Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) - Post Acute Services

Montage Health•Monterey, CA

About The Position

The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) is an educated, licensed healthcare provider who assists the Occupational Therapist in delivering occupational therapy services. Working under the supervision of a licensed Occupational Therapist and within the scope of licensure and applicable regulations, the OTA implements treatment plans, provides therapeutic interventions, participates in patient and family education, and contributes to interdisciplinary care planning. The OTA supports patients in achieving their highest level of independence and participation in meaningful daily activities through interventions addressing ADLs, IADLs, cognitive functioning, upper extremity function, safety awareness, and community reintegration. The position emphasizes quality patient care, professional commitment, teamwork, interpersonal communication, safety, excellent customer service, and broad job knowledge. The OTA completes documentation, supports discharge planning, contributes to routine department operations, and works within the limits of licensure, competency, training, and applicable laws.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant program, with education sufficient to obtain required licensure as determined by the California Board of Occupational Therapy.
Current California Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) License or Occupational Therapy Assistant License Applicant status as permitted by state regulations.
American Heart Association Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
Ability to understand and follow directions from the supervising Occupational Therapist and Rehabilitation Leadership Team.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced healthcare environment.
Ability to prioritize multiple assignments and manage competing responsibilities.
Knowledge of occupational therapy principles, practices, and treatment techniques, including ADL retraining, cognitive rehabilitation, adaptive equipment, and patient education methods.
Understanding of rehabilitation concepts related to functional independence, safety, and community reintegration.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients, families, physicians, and interdisciplinary team members.
Strong organizational, communication, critical thinking, and time-management skills.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with regulatory and organizational requirements.
Commitment to compassionate, patient-centered, high-quality care.
Must pass orientation and initial competency assessment before independent assignment of patients requiring applicable skills and complete and pass all annual competencies.
Frequent standing, walking, bending, reaching, stooping, lifting, pushing, and pulling.
Ability to assist with patient transfers, positioning, mobility, and therapeutic activities.
Ability to safely operate rehabilitation equipment and handle treatment supplies.
Ability to perform physical demands associated with direct patient care in inpatient rehabilitation and post-acute care settings.

Nice To Haves

One year of current Occupational Therapy Assistant experience.
Experience in inpatient rehabilitation, skilled nursing, post-acute care, acute care, or outpatient rehabilitation settings.
Experience with ADL retraining, cognitive rehabilitation, neurological rehabilitation, orthopedic rehabilitation, and discharge planning.
Proficiency with electronic medical records and Microsoft Office applications.

Responsibilities

Implement occupational therapy treatment plans established by the Occupational Therapist and provide services in accordance with physician orders, the plan of care, organizational policies, and applicable regulations.
Provide ADL retraining, including bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, feeding, and personal hygiene activities.
Assist patients with IADL skills, including meal preparation, medication management, home management tasks, and community reintegration activities as appropriate.
Provide cognitive rehabilitation interventions addressing memory, attention, executive functioning, problem-solving, sequencing, and safety awareness under the direction of the Occupational Therapist.
Instruct and assist patients with therapeutic exercises, upper extremity rehabilitation, neuromuscular re-education, coordination activities, and functional mobility related to occupational performance.
Train patients in the use of adaptive equipment, assistive devices, compensatory techniques, energy conservation strategies, and joint protection principles.
Assist with splint and orthotic device management as delegated by the Occupational Therapist and permitted by scope of practice.
Monitor patient performance and treatment response and communicate findings to the supervising Occupational Therapist.
Educate patients and caregivers about functional independence, safety awareness, fall prevention, adaptive techniques, equipment use, and home safety recommendations.
Reinforce treatment goals and therapeutic strategies established by the Occupational Therapist, and help caregivers develop skills to support patient function and safety after discharge.
Participate in interdisciplinary team conferences, patient care conferences, family meetings, and care coordination activities.
Collaborate with nursing, physical therapy, speech therapy, case management, physicians, and other team members to support patient-centered care.
Support discharge planning by identifying barriers to functional independence, communicating patient needs, and assisting with equipment needs, home safety recommendations, caregiver training, and community resources.
Contribute to discharge readiness assessments and collaborate with the Occupational Therapist to facilitate transitions to home or the next level of care.
Complete accurate, timely, and compliant clinical documentation in the electronic medical record and maintain patient confidentiality.
Assist with patient transport, treatment area preparation, equipment maintenance, inventory management, and routine department operations as assigned.
Follow infection prevention, safety, quality, and regulatory standards and demonstrate professionalism, accountability, and effective communication.
Perform duties within the limits of licensure, competency, training, and applicable laws governing occupational therapy practice.