Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA)

Full-time 32 hours or PRN hours available. Full benefits package for full-time employees.

Purpose of your position

The primary purpose of your job position is to provide assistance to the Occupational Therapist in providing skilled therapy services to residents. You will be responsible for implementing individualized treatment plans and assisting residents in their daily activities to improve their overall function and independence.

Delegation of Authority

As a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties.

Job Functions

Every effort has been made to make your job description as complete as possible. However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is a logical assignment to the position.

Major Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Implement occupational therapy treatment plans as directed by the Occupational Therapist.
• Conduct screening of residents to determine therapy needs.
• Provide education to residents and their families on therapeutic exercises and activities as well as on proper techniques to maintain therapy progress.
• Collaborate with other members of the healthcare team to ensure that therapy services are coordinated and integrated into the overall care plan of the resident.
• Document all therapy services provided in accordance with facility policies and regulations.
• Communicate with the Occupational Therapist and other members of the healthcare team about resident progress and concerns.
• Provide therapy interventions to improve residents’ strength, range of motion, & functional skills.
• Assist residents in their daily activities, such as bathing, dressing, & grooming.
• Document therapy progress and updates to treatment plan.
• Maintain a clean and organized therapy area

Personnel Functions

Follow work assignments, and/or work schedules in completing and performing your assigned tasks.

Perform all assigned tasks in accordance with our established policies and procedures, and as instructed by your supervisor.

Notify your supervisor, Director of Rehabilitation, if needing to leave the facility during your scheduled shift.

Report all complaints and grievances made by the residents.

Cooperate with inter-departmental personnel, as well as other facility personnel to assure that therapy services can be adequately maintained to meet the needs of the residents.

Create and maintain an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest and positive emphasis, as well as a calm environment throughout the unit and shift.

Communicate with therapy & nursing personnel, on a regularly scheduled basis, to assist in identifying and correcting problem areas, and/or the improvement of services.

Staff Development

Attend and participate in scheduled training and educational classes.

Attend and participate in scheduled orientation programs and activities.

Attend and participate in in-services and continuing education programs as scheduled/directed. Must have a minimum of 20 hours of in-services/continuing education classes every two years to hold occupational therapist assistant licensure.

Safety & Sanitation

Follow established facility safety regulations.

Participate in fire safety and disaster preparedness drills in a safe and professional manner.

Report all hazardous conditions and equipment to your supervisor immediately.

Follow established safety precautions in the performance of all duties.

Report all safety violations.

Wash hands before and after performing any service for the resident.

Report any communicable or infectious disease that you contract to the Director of Nursing.

Follow established isolation precautions and procedures.

Assist in maintaining work areas in a clean and sanitary manner.

Equipment & Supply Functions

Use only the equipment you have been trained to use.

Operate all equipment in a safe manner.

Use only the equipment and supplies necessary to do the job. Do not be wasteful.

Report defective equipment to the appropriate personnel.

Inform Director of Rehabilitation of your equipment/supply needs.

Resident Rights

Maintain confidentiality of all pertinent resident information to ensure resident’s rights are protected.

Ensure that you treat all residents fairly, and with kindness, dignity, and respect.

Knock before entering a resident’s room.

Honor the resident’s refusal of treatment request. Report such requests to your supervisor.

Report all grievances and complaints

Ensure that resident’s rights to fair and equitable treatment, self-determination, individuality, privacy, property and civil rights, are followed at all times.

Educational Requirements

Must have Associates’ degree in Occupational Therapist Assistant Program

Must hold current state license as a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant

Experience working in a skilled nursing facility preferred.

Working Conditions

Works in well-lighted and ventilated areas, as well as throughout the nursing services area (i.e., nurses’ stations, residents rooms, shower rooms, etc.).

Sits, stands, bends, lifts, and moves intermittently during working hours.

Is subject to frequent interruptions.

Is involved with residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies/personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances.

Communicates with therapy personnel as well as nursing & other personnel within facility.

Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, personnel, and visitors.

Is willing to work beyond normal working hours, on weekends and holidays, on any and all units as assigned, and in other positions temporarily, when necessary.

Is subject to falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc., throughout the workday.

Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, disease, conditions, etc., including exposure to the HIV and Hepatitis B viruses.

Specific Requirements

Must have strong communication and interpersonal skills

Must be able to read, write, and speak the English language in an understandable and legible manner.

Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.

Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel and the general public.

Must possess the ability and willingness to work harmoniously with professional and non-professional personnel.

Must have patience, tact, cheerful disposition and enthusiasm, as well as the willingness to handle difficult situations.

Must be willing to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing nursing practices.

Must possess the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Physical Requirements

Must be able to lift a minimum of 50 pounds and push/pull a minimum of 50 lbs. force.

Must be able to stand & walk for long periods of time

Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.

Must be able to see and hear, or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to assure that the requirements of this position can be fully met.

Must be in good general health and demonstrate emotional stability.

Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility which include a physical examination.