Home Health PRN COTA

JOB TITLE: Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

REPORTS TO: Occupational Therapist

BASIC PURPOSE

The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) is responsible for providing rehabilitative occupational therapy treatments/services for home health patients needing assistance and training in ambulation, transferring, gait training and home exercise programs. The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant works under the supervision of a qualified Occupational Therapist to help meet the patients needs and goals as addressed in the Plan of Care. The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant works as part of the home health care team including Registered Nurse, Physical Therapist, Speech-Language Pathologist/Therapist, Social Worker and Home Health Aide to assist the patient in achieving his/her optimum goals.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Provides occupational therapy services to patients according to the home health Plan of Care and under the supervision of a qualified Occupational Therapist. This may include:

• Provides Occupational Therapy services/procedures in the patients home.

• Assists Occupational Therapist in observing and evaluating the patients functional status to include perceptual motor skills, motor coordination and sensory motor development/processing for purpose of promoting endurance and self-care skills.

• Assists Occupational Therapist in developing a treatment program aimed at improving the identified areas of function.

• Helps to evaluates home environment for hazards or barriers to independent living.

• Instructs and motivates patient in learning new skills, or in retraining them in activities of daily living, according to the Plan of Care.

• Teaches patient and family caregiver in basic principles of body mechanics.

• Instructs patient and family on the proper use of prosthetic devices and in the use and care of therapeutic appliances.

• Observes patients progress and response to treatment, reporting findings to the supervising Occupational Therapist.

• Reports changes in the patients condition to the supervising Occupational Therapist.

• Assists in preparing clinical notes and progress reports.

• Participates in educating the patient/family and in agency inservice programs.

• After subsequent authorization, instruction and supervision by the Occupational Therapist, modifies plan of treatment as authorized by the physician.

• Participates in patient case conferences and team meetings.

• Participates in Altenheim Home Health Cares Quality Assessment/Performance Improvement program as requested.

• Confers with attending physician, home care team members and patient/family and/or family/caregivers to promote coordinated and comprehensive care.

• Communicates Plan of Care to attending physician, home health care team members and patient/family or caregivers.

• Participates in meetings and other related activities as needed and directed.

• Completes a minimum of twelve (12) hours of inservices per year.

• Prepares and submits clinical and progress notes in a timely manner and in accordance with Altenheim Home Health Care policies, state and federal guidelines and regulations.

• Consistently meets or exceeds delivery of Altenheim Home Health Care service standards.

• Adheres to Altenheim Home Health Cares Code of Ehics/Conduct.

• Complies with local, state and federal laws, Medicare regulations and established Altenheim Home Health Care policies and procedures.

The above statements are intended to be a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those stated in this description.

HUMAN RELATIONS

• Must maintain a professional attitude and demeanor and be able to communicate effectively and relate courteously and cooperatively with patients, caregivers, colleagues, supervisor, co-workers and all others.
• Must be able to demonstrate optimism, enthusiasm and willingness to work constructively with other health care team members and reflect concern for the well-being of patients and others.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS (See Attached Physical Requirements Form)

This position requires the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant to work in a variety of environments (housing styles, cleanliness and maintenance, heating and cooling) during visits to patients in their place of residence.

• Visual/hearing ability must be sufficient to comprehend written/verbal communication.
• The COTA must have ability sufficient to ambulate throughout a patients home, navigating stairs and other physical barriers typical to private residences.
• The therapist must be able to operate a motor vehicle and travel to and visit in patients homes in varying weather and road conditions.
• Must be able to deal effectively with stress.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Education

• Must be a graduate of an Occupational Therapy Assistant educational program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) or its successor organizations.

Experience

• Minimum of two years experience as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant with community/home health experience preferred.

Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification

• Must be certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. (NBCOT) and the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant.
• Must possess current license to practice as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant from the state of Ohio or made application for same.
• Is eligible to take or successfully complete the entry-level certification examination for Occupational Therapy Assistants developed and administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. (NBCOT).
• Must possess a drivers license, have access to an automobile in good working condition, plus automobile insurance per state guidelines.
• Have satisfactory criminal background check.
• Maintain current CPR certification.

I have read, reviewed and understand the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant job description.