Home Health PRN COTA

Sprenger Wellspring Silver Maple•Lorain, OH

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) provides rehabilitative occupational therapy services to home health patients who need assistance and training with ambulation, transferring, gait training, home exercise programs, activities of daily living, and self-care. The COTA works under the supervision of a qualified Occupational Therapist and helps patients meet the needs and goals identified in their Plan of Care. The role is part of a home health care team that includes nursing, physical therapy, speech-language pathology, social work, and home health aide staff. Services are provided in patients’ homes. The COTA supports the Occupational Therapist in evaluating functional status and developing treatment programs; trains and motivates patients and caregivers; monitors and reports patient progress or changes in condition; prepares clinical documentation; and helps coordinate care with physicians, team members, patients, and caregivers. The position also participates in case conferences, team meetings, agency education, and quality improvement activities, and must comply with applicable laws, regulations, and agency policies. The position involves travel to patients’ residences in varied housing and weather conditions. The COTA must be able to navigate stairs and other barriers in private homes, communicate effectively, and operate a motor vehicle. A professional, courteous, cooperative, and constructive approach to working with patients, caregivers, and colleagues is expected.

Requirements

Graduate of an Occupational Therapy Assistant educational program accredited by ACOTE of AOTA or successor organizations.
At least two years of experience as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant.
Certification by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. (NBCOT) and the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant.
Current Ohio license to practice as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, or an application for the license.
Eligible to take or successfully complete the entry-level Occupational Therapy Assistant certification examination administered by NBCOT.
Valid driver’s license, access to an automobile in good working condition, and automobile insurance in accordance with state guidelines.
Satisfactory criminal background check.
Current CPR certification.
Ability to ambulate throughout patients’ homes and navigate stairs and other physical barriers typical of private residences.
Ability to operate a motor vehicle and travel to patients’ homes in varying weather and road conditions.
Visual and hearing ability sufficient to comprehend written and verbal communication.
Ability to deal effectively with stress.
Ability to communicate effectively and work constructively with health care team members.

Nice To Haves

Community or home health experience.

Responsibilities

Provide occupational therapy services to patients according to the home health Plan of Care and under the supervision of a qualified Occupational Therapist.
Provide occupational therapy services and procedures in patients’ homes.
Assist the Occupational Therapist in observing and evaluating patients’ functional status, including perceptual motor skills, motor coordination, and sensory motor development or processing, to promote endurance and self-care skills.
Assist the Occupational Therapist in developing treatment programs aimed at improving identified areas of function.
Help evaluate home environments for hazards or barriers to independent living.
Instruct and motivate patients in learning or retraining skills for activities of daily living according to the Plan of Care.
Teach patients and family caregivers basic principles of body mechanics.
Instruct patients and families on the proper use of prosthetic devices and the use and care of therapeutic appliances.
Observe patients’ progress and response to treatment and report findings and changes in condition to the supervising Occupational Therapist.
Assist in preparing clinical notes and progress reports, and submit clinical and progress notes in a timely manner in accordance with agency policies and applicable guidelines and regulations.
Participate in educating patients and families and in agency in-service programs, completing at least 12 hours of in-services per year.
Modify the plan of treatment when authorized by the physician, following authorization, instruction, and supervision by the Occupational Therapist.
Participate in patient case conferences, team meetings, and other related activities as needed and directed.
Participate in the agency’s Quality Assessment/Performance Improvement program as requested.
Confer with attending physicians, home care team members, patients, and families or caregivers to promote coordinated and comprehensive care.
Communicate the Plan of Care to attending physicians, home health care team members, patients, and families or caregivers.
Meet or exceed agency service standards, follow its Code of Ethics/Conduct, and comply with applicable laws, Medicare regulations, and agency policies and procedures.
Maintain a professional demeanor and communicate courteously and cooperatively with patients, caregivers, colleagues, supervisors, coworkers, and others.