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Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) - PRN

Sanford Health · Eau Claire, WI · $20.50–$33.00 an hour · Part time

Posted Jul 10, 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 patient with cognitive impairment you worked with. How did you adapt?

What they are checking: Experience across physical, cognitive and psychosocial impairments named in the posting.

Tell me about a time a patient didn't want to participate. What did you do?

What they are checking: Motivating patients by tying activities to what they care about.

What drew you to occupational therapy?

What they are checking: Whether they connect the work to quality of life and daily activities, the purpose the posting states.

What would you do

A patient is too tired to do the planned activity. How do you modify the session?

What they are checking: Adapting interventions within competency and the patient's goals, as the posting describes.

What changes in a patient would make you stop and contact the OT before continuing the plan?

What they are checking: Knowing the COTA's scope and when a plan change needs the therapist.

This is a PRN role. How do you get up to speed quickly when you step into a patient's care you haven't seen before?

What they are checking: Efficient chart review and handoff skills for an as-needed position.

How do you include family in teaching home exercises or adaptive equipment use?

What they are checking: Caregiver training so gains carry over after discharge.

About the work

Walk me through a treatment session you'd run with a patient working on dressing after a stroke.

What they are checking: Practical skill in grading activities toward self-care goals within the OT's plan.

How do you communicate with the supervising occupational therapist about a patient's progress?

What they are checking: Clear reporting back to the OT, which the posting names as a core duty.

What makes a good therapy note, and how do you keep documentation accurate when you're busy?

What they are checking: Documentation that supports both care and billing.

How do state licensure rules shape what you can and can't do as a COTA?

What they are checking: Awareness of practice-setting and licensure limits on the assistant role.

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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: Varies (United States of America)

 Scheduled Weekly Hours: 0

 Compensation: Salary Range: $20.50 - $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.

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