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Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant Jobs in Decatur, AL

Reliant Rehabilitation

Therapy Coordinator

Arab, AL · On-site

Must hold a degree in Physical Therapy, Physical Therapist Assistant, Occupational Therapy, Occupational Therapy Assistant or Speech-Language Pathology from an accredited institution. (2) years of ...

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All JobsCertified Occupational Therapy JobsCertified Occupational Therapy Assistant JobsCertified Occupational Therapy Assistant Jobs in Decatur, AL

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant information

See Decatur, AL salary details

$16

$30

$43

How much do certified occupational therapy assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for certified occupational therapy assistant in Decatur, AL is $30.44, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $25.67 and $34.23 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a certified occupational therapy assistant?

A Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) is a healthcare professional who works under the supervision of an occupational therapist to help patients develop, recover, and improve the skills needed for daily living and working. COTAs assist with implementing treatment plans, educating patients and their families, and documenting patient progress. They work with individuals of all ages who have physical, developmental, or emotional challenges, supporting them to achieve greater independence in their daily activities.

What does a certified occupational therapy assistant do?

A certified occupational therapy assistant helps patients during physical therapy treatments and rehabilitation exercises. They work with the patient's occupational therapist and physician to develop a treatment plan that fits the patient's needs. This can mean assisting with stretching exercises or helping a patient learn and adjust to assistance equipment. The duties and responsibilities of a certified occupational therapy assistant also include keeping detailed records of patient progress and health, and performing other administrative and organizational tasks.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a certified occupational therapy assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA), you need an associate degree from an accredited program and national certification, along with strong knowledge of rehabilitation techniques and patient care. Familiarity with therapy documentation software, adaptive equipment, and electronic health record (EHR) systems is typically required. Excellent communication, empathy, and teamwork skills help COTAs effectively support patients and collaborate with occupational therapists. These skills and qualities ensure effective therapy delivery, accurate reporting, and positive outcomes for clients' daily living and independence.

How do certified occupational therapy assistants typically collaborate with occupational therapists and other healthcare professionals in a clinical setting?

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTAs) work closely under the supervision of licensed occupational therapists to implement treatment plans tailored for each patient. They frequently collaborate with occupational therapists by providing feedback on patient progress and suggesting adjustments to interventions. Additionally, COTAs may interact with physical therapists, speech therapists, nurses, and family members to ensure holistic and coordinated care. This teamwork-focused environment helps ensure patients receive comprehensive support as they work toward their rehabilitation goals.

What is the difference between Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant vs Occupational Therapist?

AspectCertified Occupational Therapy AssistantOccupational Therapist
CredentialsAssociate's degree, NBCOT certificationBachelor's, master's or doctoral degree, NBCOT certification
Work EnvironmentAssist in therapy sessions under supervision, clinics, hospitals, schoolsLead therapy plans, evaluate patients, supervise assistants, clinics, hospitals, schools
Job RoleImplement treatment plans, assist patients with activitiesDevelop treatment plans, evaluate patient progress, oversee assistants

The main difference between a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant and an Occupational Therapist lies in their education, responsibilities, and level of independence. Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants support therapists by implementing treatment plans and assisting patients, while Occupational Therapists develop plans and oversee patient care. Both roles work in similar environments, but the Occupational Therapist holds a higher level of responsibility and requires advanced education.

Where do certified occupational therapy assistants get paid the most?

Certified occupational therapy assistants tend to earn higher salaries in regions with a higher cost of living and greater demand for healthcare services, such as metropolitan areas and states with robust healthcare industries. Salaries can also vary based on experience, certifications, and the work setting, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, or skilled nursing facilities.
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Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant job openings in Decatur, AL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, and 9% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $63,307 per year, or $30.4 per hour.

Occupational Therapist

Encore Rehabilitation, Inc.

Arab, AL • On-site

$36.50 - $48/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 25 days ago

Job description

Occupational Therapist
Job Description/Summary
PRIMARY FUNCTION
The Registered Occupational Therapist's job will be to provide rehabilitation therapy to patients of all ages with temporary or chronic physical and mental disability. This will be done through purposeful activity that will include manual and creative skills, educational and recreational activities, facilitation techniques, developmental skills and various other techniques as applicable to the specific needs of the acutely and chronically ill. Treatment of patients will be to improve the patient's physical function and promote mental adjustment.
PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
1. Direct patient treatments.
2. Safety of the patient while he/she is in the Occupational Therapy Department.
3. Organization and proper order of the Occupational Therapy treatment area.
4. Maintaining departmental and patient records.
5. Monitoring the supplies used for extended care, physical disabilities and stress management patients.
6. Charting daily progress of patients.
Physical Demands/Conditions: Bending, stooping, lifting patients and equipment when necessary. Pushing patients in wheelchairs and on stretchers. Adjusting equipment to meet the specific needs of the patient treatment. Giving resistive exercise. Physical contact with patients is sometimes necessary in treatment. Being alert and attentive to perceive reactions that patients may have to treatment. Ability to work under pressure and/or stress on occasion. Operation of electrical equipment.
Special Demands: Desire to work with and for people with temporary and/or chronic mental, physical, or developmental disabilities. Knowledge of medical terminology is needed to understand patient evaluation and to chart patient progress satisfactorily. Knowledge of and experience in various arts and crafts that can be utilized by patients to build strength and promote function in upper and lower extremities as well as enhance one's self-esteem and independence. Good common sense and ability to reason are needed to organize activities and use available supplies to subordinate treatment programs. An attitude of firm kindness in dealing with patients is necessary. Must be able to hold in confidence all matters of a personal nature regarding the patient and/or his family coming to his or her knowledge and to disclose such information only when it is in the best interest of the patient. Ability to be versatile in dealing with a variety of patients and treatment programs.
QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION: The Registered Occupational Therapist has satisfactorily completed an Occupational Therapy curriculum approved by the American Occupational Therapy Association. Must be licensed or eligible for licensure by the Alabama Board of Occupational Therapy and certified by the American Board of Certification.
EXPERIENCE: When educational requirements are met, no previous experience is necessary, but would be desirable.
WORK PERFORMED
Authority: The Registered Occupational Therapist gives treatment only on written or verbal procedures as prescribed by a medical doctor or D.O.
PRIMARY DUTIES
1. Evaluate patients referred to Occupational Therapy to determine their current physical and functional status and assess their potential benefit from Occupational Therapy Services.
2. Plan Therapy Programs for:
a. Individual in-patients.
b. Individual out-patients.
c. Extended Care Center Patients and Group.
d. Stress management patients.
3. Evaluates, records, and reports patients progress for review by other members of the rehabilitation team.
4. Prepare and fit splints for functional upper and lower extremities as ordered.
5. Requisitions supplies and equipment.
6. Provides a safe Occupational Therapy Department.
7. Provides for economic use of hospital equipment and supplies.
8. Performs related duties as assigned.
GENERAL
SOURCE OF WORKERS: From schools of Occupational Therapy and from classified ads in professional publications.
SUPERVISED BY: Clinical Director
WORKERS SUPERVISED: Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, Occupational Therapy Aide, Students of Occupational Therapy, Volunteers and Attendants.

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