Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA)

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Perform occupational therapy programs under the general supervision of an occupational therapist. Responsibilities include assisting in administering programs involving functional skills including activities of daily, pre-vocational, vocational homemaking skills. Instruct, motivate and assist patients/residents in learning and improving functional skills. Observe patients/residents during treatments and compile data on responses to treatments and progress. Report orally or in writing to supervising occupational therapist. Assist in evaluation of patient/resident daily living skills and capacities to determine the extent of abilities and limitations. Design and adapt equipment and working/living environment. Assist in instructing patient/resident and family in home programs as well as care and use of adaptive equipment. Document patient/resident progress toward established goals. Establish and maintain good public relations with patients/residents families and other center guests. Show empathy toward patients/residents as needed. Adhere to requirements of resident/patient Bill of Rights. Follow established infection control precautions; adhere to Universal Blood and Body Fluid Precautions, following policy and center specific infection control policies and procedures. Observe safety needs of patients/residents. Identify safety and security hazards and report to appropriate personnel after ensuring patient/resident is out of immediate danger. Assist in maintaining supplies and equipment. Maintain billing records. Follow policies and procedures related to body mechanics, transfer, body positioning and mobility as outlined in the Nursing Policies and Procedures Manual. Attend seminars and other educational programs related to occupational therapy as required to maintain active licensure status. Participate in scheduled in-service programs and staff meetings. Maintain confidentiality of necessary information. Utilize supplies and equipment properly and without waste. Think and act calmly and logically to meet unusual occurrences of the job without being thrown off stride. Perform any miscellaneous work assignments as may be required.

Job requirements include being a credentialed graduate of an accredited two-year Occupational Therapist Assistant program and certified according to national requirements. Licensed in the state where practicing if required. Prior experience preferred. Ability to lift 50 pounds, with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 20 pounds. Must be capable of executing all terms and conditions set forth in the Employee Handbook, including but not limited to: working in a safety conscious manner to ensure that others in the workplace are not at risk. Comply with local, state and federal regulations in addition to company policies and procedures. Interact in a tactful, diplomatic and humanistic manner with residents, families, visitors and co-workers to provide a safe, efficient and therapeutically effective caring environment to ensure the self-respect, personal dignity, rights and physical safety of each resident and center guest. Maintain a dependable attendance record and adhere to standards of cleanliness, grooming, hygiene and dress code.