Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

Nexus Health Systems Ltd • Dallas, TX

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Nexus Children’s Hospital – Dallas is seeking a compassionate and motivated Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to join their interdisciplinary rehabilitation team. This role involves working with children and adolescents who have complex medical, neurological, neurodevelopmental, and behavioral needs in a specialty hospital environment. The COTA will provide hands-on interventions under the supervision of a licensed Occupational Therapist, aiming to improve patients' independence, sensory regulation, motor skills, and participation in daily activities. This is an opportunity to expand clinical experience and witness the direct impact of one's work.

Requirements

• Associate’s degree from an ACOTE-accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant program.
• Minimum of six months of experience in an acute care hospital or rehabilitation setting.
• Current NBCOT certification.
• Current license to practice as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant in the State of Texas.
• Current BLS certification through the American Heart Association or American Red Cross, valid for at least six months from date of hire.
• De-escalation training must be completed within 30 days of hire.

Nice To Haves

• One year of pediatric or neurodevelopmental experience preferred.
• Experience working with behavioral health and/or medically complex patient populations is highly desirable.
• Additional pediatric occupational therapy or behavioral health certifications are a plus.
• Strong pediatric occupational therapy and therapeutic handling skills.
• Knowledge of sensory processing, sensory modulation, and motor development.
• Ability to implement individualized treatment plans using evidence-based interventions.
• Experience with adaptive equipment, assistive technology, and environmental modifications.
• Confidence working with patients who may display challenging behaviors or require additional behavioral support.
• A trauma-informed, patient-centered approach to care.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary clinical team.
• Strong organization and time-management skills in a dynamic hospital environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide evidence-based occupational therapy interventions under the supervision of a licensed Occupational Therapist.
• Help patients build greater independence with self-care, play, social participation, functional mobility, and other daily activities.
• Implement individualized treatment plans for patients with neurological, neurodevelopmental, behavioral, and medically complex conditions.
• Utilize therapeutic approaches including sensory integration and processing strategies, motor learning, task-oriented training, fine and visual-motor skill development, and behavioral/environmental modifications.
• Facilitate engaging therapeutic activities in individual and group settings, including inpatient units, sensory spaces, therapy kitchens, and other treatment environments.
• Adapt interventions for patients with medical complexities such as seizure disorders, feeding challenges, mobility limitations, and other co-occurring conditions.
• Monitor patient response to treatment and communicate progress and clinical observations to the supervising Occupational Therapist.
• Collaborate with Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Speech-Language Pathologists, physicians, nurses, psychologists, behavior analysts, and other members of the interdisciplinary care team.
• Educate and support patients and families regarding therapy goals, strategies, and home programs.
• Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation in accordance with regulatory and organizational standards.
• Promote a safe, supportive, trauma-informed, and patient-centered treatment environment.
• Participate in continuing education, competency development, and quality improvement initiatives.

Benefits

• Opportunity to develop skills with a unique patient population.
• Opportunity to collaborate closely with other clinical disciplines.
• Opportunity to help patients achieve meaningful functional gains.
• Opportunity to help patients build greater independence, confidence, and quality of life.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree