COTA

PACS•Westerville, OH

About The Position

The Staff Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA) assists the Staff Occupational Therapist with resident-related activities and direct resident care. The role treats residents as directed by the Occupational Therapist, documents care in accordance with facility, governmental, and third-party payer requirements, and helps maintain a safe treatment environment. The assistant communicates with the supervising Occupational Therapist and the wider care team about resident progress, goals, and discharge planning, and educates residents, families, and caregivers on treatment and safety strategies. The position also supports staff training, equipment needs, quality improvement, and rehabilitation program development as assigned. The position requires an associate degree from an accredited COTA program, a state license in good standing, and computer proficiency with systems such as Net Health and Point Click Care. The employee must meet continuing education requirements applicable to state practice. CPR certification is required if required by licensure. The essential functions involve frequent standing and walking, occasional sitting and other movements, and lifting or manipulating residents and equipment. The work environment is usually low to moderate in noise. Reasonable accommodations may be made in accordance with applicable laws.

Requirements

Associate degree from an accredited COTA program.
Proficiency with computer skills, including entering data in programs such as 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 mathematical concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
Ability to solve practical problems and interpret written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule-form instructions.
Licensed as an Occupational Therapist Assistant in the state, with a license maintained in good standing.
Meet continuing education requirements in accordance with state practices.
Maintain CPR certification if required by licensure.
Ability to perform the essential physical functions, including frequent standing and walking; occasional sitting, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling; and reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting, and manipulating objects and equipment.
Ability to assist, support, and transport residents in accordance with safe resident handling practices.
Effective talking and hearing, and ability to perceive and respond to tactile, auditory, and visual environmental cues.

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 durable medical equipment to help residents achieve independence in activities of daily living, including adaptive equipment, splints, assistive devices, elevated toilet seats, and grab bars.
Maintain confidentiality of resident and company information.
Report department equipment problems so equipment 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.