CERT OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT

KALESTA HEALTHCARE GROUP; Puyallup (WA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

KALESTA HEALTHCARE GROUP seeks a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant to join the Dept. of Rehab in Puyallup, WA. You will implement treatment plans under supervision, communicate with patients and families, and document per requirements in a long-term care setting.

You will engage in ongoing professional development, collaborate with the interdisciplinary team, and help coordinate care while maintaining licensure and compliance with regulations.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an approved OTA curriculum and licensed/regulatory compliance.
• Current, active license as Physical Therapist (able to practice unencumbered).
• CPR certification, as required for license renewal.
• Experience in long-term care preferred; able to work on multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Knowledge of Medicare and other payer sources.
• Full knowledge of residents’ rights.
• Must be able to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical information and communicate effectively in English.
• Mathematical skills: add, subtract, multiply, divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, fractions, and decimals.
• Exceptional communication and customer service skills, empathy, professionalism, and the ability to effectively communicate with patients, families, staff, and outside resources and agencies.

Responsibilities

• Implement and execute established patient treatment plans under the supervision of a licensed therapist.
• Communicate with patients, families, referring physicians, and other team members.
• Provide timely written documentation per facility and department requirements.
• Develop and enhance clinical and professional skills through knowledge and professional associations.
• Report any changes in patient status or needs to the supervising therapist in a timely manner.
• Support and participate in department operations and development.
• Prepare and submit patient charges accurately to provide appropriate billing information.
• Screen patients upon admission by identifying appropriate interventions for treatment.
• Use professional judgment to ensure the safety of self, patients, and others at all times.
• Achieve quality patient care through interdisciplinary cooperation, teamwork, and effective communication.
• Attend required meetings as designated by the Clinical Coordinator.
• Communicate with Therapists regarding the patient's response to the treatment plan and provide constructive feedback to rehab technicians.
• Attend in-services, training sessions, or other educational presentations.
• Coordinate treatment goals with other team members.
• Maintain valid licensure, certification, or equivalent as requested by the appropriate state agency.
• Maintain awareness of patient and community needs, conditions, and programs.

Skills

Communication

Documentation

Teamwork

HIPAA compliance

Professionalism

Education

OTA program graduate

Job description

Position

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant – Dept. of Rehab (Puyallup, WA)

Essential Job Functions

• Implement and execute established patient treatment plans under the supervision of a licensed therapist.
• Communicate with patients, families, referring physicians, and other team members.
• Provide timely written documentation per facility and department requirements.
• Develop and enhance clinical and professional skills through knowledge and professional associations.
• Report any changes in patient status or needs to the supervising therapist in a timely manner.
• Support and participate in department operations and development.

Job Functions

• Prepare and submit patient charges accurately to provide appropriate billing information.
• Screen patients upon admission by identifying appropriate interventions for treatment.
• Use professional judgment to ensure the safety of self, patients, and others at all times.
• Achieve quality patient care through interdisciplinary cooperation, teamwork, and effective communication.
• Attend required meetings as designated by the Clinical Coordinator.
• Communicate with Therapists regarding the patient's response to the treatment plan and provide constructive feedback to rehab technicians.
• Attend in‑services, training sessions, or other educational presentations.
• Coordinate treatment goals with other team members.
• Maintain valid licensure, certification, or equivalent as requested by the appropriate state agency.
• Maintain awareness of patient and community needs, conditions, and programs.

Physical Capacities

• Move intermittently throughout the workday.
• See and hear or use prosthetics that enable these senses to function adequately.
• Meet general health requirements, including annual TB screening and physical examination.
• Lift up to and over 100 pounds with assistance, according to resident abilities.
• Sit and walk for extended periods of time.
• Travel to assigned destinations in a reasonable timeframe.
• Bend, squat, push, stoop, and pull as needed, especially when fulfilling resident care activities.
• Cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.

Environmental Conditions

Inside the facility, normal temperatures, some noise, occasional fumes/odors, chemical exposure, and potential bloodborne pathogen exposure.

This job cannot be performed without exposure to the stresses associated with an intimate, 24‑hour skilled care environment that primarily serves disabled and cognitively impaired residents in an aging population. Examples include emergency health or safety response, weekend and holiday duty, unusual or impaired behavior by residents, family reactions to a loved one in a nursing home, death and dying, oversight of state surveyors, ombudsmen, federal officials, consultants, attorneys, and variable involvement of medical staff.

HIPAA and Mandated Reporter

HIPAA is a law that must be followed by all healthcare personnel at every level. This position is a mandated reporter regarding suspected elder abuse and may have access to Protected Health Information (PHI).

Qualifications / Requirements

• Graduate of an approved Occupational Therapy Assistant curriculum. Good standing with all regulatory agencies and licensing boards.
• Current, active license as Physical Therapist (able to practice unencumbered).
• CPR certification, as required for license renewal.
• Experience in long‑term care preferred; able to work on multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Knowledge of Medicare and other payer sources.
• Full knowledge of residents’ rights.
• Must be able to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical information and communicate effectively in English.
• Mathematical skills: add, subtract, multiply, divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, fractions, and decimals.
• Exceptional communication and customer service skills, empathy, professionalism, and the ability to effectively communicate with patients, families, staff, and outside resources and agencies.