Prn Cota

On With Life•Ankeny, IA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

A Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) at On With Life provides skilled, person-centered occupational therapy services to individuals receiving inpatient neurological rehabilitation following conditions such as stroke, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, and other neurological diagnoses. Under the supervision and direction of a licensed OTR/L, the COTA implements individualized treatment plans designed to maximize functional independence, promote safety, and support participation in meaningful daily activities. The COTA collaborates with Persons Served, their families or caregivers, and the interdisciplinary rehabilitation team to support functional recovery, develop compensatory strategies, facilitate skill acquisition, and promote successful transitions to the next level of care. The role contributes to a rehabilitation environment focused on evidence-informed interventions, meaningful therapeutic engagement, and functional outcomes within the available length of stay. The COTA practices within the applicable state practice act, professional standards, payer requirements, organizational policies, and authorized scope of practice. The supervising OTR/L retains responsibility for occupational therapy evaluation, interpretation of evaluation findings, establishment and modification of the plan of care, and duties reserved to the occupational therapist. The COTA contributes observations and recommendations and implements delegated interventions under appropriate supervision. The position is based in an inpatient neurological rehabilitation setting serving individuals with varying levels of medical complexity, functional impairment, and assistance needs. Depending on assigned duties, work may involve prolonged standing and walking, assisting with functional activities and transfers using established safety procedures, reaching and bending, moving therapeutic equipment, and responding to changing clinical needs. Reasonable accommodations may be available.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited occupational therapy assistant program.
Current National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification, as applicable to employment requirements.
Current Iowa occupational therapy assistant license or eligibility to obtain licensure before beginning practice, as required by applicable law.
Current CPR/BLS certification consistent with facility requirements.
Ability to provide effective, respectful, and professional care to individuals with complex neurological and functional needs.
Knowledge of occupational therapy principles and interventions within the COTA scope of practice.
Ability to implement treatment plans and adapt activities within the established plan of care and under appropriate supervision.
Strong observation, clinical communication, organization, and documentation skills.
Ability to recognize changes in performance and communicate relevant findings to the supervising OTR/L.
Effective interpersonal skills and ability to establish therapeutic rapport with Persons Served and caregivers.
Ability to prioritize treatment activities and manage time effectively in a dynamic inpatient rehabilitation environment.
Ability to collaborate across disciplines and contribute to a positive, person-centered team culture.
Commitment to safety, professional accountability, and continuous improvement.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience in inpatient rehabilitation, neurological rehabilitation, acute care, or another medically complex rehabilitation setting.
Knowledge of stroke, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, and other neurological diagnoses.
Familiarity with restorative and compensatory rehabilitation approaches, adaptive equipment, and functional cognition strategies.
Experience collaborating within an interdisciplinary rehabilitation team.
Commitment to evidence-informed practice, continuing education, and functional outcomes.

Responsibilities

Implement individualized occupational therapy treatment plans established by the supervising OTR/L in accordance with professional standards, applicable laws, and organizational policies.
Provide skilled interventions addressing activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, upper-extremity function, fine motor coordination, functional cognition, visual-perceptual skills, sensory processing, balance during functional tasks, and other areas within the plan of care.
Facilitate meaningful, goal-directed activities that promote independence and functional carryover, including repetitive, task-specific practice to support motor learning and functional skill development.
Use restorative approaches, compensatory techniques, adaptive equipment, and environmental modifications to improve safety and independence.
Adapt treatment activities to each Person Served’s abilities, medical status, learning needs, goals, and response to intervention; promote use of learned skills in everyday routines when appropriate.
Apply knowledge of neurological conditions and address related functional limitations, including weakness, impaired coordination, altered sensation, abnormal tone, visual-perceptual deficits, cognitive impairment, reduced activity tolerance, and impaired motor control.
Implement OTR/L-directed interventions supporting upper-extremity recovery, positioning, range of motion, functional use of affected extremities, and prevention of secondary complications.
Incorporate strategies for attention, memory, executive functioning, problem-solving, and safety awareness into functional activities; support independence using adaptive techniques, assistive devices, splinting or positioning programs, and environmental adaptations as directed.
Recognize and communicate changes in functional performance, medical status, behavior, or safety that may warrant changes to the treatment plan.
Educate Persons Served and caregivers on established treatment strategies, adaptive equipment, safety techniques, positioning, and functional routines within the COTA’s scope and under OTR/L direction.
Reinforce strategies for consistency and carryover across therapy sessions, daily routines, and transitions between levels of care; participate in caregiver training and discharge preparation.
Encourage Persons Served to participate in goal setting and treatment while respecting their preferences, priorities, values, and desired outcomes; communicate learning or carryover barriers to the supervising OTR/L.
Collaborate with rehabilitation and medical team members to coordinate care, share functional progress and safety information, and reinforce consistent approaches across disciplines.
Participate in interdisciplinary meetings, care conferences, discharge planning, and other team activities as assigned; identify opportunities to integrate therapeutic activities into daily routines.
Complete timely, accurate, and objective documentation of interventions, responses, functional performance, goal progress, attendance, and other required information in accordance with organizational procedures, payer requirements, regulations, and professional standards.
Maintain accurate treatment records and communicate progress, lack of progress, changes in status, and recommendations to the supervising OTR/L.
Comply with applicable state and federal regulations, facility policies, confidentiality requirements, infection prevention practices, and ethical standards.
Maintain a safe therapeutic environment and follow precautions related to falls, transfers, positioning, infection prevention, and other medical or behavioral risks.
Monitor responses to activity and recognize signs or symptoms requiring intervention or communication; use therapeutic equipment and adaptive devices appropriately and report concerns or hazards.
Promote dignity, privacy, choice, accessibility, and respect in all interactions.
Participate in continuing education, competency development, quality improvement initiatives, staff education, student learning experiences, department meetings, and other professional development activities as assigned.
Assist with maintaining an organized, clean, and appropriately equipped treatment environment and perform other duties consistent with the position, qualifications, and applicable scope of practice.