Description

Status: Non-Exempt

Type of Position: Full Time

Salary Range: TBD

Reports To: Therapy Services Supervisor

Job Summary
The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) performs participant care activities and other tasks as assigned to assist the primary care, therapy, and PACE day center. 

Specifications
Education: Graduate of accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant Program

Experience: Minimum of one (1) year of experience in a clinical setting required; One (1) year working with the frail and elderly population as a personal care aide, nursing assistant or emergency medical technician.

Number/Type of Employees Supervised: None

Licensure, Registry, or Certification Required: Active and unencumbered Occupational Therapy Assistant certification to practice in the State of Michigan; CPR certification. To improve efficiency and reduce fraud and abuse, a National Provider Identifier (NPI) number is required.

Special Training: Only acts within scope of practice. Meet a standardized set of orientation and/or individual competencies for the specific position description established by PACE of Southwest Michigan, and approved by CMS before working independently. 

Immunizations: Be medically cleared for communicable diseases and have all immunizations up to date before engaging in direct participant contact.

Specific Requirements and Considerations: May be subject to exposure and handling of infectious waste, diseases, conditions, or hazardous chemicals, etc., including potential exposure to TB, AIDS, and/or Hepatitis B. 

Ages of Patients Rendered Care: Adult, Geriatric

Key Responsibilities

• Assists in performing treatment as developed and directed by the Occupational Therapist (OT)
• Maintains and completes treatment documentation, department records and reports
• Prepares, cleans, and maintains the treatment area and equipment according to departmental standards
• Attends to personal needs of participants during treatment sessions according to departmental policy and professional standards.
• Sets up and assists therapy with daily living/functional activities and therapeutic activities as determined by the OT
• Reports changes in the participant’s condition to the pertinent Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) member
• Active participation in Quality Improvement Process (QIP)
• Supports OT with the ordering/tracking of participant DME’s
• Completes home visits when directed
• Abides by all established PACE of Southwest Michigan policies, rules and regulations
• All other duties as assigned

Skills and Knowledge

• High level of autonomy is required while reporting to the Center Manager
• Excellent attention to details.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work a flexible work schedule.
• Knowledge of physical, mental, and social needs of frail older adults.
• Effective skills in physical assessment and chronic disease management for frail older adults.
• Able to work within the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) setting.
• Able to utilize basic computer skills in the workplace.

PM20

Physical Demands

The physical demands 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 to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to sit and use hands and fingers, handle or feel objects, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must be able to travel in all kinds of weather.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to frequently move up to 50 pounds and perform physical demands expected while providing medical care for an elderly population. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and the ability to focus.

Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position. However, this in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is an essential function of the position. 

Please be aware that we require employees to pass a background check and drug screen. PACE of SWMI is a non-smoking facility.