Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)

Job Description

Job Description

Position Title: Staff/Per Diem Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) or Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)

Responsible to: Facility Director of Rehabilitation or Rehabilitation Manager and Occupational    Therapist Supervisor

Working Relationships: Works directly with the Occupational Therapist and follows the physician orders to provide needed services to resident within the facility.  Also works with the nursing staff to assure that resident are receiving care during non-therapy hours.

Qualifications/Experience:

• Must possess a current unencumbered NYS license as an Occupational Therapy Assistant
• Graduate of an accredited school with an Associate’s degree in Occupational Therapy
• Geriatric experience preferred
• A current unrestricted driver’s license and dependable transportation
• Able to use necessary computer applications
• Ability to professionally communicate with internal and external resources
• High level of motivation and ability to take initiative appropriately
• Ability to function independently as well as part of a team
• Ability to function effectively in stressful and changing situations
• Ability to positively give and receive oral and written direction

Job Summary:

The primary purpose of this position is to provide Occupational Therapy services to include: the developing, improving and/or restoring the performance of Activities of Daily Living (ADL) functions, compensate for dysfunction, and/or minimize debilitation, and the planning for and documentation of treatment performance for all resident requiring these services.

Essential Job Functions:

Every effort has been made to make your job description as complete as possible.  However, it does not in any way state or imply that these are the only duties you will be required to perform.

• Demonstrates working knowledge of skilled restorative therapy and maintenance programs
• Provides Occupational Therapy plan of treatments and modalities per physician orders
• Must possess the ability to deal tactfully and effectively communicate with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, and the general public
• Must effectively communicate with residents with visual, speech, auditory, cognitive, physical and emotional impairments
• Must possess the ability to train/supervise and discipline subordinate staff
• Must be able to relate information regarding a resident’s condition
• Must possess the ability to assist in planning, organizing and implementing the goals, objectives and policies and procedures of the department

• Documents resident progress toward occupational therapy goals
• Completes Daily Activity Schedule and progress notes per facility policy.
• Provides resident, staff and family education as directed
• Complies with Federal and State regulations related to rehabilitation therapy
• Completes all documentation to comply with professional standard and regulatory requirements
• Strives to meet productivity / efficiency goals and self-initiates corrective action plan for non-attainment
• Utilizes the clinical software applications per policies and procedures
• Assists in ordering necessary equipment for the facility and residents
• Utilizes proper body mechanics, techniques and safety while completing job duties and responsibilities.
• Maintains current professional knowledge of practice of Occupational Therapy and practices within acceptable professional standards
• Complies with all facility policies and procedures
• Maintains confidentiality of facility and resident information
• Respects all residents all resident rights
• Reports all instances of potential resident abuse, neglect, and misappropriation of resident property immediately
• Follows sanitation and infection control policies and procedures
• Keeps Facility Rehabilitation manager and Occupational Therapist informed and updated appropriately

Physical Requirements:

• In good physical health
• Able to push wheelchairs/geri-chairs with residents
• Able to push supplies on carts weighing up to 50 pounds
• Able to walk, bend, stoop, kneel, and climb/descend stairs throughout shift
• Able to reach above and below shoulder height
• Able to lift and carry supplies and equipment weighing approximately 25 pounds

JOB DESCRIPTION REVIEW

I have read this job description and fully understand the requirements set forth therein.  I hereby accept the position of Staff Occupational Therapy Assistant or Per Diem Occupational Therapy Assistant and agree to abide by the requirements set forth and will perform all duties and responsibilities to the best of my ability.  I understand that as a result of my employment, I may be exposed to blood, body fluids, infectious disease, air contaminants, and hazardous products/chemicals, including exposure to products containing latex.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. All pay rates and bonuses are paid and/ or awarded to employees based on the facilities policy and/ or the CBA, depending on the position.