Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) – Full-Time

Elderwood at Cheektowaga

Are you a compassionate and motivated Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant looking to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others? Join the rehabilitation team at Elderwood at Cheektowaga, where clinical excellence, teamwork, and resident-centered care are at the heart of everything we do.

Located in the vibrant Buffalo-Niagara region, Elderwood at Cheektowaga offers the perfect blend of professional opportunity and quality of life. Enjoy easy access to shopping, dining, parks, cultural attractions, and the world-famous Niagara Falls while working in a welcoming community dedicated to helping residents achieve their highest level of independence.

Why Choose Elderwood at Cheektowaga?

• Established skilled nursing and rehabilitation center with a strong reputation for quality care
• Collaborative interdisciplinary team environment
• Modern rehabilitation equipment and treatment spaces
• Opportunities to work with short-term rehabilitation and long-term care residents
• Supportive leadership committed to professional growth and development
• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package

Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant Position Overview

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTA) assist with ensuring the health and well-being of individuals by providing occupational therapy treatments developed and recommended by a Registered Occupational Therapist. State certification required.

Responsibilities

• Provide occupational therapy treatments and interventions under the direction of a Registered Occupational Therapist
• Assist residents in improving functional abilities related to daily living, mobility, safety, and independence
• Document resident progress and treatment outcomes accurately and timely
• Collaborate with therapists, nursing staff, physicians, and other interdisciplinary team members
• Educate residents and families on therapeutic techniques and adaptive equipment
• Maintain compliance with facility, state, and federal regulations

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant program
• Current New York State Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) certification required
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work effectively within a collaborative team environment
• Passion for delivering exceptional resident-centered care

Build Your Career Where You Can Make a Difference

At Elderwood at Cheektowaga, you'll have the opportunity to help residents regain independence, improve quality of life, and achieve meaningful outcomes every day. If you're looking for a rewarding career with a respected healthcare organization and a supportive rehabilitation team, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today and discover why therapists choose Elderwood to grow their careers while making a lasting impact on the lives of those they serve.

Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant:

• Assists the Director Occupational Therapy in planning, developing and carrying out treatment programs and procedures for individuals.
• Helps create group therapy programs which are mentally and physically stimulating to individuals; prepares and presents individual and group projects appropriate for the confused, blind, deaf and physically handicapped person.
• Writes observations of individual's behavior and progress in Progress Notes.
• Maintains attendance records and other departmental reports; enters treatment record in Medical Record Chart.
• Assists Director Occupational Therapy in the training and supervision of Occupational Therapy Aides and students assigned to the facility for clinical experience.
• Attends Care Planning and Family Care Plan review meetings.
• Assists with departmental in-service programs upon request.
• Completes MDS+ assessment form as required.
• Inventories supplies; assists with keeping area in good order and daily sanitation of equipment.
• Attends in-service training programs, and departmental meetings as required.
• Generate and develop ideas, which improve the quality of care for individuals or increase job productivity and satisfaction.
• Performs other duties as assigned by Director Occupational Therapy.
• Performs all job duties according to safety rules and practices required for this job position, and as required to ensure the general safety of staff, residents and visitors of this facility.
• Performs assigned duties according to the service excellence standards and goals established for this job position, and for all staff members of this facility.

Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant:

• State Department of Education Certification and license to practice as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) required.
• Ability to relate well to individuals and enjoy working within the community.
• Tact and diplomacy; ability to develop good relationships with individuals, staff and students required.
• Ability to inspire and motivate others and create a warm and accepting climate.
• Qualities of maturity, diplomacy, ability to work well with others required.
• Ability to communicate well verbally and in writing required.
• Ability to supervise departmental staff effectively and ensure that high standards of care are maintained.
• Ability to perform tasks to established standards of excellence required.
• Demonstrated willingness to uphold the vision and mission of the company by following the core values of Integrity, Teamwork, and Passion for Excellence and Reverence for the Individual.
• This position requires regular interaction with residents, coworkers, visitors, and/or supervisors. In order to ensure a safe work environment for residents, coworkers, visitors, and/or supervisors of the Company, and to permit unfettered communication between the employee and those residents, coworkers, visitors, and supervisors, this position requires that the employee be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language at an intermediate or more advanced level.