Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

Meeker Memorial Hospital & Clinics•Litchfield, MN

13d•$23 - $35

About The Position

The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) carries out treatment plans established by an Occupational Therapist for patients referred by a physician for occupational rehabilitation services. The COTA provides treatment according to the plan of care to support the development and rehabilitation of people with mental, physical, or emotional disabilities. Services may be provided at Meeker Memorial Hospital and Clinics or through contracted agencies, including area home care agencies. The role may oversee support staff, COTA students, and volunteers. The position requires accurate and timely clinical documentation, communication with the Occupational Therapist and rehabilitation team, and adjustment to changing caseloads that may include inpatient, outpatient, and home health patients. The COTA develops home programs and educates families, caregivers, and home health workers as needed. The role also includes department support activities, such as assisting with quality assurance, orienting staff and students, maintaining equipment and supplies, and performing clerical tasks. The position is part-time, located in Litchfield, Minnesota, and works a day shift. The role requires a current occupational therapy assistant certification and Minnesota licensure, a valid driver's license, and the ability to meet the physical and work-environment demands of a rural hospital and clinic setting.

Requirements

Associate’s degree in occupational therapy assisting or an equivalent qualification; alternatively, six months to one year of related experience and/or training, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Current Occupational Therapist Assistant board certification and licensure according to state regulations.
Current Minnesota Department of Health license and National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification, as stated in the posting.
Valid driver's license.
Understanding of proper patient-progress documentation and reporting procedures.
Excellent communication and time-management skills.
Ability to work independently and meet the demands of a critical access or rural hospital environment.
Ability to incorporate AIDET into professional practice.
Knowledge of patient confidentiality and HIPAA requirements for protecting patient information.
Ability to respond quickly and decisively to emergencies and participate in shelter-in-place and disaster-response protocols.
Ability to work with interdisciplinary teams and communicate effectively with patients, families, and healthcare providers.
Ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills needed to care for specific patient populations.
Ability to lift, move, and position patients and equipment.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, secure messaging applications, and collaborative tools such as Microsoft Teams or Google Workspace.
Proficiency with Paycom and other information systems applicable to the position.
Ability to document clinical services thoroughly, maintain accurate patient records, and use electronic health record systems.
Logical problem-solving and decision-making skills, including the ability to make sound decisions under pressure and analyze data and scenarios.
Ability to work independently with limited supervision.
Ability to adapt communication for diverse audiences, write reports and other materials, present information to groups, and coordinate care across departments.
Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations, interpret graphs and other data displays, record and interpret clinical measurements, and use care documentation tools to analyze trends.
Ability to meet the listed physical demands and follow organizational, safety, attendance, training, and confidentiality standards.

Nice To Haves

Willingness to assist with program development and quality assurance or quality improvement studies.
Familiarity with the EPIC electronic medical record system.
Knowledge of critical access hospital regulations and rural health challenges.

Responsibilities

Implement treatment plans established by the Occupational Therapist and provide treatment to patients according to their plans of care.
Inform the Occupational Therapist of changes in a patient's condition and recommend treatment-plan adjustments or discontinuation of services as appropriate.
Follow universal precautions and safety, risk-management, exposure-control, and other applicable policies and procedures.
Assist with department quality-assurance reports and records.
Complete progress notes, discharge notes, logs, and other required documentation accurately and on time.
Assist with orientation of new staff, volunteers, and students.
Perform clerical duties, including inventory, answering phones, taking messages, and completing forms.
Use and maintain equipment and request supplies as needed.
Monitor treatment administered by Rehab Technicians and comply with state supervisory regulations.
Support ongoing cost reduction and productivity improvement in the occupational therapy department.
Consult and communicate with rehabilitation team members to coordinate patient care.
Develop home programs for patients and families and educate families, caregivers, and home health workers as needed.
Provide services through area home care agencies and adapt to changing inpatient, outpatient, and home health caseloads.
Maintain current licensure requirements and practice in accordance with applicable occupational therapy codes of ethics.
Provide positive, service-oriented interactions with patients, families, facility staff, and coworkers.
Attend meetings and conferences and participate in professional growth activities.