POSITION TITLE: Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)

REPORTS TO: Clinic and/or Area Manager and supervising Occupational Therapist

FUNCTION: Operations

CLASSIFICATION: Non-Exempt

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Assists in the provision of screens, collection of assessment data, and direct treatment to a general rehab caseload under the direction and supervision of the Occupational Therapist. Participates in the clinical team process. Provides teaching and training to care giver staff. Participates in clinical program development.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

May, where allowed by law, supervise the Rehab Tech and/or Rehab Aide.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conducts resident screens (without interpretation) as directed by the supervising Occupational Therapist.
• Collects assessment data, as part of the evaluation process, as directed by the supervising Occupational Therapist.
• Under a physician’s order, provides direct treatment to patients/resident as directed by and according to the plan of care outlined by the supervising Occupational Therapist where allowed by law. Treatment venue includes one-on-one, supervised and group.
• Documents patient/resident progress toward meeting established goals as stated in the treatment plan outlined by the supervising Occupational Therapist.
• Provides training to patients, residents, caregivers and families according to the plan of care outlined by the supervising Occupational Therapist.
• Completes documentation of direct treatment provided within established time frames.
• Abides by applicable state law with regard to maintaining supervision log.
• Prepares treatment materials and assists with other clerical duties as directed by the Occupational Therapist.
• Participates with the Occupational Therapist in research projects, in-service training and public relations programs.
• Participates in quality improvement activities.
• Responsible for service and operational excellence of all assigned activities to ensure the delivery of quality services and/or outcomes required to meet or exceed the expectations of those utilizing or impacted by the department.
• Exhibits courtesy, compassion and respect to patients, residents, families, care givers, visitors, physicians, administrators and co-workers.

The above statements reflect the general duties considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job as identified and shall not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be involved in the position.

DIMENSIONS:

• All of Millennium Rehab & Consulting, Inc.
• Involved with a variety of employees in a geographically dispersed area.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS:

Environmental Demands:

• Work is performed in the Rehabilitation Department and on patient care units. Occasional exposure to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, anti-neoplastic pharmaceuticals and other materials and substances that may be used in patient care or on the patient care unit.
• Light to moderate travel to other sites may be required.

Essential Physical Demands:

• Frequent physical effort with medium to heavy objects. Transferring patients weighing between 100 to 250 lbs is frequently required.
• Standing and walking for significant amounts of time is necessary.
• Good hearing and verbal skills required for following directions, communicating with staff and customer relations.
• Manual dexterity required for documentation needs, for manipulation of equipment and for direct patient care.
• Good visual skills required for patient assessment, documentation and report analysis.

Essential Mental Demands:

• Requires intense attention and concentration.
• Ability to cope with periodic stress associated with changing census and staffing demands.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage time effectively for self and other.
• Ability to deal with a wide range of personality types, ages and diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to articulate and comprehend the English Language.
• Bi-lingual skills may be required for certain facilities.

External and internal candidates, as well as, position incumbents who become disabled, must be able to perform the essential job specific functions (listed within each job specific responsibility) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by the company on a case-by-case basis.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associates Degree from an AOTA accredited program.
• Licensed or eligible for licensure in states that regulate the Occupational Therapy Assistant.
• Demonstrates effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Utilizes effective time management skills.
• Ability to function effectively in multi-faceted systems and to interact effectively with all levels of staff and customers.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills.