Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)
Saint Cloud, MN
Access Healthcare
5x8 hrs, Days

Job Opportunity: Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) - Travel/Contract

Location: Saint Cloud, Minnesota
Specialty: Therapy/Rehabilitation
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Details

• Work schedule: 5 days a week, 8 hours per day (08:00 - 16:30), with every 4th weekend required
• Guaranteed 40 hours per week
• Acute care setting including medical, surgical, orthopedics, neurological, neurosurgery, cardiac, and critical care
• Also includes work in an Acute Rehab Facility with an average patient length of stay of 2 weeks
• High percentage of stroke patients in the rehab setting

Requirements

• Experience: Minimum 1 year of experience in the specialty, including acute care experience
• Licensure: Minnesota state license required
• Certifications: Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required
• Residency: Travelers must live at least 25 miles away from the facility
• Prior Travel Experience: Not explicitly required

Compliance and Documentation

• Criminal background check within 1 year of start, including multiple searches (7-year, SS trace, counties, sex offender, nationwide)
• Education verification required (diploma acceptable in lieu of third-party verification)
• Minnesota DHS NetStudy Fingerprint clearance required before start (no starts with fingerprints pending unless approved "more time needed" letter)
• Physical exam within 1 year of start
• Immunizations and health documentation required:

  • Tdap vaccination (no religious declinations accepted)
  • Negative TB test or chest X-ray per Minnesota state guidelines
  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) proof of immunity or vaccination
  • Hepatitis B vaccination, positive titer, or declination
  • Varicella immunity or vaccination
  • Seasonal flu vaccination or declination (mask required if declined)
• Drug testing: 9-panel test within 1 year of start (not required for client clearance but recommended)

Additional Requirements

• Two professional references from recent employers within 2 years
• Skills checklist required for all clinical candidates
• Completion of facility-specific education modules during orientation (approximately 16 hours)
• Compliance with facility dress code (RRTs wear dove gray scrubs)
• Candidate must sign confidentiality agreement prior to start
• Photo for badge required (grey background, no selfies, JPG format)

Certifications Summary

• BLS (Basic Life Support) required
• ACLS, PALS, NRP, TNCC, EFM certifications: Not required for this position
• Continuing Education Units (CEUs) follow state requirements

Important Notes

• Candidates must complete the Minnesota DHS NetStudy Fingerprint Questionnaire immediately after signing the contract to initiate fingerprinting
• Fingerprinting must be completed within 2 weeks of registration
• Candidates may need to travel to a location offering livescan fingerprinting if not available locally
• Candidates must leave/return badges to manager on last day of assignment

This position is ideal for a COTA with acute care experience looking for a 13-week travel contract in Minnesota with a reputable healthcare system.