Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) – Full-Time

Kern River Transitional Care
Pay Range: $46.00–$48.00+ per hour, based on experience

Join Our Rehabilitation Team

Kern River Transitional Care is seeking a compassionate and motivated Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to join our rehabilitation team full-time. This is an excellent opportunity to help residents regain independence, improve daily living skills, and achieve meaningful functional goals in a supportive skilled nursing environment.

The COTA works under the direction and supervision of a licensed Occupational Therapist to provide high-quality, resident-centered therapy services.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide occupational therapy treatments as directed by the supervising Occupational Therapist.
• Follow individualized plans of care designed to improve residents’ independence with activities of daily living.
• Complete timely, accurate, and compliant clinical documentation in accordance with facility, regulatory, and third-party payer requirements.
• Communicate regularly with the supervising Occupational Therapist regarding resident progress, response to treatment, goals, and changes in condition.
• Collaborate with physicians, nursing staff, rehabilitation professionals, residents, and families regarding treatment and discharge planning.
• Participate in resident care conferences and rehabilitation meetings as needed.
• Assist the nursing department with training Restorative Nursing Assistants.
• Educate residents, families, and caregivers regarding treatment goals, home exercise and maintenance programs, safety techniques, and fall-prevention strategies.
• Recommend and assist with obtaining adaptive equipment, splints, assistive devices, elevated toilet seats, grab bars, and other durable medical equipment.
• Provide staff training and in-service education as needed.
• Maintain a clean and safe treatment environment by following infection-control, safety, and equipment-maintenance protocols.
• Report damaged or malfunctioning equipment promptly.
• Participate in quality-assurance, performance-improvement, and rehabilitation program-development initiatives.
• Protect the confidentiality of resident and company information.
• Maintain positive, professional relationships with residents, families, colleagues, and facility staff.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Associate degree from an accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant program required.
• Current California Occupational Therapy Assistant license required.
• License must remain active, unrestricted, and in good standing.
• Must satisfy all state continuing-education requirements.
• Current CPR certification, if required by licensure or facility policy.
• Skilled nursing, rehabilitation, or long-term care experience preferred.
• Experience with Net Health, PointClickCare, or similar electronic documentation systems preferred.
• Strong clinical, organizational, communication, and time-management skills.
• Ability to understand and follow written, verbal, diagrammed, and scheduled instructions.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with residents, families, therapists, nursing staff, and other healthcare professionals.
• New graduates who meet licensing requirements are encouraged to apply.

Physical Requirements

The position requires frequent standing and walking and occasional sitting, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling. The COTA must be able to reach, push, pull, lift, and manipulate residents, objects, and equipment in accordance with safe resident-handling practices.

The role may require exerting more than 100 pounds occasionally, more than 50 pounds frequently, and more than 20 pounds regularly when safely assisting residents or moving equipment. Adequate visual, auditory, tactile, and verbal abilities are required to provide safe and effective care.

Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Why Join Kern River Transitional Care?

• Competitive pay of $46.00–$48.00+ per hour, based on experience
• Full-time employment
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Life insurance
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Continuing education and professional-development opportunities
• Supportive rehabilitation and interdisciplinary teams
• Reward and bonus opportunities
• Meaningful work helping residents regain independence and improve their quality of life

Benefits are subject to eligibility requirements and facility policy.

Kern River Transitional Care is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for all employees.

Apply today and bring your clinical skills, compassion, and dedication to the rehabilitation team at Kern River Transitional Care!

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status.