Home Health PRN COTA

Sprenger Health Care Systems•Lorain, OH

10d•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, transfers, gait training, and home exercise programs. The COTA works under the supervision of a qualified Occupational Therapist to help patients meet the needs and goals outlined in their Plan of Care, and works as part of a home health team that includes nurses, therapists, social workers, and home health aides. Services are provided in patients’ homes and include supporting functional assessment and treatment, helping patients develop daily living skills, educating patients and caregivers, monitoring and reporting progress, and contributing to coordinated care. The role also includes preparing clinical documentation, participating in case conferences and quality-improvement activities, completing at least 12 in-service hours annually, and following agency policies and applicable laws and regulations. The position requires travel to patients’ homes in varied housing, weather, and road conditions. The COTA must be able to navigate stairs and other typical home barriers, operate a motor vehicle, communicate effectively, and work constructively with patients, caregivers, and the health care team.

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 that 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 meeting state guidelines.
Satisfactory criminal background check.
Current CPR certification.
Ability to communicate effectively and relate courteously and cooperatively with patients, caregivers, colleagues, supervisors, coworkers, and others.
Ability to ambulate throughout patients’ homes and navigate stairs and other typical physical barriers.
Ability to operate a motor vehicle and travel to patients’ homes in varying weather and road conditions.
Sufficient visual and hearing ability to comprehend written and verbal communication.
Ability to deal effectively with stress.

Nice To Haves

Community or home health experience.

Responsibilities

Provide occupational therapy services and procedures in patients’ homes according to the Plan of Care and under the supervision of a qualified Occupational Therapist.
Assist the Occupational Therapist in observing and evaluating patients’ functional status, including perceptual motor skills, motor coordination, and sensory motor development or processing.
Assist in developing treatment programs to improve identified functional areas.
Help evaluate home environments for hazards or barriers to independent living.
Instruct and motivate patients in learning or retraining 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 patient 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; submit clinical and progress notes in a timely manner and according to agency policies and applicable guidelines.
Participate in educating patients and families and in agency in-service programs.
Modify the plan of treatment only as authorized by the physician and after 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.
Coordinate with the attending physician, home care team, patients, and caregivers to promote comprehensive care and communicate the Plan of Care.
Complete a minimum of 12 hours of in-service training per year.
Meet or exceed agency service standards and adhere to the agency Code of Ethics/Conduct, policies, procedures, and applicable local, state, federal, and Medicare requirements.