Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)

Staff Occupational Therapist Assistant

The Staff Occupational Therapist Assistant assists the Staff Occupational Therapist with resident related activities and direct resident care.

Essential Duties

• Treat residents as directed by the Occupational Therapist.
• Complete timely, accurate, and compliant documentation in accordance with facility, governmental, and third-party payer requirements.
• Maintain a safe treatment environment by following infection control, safety, and equipment maintenance protocols.
• Participate in Resident Care conferences and/or Rehabilitation meetings, as needed.
• Assist nursing department with training of Restorative Aides.
• Communicates routinely with the supervising occupational therapist to ensure timely updates to physicians, nursing staff, the interdisciplinary team, residents, and families regarding progress, goals, and discharge planning.
• Provides in-services on training programs for other staff in the facility as needed.
• Educate residents, families, and caregivers on treatment goals, home exercise programs, maintenance programs, safety techniques, and fall prevention strategies.
• Recommend and facilitate the ordering of necessary durable medical equipment for residents to facilitate independence in ADLs; i.e., adaptive equipment, splints, assistive devices, elevated toilet seats, and grab bars.
• Must maintain confidentiality of residents' information as well as company information.
• Report any problems with department equipment so that it is maintained in good working order.
• Contribute to quality assurance, performance improvement initiatives, and facility rehabilitation program development as assigned.
• Ability to relate positively, effectively, and appropriately with residents/residents, families, staff and professional colleagues.

Qualification

Education and/or Experience

Associate Degree from an accredited COTA program. Proficient in computer skills such as inputting data into programs for Net Health and Point Click Care.

Language Skills

Ability to read technical procedures. Ability to read and comprehend policy and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, coworkers and families.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to solve practical problems. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Licensed as an Occupational Therapist Assistant in the state. Employee must meet continuing education requirements per state practices. Must maintain a license in good standing at all time with the state board. Determine additional certification as appropriate per facility. CPR certification, if required by licensure.

Physical Demands

The essential functions of this position require the ability to stand and walk frequently and sit occasionally, as well as occasionally climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl as needed to provide resident care and operate equipment. The position requires the ability to reach, push, pull, lift, and manipulate objects and equipment, with exertion that may occasionally exceed 100 pounds, frequently exceed 50 pounds, or constantly exceed 20 pounds to safely move residents or equipment. Effective communication, including talking and hearing, is required to interact with residents, families, and the healthcare team. The ability to perceive and respond to environmental cues, including tactile, auditory, and visual information, is essential for safe and effective resident care. Other essential functions include assisting, supporting, and transporting residents in accordance with safe resident handling practices.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job, in compliance with applicable federal and state laws.

The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status.