Responsible to:  Lead Occupational Therapist

Qualifications:

1. Currently licensed by the State of Texas with the requirements for Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, and is certified by the State Board of Medical Examiners or
2.  Meets the education requirements for licensure and is in the process of accumulating the supervised experience required for licensure or
3. Has two years of appropriate experience as an occupational therapy assistant and has achieved a satisfactory grade on a proficiency examination conducted, approved, and sponsored by the U.S. Public Health Services, except that such determination of proficiency does not apply with respect to a person initially licensed by a state or seeking initial qualification as an occupational therapist after December 31, 1977.

Job Summary:

The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) works directly under the supervision of a licensed OT, aiding them in their daily responsibilities.  The COTA will perform tasks delegated by the supervising OT as requested.  The COTA is permitted to follow documented treatment plans created by licensed OTs and to informally document a patient’s performance.  Prohibited tasks of the COTA include signing of formal documents, performing diagnostic tests, participating in conferences of any type, and creating treatment plans without the supervision of a licensed OT.

Physical Requirements:

Visual/hearing ability sufficient to comprehend written/verbal communication. Must be able to work eight (8) hours per day while driving, standing, sitting, and completing reports and documentation.

Degrees of Travel

Must have a car with current insurance coverage and a State driver’s license.

Degrees of Disruption to Routine, Overtime

Must be able to adapt to client status and needs as directed. Schedule changes daily due to client condition, needs, etc.

Safety Hazards in Job

Possible infections from clients. Possible auto accident. Possible unsafe neighborhoods.

Duties and Responsibilities

Patient records:

1. Implements an individualized therapeutic program designed to restore and/or improve activities of daily living, sensorimotor skills, fine motor skills, and use of adaptive equipment under the supervision of a licensed OT as ordered by the physician.
2. Coordinates and collaborates with the Administrator, supervising OT, or designated professional, to ensure therapeutic plan of care is met and continued.
3. Guides and teaches the patient in techniques, exercises, or precautions designed to improve the patient’s sensorimotor and fine motor skills, use of adaptive equipment, and ability to complete activities of daily living under the supervision of a licensed OT.
4. Instructs other agency personnel and patient family members in activities of occupational therapy so that they may safely and effectively assist the patient under the supervision of a licensed OT.
5. Observes, records, and reports the patient’s reaction to treatment and any changes in the patient’s condition or treatment. Documents the extent of the patient’s involvement in the decisions affecting his/her care under the supervision of a licensed OT.
6. Participates in patient case conferences to coordinate the patient’s plan of care and promote a positive therapeutic outcome under the supervision of a licensed OT.
7. Participates and meets deadlines as required in continuous assessment and evaluation of the agency via Quarterly Record Review, or the Quality Assurance/Improvement Program.
8. Checks and responds to messages, texts, and or emails within 24 hours.
9. Maintain code of ethics set by the American Occupational Therapy Association.

Initiative/Planning:

Demonstrates initiative and skills in planning and organizing work

1. Demonstrates a desire find increasingly efficient ways to perform tasks.
2. Completes work, care and documentation with accuracy (including signatures on notes, time in/out, care plan dates, etc.)
3. Completes work within agency time frames.
4. Maximizes efforts to meet scheduled POC
5. Requires minimal supervision and is self-directed.

Mission/Agency Standards:

Demonstrates organizational awareness and commitment

1. Understands and appropriately applies the chain of command in relation to job position and supervision.
2. Knows and understands the agency mission in relation to own job position.
3. Protects and honors customer and coworker confidentiality.
4. Respects customers’ and coworkers’ right to privacy.

Observes attendance and attire policies

1. Meets attendance and punctuality expectations.
2. Demonstrates cooperation with requests to meet agency needs.
3. Consistently adheres to agency dress codes.

Complies with all other related policies, procedures and requests

1. Recommends and/or supports changes to policies and procedures.
2. Demonstrates knowledge of policies and procedures applicable to own job position.
3. Adheres to policies and procedures. Honors requests of management for interim rules.

Conserves agency resources

1. Maintains agency resources: company time (own and other employees), property (supplies and equipment) in a manner that demonstrates ownership and accountability. 
2. Maintains the work area to reduce the likelihood for safety hazards and to enhance its general appearance. 
3. Promotes cost consciousness.

Exhibits behaviors of cooperation

1. Builds loyalty among other team members and departments (clinician and non-clinical staff).
2. Frequently uses opportunities to work with others, share knowledge, and help others succeed.
3. Contributes to teamwork, and harmonious working relationships.
4. Actively seeks to eliminate conflicts and assist in problem solving.

Service Excellence

1. Consistently and willingly provides assistance and useful information to meet patient needs; takes appropriate actions to prove accurate information; assumes ownership of issues and takes appropriate steps to correct problems under the supervision of a licensed OT.
2. Verifies understanding of patient/caregiver needs and incorporates in plan of care as clinically appropriate under the supervision of a licensed OT.
3. Identifies and utilizes motivating factors during therapy sessions under the supervision of a licensed OT.

Personal/Professional Development:

Continuing education and personal/professional development responsibilities

1. Maintains professional licensure/certification (if applicable.)
2. Maintains current personnel file information and provides information to agency in timely manner.
3. Sets own development challenges and volunteers to learn.
4. Adheres to agency infection control and safety policies, including education, reporting, and practice implementation specific to job position.
5. Attends agency provided in-service programs to fulfill requirements of position and agency policies.

Exhibits adaptability, flexibility, self-control and maturity in work and behavior.

1. Develops work relationships that honor and respect others’ strengths and abilities.
2. Maintains positive behavior patterns even during challenging and/or difficult situations.