Travel Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant Jobs
Make a Difference as a Travel COTA
Under the direction of an occupational therapist, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTAs) treat patients who have difficulty performing work and daily living activities due to illnesses, injuries and disabilities. They help clients perform exercises as specified in a treatment plan and teach them how to use equipment that may make certain activities easier. A COTA may help develop treatment plans if state law permits.
What Do Travel Occupational Therapy Assistants Do?
OTAs play an instrumental role in improving patients’ lives by helping them regain functional abilities after illness, injury, or disability. One of the highlights of this career is the opportunity to work with a diverse range of individuals, from children with developmental disabilities to aging adults struggling with mobility due to age-related conditions.
By facilitating patient empowerment, COTAs not only foster physical recovery but also instill a renewed sense of confidence and self-worth among those they serve.
Typical COTA Job Responsibilities:
- Implement treatment techniques and plans designed by occupational therapists.
- Teach patients how to use therapeutic equipment, and monitor progress.
- Educate patients’ families and caregivers on how to support the patient’s therapeutic goals at home.
- Document patients’ responses to therapy and report back to the occupational therapist, playing a crucial role in assessing the efficacy of treatment plans and making necessary adjustments.
Traveling Occupational Therapy Assistant Job Locations
No matter where you want to go for your next travel COTA job, your career compass is in your hands.
Advantages & Perks for Traveling Therapy Jobs
Competitive pay
Traveling therapists are needed everywhere. Compensation packages for traveling therapists give you the freedom to live in and explore you environment.
Per diem
When you become a traveling therapist, we give you a weekly, tax-free per diem to help cover daily expenses, like transportation and meals.
Certifications
State licenses and therapy certification costs are paid for because we want you to be a qualified rockstar!
Travel life
When you’re a medical traveler you get to live the best of your travel and work lives, together! Plus, you’ll gain valuable life experience along the way.
Medical Traveler Compliance & Licensure
Being a travel occupational therapy assistant can help you achieve the career you’ve always wanted, but what if your dream job is asking for certifications you don’t have? Fusion can help you with that! We can help you find therapy training, licensing, and certifications to help you take your career forward, and financial assistance to help you get there.
Degrees and Certifications
Licenses and certifications can leave you scratching your head when you should be stoked about traveling. We want you to know exactly what you’re getting into. Since degrees and certifications depend on your modality and specialty, Fusion’s compliance experts work with your recruiter and the facility to make sure that you have all relevant credentials required for our traveling therapy jobs.
Compliance Requirements
Some of your compliance requirements are the same across the board, but there are others that will depend on your specialty.
The three parts of compliance
- Occupational health records: Required immunizations and health examinations
- Documentation: Tax forms, insurance paperwork, and licenses
- Testing: Certifications, online training, and workplace safety exams
F.A.Q.s
How Much Do Travel Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant Jobs Pay?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for occupational therapy assistants was $61,510. The average annual salary varies based on factors such as geographic location, years of experience, and specialty.
What is the Job Outlook for Travel COTA Jobs?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for COTAs is projected to grow 32% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is primarily attributed to the aging baby-boomer population who are staying active later in life but are susceptible to health conditions, such as strokes, which could require therapy services.
Where Do Travel COTAs Work?
COTAs find employment in diverse healthcare and educational settings. These include hospitals, where COTAs help patients recover from injuries or adapt to life-changing illnesses. They also work in rehabilitation centers, providing therapy to individuals recovering from strokes, surgeries, or traumatic injuries. Other certified occupational therapists work in pediatric settings, like schools or specialized children's services, assisting children with developmental disorders to maximize their functional abilities and succeed in educational pursuits. Additionally, COTAs work in home healthcare, helping patients adapt their living environments and routines to cope with disabilities or the physical limitations of aging.
How Long is a Typical Travel Therapy Assignment?
In the United States, a typical travel COTA assignment lasts 13 weeks, but anything between 8 and 26 weeks is common. Medical facilities often offer to renew your contract, too, which is called an extension. Extension offers are usually made in the last 3 to 5 weeks of your travel assignment, but if you’re interested in staying on longer, you should reach out to your recruiter.
Will Taking a Travel Therapy Job Help My Career?
Taking COTA travel jobs is beneficial because it exposes you to different regional procedures and patient populations, provides the opportunity to explore new specialties, and gain experience learning a new clinical environment quickly.
Do Travel Therapy Jobs Offer Benefits?
Fusion offers three Medical plans to choose from, one PPO plan and two High Deductible Plans, as well as Dental, Vision, Basic Life, and Short-Term Disability. If traveling to the state of Hawaii, Hawaii has its own mandated coverage and you will be offered that coverage at that time. If you were previously on the BCBS Nebraska Medical coverage and/or the Ameritas Dental and Vision, this coverage will be terminated when moving to Hawaii for an assignment.
Can Therapists Travel with Family or Pets?
Yes! You can take your family and/or pets on travel assignments with you, but finding housing may become more complicated depending on the location. Most healthcare travel companies provide a one-bedroom apartment (some just a studio or an extended stay hotel), which probably isn’t doable for a family.