Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA) Checklist

CLINICAL SETTINGS

Rank each of the following sections on a scale of 1 to 4: 1) No Experience 2 )Limited Experience 3) Experienced 4 )Very Experienced *
Adult - Acute Care Hospital
Pediatrics - Acute Care Hospital
Skilled Nursing Facility
Subacute/Rehabilitation Facility
Sports medicine
School-based
Outpatient Clinic
Home Health

MEDICAL DIAGNOSES

Rank each of the following sections on a scale of 1 to 4: 1) No Experience 2 )Limited Experience 3) Experienced 4 )Very Experienced *
Joint injuries (knee, hand, ankle, shoulder, hip)
Joint replacements (knee, ankle, shoulder, hip)
Arthritis
Brain injury
CVA
Fall risk and/or balance issues
Fractures and/or trauma
Amputations
Multiple sclerosis
Osteoporosis
Rotator cuff injuries
Spinal cord injuries
Spinal fractures
Spina bifida
Fibromyalgia
Cystic fibrosis
Cerebral palsy
Plantar fasciitis
Parkinson's disease
ALS
Alzheimer's disease
Active and passive ROM
Transfer activities
Mobilization
Prosthetic training
Assistive devices (fit, training, safety, strengthening, endurance)
Functional splinting
Fabrication of orthotic device(s)
Education - energy conservation, perceptual motor training, fine motor, dexterity, etc.)
Arranges orthotics/splints
Chest physiotherapy
Lymphedema management
Driving evaluation
Arranges adaptive equipment
Cognitive retraining
ADLs
Neurological system (memory, judgement, sequencing, etc.)
Pain (location, intensity, duration, relief)
Musculoskeletal status (ROM, strength, coordination, etc.)
Reflexes (e.g. deep, postural, primitive, superficial, etc.)
Sensation
Neuro-muscular function (motor control, strength, coordination, tone)
Cognition/Mental status (oriented, alert, etc.)
Cranial and peripheral nerves
Endurance
Functional findings (e.g. bed mobility, gait, transfers, equipment, etc.)
Ergonomic performance
Environmental evaluation (e.g. home environment, barriers, and community access)

CLINICAL/PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

Rank each of the following sections on a scale of 1 to 4: 1) No Experience 2 )Limited Experience 3) Experienced 4 )Very Experienced *
Systems review screening
Vital signs (manual and electronic)
Oxygen saturation
Functioning assessment/screening (eating, dressing, hygiene, toileting, etc.)
Participates in care coordination process/team meetings
Assistance in developing plan of care, assess response to treatment
Therapeutic massage
Documentation of services (e.g. OASIS-follow-up, status change, discharge, etc.)
Knowledge of medical/state regulations (e.g. criteria for participation, reimbursement, etc.)
Whirlpool and/or therapeutic pool
Assess for abuse/neglect
Wound care
Paraffin bath
Strain/counter strain techniques
Hydrotherapy (e.g. contrast bath, whirlpool tanks, pools, etc.)
Electrical stimulation
Fluidotherapy
Biofeedback therapy
Prosthetic testing (e.g. alignment, fit, ability to care for, use, safety, etc.)
Anodyne therapy
FIM scoring
Burn management
Dressing changes (wet, wet to dry, hydrogels, topic creams/ointments, etc.)
Education ( e.g. injury prevention/reduction, use of adaptive devices, etc.)
Work simplification and energy conservation
Perceptual motor training
Neuro-developmental training
Adaptive equipment assessment
Group treatment/therapy
Postural education
Feeding techniques

EQUIPMENT

Rank each of the following sections on a scale of 1 to 4: 1) No Experience 2 )Limited Experience 3) Experienced 4 )Very Experienced *
Ultrasound
TENS unit
Hot and cold packs
Swiss ball
Therapeutic pool
Biodex
Isokinetic machine
Mechanical lifts
Specialty beds
Orthotic devices (e.g. prefabricated braces, shoe inserts, splints, etc.)
Traction (e.g. intermittent, positional, sustained, etc.)
Supportive devices (e.g. neck collar, sling, elastic wraps, corsets, etc.)
Protective devices (e.g. braces, cushions, helmets, etc.)
Gravity-assisted compression devices (e.g. standing frame, tilt table)
Continuous passive motion device
Adaptive equipment training

INFECTION CONTROL (Implementation and management )

Rank each of the following sections on a scale of 1 to 4: 1) No Experience 2 )Limited Experience 3) Experienced 4 )Very Experienced *
Hand hygiene
Precautions and associated PPE (contact, airborne, droplet)
Prevention and protocols for HAIs (CAUTI, CLABSI, VAP)
Prevention and protocols for MRSA, C.Diff, Sepsis, etc.
Prevention of SSIs
Negative-pressure room

GENERAL & OTHER (Experience in these tasks)

Rank each of the following sections on a scale of 1 to 4: 1) No Experience 2 )Limited Experience 3) Experienced 4 )Very Experienced *
Therapeutic communication with patient/resident/client
Proper body mechanics and positioning
Skilled visit notes
Knowledge of ICD-10 and CPT codes
Knowledge of Medicare Oasis
Communicate with insurance companies
Knowledge of common ethical issues for OTAs and how to solve
Cultural competence
EMR - McKesson
EMR - Meditech
EMR - Epic
EMR - Cerner

AGE SPECIFIC (Care of the following age groups)

Rank each of the following sections on a scale of 1 to 4: 1) No Experience 2 )Limited Experience 3) Experienced 4 )Very Experienced *
Infant (birth to 1 year)
Toddler (ages 1-3 years)
Preschooler (ages 4-5 years)
Childhood (ages 6-12 years)
Adolescent (ages 13-21 years)
Young Adults (ages 22-39 years)
Adult (ages 40-64 years)
Older Adults (ages 65-79 years)
Elderly (ages 80+ years)