Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, 16 Hour evenings

ummh; Clinton (MA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Signing bonus available

Job summary

UMass Memorial Health is seeking a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) under the supervision of an Occupational Therapist. You will implement established treatment programs and supervise students and support staff across multiple settings.

The role includes leading patient groups, assisting with mental health safety checks, and supporting discharge transitions. A Massachusetts-licensed or eligible NBCOT-certified COTA is required, with potential signing bonus eligibility discussed in

Qualifications

• Strong communication skills, both oral and written.
• Fluency in English (read/write/speak).
• Professional conduct in all interactions.
• Ability to present information to patients, caregivers, managers and staff.
• 6–12 months patient-care experience preferred.
• Hospital-approved de-escalation training after hire.

Responsibilities

• Implement therapy programs under OT direction.
• Document patient changes and responses with timely, accurate reports.
• Educate patient and caregiver on therapy plans and facilitate discharge transitions.
• Manage patient caseload per unit guidelines and standards.
• Provide excellent customer service to patients and families.
• Attend staff meetings and review minutes when unavailable.
• Stay current with research and best practices in patient care.
• Lead patient groups under OT supervision and GMPU director guidance.
• Assist with behavioral health safety checks and on-unit patient movement.
• Respond to Code Yellow as needed.

Skills

Excellent communication

English fluency

Professional conduct

Verbal/written presentation

Patient care experience

De-escalation training

Education

NBCOT certification

MA licensure or eligibility

Job description

Exemption Status

Non-Exempt

Hiring Range

$22.95 - $41.31 Please note that the final offer may vary within this range based on a candidate's experience, skills, qualifications, and internal equity considerations .

Schedule Details

Holidays - Every Other Holiday, Weekends - Every Other Weekend

Scheduled Hours

12-8

Shift

2 - Evening Shift, 8 Hours (United States of America)

Hours

16

Cost Center

24070 - 0626 Clinical MPU

This position may have a signing bonus available a member of the Recruitment Team will confirm eligibility during the interview process.

Everyone Is a Caregiver

At UMass Memorial Health, everyone is a caregiver - regardless of their title or responsibilities. Exceptional patient care, academic excellence and leading-edge research make UMass Memorial the premier health system of Central Massachusetts, and a place where we can help you build the career you deserve. We are more than 20,000 employees, working together as one health system in a relentless pursuit of healing for our patients, community and each other. And everyone, in their own unique way, plays an important part, every day.

Summary (GMPU COTA)

Under the supervision of an Occupational Therapist, the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) is responsible for the implementation of the established treatment programs including individual and/or group treatments, utilizing a variety of therapeutic modalities to maximize the patient's/resident's level of function. Supervises and is responsible for the care provided by students and support staff. Provides care in multiple settings, participates in departmental activities, and pursues professional growth.

Responsibilities

• Implements treatment programs under the direction of the Occupational Therapist which are clinically appropriate and within accepted standards of professional practice and departmental policies and procedures.


• Identifies, documents and reports patient changes and responses to treatment to the primary Occupational Therapist, with follow-up reassessment by the Occupational Therapist as indicated and generates documentation, which is consistently complete, accurate, timely and legible.


• Educates patient/caregiver on therapeutic activities and treatment plans as evidenced by proper documentation and/or achievement of goals and accomplishes smooth transition for discharge by working collaboratively with an Occupational Therapist.


• Maintains assignment of patients and caseload according to unit guidelines and established standards of practice.


• Uses positive customer service skills when communicating with patient and patient's family and serves as a patient and family advocate.


• Attends and actively participates in staff meetings. Accepts responsibility for reading staff meeting minutes when not able to attend.


• Keeps current with literature regarding changing practices, interventions, and best practices in patient care.


• Leads patient groups under direction of the occupational therapy supervisor and GMPU director


• Assists with Department of Mental Health behavioural health safety checks


• Assists with on-unit patient movement during the day


• Responds to Code yellow

Position Qualifications

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.


• Ability to speak, read and write fluently in English.


• Ability to always act and communicate professionally.


• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from patients, caregivers, managers, and other staff.


• 6-12 months experience in a patient care role desired.


• Hospital approved de-escalation training acquired after hire

EDUCATION

Graduate of an accredited COTA Program.

LICENSES and CERTIFICATIONS

NBCOT certified, current license in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or eligible for licensure.

Unless certification, licensure or registration is required, an equivalent combination of education and experience which provides proficiency in the areas of responsibility listed in this description may be substituted for the above requirements.

Department-specific competencies, including age-specific competencies and their measurements will be developed and maintained in the individual departments. The competencies will be maintained and attached to the departmental job description. Responsible managers will review competencies with position incumbents.

Provide groups and therapy for busy geri psych unit under supervison of OT supervisor

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

We're striving to make respect a part of everything we do at UMass Memorial Health - for our patients, our community and each other. Our six Standards of Respect are: Acknowledge, Listen, Communicate, Be Responsive, Be a Te