Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

Job Summary

Performs, plans, and organizes technical occupational therapy in the treatment and habilitation/rehabilitation of clients. Provides direct treatment, consultation and education services to individuals and groups.

 Applicants that are in the process of obtaining a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant License are encouraged to apply!

 

Essential Duties

Plans and participates in the habilitation/rehabilitative treatment of acute psychiatric hospital and CBRF clients.
 
Develops and provides therapeutic group treatment activities through teaching social skills, anger management skills, coping skills and problem-solving skills, leisure activities and other occupation-based interventions.
 
Collaborates with OTR and treatment team to identify relevant treatment goals and interventions for integrated care plans. Assists treatment team to provide weekly updates in integrated care plans based on client progress/status. 
 
Guides the client during individual sessions in the use of therapeutic, creative and self-care activities for the purpose of improving clients’ occupational participation in accordance with treatment goals. 
 
Advocating for the needs of clients, the Occupational Therapy Department objectives, and role of the profession in clinical practice.
 
Supervises clients during program hours.
  
Evaluates and/or assesses client's level of functioning (cognitive, physical, psychiatric, emotional, etc.) and makes recommendations based on these findings.
 
Maintains responsibility for safe client care through the use of appropriate planning, implementation and evaluation procedures. 
 
Completes and maintains necessary documentation according to applicable requirements, codes and policies. 
 
Establishes and maintains therapeutic interpersonal relationships with clients/residents, family members and visitors. 
 
Observes, records and reports to the treatment team on client's progress. 
 
  
Develops and posts group/activity schedules.
 
Assists in maintaining a current inventory of the Occupational Therapy Department supplies/equipment. 
 
Attends staff meetings, attends in-service and outside agency training sessions.
  
Maintains the confidential nature of client and business information. 
 
Meets continuing education requirement as established by WOTA, AOTA Licensure Committee. 
 
Involves family and others in client/resident treatment, when applicable
 
Provides consultation and leadership to other health professionals as needed.

Minimum Qualifications Required

Education and Experience:

        Associate degree from an accredited school in Occupational Therapy, certified or has a certification test scheduled by NBCOT Certification Board, and licensed or be eligible to be licensed by the State of Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services.

       Licenses and Certifications:

       Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

       State of Wisconsin Dept. of Safety and Professional Services

       Wisconsin Driver's License

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

       Knowledge of current practices and methods of occupational therapy as practiced in the nursing home and/or hospital, and/or CBRF.
 
       Knowledge of the needs of geriatric, developmentally disabled, mentally ill and AODA clients.
 
       Knowledge of therapeutic media, psychosocial and ADL groups used by Occupational Therapy Department.
 
       Knowledge in maintenance and operation of all related equipment used by the Occupational Therapy Department.
 
       Knowledge of federal, state and other accreditation standards/rules/regulations.
 
       Knowledge of principles of documentation.
 
       Knowledge of group process and ability to co-facilitate groups.
 
       Ability to organize and plan therapeutic and recreational activities.        
 
       Ability to supervise OTA students and volunteers.
 
       Ability to provide participation in conducting occupational therapy assessments.
 
       Ability to maintain emotional stability in stressful situations.
 
       Ability to understand and carry out written and oral instructions and to use independent judgement in decision making.
 
       Ability to adapt to flexible schedule to meet the needs of clients and program requirements.
 
       Ability to carry out policies and procedures governing client activities and treatment.
 
       Ability to establish and maintain effective therapeutic relationships with clients and family members/significant others.
 
       Ability to deal with stress accounted with threatening or unpredictable client behavior. 

       Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
 
       Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, other departments, and the public.
 
       Ability to understand and carry out policies and procedures governing client care.
 
PHYSICAL DEMANDS 
 
Lifting 30 pounds maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 20 pounds.
 
Intermittent standing, walking and sitting.
 
Using hand(s)/feet for repetitive single grasping, fine manipulation, pushing and pulling, and operating controls.
 
Frequent bending, twisting, squatting and reaching.
 
Distinguishing sounds at various frequencies and volumes.
 
Distinguishing people or objects at varied distances under a variety of light conditions.