Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant

Position Summary

This position is responsible for the administration of occupational therapy treatment under the supervision of the Occupational Therapist, in accordance with physician referral, state and local organizational standards, regulatory agencies, and established departmental policies and procedures. This position demonstrates the clinical competence and knowledge necessary to provide treatment appropriate to the age of the patients served.

Core Functions

• Administers occupational therapy treatment according to the plan of care established by the Occupational Therapist.
• Implements individualized treatment plan with consideration to the patient's physical, social, spiritual, cultural, educational and age specific needs.
• Maintains ongoing effectiveness of treatment and collaborates with Occupational Therapist in modifying the plan of care when indicated.
• Identifies and prioritizes key limiting factors.
• Participates in discharge planning.
• Involves patient and family/caregiver in the treatment and decision making process.
• Provides ongoing education to physician, nurse, patient, family/caregiver, and interdisciplinary team.
• Demonstrates understanding of scope of practice.
• Documents communication with supervising Occupational Therapist.
• Communicates any significant change in the patient's physical function, behavior, and/or tolerance to treatment to the supervising Occupational Therapist.
• Makes recommendations to Occupational Therapist on additions to or modifications of referring orders.
• Appropriately collaborates with the Occupational Therapist to modify/update treatment goals so they are functional, measurable, patient related and reflect key limiting factors.
• Refers patient when treatment requires skills of Occupational Therapist.
• Documents according to standards set by the department and regulatory agencies.
• Documents legibly.
• Completes documentation within the established time frames of the department.
• Documents innovative and individualized treatment techniques/plan.
• Documentation reflects comprehensive assessment of patient's progress or lack of progress.
• Communicates pertinent patient information to ensure the best possible follow through of care.
• Communicates treatment results and patient progress to physicians, nurses, patient, family/caregiver and the interdisciplinary team.
• Communicates in a clear and timely manner.
• Defends treatment rationale with standard practices and/or current literature.
• Exhibits adaptability in assignments as it relates to caseload, scheduling, and staffing shifts.
• Takes initiative to assist in other patient care areas and accepts responsibility for all patient care needs.
• Supervises and delegates the Therapy Technician and COTA student complies with department policies and regulatory agencies.
• Participates in the training and orientation of new personnel.
• Affirms competency of personnel, prior to delegation of task.
• Department operational activities.
• Follow up to obtain pertinent information.
• Participates in department/facility process improvement.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must have graduated from an Occupational Therapy Assistant program accredited by the AOTA, or equivalent.
• Must possess a current Occupational Therapy Assistant license from the State of practice.
• BLS certification required.

Additional Related Education and/or Experience Preferred

• Additional related education and/or experience preferred.

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