Title: Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

Reports To: Director of Therapy

Job Summary:

The COTA will be responsible for implementing programs developed by the Occupational Therapist in compliance with all local, state and federal regulations. The successful candidate will also collaborate with facility staff to enhance the physical, mental and social well-being for patients. The COTA helps occupational therapy clients by providing rehabilitative services to persons with mental, physical, emotional, or developmental impairments.

Essential Functions:

• Verifies client information by interviewing client; reviewing and/or recording medical history; confirming purpose of treatment.
• Helps clients improve their quality of life by helping them compensate for limitations, such as, helping injured workers improve their motor skills and re-enter the labor force, and teaching persons with learning disabilities to prepare meals or to use public transportation and increase their independence,
• Follows treatment plan developed in collaboration with occupational therapist by teaching techniques, such as, the proper method of moving from a bed into a wheelchair, and the best ways to stretch and limber muscles; monitoring activities to make sure they are performed correctly; providing encouragement, bringing treatment that is not having the intended effect to the attention of the therapist
• Maintains patient occupational therapy records by recording client's progress for use by the occupational therapist.
• Generates revenues by recording billing information of services rendered.
• Maintains safe, secure, and healthy work environment by establishing, following, and enforcing standards and procedures; complying with legal regulations.
• Keeps supplies ready by inventorying stock; placing orders; verifying receipt.
• Keeps equipment operating by following operating instructions; troubleshooting breakdowns; maintaining supplies; performing preventive maintenance; calling for repairs.
• Serves and protects the occupational therapy practice by adhering to professional standards, policies and procedures, federal, state, and local requirements, and The Joint Commission standards.
• Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations.
• Enhances occupational therapy practice reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments.

Qualifications:

• Graduate of an accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant program
• Certification as Occupational Therapy Assistant in Texas
• Knowledge of principles, methods and equipment used in occupational therapy body mechanic

Continuing Education:

• Attends in service and educational programs.
• Attends continuing education required for maintenance of professional certification or licensure.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to communicate in English via phone, in writing, and verbally in conversation with different levels of staff, patient families, and any outside customers.
• The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Works in office areas as well as throughout the Facility. Must be able to move about intermittently during working hours including standing, lifting, bending, stooping, twisting, pushing and pulling.
• Must be able to transfer patients and assists in emergency evacuations.
• Interacts with patients, family members, staff, visitors, government agencies/personnel, etc., under all conditions/circumstances.
• May be exposed to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including exposure to the AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses.