COTA - Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant

Elderwood•Cheektowaga, NY

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) – Full-Time Elderwood at Cheektowaga. This role involves assisting with ensuring the health and well-being of individuals by providing occupational therapy treatments developed and recommended by a Registered Occupational Therapist. Located in the Buffalo-Niagara region, Elderwood at Cheektowaga is a skilled nursing and rehabilitation center focused on resident-centered care, offering opportunities to work with both short-term rehabilitation and long-term care residents. The position offers a collaborative interdisciplinary team environment, modern rehabilitation equipment, and supportive leadership committed to professional growth.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant program
Current New York State Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) certification required
State Department of Education Certification and license to practice as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) required.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to work effectively within a collaborative team environment
Passion for delivering exceptional resident-centered care
Ability to relate well to individuals and enjoy working within the community.
Tact and diplomacy; ability to develop good relationships with individuals, staff and students required.
Ability to inspire and motivate others and create a warm and accepting climate.
Qualities of maturity, diplomacy, ability to work well with others required.
Ability to communicate well verbally and in writing required.
Ability to supervise departmental staff effectively and ensure that high standards of care are maintained.
Ability to perform tasks to established standards of excellence required.
Demonstrated willingness to uphold the vision and mission of the company by following the core values of Integrity, Teamwork, and Passion for Excellence and Reverence for the Individual.
Ability to read, write, speak, and understand the English language at an intermediate or more advanced level.

Responsibilities

Provide occupational therapy treatments and interventions under the direction of a Registered Occupational Therapist
Assist residents in improving functional abilities related to daily living, mobility, safety, and independence
Document resident progress and treatment outcomes accurately and timely
Collaborate with therapists, nursing staff, physicians, and other interdisciplinary team members
Educate residents and families on therapeutic techniques and adaptive equipment
Maintain compliance with facility, state, and federal regulations
Assists the Director Occupational Therapy in planning, developing and carrying out treatment programs and procedures for individuals.
Helps create group therapy programs which are mentally and physically stimulating to individuals; prepares and presents individual and group projects appropriate for the confused, blind, deaf and physically handicapped person.
Writes observations of individual's behavior and progress in Progress Notes.
Maintains attendance records and other departmental reports; enters treatment record in Medical Record Chart.
Assists Director Occupational Therapy in the training and supervision of Occupational Therapy Aides and students assigned to the facility for clinical experience.
Attends Care Planning and Family Care Plan review meetings.
Assists with departmental in-service programs upon request.
Completes MDS+ assessment form as required.
Inventories supplies; assists with keeping area in good order and daily sanitation of equipment.
Attends in-service training programs, and departmental meetings as required.
Generate and develop ideas, which improve the quality of care for individuals or increase job productivity and satisfaction.
Performs other duties as assigned by Director Occupational Therapy.
Performs all job duties according to safety rules and practices required for this job position, and as required to ensure the general safety of staff, residents and visitors of this facility.
Performs assigned duties according to the service excellence standards and goals established for this job position, and for all staff members of this facility.