Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant - COTA

Medical University of South Carolina; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 28,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

The Medical University of South Carolina seeks a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to join the Physical Therapy team. Under the supervision of an occupational therapist, you will administer therapeutic procedures and monitor patient progress, aligning care with established OT goals.

Qualifications include an accredited OTA associate degree, SC licensure, and BLS certification. The role supports patients recovering from injury or surgery, with 40-hour weeks and on-site work at MUSC

Qualifications

• Associate degree from an accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant Program.
• Licensed by South Carolina as an Occupational Therapy Assistant.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification (AHA) required.

Responsibilities

• Administer and direct therapeutic procedures to patients under the supervision of an occupational therapist.
• Re-assess patient progress at regular intervals and document findings.
• Support OT goals and coordinate care with other health professionals.

Education

Associate degree from an accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant Program

Job description

Job Description Summary

Job Description/Summary: Under the direction and supervision of the occupational therapist, the certified occupational therapy assistant administers and directs administration of therapeutic procedures to patients recovering from injury, disease, surgery, or other ailments, as prescribed by a referring practitioner, providing care in congruence of the goals established by the occupational therapist, and re-assesses patient’s progress at regular, timely intervals, and supporting findings with appropriate documentation.

Entity

Medical University Hospital Authority (MUHA)

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type

Regular

Cost Center

CC000907 COL - Physical Therapy (DMC)

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

Pay Grade

Health-25

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Job Description

Job Description/Summary: Under the direction and supervision of the occupational therapist, the certified occupational therapy assistant administers and directs administration of therapeutic procedures to patients recovering from injury, disease, surgery, or other ailments, as prescribed by a referring practitioner, providing care in congruence of the goals established by the occupational therapist, and re-assesses patient’s progress at regular, timely intervals, and supporting findings with appropriate documentation.

Minimum Training and Education

Associate degree from an accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant Program.

Required Licensure, Certifications, Registrations

Licensed by South Carolina as an Occupational Therapy Assistant, Basic Life Support (BLS) with the American Heart Association (AHA) is required.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to perform job functions while standing. (Continuous)


• Ability to perform job functions while sitting. (Continuous)


• Ability to perform job functions while walking. (Continuous)


• Ability to climb stairs. (Infrequent)


• Ability to work indoors. (Continuous)


• Ability to work outside in temperature extremes. (Infrequent)


• Ability to work from elevated areas. (Frequent)


• Ability to work in confined/cramped spaces. (Frequent)


• Ability to perform job functions from kneeling positions. (Infrequent)


• Ability to bend at the waist. (Continuous)


• Ability to twist at the waist. (Frequent)


• Ability to squat and perform job functions. (Frequent)


• Ability to perform \"pinching\" operations. (Frequent)


• Ability to perform gross motor activities with fingers and hands. (Continuous)


• Ability to perform firm grasping with fingers and hands. (Continuous)


• Ability to perform fine manipulation with fingers and hands. (Continuous)


• Ability to reach overhead. (Frequent)


• Ability to perform repetitive motions with hands/wrists/elbows and shoulders. (Continuous)


• Ability to fully use both legs. (Continuous)


• Ability to use lower extremities for balance and coordination. (Frequent)


• Ability to reach in all directions. (Continuous)


• Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs. unassisted. (Infrequent)


• Ability to lift/lower objects 50 lbs. from/to floor from/to 36 inches unassisted. (Infrequent)


• Ability to lift from 36\" to overhead 25 lbs. (Infrequent)


• Ability to exert up to 50 lbs. of force. (Frequent)


• Examples include: To transfer a 100 lb. patient that can not assist in the transfer requires 50 lbs. of force.


• For every 100 additional pounds, assistance will be required from another healthcare worker.


• 20 lbs. of force is needed to push a 400 lb. patient in a wheelchair on carpet.


• 25 lbs. of force is required to push a stretcher with a patient with one hand.


• Ability to maintain 20/40 vision, corrected, in one eye or with both eyes. (Continuous)


• Ability to see and recognize objects close at hand or at a distance. (Continuous)


• Ability to match or discriminate between colors. (Continuous)


• Ability to determine distance/relationship between objects; depth perception. (Continuous)


• Good peripheral vision capabilities. (Continuous)


• Ability to maintain hearing acuity, with correction. (Continuous)


• Ability to perform gross motor functions with frequent fine motor movements. (Continuous)


• Ability to deal effectively with stressful situations. (Continuous)


• Ability to work rotating shifts. (Frequent)


• Ability to work overtime as required. (Frequent)


• Ability to work in a latex safe environment. (Continuous)


• Ability to maintain tactile sensory functions. (Continuous)


• (Selected Positions) *Ability to maintain good olfactory sensory function. (Continuous)


• (Selected Positions) *Ability to be qualified physically for respirator use, initially and as required. (Continuous) (Selected Positions)

Additional Job Description

Education: Graduation from an accredited school for Occupational Therapy Assistants required. Certification/Licensure: Licensure as an Occupational Therapy Assistant by the South Carolina Board of Occupational Therapy and registration with the National Board for certification in Occupational Therapy. Current American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) certification or American Red Cross BLS for Healthcare Providers certification is required.

Additional Job Description

Education: Graduation from an accredited school for Occupational Therapy Assistants required. Experience: None. Certification/Licensure: Licensure as an Occupational Therapy Assistant by the South Carolina Board of Occupational Therapy and registration with the National Board for certification in Occupational Therapy. Current American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) certification or American Red Cross BLS for Healthcare Providers certification is required.

If you like working with energetic enthusiastic individuals, you will enjoy your career with us!

The Medical University of South Carolina is an Equal Opportunity Employer. MUSC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, age, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, family or parental status, or any other status protected by state laws and/or federal regulations. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment based upon applicable qualifications, merit and business need.

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