POSITION SPECIFICS

Position is non-benefited working 8 hours per week.

JOB SUMMARY

The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) will work in collaboration with Occupational Therapists to evaluate, assess, treat and plan for consumers (inpatients, outpatients, families and staff) who's functional ability is impaired by physical illness or injury, congenital or developmental disability, emotional disorder or age specific process, in order to achieve optimum functioning and to enhance health.

MAJOR JOB FUNCTION

1. Evaluates in designated areas, assesses, plans and implements patient care in collaboration with OTR in routine cases and delivers prescribed occupational therapy treatment following proper policies and procedures and completes relevant related competencies.
2. Participates in supervisory sessions with OTR as designated.  Seeks consultation from OTR, peers and experts as needed.  Evaluates effectiveness of treatment plan to meet the patient's goals and adjusts the plan according to patient's response and OTR input in routine cases.  Plans for discharge needs of patients in routine cases.
3. Operates all equipment proficiently, including adaptive devices and durable medical equipment (DME).  Reports problems with equipment and facilitates procurement of equipment needed.
4. Identifies patient education needs and uses appropriate materials to fill this need.  Provides input into the formation of educational materials.
5. Delivers dignified, age specific care to patients with diverse human values, conditions and cultures.
6. Carries out, coordinates and orients new staff to established programs.  Identifies need for new programs and provides input into the new program development.
7. Disperses appropriate informational handouts regarding patient care services to patients, physicians and other health professional and community.
8. Promotes a positive team environment and participates in formation of department goals and objectives.  Identifies problems and participates in problem solving process.
9. Attends educational meetings and seminars to enhance own OT skills.  Supports department educational activities.  Provides copies of additional education documentation to Director of Rehab.  Presents as requested.
10. Appropriately delegates to department personnel.  Uses appropriate equipment in maximizing gains for patient.
11. Provides direction and leadership to staff, students and new graduates.  Acts as a resource to promote occupational therapy within the community.  Responsible for administering school contracts as well as being responsible for OTA student's training.  Maintains and develops appropriate training manuals for students.  Acts as liaison between the hospital and the school.
12. Takes initiative for own development, participates in self-evaluation and participates in peer review process.
13. Demonstrates clear and concise writing communication skills, expresses self in clear and concise manner and listens actively.
14. Consistently displays positive inter and intra departmental behavior towards co-workers and patients.  Creates a sense of team building in the department.
15. Stays up to date with current publications in areas of practice and facilitates interest and discussion in areas of interest.
16. Maintains a professional attitude and observes proper ethics.
17. Participates in continuing education of staff and presents in-services based on courses attended.
18. Utilizes safety measures at all times when dealing with patients, staff and equipment.
19. Demonstrates proficiency in regards to the computer documentation of patient cares and any other related computerized patient information/documentation.
20. Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Associate Degree as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant from an accredited program.
2. National and State certification required.
3. Prior experience preferred.

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS

1. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
2. Excellent human relation skills as demonstrated by the ability to interface positively with all customers and employees.
3. Must acquire the knowledge and maintain established competency levels to perform essential occupational therapy practice.
4. Must have proficient computer skills with the ability to operate within a Windows environment.
5. Must have the ability to work with frequent interruptions, under stress, with minimal supervision, and to exercise initiative and judgment in analyzing, organizing, planning, prioritizing, scheduling and coordinating work with others.
6. Needs to possess as high level of intelligence, integrity, sense of responsibility and ability to comprehend and analyze details.
7. Ability to operate and handle many kinds of complex equipment.
8. Ability to demonstrate clinical competence and maintain current knowledge in caring for infant through geriatric patients.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

1. Regularly required to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, and talk and hear.
2. The COTA is frequently required to stand, walk and reach with hands and arms.  The COTA is occasionally required to sit, climb or balance, stoop, kneel or crouch.
3. The COTA must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
4. Good hearing is necessary to receive detailed information through oral communication.
5. Visual acuity is needed to assess color changes, to verify accuracy of written materials and to administer therapy programs.