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AHC of Allentown
Allentown, Pennsylvania

Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA)

Occupational Therapy AssistantIncludes weekendsNo nightsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$32-$38/hr

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, benefits and time off.

Posted 1h ago · Verified live

Job Description

The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant will play a crucial role in assisting Occupational Therapists in providing high-quality rehabilitative services to residents, helping them regain independence in activities of daily living and improve their overall quality of life.

  • ## Brand New Facility
  • Schedule: Full-Time, Weekdays, Weekends, Day Shift

Primary Responsibilities and Duties

Assist Occupational Therapists in conducting assessments to evaluate residents’ physical, cognitive, and psychosocial functioning, including their ability to perform activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living.

Implement individualized treatment plans developed by Occupational Therapists, including therapeutic exercises, activities, and interventions aimed at improving residents’ functional abilities and achieving treatment goals.

Provide hands-on assistance and guidance to residents during therapy sessions, ensuring safety, proper technique, and optimal therapeutic outcomes.

Utilize adaptive equipment, assistive devices, and environment modifications to facilitate residents’ participation in therapy activities and enhance their independence in daily tasks.

Document resident progress, treatment interventions, and outcomes accurately and timely in accordance with facility policies and regulatory requirements.

Communicate effectively with Occupational Therapists, nursing staff, and other team members to coordinate care, share information, and promote continuity of services.

Collaborate with residents and their families to establish realistic goals, educate them on therapeutic techniques and strategies, and provide support and encouragement throughout the rehabilitation process.

Participate in team meetings, case conferences, and discharge planning discussions to contribute to resident care planning and goal setting.

Stay current on best practices, evidence-based interventions, and regulatory changes in the field of occupational therapy, participating in continuing education and professional development activities as needed.

Maintain professional licensure and adhere to ethical standards set forth by relevant professional organizations.

Perform all other duties assigned.

Job Qualifications

  • Current certification as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA).
  • 1 year of experience in similar field required.
  • State licensure or eligibility for licensure as a COTA in the state where work is performed.
  • Clinical experience in a skilled nursing facility or similar healthcare setting is preferred.
  • Strong clinical skills in providing rehabilitative services to individuals with a variety of diagnoses and functional limitations.
  • Ability to build rapport with residents through a compassionate and caring demeanor.
  • Commitment to providing high-quality, resident-centered care with empathy and compassion.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with residents, families, and team members.

Physical Requirements

Work performed in a medical setting due to the need to work directly with residents, families, and other team members.

  • Must be able to sit, stand, bend, reach, talk, hear, stoop, kneel, crouch, stretch, and twist.
  • Required vision includes close, vision, distance, peripheral, and the ability to adjust focus.
  • Capability to assist residents with mobility tasks, including transferring them from beds to wheelchairs, assisting with standing or walking, and positioning them for therapy activities.
  • May need to lift or maneuver equipment such as therapy mats, adaptive devices or weights.
  • Maintain regular attendance and timeliness as set forth within the work schedule designated by the department supervisor/manager.
  • The job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.

Capacity to stand for extended periods during therapy sessions and walk or move around the facility to access residents’ rooms and therapy spaces.

The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

Stamina to work full shifts and perform repetitive tasks throughout the day, including providing therapy to multiple residents and documenting training sessions.

#THERAPYATOWN

Key Responsibilities

The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant assists Occupational Therapists in implementing individualized treatment plans to help residents regain independence in daily activities. They are responsible for documenting resident progress, coordinating care with the medical team, and ensuring safety during therapeutic interventions.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure

Key Skills

Patient assessmentTreatment plan implementationAdaptive equipment usageDocumentationCare coordinationPatient educationInterpersonal communicationSafety complianceMobility assistance

Occupational Therapist Career Context

The cost-of-living index for Pennsylvania is 97.6 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$73k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $75k in an average-cost state. 61.7% of Pennsylvania clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Occupational Therapy pay on WeekdayDoc is up 2.7% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

What does the Occupational Therapy market look like in Pennsylvania?
MeasureThis jobMarket
Work-life score5.1 / 10 · above average in occupational therapy assistantranked against 1,043 Occupational Therapy Assistant listingslisting-based score, 0–10
Listed pay$67k–$79kOccupational Therapy median $72k (middle half $64k–$83k)322 comparable listings, Oct 2026
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$75k in purchasing powerPennsylvania index 97.6 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Occupational Therapy listings in Pennsylvania317 active9,221 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Oct 2026
Sign-on & loan repaymentnot statedPennsylvania Occupational Therapist listings: 7% state a sign-on bonus (median $10k) · 7% offer loan repayment356 active listings, Oct 2026
Occupational Therapy pay trend+2.7% vs prior quarter—through Sep 2026
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index (1,043 Occupational Therapy Assistant listings), BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Oct 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Work-life snapshot

median 4.8this job 5.1
Better work-life than 50% of Occupational Therapy Assistant listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 1,043 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • No nights
  • Includes weekends

Living in Allentown

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$310k
Typical market rent
$1,686/mo
Residents’ average commute
25 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
100.0
State income tax
Up to 3.1%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Sep 2026), Zillow market rents (Sep 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.