OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT - PACE

Job Purpose

The Occupational Therapist Assistant (OTA) supports the delivery of therapeutic services to PACE participants under the supervision of a Licensed Occupational Therapist (OT). The OTA provides restorative and rehabilitative interventions designed to improve participants’ functional independence, safety, and ability to age in place. This role collaborates closely with the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT), contributes to care planning, and ensures therapy services are delivered in compliance with PACE, CMS, DHCS, and state practice guidelines.

Duties and Responsibilities

Participant Care & Treatment

• Provide occupational therapy treatments as delegated and supervised by the OT, following the participant’s individualized care plan.
• Assist participants in improving or maintaining skills related to activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental ADLs, functional mobility, cognition, and upper-extremity function.
• Implement restorative programs including self-care training, home safety training, strength and endurance exercises, fine motor skills, and adaptive equipment use.
• Observe and document participant progress, tolerance, and response to treatment, reporting changes promptly to the supervising OT.

Assessment & Care Planning Support

• Assist with gathering functional data to support OT evaluations and reassessments.
• Provide input to the OT and IDT regarding participant progress, needs, and goals.
• Contribute to the development and modification of care plans within scope of practice.

Home & Center-Based Support

• Provide therapy services in the center, participant homes, or contracted facilities as required.
• Assist with home safety assessments and installation or training on adaptive equipment under OT direction.
• Participate in fall-prevention programs, functional mobility training, and participant/caregiver education.

Documentation & Compliance

• Document treatments, observations, and participant responses in the electronic health record (EHR) accurately and timely.
• Ensure services meet CMS, DHCS, state licensure, and PACE documentation requirements.
• Report incidents or changes in participant condition per organizational protocols.
• Assist with therapy equipment maintenance, inventory, and ordering as needed.

Interdisciplinary Team Collaboration

• Attend and participate in IDT meetings as assigned.
• Coordinate with nursing, physical therapy, social work, activities, and other disciplines to support holistic participant care.
• Communicate effectively with participants, caregivers, and staff regarding therapy-related recommendations.

Required

• Graduate of an accredited Occupational Therapist Assistant program.
• Current state licensure as a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA).
• Current CPR/First Aid certification (per PACE organizational requirements).
• Minimum of 1 year experience working with older adults, disabled adults, or in a rehabilitation or long-term care setting.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation (if home visits are required).

Preferred: 

• Experience working in a PACE program, home health, or geriatric outpatient/inpatient rehabilitation.
• Knowledge of CMS and DHCS requirements related to therapy documentation and service delivery.
• Bilingual abilities based on participant population needs.

Skills and Knowledge:

• Effective written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to problem solve and apply good judgment.
• Ability to function well independently. 
• Ability to use or be trained in computer skills for the workplace.
• Demonstrates necessary skills and knowledge as outlined in attached position-specific Competency Assessment Profile.
• Able to speak Cantonese/Mandarin preferred.

Physical Demands

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time.
• Ability to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Able to operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer.
• Able to constantly position yourself to maintain files in file cabinets such as reaching with hands and arms, kneeling, crouching, etc.
• The ability to communicate, detect, converse with, discern, convey, express oneself, and exchange information is crucial for this role.