Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)

PACS•Westerville, OH

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Staff Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA) assists the Staff Occupational Therapist with resident-related activities and direct resident care. This role involves treating residents as directed, completing accurate documentation, maintaining a safe treatment environment, and participating in resident care conferences and rehabilitation meetings. The COTA also assists the nursing department with training Restorative Aides, communicates with the supervising therapist regarding resident progress, and provides in-services to other staff. Additionally, the COTA educates residents, families, and caregivers on treatment goals and home programs, recommends and facilitates the ordering of necessary durable medical equipment, and maintains confidentiality of resident and company information. The position also involves contributing to quality assurance and performance improvement initiatives, and requires the ability to relate positively with residents, families, staff, and colleagues.

Requirements

Associate Degree from an accredited COTA program.
Proficient in computer skills such as inputting data into programs for Net Health and Point Click Care.
Ability to read technical procedures.
Ability to read and comprehend policy and procedure manuals.
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, coworkers and families.
Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations.
Ability to solve practical problems.
Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Licensed as an Occupational Therapist Assistant in the state.
Must maintain a license in good standing at all time with the state board.
CPR certification, if required by licensure.

Nice To Haves

Employee must meet continuing education requirements per state practices.
Determine additional certification as appropriate per facility.

Responsibilities

Treat residents as directed by the Occupational Therapist.
Complete timely, accurate, and compliant documentation in accordance with facility, governmental, and third-party payer requirements.
Maintain a safe treatment environment by following infection control, safety, and equipment maintenance protocols.
Participate in Resident Care conferences and/or Rehabilitation meetings, as needed.
Assist nursing department with training of Restorative Aides.
Communicates routinely with the supervising occupational therapist to ensure timely updates to physicians, nursing staff, the interdisciplinary team, residents, and families regarding progress, goals, and discharge planning.
Provides in-services on training programs for other staff in the facility as needed.
Educate residents, families, and caregivers on treatment goals, home exercise programs, maintenance programs, safety techniques, and fall prevention strategies.
Recommend and facilitate the ordering of necessary durable medical equipment for residents to facilitate independence in ADLs; i.e., adaptive equipment, splints, assistive devices, elevated toilet seats, and grab bars.
Must maintain confidentiality of residents' information as well as company information.
Report any problems with department equipment so that it is maintained in good working order.
Contribute to quality assurance, performance improvement initiatives, and facility rehabilitation program development as assigned.
Ability to relate positively, effectively, and appropriately with residents/residents, families, staff and professional colleagues.