Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant

General Purpose

Certified Occupational Therapist Assistants provide services for treating impairments, functional limitations, disabilities or changes in physical function under the direction and supervision of a qualified occupational therapist, and in accordance with accepted standards of professional practice, applicable law and regulation, as well as Interim HealthCare policies and procedures and clinical pathways.

Essential Functions

• Participates in ongoing interdisciplinary assessment of the patient.
• Acts at the direction and under the supervision of the treating occupational therapist and in accordance with the plan of care.
• Participates in the development and evaluation of the plan of care in partnership with the patient, representative (if any), and caregiver(s).
• Provides services that are ordered by the physician as indicated in the plan of care.
• Assists the treating occupational therapist in documenting a patient’s progress and response to treatment.
• Completes and submits timely, legible, accurate, relevant and sufficient documentation (written or electronic) addressing the treatment and interventions provided, the patient’s response to the treatment and interventions, and the patient’s progress toward goals in accordance with professional standards of practice, policy and procedures, and payor requirements.
• Counsels and educates the patient and the family, and other caregivers to promote patient progress toward mutually established goals and in meeting healthcare related needs.
• Supervises paraprofessional staff, as assigned.
• Effectively communicates with other members of the interdisciplinary healthcare team providing care to promote coordination of patient care and planning for discharge.
• Communicates with all physicians involved in the plan of care and other health care practitioners (as appropriate) related to the current plan of care.
• Participates in Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI) program.
• Participates in in-services or training, as requested.
• Participates in the Office’s Emergency Preparedness program, as requested.
• Completes other assignments as requested and assigned.
• Accesses personal health information (“PHI”) necessary to fulfill the above duties and responsibilities. Access to use and ability to disclose PHI is further defined by each organization/department.

Licensure, Minimum Education & Experience Requirements

• Current licensure, registration, or certification as a physical therapist assistant, if applicable, in the state(s) in which he or she will practice.
• In the last five (5) years, two (2) years of experience as a COTA that is relevant to the patient population assigned preferred.