Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

Job Title: Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) 
Department: Rehab and Performance 
Reports To: Rehab and Performance Manager 
FLSA Status: Exempt (salaried) 
Work Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week, with scheduling flexibility within standard business hours (Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Company Benefits:

• Paid Holidays


• Medical, Vision, and Dental offerings for Full-Time employees


• Employer provided Life, AD&D, Short-term, and Long-term insurance


• Monthly accrual of paid time off (PTO)


• 401(k) deferral

Job Summary: 

Summary: The Occupational Therapy assistant will help patients regain functional independence and strength following injuries, surgeries, or chronic conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system.  The Occupational Therapy assistant will work under the supervision of a licensed Occupational Therapist to implement treatment plans, primarily focusing on upper extremity rehabilitation, activities of daily living (ADL) retraining, and ergonomic adaptations. 

This position requires compliance with OrthoEast’s compliance standards, including its Code of Conduct, Compliance Program, and policies and procedures. Such compliance will be an element  as part of the Occupational Therapist Assistant’s job duties and considered during performance evaluations. 

Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Works with, and under the supervision and direction of occupational therapists, to plan and implement therapeutic interventions, based off of the plan of care and treatment plan established by the evaluating therapist, to guide patients through exercises to improve range of motion, strength, and motor skills. 

• Teach compensatory techniques for daily tasks (e.g., dressing, bathing, cooking) restricted by orthopedic injuries. 

• Assembles, cleans, and maintains equipment and materials for patient use. 

• Apply physical agent modalities, such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and hot/cold packs, to reduce pain and inflammation, if included in a patient’s specific treatment plan, with evaluating therapist setting parameters and applying initial application. 

• Assist primary therapists with fabricating, adjusting, and training patients on use of splints, braces, and adaptive equipment. 

• Instruct patients and caregivers on home exercise programs and joint protection techniques.  

• Record patient treatment notes, response to treatment, and progress, through electronic medical record systems. 

• Communicates and collaborates with other health care professionals involved with the care of a patient. 

• Performs clerical duties such as scheduling appointments, collecting data, and documenting health insurance billings. 

• Collaborate with the supervising occupational therapist to adjust treatment plans based on patient progress. 

Required Skills/Abilities: 

• Must be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) with a valid North Carolina state licensure. 

• Strong understanding of musculoskeletal anatomy, orthopedic conditions, and healing protocols.   

• Ability to sit at a desk working on a computer or stand for long periods, lift, and move patients and equipment, including reaching and bending. 

• Effective communication and interpersonal skills 

Education and/or Experience:                                                         

• An associate degree from an accredited OTA program. 

• Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) with a valid North Carolina State licensure, in good standing. 

• CPR certification 

• Basic computer skills 

• Ability to prioritize tasks and work independently. 

• Experience in maintaining confidentiality of patient health information, in accordance with HIPAA guidelines and practice policies. 

• Ability to deal with frequent change, delays, and/or unexpected events. 

• Be willing to work in a team environment and contribute to building a positive team. 

• Experience in Orthopedics, outpatient settings, and/or hand therapy, preferred.           

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally support and/or assist patients weighing more than 200 pounds.