Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant

$35.00 / hour

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) – Per Diem

Elderwood at Liverpool
Per Diem: $35.00 per hour

Support Independence. Encourage Daily Function. Make an Impact.

At Elderwood at Liverpool, occupational therapy is about helping residents live safely, confidently, and as independently as possible. We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to join our therapy team on a per diem basis. We are searching for weekend availability. 

If you’re passionate about hands-on care, enjoy building meaningful resident relationships, and thrive in a collaborative skilled nursing environment, this role offers flexibility with purpose.

Why Choose Elderwood?

At Elderwood, our mission is People Caring for People, guided by our ICARE values:
Integrity, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence.

We are proud to be:

• A trusted partner to residents and families

• A supportive, clinician-focused employer

• An organization where therapy professionals are respected, heard, and valued

Here, your contributions matter — every shift, every resident, every goal.

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant Position Overview

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants play a vital role in ensuring the health, safety, and functional independence of residents by delivering high-quality occupational therapy services under the supervision of a licensed Occupational Therapist.

In this role, you will:

• Administer skilled occupational therapy treatments as developed by the Occupational Therapist

• Assist residents with activities of daily living (ADLs) including dressing, bathing, grooming, toileting, and functional mobility

• Support improvements in strength, coordination, safety awareness, and upper extremity function

• Observe and report resident progress and responses to treatment

• Collaborate closely with OT, PT, nursing, and interdisciplinary team members

• Maintain accurate documentation and uphold the highest standards of quality care

What We’re Looking For:

• Active, state-specific Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant license (required)

• Commitment to compassionate, resident-centered care

• Strong communication and teamwork skills

• A positive, dependable, and patient-focused approach

Why Elderwood at Liverpool?

Strong interdisciplinary collaboration
COTAs are integral members of the care team, working alongside OTs, PTs, nursing, and leadership to deliver coordinated, goal-driven care.

A prime location with less stress
Located just outside Syracuse, Liverpool offers easy commuting, local amenities, and a more balanced pace than large healthcare systems.

Relationship-based care
Care is personal at Liverpool. You’ll build meaningful connections with residents, leading to more rewarding therapy experiences.

Part of a respected, growing organization
As part of the Elderwood network, Liverpool offers the stability, support, and resources of a larger organization — while maintaining a close-knit, community feel.

 

Apply today and join Elderwood at Liverpool — where your support promotes independence, your care enhances daily living, and your work truly changes lives.

Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant:

• Assists the Director Occupational Therapy in planning, developing and carrying out treatment programs and procedures for individuals.
• Helps create group therapy programs which are mentally and physically stimulating to individuals; prepares and presents individual and group projects appropriate for the confused, blind, deaf and physically handicapped person.
• Writes observations of individual's behavior and progress in Progress Notes.
• Maintains attendance records and other departmental reports; enters treatment record in Medical Record Chart.
• Assists Director Occupational Therapy in the training and supervision of Occupational Therapy Aides and students assigned to the facility for clinical experience.
• Attends Care Planning and Family Care Plan review meetings.
• Assists with departmental in-service programs upon request.
• Completes MDS+ assessment form as required.
• Inventories supplies; assists with keeping area in good order and daily sanitation of equipment.
• Attends in-service training programs, and departmental meetings as required.
• Generate and develop ideas, which improve the quality of care for individuals or increase job productivity and satisfaction.
• Performs other duties as assigned by Director Occupational Therapy.
• Performs all job duties according to safety rules and practices required for this job position, and as required to ensure the general safety of staff, residents and visitors of this facility.
• Performs assigned duties according to the service excellence standards and goals established for this job position, and for all staff members of this facility.

Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant:

• State Department of Education Certification and license to practice as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) required.
• Ability to relate well to individuals and enjoy working within the community.
• Tact and diplomacy; ability to develop good relationships with individuals, staff and students required.
• Ability to inspire and motivate others and create a warm and accepting climate.
• Qualities of maturity, diplomacy, ability to work well with others required.
• Ability to communicate well verbally and in writing required.
• Ability to supervise departmental staff effectively and ensure that high standards of care are maintained.
• Ability to perform tasks to established standards of excellence required.
• Demonstrated willingness to uphold the vision and mission of the company by following the core values of Integrity, Teamwork, and Passion for Excellence and Reverence for the Individual.
• This position requires regular interaction with residents, coworkers, visitors, and/or supervisors. In order to ensure a safe work environment for residents, coworkers, visitors, and/or supervisors of the Company, and to permit unfettered communication between the employee and those residents, coworkers, visitors, and supervisors, this position requires that the employee be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language at an intermediate or more advanced level.

WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. Applicants and employees are considered for positions and are evaluated without regard to mental or physical disability, race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, genetic information, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status or any other protected Federal, State/Province or Local status unrelated to the performance of the work involved.