Certified OT Assistant (COTA)- Baton Rouge Rehab Hospital

• Implements treatments outlined in the plan of care under the supervision of a Licensed Occupational Therapist. 

• Assists the Occupational Therapist during/with patient testing, evaluations, and complex procedures. 

• Provides safe, effective individualized treatment focused on functional tasks including ADLs, IADLs, equipment usage as identified in needs assessment portion of evaluation to improve  endurance, strength and range using therapeutic exercise as an adjunct only. 

• Recommends appropriate equipment.

• Provides patient and family with hands-on training including all transfers, functional independence needs and exercises specific to that patient’s needs. A hard copy of the home exercise program is provided to patient/family. 

• Provides safe, effective individualized treatment focused on functional tasks to improve endurance, strength and range using therapeutic exercise as an adjunct only. 

• Adapts patient’s environment in and outside of therapy to facilitate patient's progress.

• Utilizes technology effectively to maximize patient gains.

• Provide age specific direct and indirect patient care for school age (6-12), Adolescent (12-18) adult (18-65) and elderly (65 ) 2. Documents care provided. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:

• Documents all aspects of therapeutic patient care in thorough and timely manner according to departmental, Medicare and Joint commission documentation standards.

• Uphold ethical principles via accurate documentation and charging 3. Promotes team approach. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:

• Works cooperatively by collaborating with team members to assure a comprehensive interdisciplinary patient program.

• Is present, prepared, and participatory for interdisciplinary team conferences, patient related conferences and meetings. 

• Implements discharge planning activities including appropriate recommendations regarding discharge needs, family training, home evaluations and equipment. 

• Works with outside vendors and case managers to order patient specific equipment when funding has been verified.

• Provides staff training to promote individual patient progress re: equipment, transfers, mobility, etc.

• Communicates information for authorizations in timely manner to decrease disruption in care.  4. Promotes education. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:

• Self-initiates continuing education to stay abreast of current/new treatment approaches and/or equipment.

• Is present, prepared and participatory for all mandatory meetings.

• Participates in department management tasks; supervises, trains, mentors and orients PRN, other licensed assistants, rehab tech, students, hospital staff, and volunteers. 

• Completes assigned projects by due date.

• Self-Initiates and completes all license and hospital related education requirements by deadlines independently.  5. Maintains compliance. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:

• Follows the Code of Conduct, Conflict of Interest, Medicare, Joint Commission Guidelines, Occupational Therapy Assistant Practice Act and policies and procedures. 

• HIPAA: Maintains knowledge of and adherence to all applicable HIPAA regulations appropriate to Job Position including but not limited to: Medical records w/o limitation both paper and  electronic, patient demographics, lab and radiology results, patient information related to surgery or appointment schedules, information related to patient location, religious beliefs  and/or public health records, medical records related to quality/data, patient financial information and/or 3rd party billing, patient-related complaints, and research information. 6. Contributes to performance improvement.

• Actively participates in Performance Improvement activities and incorporates quality improvement standards in his/her job performance.

• Offers suggestions for process improvement; recommends to the supervisor/manager equipment and/or supplies that may enhance our program. 7. Maintains patient and employee safety. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:

• Actively participates in and demonstrates effective patient and employee safety practices.

• Reports on any safety concerns and broken or malfunctioning equipment to supervisor, facilities maintenance or biomed in a timely manner.

• Maintains knowledge of and adherence to all applicable safety practices appropriate to Job Position including but not limited to: Incident reporting, handling of wastes, sharps and linen, PPE, exposure control plans, hand washing, environment of care, patient identification, administers/receives patient orders, validates, transports, monitors or observes patients for  procedures, and monitors clinical alarms. 8. Other tasks

• Works on holidays, weekends and during emergency situations as required to meet patient needs and maintain compliance with IRF guidelines.

• Accepts and Supervises students when assigned.

• Volunteers for or participate when assigned in hospital teams, committees, projects and/or marketing

• Utilizes KRONOS or App to clock in and out consistently, request time-off and independently monitors timecard, benefits, and notifications.

• Manages daily schedule considering patient needs, co-worker’s schedules, and productivity. Assists other departments as needed due to census, skill set, schedule etc.  10. Performs other duties and special projects as required.

Louisiana State licensure required. Oral and written communication skills required. Ability to work in an interdisciplinary environment. Good organizational skills. CPR Certified. Physical criteria:

• Lifting Medium: Ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally (33%), 10-25 pounds frequently (34-66%) and 0-10 pounds constantly (67-100%) with frequent lifting/and of carrying objects weighing up to 25 pounds. 

• Must have ability to bend, and adequate physical strength to lift and assist with transfers and resistive activities.

PRN