Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
About The Position
The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA/L) assists the Registered Occupational Therapist (OTR) in providing rehabilitation therapy to patients of all ages with temporary or chronic physical and psychosocial disabilities. Treatment uses purposeful activities, including activities of daily living, manual and creative skills, educational and recreational activities, facilitation techniques, and developmental skills, as applicable to patients’ needs. The goal is to improve physical function and promote mental adjustment. The assistant provides treatments delegated by the OTR and gives treatment only according to written or verbal procedures prescribed by a medical doctor or D.O. The role includes helping plan therapy programs, evaluating and documenting patient responses under the OTR’s direction or supervision, preparing and fitting ordered splints, and supporting patient care and department operations. This is a full-time skilled nursing facility (SNF) position in Birmingham, Alabama, at Greenbriar, with a stated schedule of 32–40 hours per week. The position requires completion of an approved occupational therapy curriculum and current certification. Previous SNF experience and two or more years of experience are desired. COVID vaccination is preferred; an exemption will be considered.
Requirements
- Complete an Occupational Therapy curriculum approved by the American Occupational Therapy Association.
- Hold current certification with the relevant professional organization.
- Have knowledge of medical terminology to understand patient evaluations and chart patient progress.
- Be able to maintain confidentiality of personal information about patients and their families, disclosing it only when in the patient’s best interest.
- Be versatile in working with a variety of patients and treatment programs.
- Be able to bend, stoop, lift patients and equipment when necessary, push patients in wheelchairs and on stretchers, and adjust equipment to patient treatment needs.
- Remain alert and attentive to patients’ reactions to treatment.
- Be able to work under pressure or stress on occasion.
Nice To Haves
- Previous experience in a skilled nursing facility setting.
- Two or more years of experience.
- COVID vaccination; an exemption will be considered.
- Experience and knowledge in arts and crafts that can be used to build strength, promote upper- and lower-extremity function, and support self-esteem and independence.
- A desire to work with and for people with temporary or chronic mental, physical, or developmental disabilities.
- Good common sense, reasoning, and organizational ability, and an attitude of firm kindness when dealing with patients.
Responsibilities
- Provide a portion of patient treatments as delegated by the OTR.
- Ensure patient safety while patients are in the Occupational Therapy Department.
- Keep the occupational therapy treatment area organized and in proper order.
- Transport patients to and from the department as needed.
- Maintain departmental and patient records as delegated and necessary.
- Monitor supplies used for physically disabled outpatients.
- Assist in planning therapy programs for all patients.
- In collaboration with or under the supervision of the OTR, evaluate responses, measure change and development, and record data as requested.
- Prepare and fit splints for functional and non-functional upper and lower extremities as ordered.
- Determine splinting and media supply needs and report them to the OTR.
- Assist with in-service education programs.
- Prepare the patient treatment area for therapy sessions.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Education Level
No Education Listed
