Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA)

Job Summary:

The Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant will assume responsibility and accountability for providing occupational therapy modalities and treatment procedures as determined by a treatment plan of care established by an occupational therapist to assure the patient/resident maintains their highest practicable level of function.

Provides care per physician's orders and plan of care developed by evaluating therapist.

Takes measurements of patient's/client's status, within the limits of his/her licensure and ability, as appropriate in providing care and to assist in assessing the effectiveness of care.

Maintains communication and collaboration with the evaluating therapist, to promote maximum benefits from therapy. Summarizes patient performance according to established goals.

Implements education plan as outlined by the evaluating therapist, determines additional educational needs of the patient/client, family, caregiver or significant other as they arise and in collaboration with the evaluating therapist provides education to meet those needs.

Follows plan for discharge and discusses with the evaluating therapist any additional discharge concerns which may arise. Assists therapist in goal reassessment and discharge planning.

Communicates with patient, family, caregivers, significant other and other members of the healthcare team to promote maximum benefit of care.

Demonstrates appropriate knowledge and correct application of clinical techniques, procedures and programs for clinical setting and patient/resident population served.

Displays appropriate technical knowledge and application of available modalities and other equipment.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, and individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience: Must be a graduate of a professional training program approved by the American Occupational Therapy Association with at least a Bachelor's degree from said four-year college or university.

Language Skills: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and response to questions from groups of managers, customers, and the general public.

Mathematical Skills: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute percentages.

Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Computer Skills: Knowledgeable in Internet navigation using Internet Explorer and basic computer skills to utilize email, and open and close documents.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: NBCOT certification and current Occupational Therapist license, registration and/or certification as per the State of Michigan regulations.

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 accomodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; kneel; bend; and/or crouch.

The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.