Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA)

Requirements:

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

Is supervised by the registered occupational therapist no less than every thirty days.  Documentation in the clinical record will reflect ongoing communication between the registered occupational therapist and certified occupational therapy assistant, the patient’s condition, the patient’s response to services provided by the assistant, any need to change the plan of care, and patient outcomes.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES

1) Participates in the ongoing evaluation of the patient’s functional status (muscle function, endurance, visual coordination, written and verbal communication skills, self care ability, work capacity, etc.) as delegated by the registered occupational therapist.  Participates in the ongoing evaluation of the home environment for hazards or barriers to more independent living as delegated by the registered occupational therapist.

2) Participates in teaching new skills or retraining patients in once familiar daily activities that have been lost due to illness or injury, in accordance with organization policy.

3) Maintains appropriate clinical records, clinical notes, and reports to the registered occupational therapist any changes in the patient’s condition.

4) Submits clinical documentation in accordance with Organization policy.

5) Follows treatment program and goals for improved patient function as established by the registered occupational therapist.  Documents patient’s response to treatment plan and progress toward established goals.

6) Maintains contact/communication with other personnel involved in the patient’s care to promote coordinated, efficient care.  Documents such communication in accordance with Organization policy.

7) Attends and contributes to inservices, case conferences, and other meetings as required by Organization policy to ensure coordinated and comprehensive plans of care for the patients of the Organization.

8) Identifies patient and family/caregiver needs for other home care services.  Consults with the supervising registered occupational therapist and assists with necessary referrals, as appropriate.

9) Participates in instructing the patient’s family/caregiver and other Organization health care personnel in the patient’s treatment regime as delegated by the registered occupational therapist.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

1) Graduate of an occupational therapy assistant curriculum accredited by the American Occupational Therapy Association.

2) Certified with the National Certification Examination of the American Occupational
Therapy Association.

3) Licensed by the State Board of Healing Arts in accordance with state licensure laws.

4) A minimum of one (1) year of clinical experience as a certified occupational therapy assistant.

5) Demonstrates good verbal and written communication, and organization skills.

6) Possesses and maintains current CPR certification.

7) Licensed driver with automobile that is in good working order and insured in accordance with the organization requirements.

Division: Home Health
Location: Bakersfield, Fresno, Kings County, Stanislaus County, Tulare

Registered Nurses (RN)

Requirements:

Patient Care

1) Completes an initial, comprehensive and ongoing comprehensive assessment of patient and family to determine hospice needs. Provides a complete physical assessment and history of current and previous illness(es).

2) Provides professional nursing care by utilizing all elements of the nursing process and as defined in the state Nurse Practice Act.

3) Assesses and evaluates patient’s status by:

1. Participating in revising the plan of care as necessary
2. Writing and initiating plan of care
3. Regularly re-evaluating patient and family/caregiver needs

4) Initiates the plan of care and makes necessary revisions as patient status and needs change.

5) Uses health assessment data to determine nursing diagnosis.

6) Develops a care plan that establishes goals, based on nursing diagnosis and incorporates palliative nursing actions. Includes the patient and the family in the planning process. 

7) Initiates appropriate preventive and rehabilitative nursing procedures. Administers medications and treatments as prescribed by the physician in the physician’s plan of care.

8) Counsels the patient and family in meeting nursing and related needs.

9) Provides health care instructions to the patient as appropriate per assessment and plan.

10) Assists the patient with the activities of daily living and facilitates the patient’s efforts toward self-sufficiency and optional comfort care.

11) Acts as Case Manager when assigned by Clinical Supervisor and assumes responsibility to coordinate patient care for assigned caseload.

Communication

1) Completes, maintains and submits accurate and relevant clinical notes regarding patient’s condition and care given. Records pain/symptom management changes/outcomes as appropriate.

2) Communicates with the physician regarding the patient’s needs and reports changes in the patient’s condition; obtains/receives physicians’ orders as required.

3) Communicates with community health related persons to coordinate the care plan.

4) Teaches the patient and family/caregiver self-care techniques as appropriate. Provides medication, diet and other instructions as ordered by the physician and recognizes and utilizes opportunities for health counseling with patients and families/caregivers. Works in concert with the interdisciplinary group.

5) Provides and maintains a safe environment for the patient.

6) Assists the patient and family/caregiver and other team members in providing continuity of care.

7) Works in cooperation with the family/caregiver and hospice interdisciplinary group to meet the emotional needs of the patient and family/caregiver.

8) Attends interdisciplinary group meetings.

Additional Duties

1) Participates in on-call duties as defined by the on-call policy.

2) Ensures that arrangements for equipment and other necessary items and services are available.

3) Supervises ancillary personnel and delegates responsibilities when required.

4) Assumes responsibility for personal growth and development and maintains and upgrades professional knowledge and practice skills through attendance and participation in continuing education and in-service classes.

5) Fulfills the obligation of requested and/or accepted case assignments.

6) Actively participates in quality assessment performance improvement teams and activities.

Qualifications

1) Graduate of a National League of Nursing accredited school of nursing.

2) Current license in California and current CPR certification.

3) Registered nurses shall have a minimum of (a) one (1) year of experience as a professional nurse within the last three (3) years OR (b) have a baccalaureate degree in nursing from a program accredited by the National League for Nursing and a current RN license. Minimum of two years’ experience, at least one of which is in the area of public health, home care, or hospice nursing is preferred.

4) Must be a licensed driver with an automobile that is insured in accordance with state and/or organization requirements and is in good working order.

5) Management experience not required. Responsible for supervising hospice aides.

6) Self-directed and able to work with minimal supervision.

7) Excellent observation, verbal and written communication skills, problem solving skills, basic math skills; nursing skills per competency checklist.

8) Prolonged or considerable walking or standing. Able to lift, position and/or transfer patients. Able to lift supplies and equipment. Considerable reaching, stooping bending, kneeling and/or crouching. Visual acuity and hearing to perform required nursing skills.

Division: Home Health
Location: Auberry, Bakersfield, California City, Fresno, Friant, Kings County, Lancaster, Mariposa, Merced, Oakhurst, Porterville, Prather, Ridgecrest, Stockton, Tehachapi