Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA)

Position Summary: The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) is responsible for assisting in the practice of occupational therapy under the supervision or with the regular consultation of an occupational therapist (OT), including completing activities assessment and care plan implementation. The COTA collaborates with other healthcare professionals to develop comprehensive treatment plans and implement activities programs across North Valley Hospital District and Extended Care.  May assist with OT outpatient caseload. 

Position Responsibilities:

Assessment and Evaluation:

•          Collaborates with the Occupational Therapist by providing standardized testing, treatment planning, and implementation of the plans of care
• Conduct assessments for swing bed programs either through providing direct activities or coaching others. 
• Assists Occupational Therapists by providing patient care through the completion of standardized assessments, treatment planning, OT treatment, and liaising between nursing, long-term care, and therapists, demonstrating leadership to carry out quality patient care.
• Educate patients and care providers on proper nutrition, healthy eating habits, and lifestyle changes.

Monitoring and Follow-Up:

• Monitor patient/resident progress and make adjustments to nutrition plans as needed.
• Conduct follow-up sessions to track adherence to dietary recommendations and address any concerns or challenges.

Collaboration with Healthcare Team:

• Work closely with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to coordinate patient/resident care.
• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings to discuss and plan comprehensive patient treatment.
•           Acts as a resource to promote occupational therapy and health and well-being by providing direction, leadership, and education to those within and outside the department.
• Prepares reports as needed.
• Participates on working committees to assist with quality audits and projects, establish work and communication flow, and support continuous quality improvement at all levels of nutritional service

Education and Outreach:

• Engage in community outreach activities, including workshops to promote the importance of nutrition and healthy living.Documentation and Record-Keeping:
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of patient assessments, interventions, and progress.
• Ensure compliance with relevant healthcare regulations and documentation standards, including medical record software systems.

Compliance:

•         Participates in hospital programs that promote health, well-being, and employee safety.
•         Participates in appropriate performance improvement and CQI activities.
•         Attend continuing education programs to enhance knowledge and skills.

Organization’s expectations of Employee:

·         Represents North Valley Hospital and facilities positively and professionally by exemplifying the vision, mission, values, and goals of North Valley Hospital.

·         Maintains attendance by working the hours of the position.  Follows policies and procedures regarding attendance, vacation, holidays, sick leave, and leaves of absence.

·         Uses the timekeeping applications efficiently and accurately.

·         Adheres to dress code; appearance is neat and clean; wears name badge while on duty

·         Uses good customer service skills by relating to staff/healthcare providers, patients/residents, customers, and the general public in a courteous and diplomatic manner under all circumstances.

·         Compliance with all organizational policies and procedures.

·         Demonstrates the ability to make decisions, take appropriate action, and follow tasks through to completion.

·         Effectively collaborates with peers and team members, using tactful, diplomatic communication techniques in potentially sensitive or emotionally charged situations.

·         Demonstrates leadership responsibility and skills, including planning and completing duties with minimal directions from the supervisor when appropriate.

Physical Demands:  The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made as needed.

• Ability to lift and move patients and equipment.
• Extended periods of standing, bending, walking, sitting, squatting, and bending.
• Manual dexterity and fine motor skills for performing therapeutic activities.
• Must have sensory and fine motor skills and ability for fine manipulation
• Ability to lift/push/pull 25-50 lbs.
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision and color vision
• Sense of smell.

Mental requirements:  Must be able to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagrammatic form; must be able to add, subtract, multiply, and divide all units of measure; must be able to read, write, and speak clearly. 

Work Environment:

• Hospitals, rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing facilities, schools, outpatient clinics, or community settings.
•         The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• Exposure to diverse patient populations and conditions.
• Working inside in close quarters with co-workers, other providers or patients
• Collaboration with healthcare professionals, including occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, and physicians.
• Exposures:  muscular strain, body fluids, behavior or patients/residents, infectious material, chemicals/cleaning solutions, potential allergens, noxious odors

This document is intended to describe the general duties required of this position.  It is not intended to serve as an exhaustive list of all duties, skills, and responsibilities.