COTA, Skilled Nursing

Community Health System•Fresno, CA

About The Position

The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant 2 (COTA2) is an expert clinician committed to continued growth in clinical expertise. Performs occupational therapy procedures as delegated by a Licensed Occupational Therapist to help acute or rehabilitative patients with mental or physical disabilities attain or regain the highest level of functional independence, and assesses and reports on the patients' progress. Responsibilities include selecting therapeutic activities and equipment most appropriate for treatment, assessing and recording patients' responses and progress, and determining when to adjust or advance patients from less to more strenuous activities. Functions within established technical standards and guidelines, but may receive further technical guidance/direction from Occupational Therapist in handling unusual situations. This therapy assistant provides care efficiently and effectively using a high level of technical and organizational skills, critical thinking ability, as well as demonstrating leadership. Handles a varied caseload of complex patients; serves as a clinical resource or leader; provides mentoring and/or preceptorship; and assists with orienting and training new employees, volunteers and/or students.

Requirements

High School Diploma, High School Equivalency (HSE) or Completion of a CHS Approved Individualized Education Plan (IEP) Certificate required
Successful completion of one of the following is required o Graduate of an accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant or Occupational Therapy degree program o Sat for the national examination and received a passing score to qualify for licensures occurring before January 1, 2010 as per Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
4 years of applicable experience and ability to demonstrate required competence required
OTA - Current State of California Occupational Therapy Assistant License required o Exception may be made for Occupational Therapy Assistant License Applicant with a requirement to obtain licensure within 180 days of hire or transfer into position
COTA - Current Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant through the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) required within 90 days of hire or transfer into position
BLS - Current Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers by American Heart Association (AHA) required

Responsibilities

Planning, Preparing and Documentation
Collects and prioritizes data in a systematic and ongoing process based on the patient’s immediate condition or anticipated needs.
Timely communication of response to treatment to the treatment team using the most effective method.
Anticipation of patient care issues considered in planning and preparation of treatment course.
Treatment, Implementation, Patient Education
Implements the patient’s plan of care established by a Physical Therapist/Occupational Therapist considering the current condition of the patient, patient/family teaching and care coordination.
Provides treatment in a competent manner within own scope of practice while complying with treatment contraindications and precautions.
Organizes patient care and discharge planning efficiently and prioritizes appropriately to create a collaborative and communicative environment for all members of the healthcare team.
Evaluates the effectiveness of the patient’s plan of care in an ongoing, systematic and criterion-based process, including patient responses and the attainment of expected outcomes.
For CCS-eligible patients, assists with the coordination of referral to a CCS-paneled provider or a CCS/MTU for the patient who may continue to require therapy services after hospital discharge.
Clearly and appropriately communicates with the primary therapist all pertinent information regarding the patient’s response to treatment, patient’s progress, and needs for reassessment or therapist intervention.
Provides patient and family education specific to the plan set forth by the primary therapist including evaluation of the effectiveness of the teaching and clear documentation of education provided.
Quality of Practice and Patient Safety
Participates in unit and hospital-based quality improvement activities.
Demonstrates an ongoing awareness of patient condition and environment to optimize patient safety and reduce risk.
Suggests program modification to primary therapist, including actively seeking assistance with patient care when appropriate.
Education and Professional Practice Evaluation
Participates in ongoing hospital and unit specific educational activities.
Demonstrates a commitment to lifelong learning by inservices, projects, and competencies, seeking both formal and independent learning experiences to maintain and develop clinical and professional skills and knowledge that reflect current specialty practice.
Engages in self-evaluation of practice, identifying areas of strength as well as areas where professional development would be beneficial.
Acknowledges informal feedback regarding one’s own practice from patients, peers, professional colleagues, and others and takes action to improve performance.
Collegiality, Leadership and Research
Shares knowledge and skills with peers and provides feedback regarding their practice and/or role performance.
Communicates in a professional, caring manner at all times to support a healthy work environment.
Embraces teamwork to meet organizational goals through direct participation or supporting active team participants.
Teaches others to succeed by mentoring and/or preceptorship.
Utilized evidence-based practice to guide clinical practice.
Ethics
Adheres to laws, rules and ethics pertinent to licensure.
Uses the Patient Bill of Rights to guide practice and deliver care in a manner that preserves and protects patient autonomy, dignity and rights.
Acts as a patient advocate by initiating action to improve healthcare.
Participates in resolving ethical issues of patients, colleagues or systems via chain of command and Ethics Committee referral, as appropriate. Complies with reporting of illegal, incompetent or impaired practice.
Competence in Skills
Demonstrates competence in all required clinical skills based on functional and positional (unit/department) work assignment.
Demonstrates competence in using function-specific and position specific computer applications and other technology and successfully utilizes them to perform all required duties.
Demonstrates effective time management including meeting productivity targets including accurate and timely charge entry, appropriate co-signature as required by licensure and hospital policy and communication with primary therapist as indicated.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Consecutively recognized as a top employer by Forbes, and in 2025 by Newsweek
Free Continuing Education and certification
Tuition reimbursement, education programs and scholarships
Vacation time starts building on Day 1, and builds with your seniority
Free money toward retirement with a 403(b) and matching contributions
Great food options with on-demand ordering
Free parking and electric charging
Commitment to diversity and inclusion is a cornerstone of our culture at Community. All are welcome as valued members of our community.
We know that our ability to provide the highest level of care is through taking care of our incredible teams.
Learn more on our Benefits page.