Occupational Therapist

Position Summary

The Department of Neurology seeks an outstanding occupational therapist to participate in studies of movement recovery using spinal stimulation, under the supervision of Jason Carmel, MD, PhD, a neurologist and movement neuroscientist, and Katherine Dimitropolou, OT, PhD, an occupational therapist and movement neuroscientist. We seek to understand how electrical stimulation alters the sensorimotor system in individuals with spinal cord injury

The research is conducted at Columbia University Medical Center, which houses the medical school and biomedical graduate programs. The team includes faculty members from several Departments, including Neurology, Engineering, and Neurosurgery

The successful candidate will work with members of the Movement Recovery Laboratory and the Weinberg Cerebral Palsy Center. There will also be frequent interactions with engineers, clinicians, and neuroscientists who pursue similar studies in people undergoing spine surgery and in laboratory animals

Responsibilities

• Perform baseline assessments and help participants choose functional goals
• Provide hand therapy on an intensive basis, up to 40 hours in a 20–25 day period
• Learn to apply spinal cord stimulation during therapy sessions
• Participate in team research meetings
• Prepare data and figures for presentations and papers
• Conduct analyses of treatment fidelity

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in education and experience, plus three years of related experience
• New York occupational therapy (OT) license required

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with hand therapy in various clinical populations, including spinal cord injury
• Familiarity with dexterity assessments and experience with patient evaluation
• Candidates should demonstrate knowledge of clinical care and research

Other Requirements

• Strong analytical skills, critical thinking, and the ability to communicate clearly
• Candidates should demonstrate aptitude and interest in working with research participants and within a team of scientists and clinicians
• We also seek individuals with superior motivation, commitment, and attention to detail