Occupational Therapist – Acute Care Hospital
Saint Joseph, MO
Host Healthcare
5x8 hrs, Days
Referral Bonus
$50-54/hourOverview
- Start Date05/11/2026
- Shift Breakdown5x8 hrs
- ShiftDays
- Duration13 weeks
Pay
Benefits
- Referral bonus
- School loan reimbursement
- Vision benefits
- Wellness and fitness programs
- Company provided housing options
- License and certification reimbursement
- Life insurance
- Medical benefits
- Mileage reimbursement
- Pet insurance
- Discount program
- Employee assistance programs
- Guaranteed Hours
- Health savings account
- Holiday Pay
- 401k retirement plan
- Continuing Education
- Dental benefits
Description
Occupational Therapist - Acute Care Hospital
Location: Saint Joseph, Missouri
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks
Job Overview
Join a dynamic, patient-centered rehabilitation team in an acute hospital setting. As a Travel Occupational Therapist (OTR), you will support patients’ recovery during hospitalization, helping them regain independence and function through compassionate, evidence-based therapy.
Schedule
- 5 days per week, 8-hour day shifts
- Variable start time between 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM
- One weekend day shift per month (rotation)
- No on-call required
- Flexibility to adjust start time (9:00-9:30 AM) on certain surgery days
Responsibilities
- Conduct 6–7 scheduled evaluations or reassessments daily
- Respond to new referrals until 1:00 PM
- Collaborate with peers and other therapy disciplines to manage caseloads
- Adapt to changing patient loads and needs daily
- Encourage patient participation, even if patients are physically or emotionally unwell
- Prioritize patient needs and promote rehabilitation-based recovery
Required Qualifications
- Valid Occupational Therapist license in Missouri
- Licensed Occupational Therapist (OTR) with state licensure in Missouri
- NBCOT certification
- Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
- Minimum 1 year of Occupational Therapy experience within the last year
Professional Attributes
- Strong communication skills and bedside manner
- Highly organized and able to manage changing priorities
- Team-oriented and collaborative
- Compassionate with a flexible, patient-first mindset
Additional Requirements & Compliance
- Background checks including national, state, and county searches within 30 days of start
- Education verification with official transcript or diploma
- Drug screening within 30 days of start
- Physical exam within the last 12 months
- Immunizations and/or titers for Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella, Hepatitis B, and seasonal flu vaccination (or approved exemption)
- Fit testing completed onsite
- Professional references (2) within 3 years of start
- Employment application, skills checklist, and work history verification required
- Missouri EDL search within 30 days of start
Work Attire
- Scrubs must be solid color (no prints), with 10 approved colors
Why Join?
- Supportive, multidisciplinary team culture
- Flexible scheduling and shift start times
- On-site training available for hospital-based edema management
- Strong potential for contract extension and permanent hire opportunities
- Mission-driven environment focused on patient empowerment and recovery
Note: This position does not require prior travel experience.
Employer
Host Healthcare
225 nurses recommend working with Host Healthcare
At Host Healthcare, we provide a truly comfortable experience as you explore your travel nursing, therapy, or allied career. We make your travel healthcare journey easy by taking care of all the details, so you don’t have to.
We are on a mission to help others live better and we do this by helping the healers of the world be as comfortable as possible. With access to tens of thousands of travel nursing, therapy, and allied jobs in all 50 states, our responsive and friendly recruiters find your dream position based on what’s important to you.
During your assignment, get access to premium benefits, including Day 1 medical that continues up to 30 days between assignments, 401K matching, travel reimbursements, dedicated housing support, and more. We also offer 24/7 support from our team and access to our on-staff clinicians so you can feel comfortable and confident throughout your entire assignment.
Travel comfortably with Host Healthcare.
About Saint Joseph, MO
As a travel nurse in Saint Joseph, MO here's what you should know:- Slightly lower than the national average, making it an affordable option for travel nurses.
- Wages generally match the lower cost of living.
- Average summer highs of 86°F and winter lows of 17°F.
- Short term rentals are available and relatively easy to find, especially in the downtown area.
- Car-friendly city with limited public transportation options.
- Diverse community with a wide age range.
- Common health issues include obesity and heart disease.
- Saint Joseph has a growing population of travel nurses.
- Variety of restaurants, local art scene, live music venues, sports events, and outdoor activities near the Missouri River.
Browse similar jobs
Occupational Therapist - Rehabilitation
- Mound City, MO
- Stability Healthcare
- 5x8 hrs, Days
Local Contract Occupational Therapist
- Nova Center, MO
- Quantum Education Professionals
- 5x8 hrs
Acute Care Occupational Therapist
- Washington, MO
- Stability Healthcare
- 5x8 hrs, Days