Chris Schnell
Kalamazoo
Summary
Dynamic Occupational Therapist with extensive experience at Select Rehabilitation, Senior Care Partners P.A.C.E. and Elara Caring home health, specializing in patient advocacy and interdisciplinary collaboration. Proven track record in enhancing rehabilitation outcomes through personalized treatment plans and effective family education. Skilled in home modifications and fostering patient rapport, resulting in improved independence and quality of life for diverse populations.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Occupational Therapist
Select Rehabilitation
Portage, MI
10.2025 - Current
- Conduct comprehensive assessments to evaluate patient functional abilities and needs.
- Develop personalized treatment plans to enhance patients' rehabilitation outcomes.
- Implement therapeutic interventions using evidence-based practices for diverse patient populations.
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to coordinate patient care and optimize recovery strategies.
- Educate patients and families on therapy techniques to promote engagement in treatment processes.
- Monitor patient progress, adjusting treatment plans based on ongoing evaluations and feedback.
- Document therapy sessions and progress accurately, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and best practices.
- Provide interventions and treatments to improve patient abilities to perform daily activities, manage symptoms and prevent injury.
- Coordinate discharge planning efforts alongside case managers to ensure seamless transitions between care providers upon leaving facility.
Occupational Therapist
Senior Care Partners P.A.C.E.
Portage, MI
06.2023 - 10.2025
- Conducted comprehensive assessments to evaluate participants functional abilities and needs.
- Developed personalized treatment plans to enhance participant rehabilitation outcomes.
- Implemented therapeutic interventions using evidence-based practices for diverse participant populations.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to coordinate participant care and optimize recovery strategies.
- Participated in continuing education opportunities to stay current with industry trends and best practices in occupational therapy.
- Provided education to empower participants and families to understand conditions, treatments and treatment options for managing symptoms.
- Promoted independence in activities of daily living through task analysis, environmental adaptations, and compensatory techniques.
- Enhanced overall quality of life for participants with chronic conditions by addressing physical, cognitive, psychosocial, and sensory impairments.
- Mentored occupational therapy students during clinical rotations, fostering professional growth and development.
- Developed customized home exercise programs, enabling participants to maintain progress outside of therapy sessions.
- Adapted environments by making changes to participant home environments to promote safety, independence and participation.
Occupational Therapist
Elara Caring
Kalamazoo, MI
01.2019 - 06.2023
- Conducted comprehensive assessments for new patients to identify functional limitations and establish therapeutic goals.
- Educated patients and families on therapy techniques to promote engagement in treatment processes.
- Monitored patient progress, adjusting treatment plans based on ongoing evaluations and feedback.
- Documented therapy sessions accurately, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and best practices.
- Assisted in training new staff on occupational therapy protocols and client management strategies.
- Adapted environments by making changes to patient homes to promote safety, independence and participation.
- Recommended equipment to use in-home to maximize opportunities for wellness.
- Advocated for patients' needs, securing necessary resources and support services to aid in their rehabilitation.
- Improved patient outcomes by implementing individualized treatment plans and monitoring progress.
- Established compassionate and caring relationships with patients.
- Reduced hospital readmission rates by providing thorough post-discharge follow-up care and education.
Education
Master of Science - Occupational Therapy
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI05-2014
Bachelor of Science - Occupational Therapy
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI05-2011
Skills
- Family and patient education
- Clinical reasoning
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Direct patient care
- Geriatric treatment
- Case management
- Treatment implementation
- Home modifications
- Patient rapport building
- Interpersonal communication
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Patient advocacy
Timeline
Occupational Therapist
Select Rehabilitation
10.2025 - Current
Occupational Therapist
Senior Care Partners P.A.C.E.
06.2023 - 10.2025
Occupational Therapist
Elara Caring
01.2019 - 06.2023
Master of Science - Occupational Therapy
Western Michigan University
Bachelor of Science - Occupational Therapy
Western Michigan University