Cert Occupational Therapist Assistant, COTA
Listed compensation
$40-$50/hr
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about the work setting, weekend coverage and nights and shift pattern.
Job Description
Job Details:
Job Location: City Creek Post Acute - Sacramento, CA, Salary Range: $40.00 - $50.00Hourly, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) Join City Creek Post-Acute and make a meaningful impact by supporting high quality, compassionate rehabilitation care for residents in our skilled nursing facility.
This is an excellent opportunity for a graduating student, new graduate, or experienced Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant in Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) looking to build or continue a rewarding career in Occupational Therapy while working closely with residents, families, caregivers, licensed Occupational Therapists, and an interdisciplinary healthcare team.
We welcome candidates seeking Full Time, Part Time, PRN, or On Call opportunities.
Join our Team with rewarding benefits: Competitive Rate $2,500 Retention Bonus for full time positions in California $2,500 Relocation Bonus eligible after 90 days $5,000 Student Loan Repayment per calendar year $2,500 Referral Bonus $500 Annual License Renewal Bonus.
Covers license renewal, CPR, and CEU expenses per calendar year H1B Sponsorship / H1B Transfer Assistance available for eligible full time employees The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) provides appropriate aspects of occupational therapy care under the direction and supervision of a licensed Occupational Therapist.
The COTA implements established treatment plans, provides occupational therapy interventions, monitors patient responses, documents patient progress, and communicates with patients, families, caregivers, and the rehabilitation team to support positive functional outcomes.
Reporting: This position reports directly to the Occupational Therapist and Facility Rehab Director.
Why This Role Matters Implement and carry out established occupational therapy treatment plans under the direction and supervision of the Occupational Therapist Provide appropriate occupational therapy interventions according to the established treatment plan Assist patients with activities of daily living, functional activities, therapeutic exercises, mobility, transfers, balance, coordination, and other occupational therapy interventions Monitor patient response to treatment and report changes in patient status or needs to the supervising Occupational Therapist Communicate effectively with patients, families, physicians, caregivers, and other members of the interdisciplinary team Provide patient education and reinforcement of treatment strategies as directed by the Occupational Therapist Participate in patient screening and identify changes or concerns that should be reported to the supervising Occupational Therapist Provide timely and accurate documentation according to facility, department, and payer requirements Document treatment and patient progress to support licensing, certification, regulatory, reimbursement, and physician requirements Coordinate treatment activities and goals with other members of the rehabilitation team Use professional judgment to help ensure patient and staff safety Participate in interdisciplinary teamwork and effective communication Attend required meetings, in services, training sessions, and educational presentations Prepare and submit accurate patient charges and billing information Support department operations and development Maintain and enhance clinical and professional knowledge through continuing education and professional development Maintain valid licensure and required certifications Qualifications: What We’re Looking For Currently completing, completed, or recently graduated from an approved Occupational Therapy Assistant program.
Graduating students and new graduates are encouraged to apply Must have or be eligible to obtain an active California Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant license prior to practicing as required by applicable law and facility policy CPR certification required.
Candidates who do not yet have CPR certification may obtain it prior to or during the onboarding process Must be in good standing with applicable regulatory agencies and licensing boards New graduates and experienced COTAs are welcome to apply Clinical experience gained through fieldwork, internships, externships, clinical placements, or prior employment is valued Skilled Nursing Facility experience is beneficial but not required Strong clinical foundation in Occupational Therapy Ability to follow and implement occupational therapy treatment plans under the direction and supervision of a licensed Occupational Therapist Knowledge of activities of daily living, therapeutic activities, functional mobility, transfers, balance, coordination, and other occupational therapy interventions Excellent verbal and written communication skills Compassionate and empathetic approach to patient care Strong documentation and organizational skills Proficiency with EMR and rehabilitation systems or willingness to learn Ability to work effectively as part of an interdisciplinary team Strong desire to learn, grow, and build or continue a career in skilled nursing rehabilitation Professional presentation and conduct Commitment to continuing education and professional development Understanding of patient rights, confidentiality, and HIPAA requirements Physical & Working Conditions Skilled Nursing Facility environment Ability to move intermittently throughout the workday Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods Ability to bend, squat, push, stoop, reach, and pull as required for resident care Ability to assist with patient transfers, mobility, positioning, ADLs, and therapeutic activities Ability to lift and move up to 100 pounds with assistance and appropriate equipment according to resident needs and facility safety procedures Potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens, chemicals, fumes, and odors Ability to manage the physical, mental, and emotional demands associated with skilled nursing care Ability to work effectively in a 24 hour skilled care environment
Key Responsibilities
Implement and carry out established occupational therapy treatment plans under the supervision of a licensed Occupational Therapist. Provide direct patient interventions, monitor progress, and document care according to facility and regulatory requirements.
Requirements
Must have or be eligible for an active California Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant license and possess CPR certification. Candidates should have a strong clinical foundation in occupational therapy and the ability to work effectively within a skilled nursing facility environment.
Qualifications
- Education
- Professional certificate or licensure
Key Skills
Occupational Therapist Career Context
In California, the Occupational Therapy weighted monthly median benchmark on WeekdayDoc is ~$117k (811 salary observations; 2,343 listings), vs ~$97k nationally (5,716 salary observations; 28,639 listings). Monthly aggregates cover 2026-01-01 through 2026-11-01; these are not the modal's selected comparable-job medians.
The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$94k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $85k in an average-cost state. 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Work-life score | 6.4 / 10 · above average in occupational therapy assistant | ranked against 1,043 Occupational Therapy Assistant listingslisting-based score, 0–10 |
| California vs national | $117k median in California | $97k nationally (+21%)811 state / 5,716 national salary observations |
| Cost-of-living adjusted pay | ~$85k in purchasing power | California index 110.7 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Occupational Therapy listings in California | 894 active | 9,061 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | sign-on bonus · $5k loan repayment | California Occupational Therapist listings: 14% state a sign-on bonus (median $5k) · 5% offer loan repayment951 active listings, Nov 2026 |
| New Occupational Therapy listings | 3,243 in the last 30 days | 1,641 the 30 days before (+98%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Occupational Therapy pay trend | +3.5% vs prior quarter | —through Oct 2026 |
Work-Life Balance Analysis
WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Cert Occupational Therapist Assistant, COTA at Kalesta Healthcare Group a 6.4 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the Above average in Occupational Therapy Assistant — ranked against 1,043 active Occupational Therapy Assistant listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include no on-call duties.
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