Occupational Therapist Assistant Full-time

About the role

The Staff Occupational Therapist Assistant assists the Staff Occupational Therapist with resident-related activities and direct resident care.

Responsibilities

• Treat residents as directed by the Occupational Therapist.
• Complete timely, accurate, and compliant 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 and/or Rehabilitation meetings, as needed.
• Aid the nursing department with training of Restorative Aides.
• Communicate routinely with the supervising occupational therapist to ensure timely updates to physicians, nursing staff, the interdisciplinary team, residents, and families regarding progress, goals, and discharge planning.
• Provide in-services on training programs for other staff in the facility as needed.
• Educate residents, families, and caregivers on treatment goals, home exercise programs, maintenance programs, safety techniques, and fall prevention strategies.
• Recommend and facilitate the ordering of necessary durable medical equipment for residents to facilitate independence in ADLs; i.e., adaptive equipment, splints, assistive devices, elevated toilet seats, and grab bars.
• Maintain confidentiality of residents' information as well as company information.
• Report any problems with department equipment so that it is maintained in good working order.
• Contribute to quality assurance, performance improvement initiatives, and facility rehabilitation program development as assigned.
• Ability to relate positively, effectively, and appropriately with residents/residents, families, staff and professional colleagues.

Qualifications

• Education and/or Experience: Associate Degree from an accredited COTA program.
• Computer Skills: Proficient in computer skills such as inputting data into programs for Net Health and Point Click Care.
• Languages: Ability to read technical procedures. Ability to read and comprehend policy and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, coworkers and families.
• Mathematical Skills: Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations.
• Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve practical problems. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Certifications, Licenses, Registrations: Licensed as an Occupational Therapist Assistant in the state. Must meet continuing education requirements per state practices. Must maintain a license in good standing at all times with the state board. Determine additional certification as appropriate per facility. CPR certification, if required by licensure.

Physical Demands

• Stand and walk frequently and sit occasionally, as well as occasionally climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl as needed to provide resident care and operate equipment.
• Reach, push, pull, lift, and manipulate objects and equipment, with exertion that may occasionally exceed 100 pounds, frequently exceed 50 pounds, or constantly exceed 20 pounds to safely move residents or equipment.
• Effective communication, including talking and hearing, is required to interact with residents, families, and the healthcare team.
• The ability to perceive and respond to environmental cues, including tactile, auditory, and visual information, is essential for safe and effective resident care.
• Assist, support, and transport residents in accordance with safe resident handling practices.

Work Environment

• The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.