COTA Full-Time

Kern River Transitional Care Center is seeking a compassionate and motivated Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to join our rehabilitation team on a full-time basis. This position works under the direction of a licensed Occupational Therapist to provide skilled treatment that helps residents improve independence, safety, mobility, and participation in daily activities.

About the role

The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant assists the Occupational Therapist with resident-related activities and provides direct resident care in accordance with established treatment plans, facility policies, and applicable regulatory standards.

Responsibilities

• Provide occupational therapy treatments as directed by the supervising Occupational Therapist.
• Follow established plans of care and report resident progress, concerns, and changes in condition.
• Complete timely, accurate, and compliant clinical documentation in accordance with facility, governmental, and third-party payer requirements.
• Maintain a safe treatment environment by following infection control, safety, and equipment maintenance protocols.
• Participate in resident care conferences, rehabilitation meetings, and interdisciplinary team meetings as needed.
• Assist the nursing department with training and education for Restorative Nursing Assistants.
• Communicate regularly with the supervising Occupational Therapist regarding resident progress, treatment goals, physician updates, discharge planning, and changes in condition.
• Collaborate with physicians, nursing staff, rehabilitation professionals, residents, families, and caregivers.
• Provide in-service training and education to facility staff as needed.
• Educate residents, families, and caregivers regarding treatment goals, home exercise programs, maintenance programs, safety techniques, and fall-prevention strategies.
• Recommend and assist with obtaining durable medical equipment and adaptive devices to improve resident independence with activities of daily living.
• Assist with adaptive equipment, splints, assistive devices, elevated toilet seats, grab bars, and other recommended equipment.
• Maintain the confidentiality of resident, employee, and company information.
• Report damaged or malfunctioning rehabilitation equipment so it can be repaired or removed from service.
• Contribute to quality assurance, performance improvement initiatives, and rehabilitation program development.
• Establish positive and professional relationships with residents, families, coworkers, and professional colleagues.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the supervising Occupational Therapist or Director of Rehabilitation.

Requirements

• Associate degree from an accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant program.
• Current Occupational Therapy Assistant license in the State of California; license must remain active and in good standing.
• Previous experience in skilled nursing, long-term care, rehabilitation, or post-acute care preferred.
• Proficiency with electronic documentation and healthcare software; experience with Net Health and PointClickCare preferred.
• Current CPR certification, if required by licensure or facility policy.
• Must meet all state continuing education requirements.

Skills

• Ability to read and understand technical procedures, treatment plans, and facility policies.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from residents, families, managers, and coworkers.
• Ability to apply fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Strong clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to interpret written, oral, diagrammed, and scheduled instructions.
• Strong communication, documentation, organization, and time-management skills.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining regular communication with the supervising Occupational Therapist.

Physical Demands

• Frequently stand and walk and occasionally sit.
• Occasionally climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl as needed to provide resident care.
• Reach, push, pull, lift, and safely operate treatment equipment.
• Occasionally exert more than 100 pounds of force, frequently exert more than 50 pounds, and regularly exert more than 20 pounds when assisting residents or moving equipment.
• Assist, support, transfer, and transport residents using approved safe resident-handling techniques.
• Communicate effectively through speaking and hearing.
• Perceive and respond to visual, auditory, tactile, and environmental cues.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Work Environment

The employee works in a healthcare and rehabilitation environment with regular interaction with residents, families, staff, and healthcare professionals. The noise level is generally low to moderate. Reasonable accommodations may be made in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.

Pay

$50.00–$52.00 per hour, based on experience.

Benefits

• Flexible scheduling
• Training and professional development opportunities
• Supportive rehabilitation leadership
• Collaborative interdisciplinary team
• Employee rewards and recognition opportunities