Posted 1d ago

CERTIFIED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT

@ Fort Defiance Indian Hospital Board
Fort Defiance, Arizona, United States
$29-$36/hrOnsiteFull Time
Responsibilities:treating patients, documenting progress, providing interventions
Requirements Summary:Associate's degree in Occupational Therapy, state licensure as a certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA), valid unrestricted insurable driver's license, resume and references required; no additional experience beyond training program.
Technical Tools Mentioned:Electronic Health Records (EHR)
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Job Description

CLOSING DATE: Monday, July 06, 2026 @ 4:00 PM (MST)

Salary Range: $29.03 - $35.99 per hour

**APPLICANT MUST HAVE A VALID, UNRESTRICTED INSURABLE DRIVER’S LICENSE**

** RESUME AND REFERENCES ARE REQUIRED**

ESSENTIAL DUTIES, FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Treats patients as directed by the Occupational Therapist.
  • Communicates with the supervisor and other health team members regarding patient progress, problems and plans.
  • Participate in discharge planning.
  • Ability to relate positively, effectively, and appropriately with patients/residents, families, staff, and professional colleagues.
  • Communicates verbal and written progress or lack thereof to the referring therapist and suggests appropriate changes to plans and goals based on patient response to treatment.
  • Writes concise, informative, legible progress notes in Electronic Health Records (EHR). Recommends changes in the plan of care and/or treatment based on the progress towards established goals to the Occupational Therapist.
  • Provides effective therapeutic interventions that are patient-centered.
  • Administers tests and measures accurately, following standardized criteria, when applicable.
  • In accordance with patient needs, select treatment with consideration of resource utilization, including space, time, people, and equipment.
  • Identifies and provides appropriate strategies to educate patients so that environmental constraints, learning barriers, and cultural factors are addressed effectively.
  • Demonstrates effective visual, tactile, and auditory skills to aid with patient assessment/reassessment and intervention.
  • Identifies and utilizes communication that is appropriate and effective for the patient’s situation.
  • Interventions take into account physical, behavioral, cognitive, and perceptual dysfunction.
  • Identifies and initiates appropriate referrals to medical specialist, ancillary providers, etc., as needed.
  • Appropriately collaborates with supervising occupational therapist regarding patient progression or change in patient status.
  • Demonstrates competency with professional practice standards in treatment skills.
  • Completes institutional and program-specific annual requirements.
  • Progresses treatment interventions effectively to meet patient goals.
  • Modifies selected tests, measures, or interventions either to progress the patient as directed by the occupational therapist or to meet patient care needs.
  • Recognizes and incorporates safety procedures, precautions, ad contraindications in the delivery of therapy services.
  • Use multiple sources (i.e., patient factors, evidence-based practice, prior experience, colleagues) to guide the selection of interventions.
  • Identifies impairments and their influence on patient performance.
  • Makes accurate predictions about patient outcomes.
  • Contributes to establishing and/or modifying patient/family-centered goals that accurately reflect anticipated patient outcomes.
  • Contributes to establishing and/or modifying patient treatment plans based on patient status and progress toward goals.
  • Takes accountability and responsibility to identify and meet the needs of the patient.  Seeks alternative strategies and/or other resources to ensure patient needs are met.
  • Establishes and maintains rapport with patients by recognizing others’ values and adapting interactions to build trust.
  • Advocates on behalf of patients to appropriate individuals and is aware of typical patient needs for similar patient populations.
  • Identifies cultural factors that may impact treatment and plan of care and identifies appropriate resources to meet cultural needs and maximize patient outcomes.
  • Works cooperatively with co-workers, demonstrating respect, trust, and support.
  • Demonstrates mutual understanding and respect for the relationship between the supervising occupational therapist and COTA.
  • Actively engaged in own professional development, reflecting on opportunities for growth in collaboration with supervising occupational therapist and other resources.
  • In adherence to the profession’s Code of Ethics, uses ethical reasoning to make decisions based on objective principles and values.
  • Participates in initiatives to improve organizational performance and communicates operational issues that impact clinical practice.
  • Practices in ways that ensure patient care and administrative tasks are performed timely while remaining flexible with schedule changes.
  • Meets productivity expectations.
  • Demonstrates and carries out patient screening in Multi-Service Unit (MSU), Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of potential therapy candidates.
  • Written communication is timely, succinct, and meets all regulatory and hospital standards.
  • Identifies when communication is necessary and directs communication at the right time in the right place to the right person using appropriate medium.
  • Listen actively; verbal and non-verbal communication is respectful, empathetic, and appropriate to individuals and groups.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

MANDATORY MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience:

No additional experience required outside of a completed training program as defined in the education qualifications listed below.

Education:

Associate’s degree in Occupational Therapy.

License:

State Licensure as a Certified Occupation Therapist Assistant.

**Please email degree, transcripts, license and certifications to [email protected]**

NAVAJO/INDIAN PREFERENCE:

FDIHB and its facilities are located within the Navajo Nation and, in accordance with Navajo Nation law, has implemented a Navajo/Indian Preference in Employment Policy. Pursuant to this Policy, applicants who meet the minimum qualifications for this position and who are enrolled members of the Navajo Nation will be given primary preference in hiring and employment for this position and members of other federally recognized Indian tribes will be given secondary preference. Other candidates will be considered only after all candidates entitled to primary or secondary preference have been fully considered.