Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA)

Grant Regional Health Center; Lancaster (WI); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Grant Regional Health Center is seeking a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA) to provide occupational therapy services to various patient types under the supervision of the Occupational Therapist. This full-time role requires a graduate of an AOTA-approved program and current Wisconsin licensing. Responsibilities include patient assessments, documentation, and use of special equipment. New graduates are welcomed to apply. The position involves community health promotion, emphasizing patient advocacy and satisfaction.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an AOTA approved education program.
• Current licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant in Wisconsin.
• Experience preferred but new grads welcome.

Responsibilities

• Perform ongoing assessments using medical records.
• Read and understand the plan of care set by the therapist.
• Utilize special equipment like cryotherapy and hot packs.
• Comply with hospital safety policies and procedures.
• Demonstrate advocacy toward patients and families.
• Promote community health.

Skills

Patient assessment

Communication skills

Advocacy

Documentation

Use of special equipment

Education

Graduate of AOTA approved educational program

Current licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant in Wisconsin

Current AOTA certification

DPI license or willingness to obtain

Job description

TITLE: Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA)

DEPARTMENT: Rehabilitation

POSITION STATUS/HOURS: Full-time (40 hours/week). Hours are flexible: 7:30am-4:00pm Monday-Friday.

JOB SUMMARY

The COTA provides occupational therapy services to hospital inpatients, swing bed, outpatients, and home health patients under the supervision of the Occupational Therapist (OTR). These services include structured evaluations, patient treatment, and documentation.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Perform ongoing assessment after initial evaluation using medical records, assessing cognitive/perceptual status, sensory status, neuromuscular status, range of motion, posture, functional activities, physiological response, balance/coordination, positioning and restraint use, age‑specific assessment, manual muscle testing, and instruction of activities of daily living.
2. Read and understand plan of care set up by the therapist, assess patients’ response to treatment, choose activities accordingly, assist with discharge planning, and teach patient/family home program.
3. Utilize special equipment such as cryotherapy and hot packs.
4. Perform special skills: sensory integration techniques, myofascial techniques, treatment of geriatric patients, splinting techniques, design and implementation of adaptive equipment, exercise program, and documentation; participate in team/family conferences.
5. Comply with hospital safety policies and procedures (restraint policy, body mechanics, infection control, OSHA standards, do not resuscitate orders).
6. Demonstrate advocacy toward patient and family: understand patient bill of rights, maintain confidentiality with patients, family, other personnel, and the public; care for patients with ethical dilemmas; demonstrate awareness of patient satisfaction; communicate with physicians and other health care professionals to provide opportunities for positive rehab outcomes.
7. Promote community health.
8. Demonstrate professional behavior: manage time, utilize support personnel, maintain documentation, pursue professional development, exhibit effective communication skills, and billing responsibilities.
9. Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Graduate of an American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) approved education program. Current licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant in the State of Wisconsin. Current AOTA certification. Experience preferred but new grads are welcome. DPI license or willingness to obtain is preferred.