The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) is responsible under the supervision of the Occupation Therapist for implementation of a program of occupational therapy for PACE patients to help them to remain independent and live safely in the community.
Will work in our Central Valley PACE Center in Modesto majority of the time, but will also assist at PACE Merced Center and Modesto McHenry Outpatient Clinic.
Schedule is Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm.
Compensation:$45.00 - $52.00 an hour
Duties and Responsibilities
- Demonstrates effective communication and problem solving skills.
- Supports the mission, vision, values and strategy of Golden Valley Health Centers by providing excellent patient-centered treatment, care, and services.
- Executes occupation therapy programs tailored to each participant's needs.
- Encourages participation in tasks and therapies designed to restore, reinforce and enhance independence and productivity following illness or injury.
- Serves the center's geriatric population consisting of PACE participants to help them remain independent and continue to live safely in the community.
- Under the direction of the Occupational Therapist implements individualized and group occupational therapy treatments for patients enrolled in PACE and accessing day services.
- Under the direction of the Occupational Therapist implements the individualized plan of care to decrease or eliminate disability, increase or maintain capability for independence, and develop function to a maximum level.
- Makes recommendations to modify treatments as needed. Ensure that the individual plan of care is being followed.
- Guide patients and caregivers in the use of adaptive devices and therapeutic, creative and self-care activities for improving function.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of treatment and makes recommendations to modify goals as necessary.
- Record and sign treatments in the patient's health record.
- Ensure services provided are in a therapeutic setting conducive to restoring dignity and self-esteem to all patients.
- Assists the Occupational Therapist to ensure that required equipment and supplies for the occupational therapy program are available or ordered as needed.
- Keeps abreast of all regulations and standards to ensure compliance with orders or directives issued by duly constituted government/regulatory agencies (PACE, CMS, DHCS, etc)
- Provide services at participants' home as needed or requested Participate in training programs for staff and caregivers.
- Maintain and follow established departmental policies and procedures, objectives, quality assurance program, safety, environmental and infection control standards.
- Attend meetings as required and participate on committees as directed.
- Able to perform MAX A transfers.
- Perform other related duties as assigned or requested to assist with daily Rehab operations.
- Interdisciplinary care team (IDT) & Care Planning: Participates as a member of the IDT; assists with the care planning process in ordination with the IDT; includes the participant/family/care giver in process; makes referrals to interdisciplinary support services; participates in IDT initial and semiannual assessments; communicates participant changes to IDT.
- Observes each participant for any change in physical, mental, emotional and social functioning and shall report such changes to the Interdisciplinary Team.
- Other projects and duties as assigned
Physical Demands
- Ability to lift up to 30 pounds. Moving, lifting or transferring patients may involve lifting or pushing greater than 30 pounds, should be done with assistance as appropriate.
- Ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull or carry patients.
- Must be able to hear staff/clients on the phone and those who are served in-person, and speak clearly in order to communicate information to clients and staff.
- Must have vision with or without lenses that is adequate to read memos, a computer screen, personnel forms and clinical and administrative documents.
- Must have high manual dexterity.
- Must be able to reach above the shoulder level to work, must be able to bend, squat and sit, stand, stoop, crouching, reaching, kneeling, twisting/turning, fingering and feeling
Work Environment
- Exposure to biohazards, including infectious material and waste and any other conditions common in a health care environment.
- Subject to unpleasant odors.
- The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate, but may at times be noisy and crowded
Education/Experience Requirements
Minimum Qualifications
- Valid CA Driver's License, acceptable driving record, and vehicle insurance.
- Demonstrates clinical competency with geriatric population.
- Only acts within the scope of his or her authority to practice.
- Meet a standardized set of competencies for the specific position description established by Central Valley PACE and approved by CMS before working independently.
Education/Experience
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant in California.
