CERTIFIED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT 

 GENERAL SUMMARY:

 Under the direction of the Director of Occupational/Recreation Therapy, the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant  (COTA) is responsible for providing occupational therapy treatment to assigned patients. The COTA will also coordinate services with Recreation Therapy to provide therapeutic leisure activities.

 The COTA must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age group of the patients served on his/her unit—geriatric. The COTA must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to their age-specific needs as described in the Occupational Therapy and Recreation Therapy Departments’ policies and procedures.

 Type of supervision exercised: none.  Jobs reporting to this position: none.

 EDUCATION:

 Associate's degree as Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant required.

 WORK EXPERIENCE:

 Minimum of one (1) year experience as COTA preferred.

Gerontology experience preferred.

 SPECIAL EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:

 Must be cleared by PA State Police criminal history check.

Current licensure as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant by the PA State Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs required.

Good verbal and written communication skills and interpersonal skills required.

Valid PA driver’s license required.

 PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Medium work: duties required exerting 25-50 lbs. of force occasionally (approximately 10-33% of shift), and/or 10-25 lbs of force frequently (approximately 33-66% of shift)  when transferring patients during ADL training.

Good upper body strength required in the performance of passive range of motion and other related activities.

Position involves standing, bending and working in reaching and strained positions throughout shift.

Ability to transport self throughout facility is required.

 ACCIDENT OR HEALTH HAZARDS:

 Occasional exposure to blood and body substances.

Exposure to high degrees of temperature when assisting with thermoplastic splinting techniques.

Exposure to bonding solvents and adhesives.

 WORKING CONDITIONS:

 Works in a well-lit therapy department and in units related to patient care.

+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF JOB: | | | | E = Essential Element                        NE = Nonessential Element | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 25%    Implements and documents occupational therapy treatment for | | assigned caseload, following plan set by OTR/L.  (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 25%    Coordinates services with Recreation Therapy Department to meet | | resident goals.  (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 12%    Participates in care planning process and other related | | conferences.  (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 10%    Documents treatment progress according to department policy.  (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 8%      Performs leisure interests surveys.  (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 5%      Provides patient/family education and home programs as | | necessary.  (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 5%      Participates in, and conducts, in-service training sessions.  | | (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 5%      Consults with registered Occupational Therapists regarding | | patients' progress and discharge status.  (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 2%      Provides supervision and training to OT/Recreation Aides, COTA | | students, and volunteers.  (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 2%      Gathers structured, pre-determined information on home | | evaluations.  (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 1%      Assists with compilation of MDS information.  (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+

Required Skills Required Experience