Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

Salem of Cascadia LLC; Salem (OR); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Holidays

Career growth

Training & education

Team culture

Job summary

Salem Transitional Care is seeking a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to join our therapy team and help residents regain independence. You’ll work with an OT to implement personalized treatment plans, guide therapeutic activities, and monitor progress to improve daily living skills.

Requirements include an accredited COTA program graduate, current COTA licensure, CPR certification, and dependable attendance.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant program.
• Current COTA license required.
• CPR certification required.
• Six months in long-term care preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide occupational therapy treatments and activities under supervision of an OT.
• Carry out individualized treatment programs based on resident needs and goals.
• Guide residents through therapeutic activities and exercises from treatment plans.
• Monitor progress and support treatment planning with clinical judgment.
• Help residents develop skills for daily living and independence.
• Educate residents and families on home programs and adaptive equipment.
• Communicate with OTs and other healthcare professionals involved in care.
• Encourage residents and maintain a positive rehab experience.
• Maintain confidentiality and follow standards; ensure dependable attendance.
• Support the Therapy team and assist as needed to deliver quality care.

Skills

Compassionate communication

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Clinical reasoning

Dependable

Patient-focused

Education

Graduate of an accredited Occupational Therapist Assistant program

Job description

Description

Make a Difference as Our Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)

Are you a compassionate and motivated Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) who loves helping people regain their independence and get back to doing the things that matter most?

Salem Transitional Care is looking for a COTA to join our Therapy team! In this role, you’ll work alongside our Occupational Therapist and care team to help residents build confidence, independence, and the skills they need for everyday life.

If you’re looking for a rewarding role where you can build relationships, celebrate progress, and truly see the difference you make, we’d love to meet you!

What You’ll Do

As our COTA, you’ll play an important role in helping our residents work toward greater independence and quality of life. Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing occupational therapy treatments and activities under the supervision of an Occupational Therapist
• Carrying out individualized treatment programs based on each resident’s abilities, needs, goals, and tolerance
• Guiding residents through therapeutic activities and exercises outlined in their treatment plans
• Monitoring resident progress and using sound clinical judgment to help support treatment planning and implementation
• Helping residents develop or regain the skills needed for everyday activities and daily living
• Teaching residents and families about home programs, basic living skills, and the safe use and care of adaptive equipment
• Communicating and collaborating with Occupational Therapists and other healthcare professionals involved in resident care
• Encouraging residents throughout the rehabilitation process and helping create a positive treatment experience
• Maintaining resident confidentiality and following professional, facility, state, and federal standards
• Being dependable and maintaining regular attendance for scheduled shifts
• Supporting the Therapy team and helping wherever needed to provide excellent resident care

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for someone who brings both clinical skill and genuine compassion to the residents they serve. The ideal candidate is:

• Compassionate, patient, and encouraging
• Passionate about helping residents become as independent as possible
• A strong communicator who works well with residents, families, and other healthcare professionals
• Comfortable working collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary care team
• Able to use clinical reasoning when providing treatment and monitoring resident progress
• Positive and supportive, even when progress takes time
• Dependable, organized, and committed to providing consistent care
• Respectful of resident privacy, dignity, and confidentiality
• Someone who enjoys celebrating the little wins just as much as the big ones

Why Join Us?

Being a COTA is about so much more than completing exercises or following a treatment plan. You have the opportunity to help someone regain the ability to dress independently, complete everyday tasks, safely return home, or simply feel more confident in what they can do.

At Salem Transitional Care, you’ll be part of a team that gets to know our residents, celebrates their progress, and works together toward meaningful goals. If you want to work somewhere your skills are valued, your residents know your name, and you can actually see the impact you're making, we would love to have you on our team.

What We Offer

At Salem Transitional Care, we believe in supporting our team and creating a workplace where you can grow, feel valued, and make a difference every day.

• Competitive pay
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Generous paid time off, including vacation and sick time
• Paid holidays, including 6 recognized holidays plus a floating holiday you can use for a day that matters to you
• Career growth and advancement opportunities
• Ongoing training, development, and education assistance
• A positive, team-focused culture rooted in our “Force for Good” values
• Employee recognition and appreciation

Requirements

Education

• Graduate of an accredited Occupational Therapist Assistant program

Licensure

• Current Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) license required
• Current CPR certification required

Experience

• Six months of experience in a long-term care environment preferred
• Experience working with residents requiring rehabilitative services is a plus

Additional Requirements

• Must be able to communicate and collaborate effectively with Occupational Therapists and other healthcare professionals involved in resident care
• Must maintain resident confidentiality and promote a positive attitude toward residents and their treatment progression
• Regular and dependable attendance is required
• All Cascadia Healthcare employees must successfully complete and meet applicable state-required background check requirements before working with residents