The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) is a qualified, licensed professional who provides occupational therapy services to patients in the hospital/clinic as prescribed by the attending physician and the supervising Occupational Therapist.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Training/Experience:

Must be a graduate of an accredited occupational therapy assistant curriculum approved by the American occupational Therapy Association or other approving body, and licensed in the state he/she currently practices.

Traits:

Must possess knowledge of the working environment of a COTA, acute care, SNF and outpatient rehab programs.  Must possess effective communication skills.

Physical Demands:

1. Visual and oral skills
2. Manual dexterity
3. Lifting: Medium (demonstrating proper lifting techniques) Occasional to frequent
4. Squatting/kneeling: Frequent
5. Walking/Standing: Frequent
6. Reaching: Frequent
7. Sitting: Frequent
8. Pushin6/Pulling: Occasional to frequent.
9. Repetitive UE Movements: Occasional to frequent
10. Grasping: Frequent

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Treat patients to relieve pain and or develop or restore function to maintain maximum performance.
2. Record and report to the Occupational Therapist and/or Physician the patient’s reaction to treatment and/or any changes in the patient’s condition.
3. Travel to different hospital locations as needed.
4. Instruct the patient in total occupational therapy program.
5. Instruct other health team personnel in the care of patients with respect to occupational therapy.
6. Attend occupational therapy staff and agency development activities.
7. Write progress on patients on the date of the visit or on a weekly basis (team conference notes) and incorporates.
8. Demonstrates ability to perform documentation duties as required by The Joint Commission and departmental standards.
9. Must be able to demonstrate clear oral, written, and interactive communication skills amongst co-workers and patients.
10. Demonstrate the ability to organize tasks on a weekly basis to ensure efficient, effective, patient treatment and maintain patient satisfaction.
11. Demonstrate the ability to follow regulations to maintain confidentiality and patient privacy according to company policies and procedures.

Job Description: Occupational Therapy Assistant (continued)

1. Demonstrates competency in clinical skill in area of expertise.  Is a resource in area of expertise and provides assistance and education to patients and staff.
2. Utilize various types of exercise and therapy equipment and make simple forms of equipment in emergencies.
3. Study trends and developments in occupational therapy and attends continuing education seminars as authorized by the company.
4. Communicates with team members regarding patient treatment plans and barriers as identified through initial assessment.  Communicates finding with team members during weekly team meeting and is an active participant in establishing both physical and functional barriers to return to home.
5. Provide patients with instruction on their specific diagnoses to increase patient knowledge of their condition.
6. Provide patients with a home exercise program prior to discharge. Adequately prepares patient for discharge and documents recommendations for follow-up services.
7. Actively participate in upholding the standards set forth by The Joint Commission including infection control, safety, keeping current CPR certification and vaccinations maintaining current licensure and continuing education as required by professional association and compliance with all company policies and procedures.
8. Is competent in emergency procedures and isolation and infection control measures.  Maintains a safe and clean environment as determined by educational record, participation in in-services, appearances of work area and oral quality review checks.
9. Comply with all code of ethics as related to business practices, patient relations and ethics as outlined by occupational therapy professional associations.
10. Performs other job related duties as directed.
11. Review regulatory and procedural information as required.
12. Participates in collection, input and analysis of performance improvement outcome data.
13. Promotes teamwork and cooperation among clinic staff.

JOB RELATIONSHIPS

Supervised By: Staff licensed Occupational Therapist