Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant

Job Description

Join Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home and be part of a team that proudly cares for our friends, family, and neighbors across East Hawaii. 

Job Description

The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) provides compassionate, evidence-based occupational therapy services under the direction of a licensed Occupational Therapist to help residents maximize independence, improve functional abilities, and enhance their overall quality of life. This role plays an essential part in restoring residents' ability to safely perform daily activities while collaborating with the interdisciplinary team and developing clinical expertise in a skilled nursing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Implement individualized occupational therapy treatment plans established by the supervising Occupational Therapist to improve residents' performance in activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), upper extremity function, cognition, and overall independence.
• Monitor resident progress, communicate changes in functional status, and assist the Occupational Therapist with evaluations, reassessments, discharge planning, and recommendations for adaptive equipment and durable medical equipment.
• Educate residents, families, and caregivers on treatment plans, therapeutic activities, adaptive techniques, and resident progress under the direction of the supervising Occupational Therapist.
• Complete accurate, timely, and compliant clinical documentation while meeting productivity expectations and adhering to Medicare, CMS, and facility standards.
• Collaborate with the interdisciplinary care team to support resident-centered care, safe discharge planning, and positive rehabilitation outcomes.
• Promote resident safety by following infection prevention practices, regulatory requirements, culturally responsive care standards, and participating in ongoing professional development.

Education, Experience & Certifications

• Associate degree from an accredited Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) program.
• Current Hawaii Occupational Therapy Assistant license in good standing.
• Current certification in good standing through the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA).
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• New graduate or approximately 0–4 years of clinical Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant experience; experience in skilled nursing, long-term care, or geriatric rehabilitation preferred.

• Knowledge of occupational therapy interventions, Medicare guidelines, skilled nursing documentation, electronic medical records (EMR), and strong communication, teamwork, and clinical reasoning skills with a commitment to continuous professional growth.

  Salary Commensurate with Experience

Company Description

Located in picturesque Hilo, Hawaii, Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home features dedicated short-term rehabilitation services and residential long-term placement. As the only state Veterans Home on the Big Island of Hawaii, we are proud to serve our county’s finest.

In addition to rehabilitation services, Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home is designed to care for your medical conditions through personalized, 24-hour skilled nursing care provided by licensed clinical specialists and therapists. With oversight and coordination with physicians and nurse practitioners, our teams work hand-in-hand to provide compassionate quality care.

Committed To Quality

Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home offers more than just 24-hour nursing care, we cater to both the physical and emotional health of our residents and patients. Our care teams work together to create personalized treatment plans to help patients through their care journey. We strive to provide industry-leading outcomes through coordination of all aspects of your care.

Benefits

• Company sponsored medical and dental (100% coverage for employee)
• 401(K) retirement plan
• Sick and vacation leave

Pre-Employment Assessments for External Candidates

As part of the recruiting process for this position, external applicants (job applicants NOTemployed by HHSC’s East Hawaii Region) are required to complete pre-employment assessments shortly after application submission. If you are not an employee of the East Hawaii Region of HHSC, you will receive an email containing assessment instructions. We ask that you complete the assessments within two days of receipt of the request. 

Pre-Employment Health Requirements

Offers of employment will be contingent on successfully passing a pre-employment examination, which includes a drug screen and other regulatory medical requirements such as, but not limited to, a tuberculosis (TB) screen.  The cost for drug screening and blood draw for QuantiFERON and Titers, shall be borne by the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation.

YUKIO - Drug Free, Equal Opportunity Employer, E-Verify

East Hawaii State Veterans Home is a drug-free workplace, an Equal Opportunity Employer, and conducts employment verification through E-Verify.