Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant - Per Diem

US Lawns; Hilo (HI); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home is seeking a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant to provide compassionate, evidence-based OT services under a licensed OT. You will help residents maximize independence, participate in ADL/IADL training, and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team in a skilled nursing setting.

Requirements include an accredited COTA degree, Hawaii license, NBCOT certification, and BLS.

Qualifications

• Associate degree from an accredited Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) program.
• Hawaii Occupational Therapy Assistant license in good standing.
• NBCOT Certification as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA).
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• New graduate or 0–4 years of COTA experience; geriatric rehab preferred.
• Knowledge of Medicare guidelines, EMR, and strong communication and teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Implement individualized occupational therapy treatment plans established by the supervising Occupational Therapist to improve residents' ADLs, IADLs, upper extremity function, cognition, and independence.
• Monitor resident progress and assist with evaluations, reassessments, discharge planning, and equipment recommendations.
• Educate residents, families, and caregivers on treatment plans and progress.
• Complete accurate, timely clinical documentation compliant with CMS and facility standards.
• Collaborate with the interdisciplinary care team to support safe discharge planning and positive rehabilitation outcomes.
• Promote resident safety by infection prevention and ongoing professional development.

Skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Clinical reasoning

Patient care

Education

Associate degree in COTA

Hawaii COTA license

NBCOT-COTA certification

BLS certification

Tools

EMR

Job description

Job Description

Join Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home and be part of a team that proudly cares for our friends, family, and neighbors across East Hawaiʻi.

The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) provides compassionate, evidence-based occupational therapy services under the direction of a licensed Occupational Therapist to help residents maximize independence, improve functional abilities, and enhance their overall quality of life. This role plays an essential part in restoring residents' ability to safely perform daily activities while collaborating with the interdisciplinary team and developing clinical expertise in a skilled nursing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Implement individualized occupational therapy treatment plans established by the supervising Occupational Therapist to improve residents' performance in activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), upper extremity function, cognition, and overall independence.
• Monitor resident progress, communicate changes in functional status, and assist the Occupational Therapist with evaluations, reassessments, discharge planning, and recommendations for adaptive equipment and durable medical equipment.
• Educate residents, families, and caregivers on treatment plans, therapeutic activities, adaptive techniques, and resident progress under the direction of the supervising Occupational Therapist.
• Complete accurate, timely, and compliant clinical documentation while meeting productivity expectations and adhering to Medicare, CMS, and facility standards.
• Collaborate with the interdisciplinary care team to support resident-centered care, safe discharge planning, and positive rehabilitation outcomes.
• Promote resident safety by following infection prevention practices, regulatory requirements, culturally responsive care standards, and participating in ongoing professional development.

Education, Experience & Certifications

• Associate degree from an accredited Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) program.
• Current Hawaii Occupational Therapy Assistant license in good standing.
• Current certification in good standing through the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA).
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• New graduate or approximately 0–4 years of clinical Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant experience; experience in skilled nursing, long-term care, or geriatric rehabilitation preferred.
• Knowledge of occupational therapy interventions, Medicare guidelines, skilled nursing documentation, electronic medical records (EMR), and strong communication, teamwork, and clinical reasoning skills with a commitment to continuous professional growth.

Equal Opportunity Statement

East Hawaii State Veterans Home is a drug-free workplace, an Equal Opportunity Employer, and conducts employment verification through E-Verify.