Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant - Inpatient

Duke PF; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke University Hospital in Durham, NC seeks a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant for inpatient services under supervision of an occupational therapist. You will deliver patient care, perform assessments, document progress, and support the therapy team.

This role requires NC OTA licensure, an associate degree in occupational therapy, and experience levels vary: Level II needs 3 years, Level III 5 years with 2 years at DUHS.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree in occupational therapy.
• North Carolina Occupational Therapy Assistant licensure.
• Level I: no experience beyond required education.
• Level II: three years related occupational therapy experience.
• Level III: five years OT assistant experience with two years at DUHS.

Responsibilities

• Implement occupational therapy services for inpatients under supervision.
• Demonstrate clinical reasoning in treatment planning and monitoring.
• Document progress and report to the supervising therapist.
• Collaborate with the health care team to meet patient goals.
• Assist in discharge planning and referral when appropriate.

Skills

Push-pull, lift-carry and transfer

Clinical reasoning

Education

Associate's degree in occupational therapy

North Carolina OT Assistant licensure

Job description

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Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant - Inpatient

Work Arrangement:

Requisition Number: 266311

Regular or Temporary: Regular

Location: Durham, NC, US, 27710

Date: Jul 8, 2026

At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.

About Duke University Hospital

Pursue your passion for caring with Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, which is consistently ranked among the best in the United States. The largest of the four Duke Health hospitals with 1062 patient beds, it features comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a regional emergency/trauma center, an endo-surgery center, and more.

Occ Summary

Implement occupational therapy services for patients under the supervision of an occupational therapist, with services including treatment, standardized assessment data and documentation. The Occupational Therapist Assistant works within the practice guidelines of the North Carolina Occupational Therapy Practice Act.

Work Performed

• Levels I, II and III — Demonstrate and articulate sound clinical reasoning in treatment planning, implementation and monitoring of patient progress.
• Recognize when standard patient protocols or treatment plans need modification to meet individual patient needs and report to the therapist.
• Understand the role of therapy in the context of the patient's age, total needs perspective and environment.
• Perform age-appropriate advanced competency skills in area of practice and with respect to individual patient's problems.
• Consistently report to the therapist patient progress/status to allow for updated goals and modification of treatment program.
• Recommend discharge of patient at point of optimal benefit of treatment, making appropriate provision for continuing services if needed.
• Consistently meet patient care productivity standard for the position.
• Work cooperatively with peers to contribute to the overall productivity of the team.
• Utilize support personnel (aides, senior aides) when appropriate and available.
• Actively support and participate in cross-coverage efforts in the division.
• Assess the learning needs and capabilities of patients and caregivers with regard to age, level of understanding and emotional status.
• Utilize appropriate methods and materials for effective learning, monitoring response to education, and adapting program appropriately.
• Ensure that patient/family understands when and how to receive further treatment.
• Documentation is timely, legible, and efficient; notes are concise and meet departmental standards.
• Oral reporting is clear, concise, relevant, and timely.
• Perform all required data collection for the department accurately within the expected time frame.
• Peer review standards are consistently met.
• Collaborate effectively with other members of the health care team.
• Provide clinical education experiences for students as requested by supervisor.
• Take one to two students for long-term affiliations.
• Adjust supervisory techniques for individual students’ needs.
• Provide outreach as requested which may include in-services on related topics, seeking referrals, interacting with volunteers or visitors.
• Involved with data collection for research activities to enhance clinical outcomes.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Level I: Entry-level knowledge, skills and abilities. Must be able to push-pull, lift-carry and transfer patients. Level II: Perform advanced competencies in the area of practice. Must be able to push-pull, lift-carry and transfer patients. Level III: Demonstrated leadership/specialization at the clinical level. Must be able to push-pull, lift-carry, and transfer patients.

Level Characteristics

N/A

Minimum Qualifications

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions:

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.

Education

Levels I, II and III Associate's degree in occupational therapy.

Experience

Level I No experience necessary beyond required education. Level II Three years related occupational therapy experience. Level III Five years occupational therapy assistant experience with two years at DUHS.

Degrees, Licensures, Certifications

Levels I, II and III Occupational Therapist Assistant licensure in the state of North Carolina

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions:

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.

Nearest Major Market: Durham
Nearest Secondary Market: Raleigh

Read more about Duke’s commitment to affirmative action and nondiscrimination at hr.duke.edu/eeo.