Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)

Reports to: Clinical Director of Occupational Therapist                                               Status: Full Time

Schedule: Tuesday – Friday 9AM to 7PM; Saturday 9AM to 4PM 

40 hour work week within clinic hours dependent on client need.

Location: Ferndale and Macomb – availability to travel between clinics.

                                                                                               
Job Summary: The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) performs support activities for Occupational therapists in a pediatric setting. LifeLab Kids helps students of all abilities to discover their unique true potential through a blend of evidence-based interventions, therapeutic activities, and innovative use of technology.  We build collaborative partnerships between students, families, and therapists to engage students’ passions and increase their health, happiness, and quality of life. Services offered include ABA Therapy, Speech Therapy, Counseling, Music Therapy, Art Therapy, Technology, and Occupational Therapy.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Integrate occupational therapy treatment with other aspects of patient care.
• Plans therapeutic care based on clinical assessment.
• Provide an assessment and obtain information from medical records, medical staff, family members, and the clients to assess their capabilities, needs, and interests.
• Facilitate, collaborate and coordinate all treatment disciplines to provide oversight and direction, ensuring the client’s needs (i.e., treatment plan), goals, and objectives are met.
• Evaluate, record, and report on the client’s response to treatment and progress toward identified goals.
• Recommend changes in patients ‘living environments consistent with their needs and capabilities.
• Provide advice and support for families and caregivers.
• Experience evaluating and treating various feeding disorders and collaborating with Speech Therapy on feeding/swallowing and Oral Motor deficits.
• Implements therapy for self-care activities such as personal hygiene, dressing, feeding, homemaking, mobility, adaptation of equipment for personal care, and leisure skills (playing board games, computer games, etc.).
• Select activities that will help individuals learn work and life-management skills within the limits of their cognitive and physical capabilities.
• Assist clients in improving their decision-making, abstract reasoning, memory, sequency, coordination, and perceptual skills using occupational therapy tools.
• Plan, organize, and conduct programs in a variety of sensorimotor, Interoception, educational, recreational, and social activities designed to help clients regain physical or cognitive functioning or adjust to their disability.
• Coordinate with vocational rehabilitation to facilitate a client’s transition into the community and job training as needed.

We are looking for individuals that can:

• Be proactive and have a solution-oriented approach to problem-solving.
• Be an appropriate role model.
• Thrive in a fast-paced, multifaceted environment.
• Be flexible and embrace change.
• Demonstrate emotional maturity and responsibility.
• Innovate and act as an entrepreneurial self-starter.
• Accept and value diversity.
• Maintain a professional demeanor, attire, work schedule, and work ethic.
• Ability to analyze, organize, prioritize, and follow through on all duties and tasks as assigned.
• Further develop professional and technical skills.

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate them when appropriate.
• Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.

Education, Experience, Training, Qualifications

• Active Licensure and certification as required by the state of Michigan.
• Experience with Pediatric Population in an OT setting
• Knowledge of deficits associated with Autism spectrum disorder
• Ability to lift 30+ pounds
• Knowledge of sensory needs and integration into occupational therapy
• Evening and weekend availability
• Proficiency with EMR system
• Knowledge of insurance requirements for Occupational Therapy services
• Ability to stand, squat, bend, push, pull, and more physical activity as needed to provide quality client care