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Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant - Acute Care - PT

Sanford Health · Marshfield, WI · $24.00–$33.00 an hour · Part time

Posted Jul 17, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you worked with a patient who was scared to move.

What they are checking: Building confidence and trust in patients who fear falling or pain.

Tell me about a time you disagreed with a plan of care. How did you raise it?

What they are checking: Respectful communication within the OT-COTA relationship.

Why acute care rather than outpatient or long-term care?

What they are checking: Whether they understand and want the pace and medical complexity of hospital work.

What would you do

A patient's heart rate and oxygen drop during a transfer. What do you do?

What they are checking: Monitoring vital sign responses and stopping activity when the patient isn't tolerating it.

How do you prioritize your caseload when several patients need to be seen before discharge?

What they are checking: Juggling discharge timelines in a fast-moving hospital unit on a part-time schedule.

A nurse asks you to skip a session because the patient is sleepy. How do you respond?

What they are checking: Collaborating with nursing while advocating for therapy when it's appropriate.

How do you adapt a session for a patient with confusion or delirium in the hospital?

What they are checking: Handling cognitive impairment, which is common in acute care.

About the work

In acute care, patients often have lines, drains and monitors. How do you set up a safe session around them?

What they are checking: Safety awareness with medical equipment in a hospital setting.

Walk me through how you'd work on toileting and bathroom transfers with a patient after hip surgery.

What they are checking: Knowledge of precautions and adaptive equipment for common acute care cases.

How do you share what you're seeing with the OT so they can make the right discharge recommendation?

What they are checking: Clear reporting that supports the therapist's decisions, as the posting requires.

What's your approach to documentation when you see many patients in a short shift?

What they are checking: Timely, accurate notes in a high-volume setting.

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The full job description

As published by Sanford Health.

Sanford Health, the largest rural health system in the United States, is dedicated to transforming the health care experience and providing access to world-class health care in America’s heartland. 

 Work Shift: 8 Hours - Day Shifts (United States of America)

 Scheduled Weekly Hours: 24

 Compensation: Salary Range: $24.00 - $33.00



 Union Position: No

 Department Details Summary Assists patients/residents/clients with therapy activities and exercises scheduled in a treatment plan, under the supervision of an occupational therapist, to improve patients'/residents'/clients' quality of life and ability to perform daily activities. Job Description Provides, monitors and records therapy services to patients/residents/clients with physical, cognitive, developmental and psychosocial impairments, in line with related standard concepts, practices and procedures. Selects, implements, and makes modifications to therapeutic activities and interventions that are consistent with demonstrated competency levels, patient's/resident's/client's goals, and the requirements of the practice setting and/or state licensure. The certified occupational therapy assistant contributes to this process by exchanging information with and providing documentation to the occupational therapist about the patient's/resident's/client's responses to and communications during intervention. Responsible for being knowledgeable about the patient's/resident's/client's targeted occupational therapy outcomes and for providing information and documentation related to outcome achievement. Follows and adheres to accepted clinical practice guidelines of professional organization. As needed, performs other related duties as requested. Depending on location and facility needs, work may focus on those receiving intervention in the post-acute, long term care, and home health care environments. Qualifications Appropriate education level required in accordance with state licensure. Must be licensed as an Occupational Therapy Assistant in the state(s) of practice. When working at a Sanford Health Facility (not required but preferred for GSS Facilities): Must also be certified as an Occupational Therapy Assistant through the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Conforms to the supervision and licensing standards of the state(s) where services are provided. When applicable, may require valid driver's license. Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required within six months of employment. Sanford is an EEO/AA Employer M/F/Disability/Vet. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation for help with your online application, please call 1-877-949-5678 or send an email to talent@sanfordhealth.org.

Apply at Sanford Health