Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

Certified Occupational Therapy AssistantJoin a skilled nursing and rehabilitation team in Gresham, Oregon, and build your career in one of the Pacific Northwest's most scenic and livable communities. Gresham sits at the gateway to Mt. Hood and the Columbia River Gorge, just east of Portland, offering a rare blend of small-city comfort with quick access to big-city amenities. Residents enjoy an abundance of parks and urban trails, with easy access to Oxbow Regional Park, the Sandy River Gorge, and expansive views of Mt. Hood. Whether you enjoy hiking, biking, kayaking, or simply exploring local cafes and a growing downtown, Gresham provides a welcoming community with a relaxed pace of life and beautiful natural surroundings.This skilled nursing and rehab center provides comprehensive post-acute and long-term care for an adult and geriatric population with a range of medical and functional needs. You will be part of an interdisciplinary team committed to high-quality outcomes, evidence-based practice, and patient-centered care. The environment supports collaboration between occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, nursing, and case management, helping you grow clinically while delivering meaningful, functional progress for your patients.As a COTA in this setting, you will work under the supervision of an Occupational Therapist to provide hands-on treatment focused on helping patients regain independence with activities of daily living, self-care, mobility, and home safety. A typical day includes reviewing the schedule and plan of care with the supervising OT, preparing the treatment area or patient room, and completing individual and group treatment sessions throughout the day. You will assist patients with ADL retraining such as dressing, bathing, toileting, grooming, and functional transfers, as well as participating in therapeutic exercise, balance training, and cognitive tasks when appropriate. You will carry a dedicated caseload that may include patients recovering from orthopedic surgeries, strokes, cardiac and pulmonary events, general debility, and other complex medical conditions typical of a skilled nursing environment.Depending on acuity and facility census, you can expect to see multiple patients per day, with time allocated for treatment, documentation, and communication with the care team. Patient ratios and caseloads are designed to support productive yet sustainable therapy delivery while maintaining regulatory and documentation standards. Key responsibilities include implementing treatment plans established by the occupational therapist, observing and reporting patient progress and changes in condition, documenting visits in the electronic medical record system, and assisting with discharge planning recommendations for equipment and home safety. You will participate in interdisciplinary meetings and care conferences, contributing your insights to help shape each patient's rehab goals and discharge plan. You may also help orient new staff or students and contribute to department projects or quality initiatives when needed.Shifts are typically scheduled during daytime hours to align with patient routines and facility programming, with some flexibility depending on census and operational needs. Weekend and holiday rotations may be required to maintain continuity of care. The center offers well-equipped therapy spaces, access to adaptive equipment and modalities, and support staff who understand the pace and requirements of skilled rehab. Professionally, this role offers a solid platform to refine and expand your skills in post-acute care, functional training, and geriatric rehabilitation. You will have opportunities to learn from experienced therapists, engage with a variety of diagnoses, and build a strong foundation in regulatory and documentation standards that are highly valued across the rehab continuum. Working in Gresham also gives you the chance to enjoy a vibrant outdoor lifestyle, quick day trips to Mt. Hood for year-round recreation, access to the Columbia River Gorge for hiking and water activities, and convenient proximity to Portland's cultural, dining, and entertainment options.