Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)- Full Time

PACS Group•Fountain Valley, CA

About The Position

The Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) assists the Staff Occupational Therapist with resident-related activities and direct resident care. The assistant treats residents as directed by the Occupational Therapist, documents care accurately and promptly, and helps maintain a safe treatment environment. The role includes communicating with the supervising therapist and the interdisciplinary care team about residents’ progress, goals, and discharge planning; educating residents, families, and caregivers; and supporting rehabilitation and quality improvement initiatives. The position requires an associate degree from an accredited COTA program and a current occupational therapist assistant license in the state. The employee must meet continuing education requirements and maintain the license in good standing. Computer proficiency is required, including experience entering data in Net Health and Point Click Care. CPR certification is required if required by licensure. The position involves frequent standing and walking, occasional sitting, and occasional climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling. It requires reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting, and manipulating objects and equipment, including exertion that may occasionally exceed 100 pounds, frequently exceed 50 pounds, or constantly exceed 20 pounds. The employee must be able to communicate effectively and perceive environmental cues needed for resident care. The work environment is usually low to moderate in noise level. Reasonable accommodations may be made in accordance with applicable law. The employer is an equal opportunity employer.

Requirements

Associate degree from an accredited COTA program.
Proficiency with computer skills, including entering data into Net Health and Point Click Care.
Ability to read technical procedures and comprehend policy and procedure manuals.
Ability to present information effectively and respond to questions from managers, coworkers, and families.
Ability to apply fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
Ability to solve practical problems and interpret instructions provided in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Current occupational therapist assistant license in the state; the license must remain in good standing.
Meet continuing education requirements under state practices.
CPR certification, if required by licensure.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the position, including frequent standing and walking; occasional sitting and climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling; and lifting and manipulating residents, objects, and equipment.
Ability to communicate effectively and perceive tactile, auditory, and visual environmental cues necessary for safe resident care.

Nice To Haves

Additional certification as appropriate per facility.

Responsibilities

Treat residents as directed by the Occupational Therapist.
Complete timely, accurate, and compliant documentation in accordance with facility, governmental, and third-party payer requirements.
Maintain a safe treatment environment by following infection control, safety, and equipment maintenance protocols.
Participate in Resident Care conferences and/or Rehabilitation meetings as needed.
Assist the nursing department with training Restorative Aides.
Communicate routinely with the supervising occupational therapist to provide timely updates to physicians, nursing staff, the interdisciplinary team, residents, and families regarding progress, goals, and discharge planning.
Provide in-services on training programs for other facility staff as needed.
Educate residents, families, and caregivers on treatment goals, home exercise programs, maintenance programs, safety techniques, and fall prevention strategies.
Recommend and facilitate ordering necessary durable medical equipment to support residents’ independence in activities of daily living.
Maintain confidentiality of residents’ and company information.
Report problems with department equipment so it can be maintained in good working order.
Contribute to quality assurance, performance improvement initiatives, and facility rehabilitation program development as assigned.
Relate positively, effectively, and appropriately with residents, families, staff, and professional colleagues.
Assist, support, and transport residents in accordance with safe resident handling practices.