Occupational Therapy Assistant (FT)
About The Position
The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) works with residential adolescent clients receiving occupational therapy services to maximize their functional independence in activities of daily living through therapeutic treatment. Treatment goals are provided by an OTR/L. The COTA/L plans weekly one-to-one sessions focused on individual goals related to independent living skills, coping skills, and fine and gross motor skills. The role includes planning, grading, and implementing therapeutic activities based on each client’s goals, evaluation report, demographics, behaviors, and circumstances. The COTA provides appropriate sensory tools, visual aids, and other resources, and supports home- or unit-based therapeutic programs. The position collaborates with the OT team, clinicians, direct care staff, and, when appropriate, clients’ families to identify needs, discuss findings and goals, monitor progress, and support client engagement. Discharge recommendations, resources, and referrals are provided as appropriate. Wedgwood Christian Services is a West Michigan agency that provides residential care, counseling services, and community programs to support children, adults, and families. Its mission is to extend God's love to youth, adults, and families through professional counseling and educational services. Its core values are Integrity, Compassion, Excellence, and Diversity.
Requirements
- Associate degree from an accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant Program.
- Minimum of 1–3 years of working experience in Occupational Therapy.
- Professional license from the NBCOT (National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy).
- Subscription to the Statement of Faith of Wedgwood Christian Services and agreement with the agency’s goals, purposes, and objectives.
Nice To Haves
- Clinical experience working with adolescents and/or families.
- Prior experience working with an interdisciplinary team in a residential treatment setting.
Responsibilities
- Adapt therapeutic use of self and presence to each client’s presentation to encourage engagement in therapy routines and activities.
- Demonstrate intentional engagement in a balanced, healthy lifestyle to support personal emotional regulation when working with clients.
- Collaborate with clinicians and direct care staff to identify potential occupational therapy needs and refer clients to the COTA Coordinator.
- Communicate with the OT team about assessment and evaluation findings and therapeutic goals, and continue communication to review client progress and identify further needs.
- Plan therapeutic activities to meet each client’s individual goals, using the OTR’s evaluation report as a guide.
- Grade, plan, and implement activities appropriate to the client’s demographics, behaviors, and circumstances.
- Provide sensory tools, visual aids, and other resources to support clients’ functional independence.
- Provide and monitor home- or unit-based therapeutic programs, with suitable resources and visual or written aids when appropriate.
- Include direct care staff, clinicians, and/or family members in therapeutic activities and home- or unit-based programs when appropriate.
- Provide discharge recommendations, resources, and referrals as appropriate when a client leaves Wedgwood Christian Services or occupational therapy services.
- Complete timely Quality Assurance requirements related to the employee’s roles and functions.
- Build rapport with clients through therapeutic use of self.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Benefits
- 403(b) retirement plan with employer match
- Medical plans with coverage options
- Free supplemental virtual PCP care with medical plan
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Health Savings Accounts
- Dental and vision plans
- Pet insurance
- Legal insurance
- Locally partnered Employee Assistance Program
- Competitive paid time off
- Direct deposit
- Federal Student Loan Forgiveness through PSLF
- Paid holidays
- Variety of employer-paid benefits for full-time staff
- Short-term disability
- Long-term disability
- Life insurance up to 2x annual salary
- No-cost, employer-paid training and re-certification
- Staff access at no cost to a full gymnasium and 24-hour wellness center with workout equipment
- Walking trail around the campus
- Application and tuition fee discounts at several local colleges and universities for employees and, in some cases, family members
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
Associate degree
