Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA)

Topaz Fiscal Services; Shreveport (LA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Topaz Fiscal Services is seeking a Credentialed Occupational Therapy Assistant to perform programs under the supervision of an occupational therapist. The role includes assisting in functional skills training, documenting progress, and maintaining a safe care environment.

The candidate should have an accredited two-year OTA program credential and state licensure if required, with preferred prior experience. Lifting requirements and compliance with policies are noted in the job description.

Qualifications

• Credentialed graduate of an accredited two-year Occupational Therapist Assistant program and certified according to national requirements.
• Licensed in the state where practicing if required.
• Prior experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist in occupational therapy programs under the supervision of an OT.
• Help clients develop daily living and vocational skills.
• Observe and document patient progress and report to supervising OT.
• Assist in evaluating daily living skills and capacities.
• Design and adapt equipment and home/work environments.
• Instruct patients and families in home programs and use of adaptive equipment.
• Maintain patient progress notes and billing records.
• Follow infection control policies and safety procedures.
• Attend seminars and staff meetings to maintain licensure.

Skills

Empathy

Communication

Patient care

Attention to detail

Education

ATA program credential (two-year)

State licensure (if required)

Job description

Job Summary

Perform occupational therapy programs under the general supervision of an occupational therapist.

Responsibilities

• Assist in administering programs involving functional skills including activities of daily, pre-vocational, vocational homemaking skills.

• Instruct, motivate and assist, assist patients/residents in learning and improving functional skills.

• Observe patients/residents during treatments and compile data on responses to treatments and progress. Report orally or in writing to supervising occupational therapist.

• Assist in evaluation of patient/resident daily living skills and capacities to determine the extent of abilities and limitations.

• design and adapt equipment and working/living environment

• Assist in instructing patient/resident and family in home programs as well as care and use of adaptive equipment.

• Document patient/resident progress toward established goals.

• Establish and maintain good public relations with patients/residents families and other center guest. Show empathy toward patients/residents as needed. Adhere to requirements of resident/patient Bill of Rights.

• Follow established infection control precautions; adhere to Universal Blood and Body Fluid Precautions, following policy and center specific infection control policies and procedures.

• Observe safety needs of patients/residents. Identify safety and security hazards and report to appropriate personnel after ensuring patient/resident is out of immediate danger.

• Assist in maintaining supplies and equipment.

• Maintain billing records

• Follow policies and procedures related to body mechanics, transfer, body positioning and mobility as outlined in the Nursing Policies and Procedures Manual.

• Attend seminars and other educational programs related to occupational therapy as required to maintain active licensure status.

• Participate in scheduled in-service programs and staff meetings.

• Maintain confidentiality of necessary information.

• Utilize supplies and equipment properly and without waste

• Think and act calmly and logically to meet unusual occurrences of the job without being thrown off stride.

• Perform any miscellaneous work assignments as may be required.

Job requirements.

• Credentialed graduate of an accredited two-year Occupational Therapist Assistant program and certified according to national requirements. Licensed in the state where practicing if required.

• Prior experience preferred.

• Ability to lift 50 pounds, with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 20 pounds.

• must be capable of executing all terms and conditions set forth in the Employee Handbook, including but not limited to:

  • Work in a safety conscious manner to ensure that others in the workplace are not at risk.

  • Comply with local, state and federal regulations in addition to company policies and procedures.

  • Interact in a tactful, diplomatic and humanistic manner with residents, families, visitors and co-workers to provide a safe, efficient and therapeutically effective caring environment to ensure the self-respect, personal dignity, rights and physical safety of each resident and center guest.

  • Maintain a dependable attendance record and adhere to standards of cleanliness, grooming, hygiene and dress code.