Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
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. Treatment uses purposeful activities—including activities of daily living, manual and creative skills, educational and recreational activities, facilitation techniques, developmental skills, and other techniques suited to patients’ needs—to improve physical function and promote mental adjustment. The assistant provides treatment under the direction of the OTR and only according to written or verbal procedures prescribed by a medical doctor or D.O. The role includes supporting therapy planning and evaluation, fitting splints as ordered, preparing treatment areas, helping with education programs, and carrying out delegated patient-care and departmental responsibilities. This is a temporary, consistent PRN position of 15–30 hours per week in a skilled nursing facility in Sylacauga, Alabama.
Requirements
- Successfully complete an Occupational Therapy curriculum approved by the American Occupational Therapy Association.
- Hold current certification with the relevant professional organization.
- Knowledge of medical terminology sufficient to understand patient evaluations and chart patient progress.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality of personal information about patients and their families, disclosing it only when in the patient’s best interest.
- Ability to work with a variety of patients and treatment programs.
- Ability to work under pressure or stress on occasion.
- Ability to bend, stoop, lift patients and equipment when necessary, push patients in wheelchairs and on stretchers, and adjust equipment to meet treatment needs.
- Be alert and attentive to patient reactions during treatment.
- Demonstrate kindness when dealing with patients.
Nice To Haves
- Previous experience in a skilled nursing facility setting.
- Two or more years of experience desired.
- COVID vaccination is preferred; an exemption will be considered.
- Knowledge and experience in arts and crafts that can help patients build strength, promote upper- and lower-extremity function, and enhance self-esteem and independence.
- Desire to work with people with temporary or chronic mental, physical, or developmental disabilities.
- Good common sense and reasoning ability to organize activities and use available supplies in treatment programs.
Responsibilities
- Provide a portion of patient treatments as delegated by the OTR.
- Ensure patient safety while patients are in the Occupational Therapy Department.
- Organize and maintain the Occupational Therapy treatment area.
- 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 responses, 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 in in-service education programs.
- Prepare the patient treatment area for therapy sessions.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Part-time
Education Level
No Education Listed
