Occupational Therapist Assistant

General Purpose

The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) works under the direction and supervision of a licensed Occupational Therapist (OT) to provide rehabilitative services to residents in a skilled nursing, post-acute, or long-term care setting.

The COTA assists residents in developing, recovering, improving, or maintaining functional abilities necessary for daily living and independence.

Through implementation of individualized treatment plans, therapeutic activities, and resident education, the COTA promotes safety, mobility, independence, and quality of life while supporting optimal rehabilitation outcomes.

Responsibilities

Resident Care & Treatment

• Implement occupational therapy treatment plans and interventions developed by the Occupational Therapist.
• Provide therapeutic activities and exercises designed to improve residents' functional abilities and independence.
• Assist residents in improving fine motor skills, coordination, strength, balance, endurance, and Activities of Daily Living (ADLs).
• Instruct residents in the use of adaptive equipment, assistive devices, and compensatory techniques to maximize functional independence.
• Assist residents with training in self-care activities including dressing, grooming, bathing, feeding, and toileting tasks.
• Monitor resident performance during therapy sessions and modify treatment approaches under the guidance of the Occupational Therapist.
• Observe, report, and document resident responses, progress, and participation in treatment programs.

Documentation & Compliance

• Accurately document treatments, resident progress, daily notes, and required billing information in accordance with regulatory and facility requirements.
• Maintain documentation that supports medical necessity, reimbursement requirements, and clinical outcomes.
• Communicate regularly with the Occupational Therapist regarding resident progress, barriers, and achievement of treatment goals.
• Ensure compliance with Medicare, Medicaid, managed care, and other payer documentation guidelines.
• Maintain resident confidentiality and comply with HIPAA requirements and company policies.

Collaboration & Communication

• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings, care conferences, and treatment planning discussions.
• Collaborate with Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Speech Language Pathologists, nursing staff, physicians, and other healthcare professionals.
• Educate residents, families, and caregivers regarding therapeutic exercises, adaptive techniques, safety strategies, and home recommendations.
• Communicate resident needs, concerns, progress, and discharge recommendations to appropriate team members.
• Support continuity of care through effective communication with residents, families, and interdisciplinary team members.

Safety & Infection Prevention

• Follow established infection prevention and control practices, safety standards, and facility protocols.
• Ensure therapy equipment is maintained, cleaned, sanitized, and stored appropriately.
• Monitor residents for changes in condition, safety risks, or adverse responses during therapy sessions.
• Report resident incidents, injuries, equipment concerns, and changes in condition promptly to the Occupational Therapist and appropriate staff.
• Promote a safe therapeutic environment for residents, visitors, and staff.

Professional Development & Quality Improvement

• Maintain professional competency through continuing education and participation in training programs.
• Remain current with occupational therapy treatment approaches, adaptive technologies, and rehabilitation practices.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives, program development activities, and departmental meetings.
• Support organizational goals related to resident outcomes, customer satisfaction, and rehabilitation excellence.

Qualifications

• Regular and reliable attendance is required to perform the essential functions of this position.
• Graduate of an accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant program.
• Current state licensure, registration, or certification as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA), as required by state law.
• Experience in skilled nursing, rehabilitation, post-acute care, or long-term care settings preferred.
• Knowledge of Medicare, Medicaid, PDPM, managed care, and third-party payer documentation requirements.
• Strong understanding of occupational therapy principles, treatment techniques, adaptive equipment, and rehabilitation practices.
• Ability to implement treatment plans accurately and provide individualized resident-centered care.
• Effective communication, interpersonal, and customer service skills.
• Competence in clinical documentation, electronic medical records, and reimbursement-related requirements.
• Strong organizational, time-management, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work effectively as part of an interdisciplinary rehabilitation and healthcare team.
• Commitment to resident safety, quality outcomes, and professional excellence.
• Current CPR certification preferred or as required by state regulations or facility policy.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Facility-based work performed in skilled nursing, rehabilitation, post-acute, or long-term care environments.
• Requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, reaching, lifting, transferring, and assisting residents during therapy sessions.
• Ability to guide, support, and assist residents with mobility and functional activities.
• Ability to manage multiple residents and prioritize tasks in a fast-paced clinical environment.
• Manual dexterity sufficient to demonstrate therapeutic techniques and operate therapy equipment.
• Visual and auditory acuity sufficient to assess resident performance, review documentation, and communicate effectively.
• Exposure to resident care-related conditions requiring adherence to infection prevention and safety protocols.
• Must be able to lift, transfer, push, pull, or support up to 75 pounds, with or without assistance, as required to safely perform therapy interventions.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Direct resident-facing work performed in resident rooms, therapy gyms, treatment areas, and common spaces.
• Frequent interaction with residents, families, visitors, therapy personnel, nursing staff, physicians, and interdisciplinary team members.
• Occasional exposure to bodily fluids, infectious materials, and medical equipment during resident care activities.
• Work may involve extended periods of standing, walking, bending, lifting, transferring, and assisting residents during therapy sessions.
• Environment requires strict adherence to infection prevention standards, safety practices, and proper use of therapeutic equipment.
• Fast-paced and collaborative rehabilitation environment focused on resident-centered care and positive clinical outcomes.

Disclaimer

Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Critical features of this job are described under various headings above. They may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons.

The above statements are strictly intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of employees in this position.