Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) - Post Acute Services

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Job Description:

Position Summary

The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) is an educated, licensed healthcare provider who assists the Occupational Therapist in the delivery of occupational therapy services. The OTA provides skilled occupational therapy interventions to patients experiencing impairments, functional limitations, disabilities, or changes in physical, cognitive, psychosocial, or developmental function resulting from injury, illness, disease, or other causes. 

Working under the supervision of a licensed Occupational Therapist and within the scope of licensure and applicable regulations, the OTA implements treatment plans, provides therapeutic interventions, participates in patient and family education, and contributes to interdisciplinary care planning. The OTA supports patients in achieving their highest level of independence and participation in meaningful daily activities through interventions addressing Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs), cognitive functioning, upper extremity function, safety awareness, and community reintegration. 

Important dimensions of this position include quality patient care, professional commitment, teamwork, interpersonal communication, safety, excellent customer service, and broad job knowledge. 

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 

Clinical Care Responsibilities 

·         Implements occupational therapy treatment plans established by the Occupational Therapist. 

·         Provides occupational therapy services in accordance with physician orders, the Occupational Therapist’s plan of care, organizational policies, and applicable regulatory requirements. 

·         Performs Activities of Daily Living (ADL) retraining, including bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, feeding, and personal hygiene activities. 

·         Assists patients in developing skills required for Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs), including meal preparation, medication management, home management tasks, and community reintegration activities as appropriate. 

·         Provides cognitive rehabilitation interventions addressing memory, attention, executive functioning, problem-solving, sequencing, safety awareness, and other cognitive deficits under the direction of the Occupational Therapist. 

·         Instructs and assists patients with therapeutic exercises, upper extremity rehabilitation, neuromuscular re-education, coordination activities, and functional mobility related to occupational performance. 

·         Trains patients in the use of adaptive equipment, assistive devices, compensatory techniques, energy conservation strategies, and joint protection principles. 

·         Assists with splint and orthotic device management as delegated by the Occupational Therapist and permitted by scope of practice. 

·         Monitors patient performance and response to treatment and communicates findings to the supervising Occupational Therapist. 

Patient and Family Education 

·         Provides patient and caregiver education regarding functional independence, safety awareness, fall prevention, adaptive techniques, equipment use, and home safety recommendations. 

·         Reinforces treatment goals and therapeutic strategies established by the Occupational Therapist. 

·         Assists caregivers in developing skills necessary to support patient function and safety following discharge. 

Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Discharge Planning 

·         Participates in interdisciplinary team conferences, patient care conferences, family meetings, and care coordination activities. 

·         Collaborates with nursing, physical therapy, speech therapy, case management, physicians, and other team members to support patient-centered care. 

·         Supports discharge planning activities by identifying barriers to functional independence and communicating patient needs to the interdisciplinary team. 

·         Assists in determining equipment needs, home safety recommendations, caregiver training requirements, and community resource needs to support a safe discharge. 

·         Contributes to discharge readiness assessments and collaborates with the Occupational Therapist to facilitate successful transitions to home or the next level of care. 

Documentation and Department Operations 

·         Completes accurate, timely, and compliant clinical documentation in the electronic medical record. 

·         Maintains patient confidentiality and complies with all applicable privacy regulations. 

·         Assists with patient transport, treatment area preparation, equipment maintenance, inventory management, and routine department operations as assigned. 

·         Adheres to infection prevention, safety, quality, and regulatory standards. 

·         Demonstrates professionalism, accountability, and effective communication with patients, families, physicians, and colleagues. 

·         Performs duties within the limits of licensure, competency, training, and applicable laws governing occupational therapy practice. 

 

EXPERIENCE 

Required 

·         Ability to understand and follow directions from the supervising Occupational Therapist and Rehabilitation Leadership Team. 

·         Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. 

·         Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced healthcare environment. 

·         Ability to prioritize multiple assignments and manage competing responsibilities. 

Preferred 

·         One (1) year of current Occupational Therapy Assistant experience. 

·         Experience in inpatient rehabilitation, skilled nursing, post-acute care, acute care, or outpatient rehabilitation settings. 

·         Experience with ADL retraining, cognitive rehabilitation, neurological rehabilitation, orthopedic rehabilitation, and discharge planning. 

·         Proficiency with electronic medical records and Microsoft Office applications. 

 

EDUCATION 

Graduate of an accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant program with education sufficient to obtain required licensure as determined by the California Board of Occupational Therapy. 

Must pass orientation and initial competency assessment prior to independent assignment of patients requiring applicable skills and must complete and pass all annual competencies. 

 

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS 

·         Current California Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) License or Occupational Therapy Assistant License Applicant status as permitted by state regulations. 

·         American Heart Association Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required. 

 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES 

·         Knowledge of occupational therapy principles, practices, and treatment techniques. 

·         Knowledge of ADL retraining, cognitive rehabilitation, adaptive equipment, and patient education methods. 

·         Understanding of rehabilitation concepts related to functional independence, safety, and community reintegration. 

·         Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients, families, physicians, and interdisciplinary team members. 

·         Strong organizational, communication, critical thinking, and time-management skills. 

·         Ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with regulatory and organizational requirements. 

·         Commitment to delivering compassionate, patient-centered, high-quality care. 

 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

·         Frequent standing, walking, bending, reaching, stooping, lifting, pushing, and pulling. 

·         Ability to assist with patient transfers, positioning, mobility, and therapeutic activities. 

·         Ability to safely operate rehabilitation equipment and handle treatment supplies. 

·         Ability to perform the physical demands associated with direct patient care in inpatient rehabilitation and post-acute care settings.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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Assigned Work Hours:

0.8FTE

Position Type:

Regular

Pay Range (based on years of applicable experience):

$40.88

to

$54.70

The hours employees work determine when a shift differential is paid.

Hourly Evening Shift Differential: $2.68

Hourly Night Shift Differential: $4.02