Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)

About the role

Roots is seeking a compassionate and motivated Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) to join our interdisciplinary treatment team in a residential treatment center serving adolescent girls ages 13–17. This role will support residents with mental health, behavioral, and trauma-related needs through occupation-based, trauma-informed interventions that promote emotional regulation, daily living skills, coping strategies, and engagement in meaningful activities.

What you'll do

Direct Client Care

• Provide individual and group occupational therapy services to adolescent residents based on identified needs
• Address areas including (but not limited to):
• • Emotional regulation and coping skills
  • Sensory processing and modulation
  • Daily living skills (ADLs/IADLs)
  • Social participation and interpersonal skills
  • Executive functioning, routines, and habits
  • Self-esteem, identity development, and healthy leisure
• Utilize trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate, and occupation-based interventions
• Adapt interventions to meet the needs of clients with diagnoses such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, SUD, ODD, and histories of trauma

Documentation

• Document services in a timely, professional, and compliant manner according to facility and regulatory standards
• Contribute to treatment planning, progress notes, and discharge planning

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

• Actively participate as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team, including psychiatrists, therapists, nurses, case managers, and behavioral staff
• Attend and contribute to:
• • Treatment team meetings
  • Clinical staffing and case reviews
  • Program development meetings as appropriate
• Communicate effectively with staff regarding client needs, progress, and recommendations
• Provide consultation and education to staff on OT-related strategies (e.g., sensory supports, routines, coping tools)

Program Support & Development

• Assist in the implementation of OT programming within the residential setting
• Support therapeutic programming on the milieu as appropriate (groups, activities, skill-building sessions)
• Maintain a safe, structured, and therapeutic environment consistent with Roots’ values

Qualifications

Required

• Associate’s degree from an accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant program
• Current state licensure as an Occupational Therapy Assistant
• Experience or strong interest in:
• • Adolescent mental health
  • Behavioral health or residential treatment settings
• Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team
• Strong communication, organization, and documentation skills

Preferred

• Experience working with:
• • Trauma-informed care
  • Adolescents in behavioral health settings
  • Group facilitation
  • sensory integration and sensory-based interventions
• Familiarity with mental health diagnoses and therapeutic models
• Comfort working in a structured, fast-paced residential environment

Perks

• Competitive salary
• Paid time off
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching
• Positive and supportive work environment