Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, 16 Hour evenings

C240 UMass Memorial HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital, Inc.; Clinton (MA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

UMass Memorial Health is hiring a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) for GMPU. Under the supervision of an Occupational Therapist, you will implement treatment programs, supervise students, and contribute to therapy across multiple settings.

This role emphasizes patient-centered care, documentation accuracy, and collaboration with the OT team. The position involves an evening shift (12-8) and requires NBCOT certification with MA licensure eligibility; non-exempt status and potential

Qualifications

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to speak, read and write fluent in English.
• NBCOT certified and MA licensure or eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Implements treatment programs under the direction of the Occupational Therapist and within departmental policies.
• Documents patient changes and outcomes with timely, accurate records.
• Educates patients and caregivers on therapies and plans for discharge planning with OT collaboration.
• Maintains patient caseload according to unit guidelines and practice standards.
• Provides patient and family advocacy with professional communication.
• Participates in staff meetings and reviews minutes when unable to attend.
• Keeps current with literature on best practices in care.
• Leads patient groups under supervision.
• Supports safety checks and on-unit patient movement as needed.
• Responds to code yellow.

Skills

Oral communication

Written communication

English fluency

Education

NBCOT certification/MA licensure

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 fluent 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 supervision 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 Team Player and Be Kind. If you share these Standards of Respect, we hope you will join our team and help us make respect our standard for everyone, every day.

As an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, UMass Memorial Health recognizes the power of a diverse community and encourages applications from individuals with varied experiences, perspectives and backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity and expression, protected veteran status or other status protected by law. If you are unable to submit an application because of incompatible assistive technology or a disability, please contact us at [e-mail]. We will make every effort to respond to your request for disability assistance as soon as possible.

At UMass Memorial Health, everyone is a caregiver. No matter their responsibilities or title, every employee or “caregiver” fills an important role for our patients and their families every day. Who is a caregiver? It’s not just the person who delivers the care. It’s all the people who make it work … and make it better. Caregivers give everything that helps patients heal, from expertise to extra attention. They give clean, comfortable rooms. Fast, accurate answers. And an easier, less stressful experience. They give warm, reassuring smiles, and helping hands. We are more than 20,000 employees, working together as one health system in a relentless pursuit of healing for our patients, our community and each other. And everyone, in their own unique way, plays an important part, every day.