Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA)

Occupational Therapy Assistant Job Duties:

• Verifies client information by interviewing client; reviewing and/or recording medical history; confirming purpose of treatment.
• Helps clients improve their quality of life by helping them compensate for limitations, such as, helping injured workers improve their motor skills and re-enter the labor force, and teaching persons with learning disabilities to prepare meals or to use public transportation and increase their independence,
• Follows treatment plan developed in collaboration with occupational therapist by teaching techniques, such as, the proper method of moving from a bed into a wheelchair, and the best ways to stretch and limber muscles; monitoring activities to make sure they are performed correctly; providing encouragement, bringing treatment that is not having the intended effect to the attention of the therapist
• Maintains patient occupational therapy records by recording client's progress for use by the occupational therapist.
• Generates revenues by recording billing information of services rendered.
• Maintain safe, secure, and healthy work environment by establishing, following, and enforcing standards and procedures; complying with legal regulations.
• Keeps supplies ready by inventorying stock; placing orders; verifying receipt.
• Keeps equipment operating by following operating instructions; troubleshooting breakdowns; maintaining supplies; performing preventive maintenance; calling for repairs.
• Serves and protects the occupational therapy practice by adhering to professional standards, policies and procedures, federal, state, and local requirements, and Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) standards.
• Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations.
• Enhances occupational therapy practice reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments.

Occupational Therapy Assistant Skills and Qualifications:

• Documentation Skills
• Scheduling
• Verbal Communication
• Patient Services
• Health Care Administration
• Hospital Environment, Teamwork
• Use of Medical Technologies
• Bedside Manner
• Dependability
• Health Promotion and Maintenance
• Flexibility for scheduling.