COTA

ST JOHNS HEALTH•Jackson, WY

20d•$30 - $46•Onsite

About The Position

Under the supervision of an occupational therapist, the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant provides treatment, exercise instruction, and demonstrations within the scope of the COTA’s license and clinical expertise. The role serves patients of all ages, from neonates to geriatric patients, and administers treatments and physical agents to restore function and prevent disability following injury, disease, or physical disability. The COTA helps patients achieve their maximum performance and level of functioning while learning to live within the limits of their capabilities, and provides ongoing consultation and education to patients’ families and caregivers. The position may guide interns, students, and therapy aides or assistants, and may take on liaison or team lead responsibilities as assigned. The role includes patient care, documentation, patient and caregiver education, teamwork, safety, quality improvement, and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, professional standards, and facility policies. Depending on assignment, additional liaison duties may include coordinating resources, staffing, training, equipment, quality assurance, and communication for a designated area. Team lead duties may include clinical direction and delegation, onboarding, staffing coordination, productivity tracking, meetings, service recovery, employee feedback, and quality and process improvement. This is a full-time, day-shift position at the SJH campus or other facilities. Work settings may include private treatment rooms, therapy gyms, common hospital areas, patient rooms, and patients’ homes. Some weekend shifts are required. The position involves frequent exposure to communicable diseases, toxic substances, ionizing radiation, medicinal preparations, and other conditions common to a clinic environment.

Requirements

Associate degree in Occupational Therapy from an Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)-accredited program.
Board certification from NBCOT.
Current Wyoming licensure as a certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA).
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required at time of hire.
Valid driver’s license if working with home health or hospice patients.
One year of professional COTA experience required for liaison and team lead roles.

Nice To Haves

One year of professional COTA experience preferred for all roles.
Experience in outpatient, acute, sub-acute, long-term care, and/or home health settings.

Responsibilities

Assist the occupational therapist during patient testing, evaluations, and complex procedures.
Carry out corrective exercise and treatment programs for assigned patients, as determined by evaluation by a physical therapist.
Instruct patients on program components, including proper use of wheelchairs, crutches, canes, braces, and prosthetic appliances and devices.
Prepare medical-record documentation and update patients’ electronic medical records in a timely manner and in accordance with facility policy and best practices.
Comply with patient confidentiality requirements, HIPAA, and state and federal requirements concerning patient confidentiality and patient rights.
Delegate appropriate therapy activities to ancillary staff and supervise staff safely and effectively, consistent with state laws.
Assess the educational needs of patients, families, and caregivers and provide education to meet those needs.
Communicate and coordinate with patients, families, caregivers, and healthcare team members to promote patient benefit and continuity of care.
Work cooperatively with patient-care personnel and support professional practice and interdisciplinary teamwork.
As assigned, orient staff and students and assume clinic manager duties in that individual’s absence.
Provide input to budget planning and contribute to cost-effective department services and programs.
Share observations and suggestions for improvement, promote community relations, and maintain positive customer relations.
Use leadership skills to identify, organize, and carry out tasks within the position’s scope of duties.
Provide excellent customer service and timely, appropriate information to patients, customers, and staff; maintain positive peer relationships and demonstrate respect for cultural and social differences.
Participate in performance improvement, program development, continuing education, and quality assurance activities.
Follow local, state, and federal regulations; AOTA standards of practice and Code of Ethics; and other standards, policies, and procedures governing occupational therapy practice.
Contribute to a culture of safety, assess safety risks, implement appropriate precautions, and comply with company safety standards and policies.
Maintain required licensure and certification and demonstrate understanding of treatment costs and financial support as they relate to quality and efficiency.
When assigned an area liaison role, serve as a primary contact for clinical-area inquiries; coordinate staffing coverage, resources, training, equipment, meetings, documentation, and quality initiatives; support relationships and teamwork; and contribute to program and policy development, chart audits, staff feedback, professional development, and hiring.
When assigned a team lead role, provide clinical expertise and organizational direction; train and onboard team members; coordinate staffing coverage, calendars, and productivity tracking; communicate equipment and facility needs; maintain therapy spaces; facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration and meetings; support service recovery, staff development, performance feedback, hiring, and quality assurance; and implement process changes with leadership.
Perform the physical and communication tasks required for patient care, including standing and walking, sitting, occasional lifting and carrying, pushing, sustaining grip, guarding lift loads, verbal interaction, and manual computer and writing tasks.