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 IowaOverview
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With over four decades of trusted service, our reach spans skilled nursing centers, assisted and independent living facilities, outpatient clinics, and home-based care. We're proud to deliver personalized care exactly where and when it's needed most.
Join an industry-leading team that restores hope and makes a lasting impact. If you're passionate about making a meaningful difference and want to be part of the future of rehabilitation and wellness, Powerback is the place for you.
Why Powerback?
- Benefits: We offer Medical, Dental, and Vision plans to Full-Time team members. We offer Dental and Vision to Part-Time team members.
- Paid Time Off: We offer generous paid time off to Full-Time and Part-Time team members.
- Support for New Grads: Our Powerback Clinical Mentorship Program kicks off on day one, helping you learn from the best in the field.
- Continuing Education: Keep growing with free CEUs through Medbridge.
- H-1B Visa & Relocation Assistance: We support Visa or Green Card sponsorships, plus our Journey Travel Program lets you work across the U.S. with the security of a full-time role.
- Perks at Powerback: Enjoy exclusive discounts on Wireless/TV, Home/Auto/Renters and Pet Insurance, Childcare, Eldercare, and more. Earn rewards through our PowerZone Employee Recognition Program, and expand your expertise with our Clinicians in Action professional development program.
Location/work environment: In facility
Reporting structure: Reporting to Director of Rehab
As an Occupational Therapy Assistant, you help patients get well. You are the person who can bring their power back. In doing this, you will implement occupational therapy programs and activities, follow developed recovery plans, and deliver therapy treatments.
Powerback Rehabilitation (Powerback) is a new way of delivering recovery, rehabilitation, respiratory, and wellness services to patients across the nation. We deliver an empowered approach to achieving your full potential by providing integrated and individualized solutions. Our reimagined approach to rehabilitation connects directly to the patient experience, which is centered on transforming the road to recovery for everyone and helping patients get their power back. It's patient-centered care that provides a sustainable way of feeling better, moving better, breathing better, and living better.
Working in a company that values growth and understands what it means to be a caregiver is refreshing. Our CEO is a former staff therapist. We offer growth, paths forward, and we are committed to patient-centered care. We are growing, stable, and need people like you, who have a calling to help people thrive.
2. You'll hear back from us within 1 business day.
3. If you meet the qualifications, a recruiter will call you for a 10-minute conversation within 2-3 business days, depending on your availability.
4. You will then be presented to the hiring manager
5. The hiring manager will reach out within a business day to schedule the interview.
This all happens within 1-5 business days from the phone screen.
7. If the hiring manager wants to move forward, you will hear from us within a business day, because we are excited to get you started!
2. Initial certification obtained from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy.
3. They must be licensed and/or eligible for licensure as required in the state of practice.
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 IowaCOTA Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
COTA Job Market in Iowa
A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring


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