Occupational Therapy Assistant

The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant [COTA] is a professional qualified to provide occupational therapy treatment under the supervision of a registered and licensed occupational therapist [OTR/L] to patients in the home as prescribed by the attending physician.   RESPONSIBLE TO   Clinical Manager Executive Director   QUALIFICATIONS   Graduate of an occupational therapy assistant curriculum approved by the American Occupational Therapy Association.   Certified as an occupational therapy assistant in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.   Two [2] years experience as a certified occupational therapy assistant in a physical disabilities setting is preferred.  Home health care experience is preferred.   Reliable, independent means of transportation to make home visits.  Drivers must have a valid driver’s license and drive a car with insurance limits as established in personnel policies.     CLINICAL SKILLS   Makes home visits to patients in accordance with the physician’s plan of care.   Implements the therapy program established by the OTR/L, providing services to restore the patient to the maximum level of independence in daily living skills and sensory and motor function.   Assists in teaching patients and in planning discharge from occupational therapy services.     DOCUMENTATION   A.              Completes required documentation for ongoing service on the day of the visit.   Documentation is reviewed by the OTR/L. to maintain compliance with the plan of care.   COMMUNICATION   Confers with supervising occupational therapist, at least, every month, more often as patient needs dictate.   Calls the Clinical Manager with any immediate patient clinical needs.   Maintains confidentiality of client information.   Submits a schedule of patients as requested.   Reports patient responses to treatment, changes in care needs, progress towards goals to the supervising OTR/L   PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS   Protects patient privacy and confidentiality by being discreet and professional in sharing information on a need-to-know basis.   Adheres to all policies and maintains a professional standard of conduct, projecting a positive image of the agency.   Continually strives to improve care by broadening and deepening knowledge through formal education, attendance at workshops, conferences, active participation in professional and related organizations and individual study and reading.   Adheres to all policies set forth in the Occupational Therapy Practice Act and relevant Practice Standards to maintain safe clinical practice.                              Serves as a role model for all staff.     PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT   Attends a minimum of two [2] staff meetings/in-services per year.   Participates in additional staff meetings, care conferences, educational training, as appropriate.         PRECEPTING & TRAINING   Instructs, counsels, monitors, and evaluates newly hired staff members or trainees during the new hire or trainee’s orientation period to new position   In collaboration with the new hire or trainee, the employee plans and implements a teaching plan and then evaluates the new hire or trainee’s progress based on mutually agreed upon orientation goals on an ongoing basis.    Assists in planning, presenting, evaluating, and revising Concordia’s staff development activities and educational content