What are the responsibilities and job description for the Occupational Therapy Assistant position at Northwoods Rehab?
CERTIFIED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT: JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB REQUIREMENTS
Physical demand for this job is classified as “medium work” which includes
JOB RELATIONSHIPS
Responsible to and reports to the supervising Occupational therapist and Director of Therapy/Rehab.
COTA Job Description - updated 10/1/2025
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Provides occupational therapy services to patients by assisting in assessment, treatment, program
planning and implementation, related documentation, and communication.
2. Conducts screenings of patients at regular intervals to determine the need for
intervention/treatment.
3. Identifies indications for evaluations of residents at appropriate intervals under the direction of the
Occupational Therapist.
4. Assists the Occupational Therapist in the evaluation process in the areas of self-care, homemaking,
functional mobility and coordination and other areas as directed.
5. Assists the Occupational Therapist in identifying a target list, short-term goals, long-term goals and
treatment plan.
6. Conducts individual treatment as assigned by the Occupational Therapist and outlined in treatment
plan that includes, but is not limited to, areas of activities of daily living, functional mobility, range
of motion, strength, coordination, cognitive/perceptual remediation and functional maintenance.
7. Assists in the selection of occupational therapy techniques/media and in the sequence of activities,
adapts techniques/media as indicated by resident performance and following consultation with the
Occupational Therapist. No major modification to the treatment plan is made without prior
consultation with the Occupational Therapist.
8. Monitors patient’s response to intervention and consults with Occupational Therapist if
modification is indicated.
9. Assists in establishing and modifying individual patient schedules in conjunction with the
Occupational Therapist and other team members.
10. Adheres to department and patient schedule and modifies as appropriate for treatment regimen.
11. Maintains acceptable patient care ratios as determined by the Occupational Therapist.
12. Provides, recommends, and fabricates adaptive devices or other equipment. Trains resident, family
and appropriate staff in the use or application of the above.
13. Participates in patient, family and staff education.
14. Confers formally and informally with other team members in coordinating the total rehabilitation
program of the patient.
15. Adheres to Northwoods Rehab procedures regarding documentation of occupational therapy
services.
16. Provides treatment in accordance with established standards of practice and department
procedures.
17. Maintains safe and clean work area and adheres to community safety standards, as well as
complying with all Infection Control, Universal Precautions and OSHA standards for the healthcare
Professional.
18. Consistently demonstrates sound judgment in the planning, implementation and follow-up of
Patient therapy programs.
19. Maintains positive relationships and rapport with coworkers, supervisors, residents, family
members, and community personnel and administration.
20. Reports to work on time and coordinates schedule for efficient patient treatments.
COTA Job Description - updated 10/1/2025
21. Assists with and participates in Quality Assurance Program as required.
22. Adheres to established confidentiality standards of the resident, as well as the organization.
23. Projects a positive and professional image at all times.
24. May be asked to travel to participate in home assessments.
25. Maintains passwords for the software required for position and keeps all passwords secure.
26. Performs such other duties as assigned and as required to effectively discharge the responsibilities
of the position and are in the best interest of Northwoods Rehab.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
- Associates Degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited program.
- Current state licensure or license eligible.
- Assumes responsibility for ongoing continuing education and professional development.
Physical demand for this job is classified as “medium work” which includes
- Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally
- Exerting up to 25 pounds of force frequently
- Exerting up to 10 pounds of force constantly
- Occasional push and pull of up to 25 pounds
- Standing frequently
- Walking frequently
- Bending frequently
- Overhead reach infrequently
- Squatting occasionally
- Kneeling occasionally
- Standing rotation occasionally
- Gripping frequently
- Sitting occasionally
- Stair climbing occasionally
- Average workday is up to 8 hours
- Employee may be subject to unpredictable and hazardous patient/resident behaviors
JOB RELATIONSHIPS
Responsible to and reports to the supervising Occupational therapist and Director of Therapy/Rehab.
COTA Job Description - updated 10/1/2025
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Provides occupational therapy services to patients by assisting in assessment, treatment, program
planning and implementation, related documentation, and communication.
2. Conducts screenings of patients at regular intervals to determine the need for
intervention/treatment.
3. Identifies indications for evaluations of residents at appropriate intervals under the direction of the
Occupational Therapist.
4. Assists the Occupational Therapist in the evaluation process in the areas of self-care, homemaking,
functional mobility and coordination and other areas as directed.
5. Assists the Occupational Therapist in identifying a target list, short-term goals, long-term goals and
treatment plan.
6. Conducts individual treatment as assigned by the Occupational Therapist and outlined in treatment
plan that includes, but is not limited to, areas of activities of daily living, functional mobility, range
of motion, strength, coordination, cognitive/perceptual remediation and functional maintenance.
7. Assists in the selection of occupational therapy techniques/media and in the sequence of activities,
adapts techniques/media as indicated by resident performance and following consultation with the
Occupational Therapist. No major modification to the treatment plan is made without prior
consultation with the Occupational Therapist.
8. Monitors patient’s response to intervention and consults with Occupational Therapist if
modification is indicated.
9. Assists in establishing and modifying individual patient schedules in conjunction with the
Occupational Therapist and other team members.
10. Adheres to department and patient schedule and modifies as appropriate for treatment regimen.
11. Maintains acceptable patient care ratios as determined by the Occupational Therapist.
12. Provides, recommends, and fabricates adaptive devices or other equipment. Trains resident, family
and appropriate staff in the use or application of the above.
13. Participates in patient, family and staff education.
14. Confers formally and informally with other team members in coordinating the total rehabilitation
program of the patient.
15. Adheres to Northwoods Rehab procedures regarding documentation of occupational therapy
services.
16. Provides treatment in accordance with established standards of practice and department
procedures.
17. Maintains safe and clean work area and adheres to community safety standards, as well as
complying with all Infection Control, Universal Precautions and OSHA standards for the healthcare
Professional.
18. Consistently demonstrates sound judgment in the planning, implementation and follow-up of
Patient therapy programs.
19. Maintains positive relationships and rapport with coworkers, supervisors, residents, family
members, and community personnel and administration.
20. Reports to work on time and coordinates schedule for efficient patient treatments.
COTA Job Description - updated 10/1/2025
21. Assists with and participates in Quality Assurance Program as required.
22. Adheres to established confidentiality standards of the resident, as well as the organization.
23. Projects a positive and professional image at all times.
24. May be asked to travel to participate in home assessments.
25. Maintains passwords for the software required for position and keeps all passwords secure.
26. Performs such other duties as assigned and as required to effectively discharge the responsibilities
of the position and are in the best interest of Northwoods Rehab.