,” in which only the top 10% of managers nationally were selected to attend.
Program Coordinator for Rehab Services
Provena St. Joseph Hospital-Transitional Care Unit
06.1999 - 05.2002
- Promoted to program coordinator after 3 months of being a staff occupational therapist on the unit. The Transitional Care Unit was a 21-bed sub-acute section within the hospital. Managed the therapy staff for 5 full-time employees and 2 part-time employees. Attended daily stand-up meetings and weekly interdisciplinary meetings with the medical director. Completed evaluations, patients’ plan of care, treatment programs and assessed patients’ for DME for discharge home. Managed patients’ therapy and staff schedules. Successfully managed the profitability of the department. My excellent performance at this facility earned my first trip to RehabCare Group’s “Leadership Conference.” My position at this facility ended when the transitional care unit permanently closed down due to high costs.
Occupational Therapist
Lexington Health Care Center
12.1998 - 06.1999
- This was my first entry-level position with RehabCare Group upon earning my MOT. I was responsible for a caseload of 10-13 patients daily. Daily responsibilities included evaluations, plan of care, treatment programs and discharge plans. I left Lexington to pursue a full time position as an occupational therapist in a hospital setting.
Education
Master of Occupational Therapy -
Midwestern University
Downers Grove, IL12.1998
Bachelor of Science -
Benedictine University (Formerly Illinois Benedictine College)
Lisle, IL05.1996
Skills
- Clinical assessment
- Goal setting experience
- Outcome planning
- Treatment plan adjustment
- Acute and rehabilitative care
- Patient management
- Staff education and training
- Discharge planning
- Patient rapport building
- Workflow planning
- Family and patient education
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
Accomplishments
- Supervised team of 30 staff members.
Certification
- Licensed and Registered Occupational Therapist, State of Illinois, #056-005557
- NBCOT #1031214
- CPR Certified
- Stroke Certified
Timeline
Registered Occupational Therapist
Northwestern Medicine
08.2018 - Current
Lead Occupational Therapist
Northwestern Medicine
05.2012 - 08.2018
Registered Occupational Therapist
Delnor Hospital
01.2008 - 05.2012
Registered Occupational Therapist
St. Patrick’s Residence
06.2004 - 01.2012
Program Coordinator for Rehab Services
St. Patrick’s Residence
08.2002 - 02.2004
Program Coordinator for Rehab Services
Provena St. Joseph Hospital-Transitional Care Unit
06.1999 - 05.2002
Occupational Therapist
Lexington Health Care Center
12.1998 - 06.1999
Master of Occupational Therapy -
Midwestern University
Bachelor of Science -
Benedictine University (Formerly Illinois Benedictine College)
Professional Recognition
Recognition by Lore Bogolin, Chief Nurse Officer and Vice President of Patient Care Services for excellence in patient care in 2012, Recipient of the “Doing, Caring, Helping” award for recognition of excellence in service and practice at Delnor Hospital in 2009, RehabCare Group Leadership Conference “Best of the Best” 2003 for top 10% of managers, RehabCare Group Leadership Conference 2000, 2001 and 2002 for outstanding performance