COTA Jobs in Iowa

COTA jobs in Iowa are steady, with consistent demand from skilled nursing facilities, school districts, and outpatient rehabilitation clinics employing certified occupational therapy assistants at both entry and experienced levels. The heaviest hiring concentrates in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and the Quad Cities corridor, where large employers like UnityPoint Health, MercyOne, and Iowa Health System maintain active therapy staffing needs. Pediatric rehabilitation, geriatric care, and school-based services are the specialties drawing the most consistent openings. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.

Find COTA Jobs in Iowa

Overview

Open roles17
Top employerPowerback Rehabilitation
Top citySidney, IA
Cities hiring13
Top credentialAssociate's degree in occupational therapy
Companies hiring11

Showing 5 of 17+ COTA jobs

Powerback Rehabilitation
Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)
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Powerback Rehabilitation
New 22h ago
Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)
Powerback Rehabilitation
Sidney, Iowa
Business Development
Customer Success
Program Management
Project Management
$30 - $32/hr
5,001-10,000

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EmpowerMe Wellness
Licensed Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) PRN
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EmpowerMe Wellness
Added 1d ago
Licensed Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) PRN
EmpowerMe Wellness
Mount Pleasant, Iowa
Caregiving & Elderly Support
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
1,001-5,000

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Fit For Work
Injury Prevention Specialist (ATC, OT, COTA, PT, PTA)
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Fit For Work
Added 1d ago
Injury Prevention Specialist (ATC, OT, COTA, PT, PTA)
Fit For Work
Fort Madison, Iowa
Business Strategy
Consulting & Professional Services
Strategy & Corporate Development
$60k - $70k/yr

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N
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)
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N
Added 2d ago
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)
NORTHGATE CARE CENTER
Waukon, Iowa
Caregiving & Elderly Support
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$63k - $83k/yr

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V
Travel Therapist-COTA-Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant in Des Moines, Iowa
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Added 2d ago
Travel Therapist-COTA-Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant in Des Moines, Iowa
Voyage Health
Des Moines, Iowa
Caregiving & Elderly Support
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$1,473 - $1,550/yr

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See All 17 COTA Jobs in Iowa

Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find COTA Jobs in Iowa

COTA Jobs by City in Iowa

Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Sidney
2 jobs
Denison
2 jobs
Des Moines
2 jobs
Elma
1 job
Nevada
1 job
Waukon
1 job
Dubuque
1 job
Hampton
1 job
Iowa Falls
1 job

COTA Job Market in Iowa

A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Powerback Rehabilitation
Powerback Rehabilitation3 open roles
H
HiredFirst2 open roles
Career Links
Career Links2 open roles

What Iowa Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in COTA jobs across Iowa.

  • Active Iowa cota license issued by the Iowa Board of Occupational Therapy
  • Current NBCOT certification as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
  • Associate degree in occupational therapy assisting from an ACOTE-accredited program
  • Basic Life Support or CPR certification current at time of hire
  • Experience using standard occupational therapy documentation and electronic health records
  • Strong communication skills and ability to work under a licensed occupational therapist

COTA Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a cota in Iowa?

To become a cota in Iowa, you must complete an associate degree from an accredited occupational therapy assistant program, pass the NBCOT certification exam, and then apply for licensure through the Iowa Board of Occupational Therapy. The board requires proof of your NBCOT credential before it issues an Iowa license. Most Iowa employers will not extend an offer until the state license is active, so it is worth starting the board application as soon as you receive your exam results.

Which companies hire cotas in Iowa?

Employers hiring cotas in Iowa right now include Powerback Rehabilitation, HiredFirst, and Career Links, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Iowa's major health systems, long-term care networks, and school district therapy programs tend to post the most consistent openings throughout the year.

Which Iowa cities have the most cota jobs?

Sidney, Denison, and Des Moines are the Iowa cities with the most cota openings. Des Moines drives volume through its concentration of health systems, rehabilitation networks, and school districts, while Cedar Rapids and the Quad Cities add openings through regional hospitals and growing outpatient therapy practices that serve surrounding rural populations.

How can I get hired as a cota in Iowa with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is applying to large Iowa health systems and skilled nursing networks that run structured new-graduate onboarding, where you work closely with a supervising occupational therapist while building your caseload. Employers like UnityPoint Health and MercyOne periodically post entry-level cota roles and fieldwork-to-hire pipelines. School districts across Iowa also bring on cotas at the assistant level, offering a structured environment for those new to the field. Having your Iowa license and current NBCOT certification in hand before you apply gives you a clear advantage over candidates still completing the process.

Where can I find and apply to cota jobs in Iowa?

You can find and apply to cota jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the roles available, find the ones that match your experience and preferred location, and apply directly to the positions that fit.

See All 17 COTA Jobs in Iowa

Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find COTA Jobs in Iowa