Full-Time Occupational Therapy Assistant

Summit Care•Tiffin, IA

About The Position

The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) provides direct care to adult and geriatric patients under the general supervision of an Occupational Therapist and in accordance with state practice guidelines. The role includes assisting with patient assessments; providing therapeutic treatment and home programs; instructing patients and families; participating in family and team conferences; and managing equipment inventory, maintenance, and orders. The COTA documents services in accordance with departmental and facility standards and represents a commitment to quality care in interactions with patients, caregivers, and facility staff. The position adheres to applicable state Occupational Therapy regulations. The COTA supports facility operations and quality outcomes by maintaining therapy records and patient schedules, ensuring supplies and equipment are available, participating in meetings and continuous quality improvement, and supporting training for facility staff, residents, families, and rehabilitation staff. The role may also initiate programs focused on functional outcomes and residents’ quality of life. The position requires frequent patient lifting and repositioning, including the ability to lift 50 pounds of dead weight alone. The employee must be able to walk, bend, stand, reach, sit, stoop, talk, and hear consistently during the workday. The work environment is shared with other employees and may become crowded and noisy. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Requirements

Successful completion of an accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant Program.
Valid Occupational Therapy Assistant license to practice in the appropriate state(s).
Effective written and verbal communication skills.
Effective leadership and customer relations skills.
Ability to exercise mature judgment and initiative in analyzing and solving problems.
Ability to lift 50 pounds of dead weight alone and consistently lift and reposition patients.
Ability to walk, bend, stand, sit, reach, stoop, talk, and hear as required by the role.
Adherence to company policies, facility procedures, attendance and punctuality standards, and applicable safety and legal requirements.

Responsibilities

Provide therapeutic treatment in accordance with the established plan of care.
Document treatment, including the reasons for skilled intervention, observations, and patient status and response to treatment.
Participate in maintaining therapy records.
Ensure supplies and equipment are available; conduct equipment inventory, maintenance, and orders.
Maintain appropriate patient schedules according to established guidelines.
Provide documentation supporting medical-record quality, reimbursement guidelines, billing accuracy, and facility requirements.
Participate in patient, family, and facility meetings as appropriate.
Follow administrative policies and procedures, including emergency procedures, infectious disease control, and safety requirements.
Coordinate and/or participate in training programs for facility staff, residents, families, and rehabilitation staff.
Initiate program development focused on functional outcomes and improving residents’ quality of life.
Participate in continuous quality improvement.
Lift and reposition patients using appropriate biomechanical techniques, including the ability to lift 50 pounds of dead weight alone.
Report accidents, injuries, unsafe equipment, and unsafe conditions to a supervisor; immediately report and correct unsafe conditions when possible.
Attend mandated safety-related training and required in-service and educational programs.
Observe universal precautions and comply with facility safety, legal, and workplace requirements.
Perform other related duties as required and assigned.