Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant

Position Summary:

The Certified Occupation Therapist Assistant (COTA) will implement occupational therapy services for patients under the supervision of an occupational therapist, with services including treatment, standardized assessment data, and documentation. The COTA will articulate sound clinical reasoning in treatment planning, implementation and monitoring of patient progress and will recognize when standard patient protocols or treatment plans need modification to meet individual patient needs. The COTA will perform age-appropriate advanced competency skills in area of practice and with respect to individual patient's problems and will consistently report to therapist patient progress/status to allow for updated of goals and modification of treatment program. The COTA will recommend discharge of patients at point of optimal benefit of treatment, making appropriate provision for continuing services if needed. The COTA will assess the learning needs and capabilities of patients with regard to age, level of understanding & emotional status and will ensure that patient/family understands when and how to receive further treatment. The COTA will document patient care timely manner with documentation being concise, and pertinent. The COTA must be willing to report back to work during any emergency situation, this includes if needed during inclement weather, mass casualty, internal disaster, etc. The COTA will complete other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education:

• Associate’s degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant program from an American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) or the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) certified school required.

Experience

• Three years related occupational therapy experience preferred.

Licensure/Certification/Registration

• Occupational Therapist Assistant licensure in the state of South Carolina in good standing required.
• Current Certification with the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Must understand the role of Occupational Therapy in the context of the patient's age, total needs perspective and environment, perform age- appropriate competency skills with respect to individual patient's problems.
• Consistently report to Occupational Therapist patient progress/status to allow for updated of goals and modifications by Occupational Therapist of treatment program, meet patient care productivity standard for position, and work cooperatively with peers to contribute to the overall productivity of the team.
• Assist Occupational Therapist in utilizing appropriate methods and materials for effective learning, monitoring response to education, and adapting program appropriately. Ensure that patient/family understands when and how to receive further treatment.
• Ensure patient care documentation is timely, legible, and efficient.
• Notes are concise, pertinent, and meet departmental documentation standards.
• Performs all required data collection for the department accurately and within the expected time frame.
• Greet all patients and their accompanying family members when applicable and provide exemplary customer service.
• Work effectively and collaboratively with colleagues, therapists, and department heads.
• Effectively utilize strong organizational skills.
• Consistently display effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficient use and understanding of technology/PC skills.
• Exercise independent judgment in emergency situations.