Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)

About the role

At Roots Adolescent Renewal Ranch, we believe every adolescent deserves the opportunity to heal, grow, and thrive. Located in the peaceful countryside of Argyle, Texas, we are a residential treatment center serving adolescent girls ages 13–17 who are facing challenges with mental health, substance use, trauma, and emotional regulation. Our team is committed to providing compassionate, relationship-centered care in a safe and supportive environment where healing happens through connection—not punishment. We take a whole-person approach to treatment, combining evidence-based clinical care, psychiatric services, family therapy, experiential therapies, academic support, life skills, and aftercare to help each teen build a strong foundation for lasting recovery. More than a treatment center, Roots is a community. We value integrity, vulnerability, transparency, trust, and service, and we look for team members who share our passion for making a meaningful difference in the lives of adolescents and their families. If you're looking for a mission-driven workplace where every role has a direct impact, we'd love to have you join our team.

Roots is seeking a compassionate and motivated Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) to join our interdisciplinary treatment team in a residential treatment center serving adolescent girls ages 13–17. This role will support residents with mental health, behavioral, and trauma-related needs through occupation-based, trauma-informed interventions that promote emotional regulation, daily living skills, coping strategies, and engagement in meaningful activities.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual and group occupational therapy services to adolescent residents based on identified needs
• Address areas including (but not limited to): emotional regulation and coping skills; sensory processing and modulation; daily living skills (ADLs/IADLs); social participation and interpersonal skills; executive functioning, routines, and habits; self-esteem, identity development, and healthy leisure
• Utilize trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate, and occupation-based interventions
• Adapt interventions to meet the needs of clients with diagnoses such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, SUD, ODD, and histories of trauma
• Document services in a timely, professional, and compliant manner according to facility and regulatory standards
• Contribute to treatment planning, progress notes, and discharge planning
• Actively participate as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team, including psychiatrists, therapists, nurses, case managers, and behavioral staff
• Attend and contribute to treatment team meetings, clinical staffing and case reviews, and program development meetings as appropriate
• Communicate effectively with staff regarding client needs, progress, and recommendations
• Provide consultation and education to staff on OT-related strategies (e.g., sensory supports, routines, coping tools)
• Assist in the implementation of OT programming within the residential setting
• Support therapeutic programming on the milieu as appropriate (groups, activities, skill-building sessions)
• Maintain a safe, structured, and therapeutic environment consistent with Roots’ values

Requirements

• Associate’s degree from an accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant program
• Current state licensure as an Occupational Therapy Assistant
• Experience or strong interest in adolescent mental health
• Experience or strong interest in behavioral health or residential treatment settings
• Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team
• Strong communication, organization, and documentation skills

Skills

• Experience working with trauma-informed care
• Experience working with adolescents in behavioral health settings
• Experience with group facilitation
• Familiarity with sensory integration and sensory-based interventions
• Familiarity with mental health diagnoses and therapeutic models
• Comfort working in a structured, fast-paced residential environment

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Paid time off
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching
• Positive and supportive work environment