Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) - Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospital 

Exalt Health, an acute rehabilitation hospital, provides an intensive rehabilitation program, and admitted patients must be able to tolerate three hours of intensive rehabilitation services per day. Focused on caring for patients with complex rehabilitative needs such as stroke, spinal cord injury, brain injury, head trauma, medically debilitating conditions, neurological disorders, cardiopulmonary amputations, orthopedic injuries, and multiple major traumas.

Position Summary

The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant will work under the direct supervision of a licensed Occupational Therapist (OT) to provide comprehensive Occupational Therapy services to patients in our inpatient rehabilitation setting. This role is vital in helping patients regain independence in performing activities of daily living (ADLs) and returning to their prior level of function.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assessment and Treatment: Assisting in the evaluation of patients’ functional abilities and limitations, and implementing treatment plans designed to improve self-care skills, activities of daily living (ADLs), and overall independence. This may include activities such as dressing, bathing, meal preparation, and mobility training.
• Patient Education: Educating patients and their families on the use of adaptive equipment, home modifications, and strategies for managing their condition.
• Documentation: Accurately documenting patient progress, treatment interventions, and outcomes in the electronic medical record.
• Communication and Collaboration: Communicating effectively with patients, families, OTs, physicians, nurses, and other members of the interdisciplinary team to ensure a coordinated and successful rehabilitation process.
• Professional Development: Staying up-to-date on the latest occupational therapy practices by attending continuing education courses. Maintain a safe and positive patient care environment.

Minimum Qualifications

(Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

Licenses or Certifications

• Current certification to practice as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant in the state where currently practicing.
• Current BLS certification required via the American Heart Association or American Red Cross (required).

Education, Training, and Experience

• Associate degree in occupational therapy from an accredited program.
• 2 years of Inpatient Rehabilitation experience (preferred).
• Strong clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and team-oriented environment.
• Compassionate and patient-centered approach to care.
• Proficient in documentation and medical record keeping.
• Strong understanding of current trends and best practices in rehabilitation medicine.

Skills and Abilities, Proficiency and Productivity Standards

• Promotes a healing environment and utilizes resources for optimum patient outcomes.
• Supports Patient Rights and promotes patient satisfaction.
• Highly organized with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects within a dynamic environment.
• Organizes and prioritizes tasks and projects, accurately completing job responsibilities within the specified time constraints.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work under deadlines and handle multiple tasks.
• Speaks and communicates English effectively in verbal and written format; writes legibly.
• Works cooperatively with co-workers and other hospital employees
• Functions proficiently in a Microsoft Windows environment (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)