COTA Travel Jobs

COTA

A certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA) is truly essential in guiding patients on their journey to regain independence and enhance their quality of life. Working alongside an occupational therapist (OT), COTAs lend a helping hand to individuals facing physical, emotional, or cognitive hurdles, supporting them as they tackle daily activities. It’s a rewarding field that’s all about rehabilitation and compassionate patient care, and there’s a growing need for COTAs in many healthcare environments.

How Much Does a COTA Make?

The salary for a COTA can really vary based on where you’re working, your level of experience, and the type of setting you’re in. On average, you might find that COTAs in the U.S. earn around $67,010 a year. If you’re in a high-demand area or focusing on a specialized field, there’s a good chance you could bring in even more, especially working as a travel certified occupational therapist assistant.

What Does a COTA Do?

A COTA works directly with patients to implement treatment plans designed by occupational therapists. Some of their responsibilities include assisting patients in therapeutic exercises and activities, helping individuals adapt to daily living tasks, such as dressing, eating, or working; educating patients and their families on adaptive techniques; and monitoring and documenting patient progress.

How to Succeed as a COTA

In order to succeed as a COTA, it’s all about blending your technical skills with essential personal skills such as strong communication skills, compassion, patience, and attention to detail. Also, by staying current with new developments in occupational therapy and continually improving your skills, you can build a rewarding and long-lasting career as a COTA.

Is There a Difference Between OTA and COTA?

There’s actually a bit of a difference between the two roles. An occupational therapy assistant is someone who has gone through the necessary education and training to support occupational therapists in their work. Now, when we talk about a certified occupational therapy assistant, that’s an OTA who has taken and passed the national certification exam. Earning that certification shows they’ve reached a higher level of expertise.

Where Can a COTA Work?

COTAs have the opportunity to work in a wide range of settings, such as hospitals and rehabilitation centers, nursing homes and assisted living facilities, outpatient clinics, and private practices. The variety of work environments allows COTAs to choose a setting that fits their skills and interests, whether it’s working with children or elderly patients in a nursing home.

Who’s Treated by COTAs?

Certified occupational therapy assistants provide care for a diverse range of patients, including children with developmental disorders; adults recovering from surgeries, injuries, or strokes; and elderly patients dealing with age-related conditions like arthritis or dementia. COTAs play a critical role in helping people regain independence and improve their overall well-being.

How to Become a COTA

Becoming a COTA involves the following steps:

1. Earn an associate degree from an accredited OTA program, which typically takes about two years to complete.
2. Complete fieldwork as part of your education, where you gain hands-on experience in clinical settings.
3. Pass the NBCOT Certification Exam to earn the title of Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant.

Where Are COTAs Needed Most?

COTAs are in demand across the country, but certain areas have a particularly high need. These include states with large rural areas like Montana, Wyoming, Vermont, and North Dakota, as well as states with high aging communities where elderly care is a priority like Florida, Arizona, and Texas. As the population ages and healthcare demands grow, COTAs will continue to see increasing opportunities, especially in underserved areas.

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