Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

Under the direction and supervision of a licensed Occupational Therapist (OT), the COTA delivers skilled occupational therapy interventions to swing bed (acute/sub-acute) patients and hospital inpatients. Focuses on helping patients regain or compensate for lost motor, cognitive, and sensory skills so that they can safely transition to home or to a lower level of care.

Qualifications

Graduate of an accredited Occupational Therapy Assistance associate degree program.

Must hold an active, valid COTA license

Certification from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).

Minimum of six to twelve months of clinical experience in acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, or hospital swing-bed setting preferred.

Current BLS certification.

Role and Responsibilities

• Execute therapeutic activities, exercises, and functional retraining (e.g., self-care, activities of daily living, transfer training) as established in the individualized treatment plan designed by the supervising OT.
• Educates patients and their caregivers on lifestyle modifications, compensatory strategies, and the safe use of adaptive and durable medical equipment.
• Continuously monitors patient response to interventions and immediately reports significant alterations in condition, progress, and safety concerns to the supervising OT.
• Completes precise, timely clinical documentation in the electronic medical record (EMR) and accurately log procedural billing charges in compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Adheres strictly to hospital infection control policies, ensure a safe patient environment, and report/remove malfunctioning equipment.

Requirements

Support CMH's mission, vision, core values and customer service philosophy.

Adhere to the CMH Compliance Program.

Assures/maintains compliance with all accreditations, statutory and regulatory standards at the local, state, and federal levels.

Participates in department meetings by attending team business meetings and offering ideas/solutions in problem solving situations/activities.

Comply with all organizational policies.

Reports to work on time and as scheduled, completes work within designated time.

Wears identification while on duty, uses computerized punch time system correctly.

Completes in-services and returns in timely fashion.

Adjust work hours/schedule to meet the needs and demands of the department and hospital.

Aware of all Emergency Disaster Plans and how to respond if a Disaster occurs.

Works effectively with others, demonstrates leadership and teaching ability and the ability to work under pressure.

Appreciation of and desire to be part of a health care team dedicated to providing patients optimal care.

Demonstrate outstanding customer service/advocacy, professionalism, and integrity.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Able to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Additional languages preferred.
• Strong written and verbal skills.
• Proficient computer skills to include Microsoft Office applications

Additional Requirements with or without Reasonable Accommodation:

Ability to walk, stand, sit, kneel, push, stoop, reach above the shoulder, grasp, pull, bend repeatedly, identify colors, hear with aid, see, write, count, read, speak, communicate in English, analyze, alphabetize, lift and carry over 21-50 lbs, perceive depth.

Conditions include working inside, working around machines with moving parts and moving objects, radiant and electrical energy, working closely with others, working alone, working protracted or irregular hours. Exposure to body fluids and/or infection from disease-bearing specimens, exposure to chemicals/biohazardous/radioactive substances, exposure to explosive/flammable chemicals or gases, exposure to patient/visitors under a wide variety of circumstances.

Mental demands include; alertness, analytic ability, memory, concentration, judgment, initiative, precision, creativity and communication.