Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

Champion, Partners in Rehab • Trussville, AL

9d • Onsite

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. Therapy uses purposeful activities—including activities of daily living, manual and creative skills, educational and recreational activities, facilitation techniques, and developmental skills—to address the needs of acutely and chronically ill patients, improve physical function, and promote mental adjustment. The position is a full-time, 32–40-hour-per-week role in a skilled nursing facility at East Glen, on the Trussville side of Birmingham, Alabama.

Under the direction of the OTR, the assistant provides treatment only according to written or verbal procedures prescribed by a medical doctor or doctor of osteopathy. The assistant also supports therapy planning, patient-response evaluation and documentation, splint preparation and fitting, supply monitoring, treatment-area preparation, and in-service education. The role includes responsibility for patient safety during treatment, treatment-area organization, patient transportation as needed, and delegated departmental and patient records.

Requirements

• Complete an Occupational Therapy curriculum approved by the American Occupational Therapy Association.
• Hold current certification with the relevant professional organizations.
• Previous experience in a skilled nursing facility setting and more than two years of experience are desired.
• Knowledge of medical terminology to understand patient evaluations and document patient progress.
• Ability to work with people with temporary or chronic mental, physical, or developmental disabilities.
• Knowledge of and experience in arts and crafts that can be used to build strength, promote function in the upper and lower extremities, and support self-esteem and independence.
• Good judgment and reasoning skills to organize activities and use available supplies in treatment programs.
• A firm but kind manner when dealing with patients.
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of personal information about patients and their families, disclosing it only when in the patient's best interest.
• Versatility in working with a variety of patients and treatment programs.
• Ability to bend, stoop, lift patients and equipment when necessary, push patients in wheelchairs and on stretchers, and adjust equipment to meet treatment needs.
• Alertness and attentiveness to perceive patient reactions to treatment.
• Ability to work under pressure or stress on occasion.

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience in a skilled nursing facility setting.
• More than two years of experience.
• COVID vaccination is preferred; an exemption will be considered.

Responsibilities

• Provide a portion of patient treatments as delegated by the OTR.
• Maintain 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 patient response, 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: No Education Listed