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
Showing 5 of 13+ COTA jobs
Hiring a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) for a contract position in Sioux City, Iowa 51103
13 week contract assignment
Monday – Friday schedule
Expected 40 hours per week
Compensation:
Local Pay: $34/hr
Estimated Travel Weekly Pay: $1,538 gross / 40 hrs ($38/hr)
Travel per diems follow GSA guidelines.
Ready for your next assignment?
Please apply, and we can ensure you get the highest pay possible. Apply today to discuss compensation, available start dates, and additional opportunities that match your experience.
Earn Beyond Your Assignment – HiredFirst Infinity Referral Network
Know a great clinician? Refer them to HiredFirst and earn hourly income for every hour they work—across assignments, extensions, and redeployments. No cap. No expiration. That’s the HiredFirst Infinity Referral Network.
HFNX 41169
#WorkwolfSee All 13 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 Symbria, HiredFirst, and Career Links, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 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?
Des Moines, Elma, and Belmond 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 13 COTA Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find COTA Jobs in Iowa