COTA Jobs in Illinois
COTA jobs in Illinois are in steady demand, with the state's large aging population and extensive rehabilitation network creating consistent openings in skilled nursing facilities, school districts, and outpatient therapy clinics. Chicago, Peoria, and Rockford are the most active hiring markets, home to major employers such as Advocate Health Care, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, and the Chicago Public Schools system. Hand therapy, pediatric occupational therapy assistance, and geriatric rehabilitation are among the most sought-after specialties across Illinois. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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At Elara Caring, we have a unique opportunity to play a huge role in the growth of an entire home care industry. Here, each employee has the chance to make a real difference by carrying out our mission every day. Join our elite team of healthcare professionals, providing the Right Care, at the Right Time, in the Right Place.
Job Description:
Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant
At Elara Caring, we care where you are and believe the best place for your care is where you live. We know there’s no place like home, and that’s why our teams continue to provide high-quality care to more than 60,000 patients each day in their preferred home setting. Wherever our patients call home and wherever they are on their health journey, we care. Each team member has a part to play in this mission. This means you have countless ways to make a difference as a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant. Being a part of something this great, starts by carrying out our mission every day through your true calling: developing an amazing team of compassionate and dedicated healthcare providers.
To continue to be an industry pioneer in delivering unparalleled care, we need a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant with commitment and compassion. Are you one of them? If so, apply today!
Why Join the Elara Caring mission?
- Work in a collaborative environment.
- Be rewarded with a unique opportunity to make a difference
- Competitive compensation package
- Tuition reimbursement for full-time staff and continuing education opportunities for all employees at no cost
- Opportunities for advancement
- Comprehensive insurance plans for medical, dental, and vision benefits
- 401(K) with employer match
- Paid time off, paid holidays, family, and pet bereavement
- Pet insurance
As a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant, you’ll contribute to our success in the following ways:
- Promotes Elara Caring’s philosophy, mission statement and administrative policies to ensure quality of care.
- Assists in implementing the rehabilitation needs by following a plan of care in accordance with the Occupational Therapists findings.
- Makes routine visits and re-evaluates the patient’s therapy needs during each visit. Communicates significant findings, problems, changes in condition or environment to the appropriate supervisor, Occupational Therapist, the physician, and other team members involved with patient care.
- Verifies the Plan of Care prior to each visit and provides care according to physician’s orders, assessment data, established standards and guidelines.
- Counsels and instructs the patient and/or caregiver in meeting therapy and related needs, and in the therapy home exercise program providing requests for modification and clarification.
- Promotes compliance with all fiscal intermediary and/or other third-party payers, through education, coaching, and other assistance.
- Identifies and reports potential payment/coverage problems to the appropriate Supervisor.
- Maintains current knowledge of, and ensures compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations along with current Medicare, Medicaid, and third-party reimbursement regulations and changes.
- Assures the continuity of quality patient care is delivered.
- Maintains communication with clinical staff providing updates and changes in schedules, patient data or needs, physician orders, or special instructions.
- Assures clinical notes are entered timely and indicates continuing communication and coordination of services with physician, other staff, and disciplines.
- Implements all available actions to prevent avoidable hospitalizations and ER visits.
- Physically demanding, high stress environment
- Full range of body motion including handling, lifting and transfer of patients
- Potentially work irregular hours including call hours if applicable
What is Required?
- Graduate of a certified occupational therapy curriculum established by the Occupational Therapy Association
- Current, unrestricted COTA certification in the state of work
- Minimum one (1) year of experience as a COTA in a clinical care setting
- Able and willing to travel within branch/office coverage area.
- Must have a dependable vehicle, valid driver’s license, and current auto insurance in accordance with state laws.
- Must be able and willing to travel 50%
- Ability to frequently lift, push, pull, and support up to 50 pounds, including positioning or transferring patients and moving equipment
You will report to the Branch Director, Clinical Manager, Clinical Supervisor or designee.
#LI-SD1
Equal Employment Opportunity: We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and comply with state and federal affirmative action requirements. Individuals are recruited, hired, assigned and promoted without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. If you require assistance due to a disability in the application or recruitment process, please submit a request via email at recruiting@elara.com.
Pay & Benefit Information: Compensation for this role will be determined based on a variety of factors, including qualifications, skills, competencies, and relevant experience. Elara offers a broad range of benefits. Learn more at https://careers.elara.com/us/en/benefits
EVerify: Elara Caring participates in E-Verify after a job offer is accepted and Form I-9 completed.
See All 38 COTA Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find COTA JobsCOTA Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
COTA Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in COTA jobs across Illinois.
- Active Illinois COTA license issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
- NBCOT certification as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant required or eligible
- Associate degree in occupational therapy assistant from an accredited program
- Ability to implement treatment plans developed by a licensed occupational therapist
- Documentation skills for electronic health records such as Epic or Theraplace
- Experience or clinical fieldwork in a skilled nursing, pediatric, or outpatient setting
COTA Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a cota in Illinois?
To become a cota in Illinois, you must complete an accredited associate degree program in occupational therapy assisting, pass the NBCOT COTA examination, and obtain a license from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. The IDFPR issues the state license required to practice, and you must hold an active license before beginning paid work as a cota in any Illinois setting.
Which companies hire cotas in Illinois?
Companies currently hiring cotas in Illinois include EmpowerMe Wellness, Enhance Rehabilitation, and Enhabit Home Health & Hospice, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois's dense network of skilled nursing facilities, school districts, and hospital-based rehabilitation programs means cota openings appear regularly with both large health systems and smaller regional therapy staffing organizations.
Which Illinois cities have the most cota jobs?
Chicago, Normal, and Waukegan are the Illinois cities with the most cota openings. Chicago dominates by volume because of its concentration of hospital systems, long-term care facilities, and public school programs, while Peoria and Rockford contribute meaningfully thanks to regional health systems like OSF HealthCare and major skilled nursing campuses that serve large surrounding rural populations.
Are there remote cota jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. Cota work is fundamentally hands-on, requiring direct patient treatment in clinics, facilities, or schools, which limits remote options significantly. About 0% of cota openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those positions are typically limited to telehealth-assisted roles or care coordination work rather than direct therapy delivery.
How can I get hired as a cota in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying directly to skilled nursing facilities, which in Illinois tend to hire new graduates and offer structured onboarding alongside experienced occupational therapists. Large Illinois employers such as Aperion Care and SLC Healthcare often post entry-level cota roles in their long-term care communities. Candidates who completed Level II fieldwork in Illinois facilities have a measurable advantage since many sites convert strong students into hires, and holding an active IDFPR license before your start date removes the most common hiring delay.
Where can I find and apply to cota jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to cota jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers hiring across the state. Search the roles that fit your experience level and specialty, then apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 38 COTA Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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