Occupational Therapy Assistant

Full-time

Wheaton, IL

About the position

The Occupational Therapist Assistant reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards. The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA/L) assists in the practice of occupational therapy under the supervision of a Registered Occupational Therapist. The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant implements safe and effective occupational therapy services including the evaluation of functional performance ability of persons impaired by physical illness or injury, congenital or developmental disability and/or the aging process in collaboration/under the supervision of an Occupational Therapist. The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant implements goal directed interventions for the treatment or prevention of these impairments/functional limitations to achieve maximum independence.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrates the four NM values of teamwork, patients first, integrity, and excellence in daily work and interactions.
• Presents a friendly, approachable, professional demeanor and appearance.
• Provides accurate information and timely updates to patients and customers.
• Addresses questions and concerns promptly or identifies appropriate person and resources to do so.
• Provides directions to help patients and customers with finding their way.
• Uses effective service recovery skills to solve problems or service breakdowns when they occur.
• Follows plan of care set by OT.
• Demonstrates teamwork by helping co-workers within and across departments.
• Communicates effectively with others, respects diverse opinions and styles, and acknowledges the assistance and contributions of others.
• Uses organizational and unit/department resources efficiently.
• Manages work schedule efficiently, completing tasks and assignments on time.
• Contributes to opportunities and processes for continuous improvement.
• Participates in efforts to reduce costs, streamline work processes, improve and grow services we provide.
• Demonstrates creative problem solving and diversity when adapting the treatment to special circumstances as evidence by team feedback and documentation.
• Completes daily notes that reflect patient’s response to treatment, actual performance, and an assessment as to status, relevant to the treatment plan and eventual discharge needs as evidenced by chart review, meeting all documentation requirements.
• In collaboration with OTR, interprets evaluation results to identify patient strengths and major deficient areas and establishes functional, measurable goals in accordance with patient’s level of function, age, length of stay and discharge disposition.
• Assists in the appropriate selection, application and modification of treatment intervention to ensure achievement of treatment goals.
• Provides occupational therapy interventions; provides patient and family teaching and works cooperatively with other patient team personnel.
• Collaborates with the Occupational Therapist to terminate services when maximum benefit is received.
• Makes appropriate and judicious use of doubled group and/or joint treatment sessions.
• Maintains productivity standards per department expectations.
• Maintains treatment area, equipment and supply inventory.
• Communicates effectively with patients and caregivers at levels appropriate to their age, cognitive status and language abilities.
• Works to develop and maintain professional relationships with members of healthcare teams (ex: physician, nurse, case manager).
• Participates in internal and external marketing per department expectations.
• Participates in patient-related conferences, professional, and organization meetings per department expectations.
• Actively participates in student clinical or observation programs by serving as a clinical instructor, mentor, or observation host as per department expectations.
• Seeks and provides education/instruction to facilitate professional growth.
• Assists in performance improvement and supports development activities.
• Contributes to cost effectiveness of services and programs provided by the department.
• Communicates suggestions related to opportunities for improvement and maintaining positive relations with all customers.
• Identifies professional strengths, areas of refinement and assumes responsibility for professional growth.
• Participates in continuing education opportunities offered.
• Rotates services assigned based on census at home/program site.
• Complies with and adjusts to policy and procedure changes.
• Maintains knowledge of policies concerning precautions, codes, conditions, warnings and general safety procedures.
• Demonstrates willingness to flex schedule or assignment to meet patient care needs, staff meetings, and department specific meetings outside normal work hours.

Requirements

• Associate degree: Degree from an Occupational Therapy Assistant program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).
• License in Occupational Therapy in the state of Illinois.
• BLS from American Heart Association within 90 days of hire.

Nice-to-haves

• Two to three years of previous work experience delivering occupational therapy services under the supervision of an OTR in a program and similar environment is preferred.
• New graduates may be considered if clinical experience is applicable and supervision by an experienced OT Practitioner is available.