COTA Jobs in Kentucky
COTA jobs in Kentucky are concentrated in skilled nursing facilities, inpatient rehabilitation centers, school-based therapy programs, and home health agencies, with demand at every level from new graduates to experienced clinicians. The busiest hiring markets are Louisville, Lexington, and Bowling Green, where employers such as Baptist Health, Kindred Healthcare, and Appalachian Regional Healthcare maintain ongoing cota openings. Pediatric therapy, geriatric rehabilitation, and hand therapy are among the most in-demand specialties across the state. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Richwood Nursing & Rehab is looking for a Occupational Therapist Assistant / COTA to join our Team as PRN.
(Located in Oldham County, LaGrange - Exit 22 From Hwy 71 - Cherrywood Subdivision)
As a PRN Occupational Therapist Assistant, you are to evaluate and assist the Staff Occupational Therapist with Residents throughout the facility. To communicate with Families, Physicians and other Health team members regarding patient progress, issue and plans. To maintain documentation of services. To complete tasks as may be required by the Director of Therapy to ensure that the highest degree of quality care is maintained at all times.
Our benefits for a PRN COTA include:
- We offer a 401(k) plan with company match.
- Employee Assistance Plan (EAP)
Working with us at Richwood Nursing & Rehab is more than a job—it’s a daily opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
Essential Duties
- Treat residents as directed by the Occupational Therapist.
- Complete timely, accurate, and compliant documentation in accordance with facility, governmental, and third-party payer requirements.
- Maintain a safe treatment environment by following infection control, safety, and equipment maintenance protocols.
- Participate in Resident Care conferences and/or Rehabilitation meetings, as needed.
- Assist nursing department with training of Restorative Aides.
- Communicates routinely with the supervising occupational therapist to ensure timely updates to physicians, nursing staff, the interdisciplinary team, residents, and families regarding progress, goals, and discharge planning.
- Provides in-services on training programs for other staff in the facility as needed.
- Educate residents, families, and caregivers on treatment goals, home exercise programs, maintenance programs, safety techniques, and fall prevention strategies.
- Recommend and facilitate the ordering of necessary durable medical equipment for residents to facilitate independence in ADLs; i.e., adaptive equipment, splints, assistive devices, elevated toilet seats, and grab bars.
- Must maintain confidentiality of residents' information as well as company information.
- Report any problems with department equipment so that it is maintained in good working order.
- Contribute to quality assurance, performance improvement initiatives, and facility rehabilitation program development as assigned.
- Ability to relate positively, effectively, and appropriately with residents/residents, families, staff and professional colleagues.
Qualification
Education and/or Experience
Associate Degree from an accredited COTA program. Proficient in computer skills such as inputting data into programs for Net Health and Point Click Care.
Language Skills
Ability to read technical procedures. Ability to read and comprehend policy and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond
to questions from managers, coworkers and families.
Mathematical Skills
Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations.
Reasoning Ability
Ability to solve practical problems. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
Licensed as an Occupational Therapist Assistant in the state. Employee must
meet continuing education requirements per state practices. Must maintain a license in good standing at all time with the state board. Determine additional certification as appropriate per facility. CPR certification, if required by licensure.
Physical Demands
The essential functions of this position require the ability to stand and walk frequently and sit occasionally, as well as occasionally climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl as needed to provide resident care and operate equipment. The position requires the ability to reach, push, pull, lift, and manipulate objects and equipment, with exertion that may occasionally exceed 100 pounds, frequently exceed 50 pounds, or constantly exceed 20 pounds to safely move residents or equipment. Effective communication, including talking and hearing, is required to interact with residents, families, and the healthcare team. The ability to perceive and respond to environmental cues, including tactile, auditory, and visual information, is essential for safe and effective resident care. Other essential functions include assisting, supporting, and transporting residents in accordance with safe resident handling practices.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job, in compliance with applicable federal and state laws.
The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.
We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status.
Richwood Nursing & Rehab is looking for a Occupational Therapist Assistant / COTA to join our Team as PRN.
(Located in Oldham County, LaGrange - Exit 22 From Hwy 71 - Cherrywood Subdivision)
As a PRN Occupational Therapist Assistant, you are to evaluate and assist the Staff Occupational Therapist with Residents throughout the facility. To communicate with Families, Physicians and other Health team members regarding patient progress, issue and plans. To maintain documentation of services. To complete tasks as may be required by the Director of Therapy to ensure that the highest degree of quality care is maintained at all times.
Our benefits for a PRN COTA include:
- We offer a 401(k) plan with company match.
- Employee Assistance Plan (EAP)
Working with us at Richwood Nursing & Rehab is more than a job—it’s a daily opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
Essential Duties
- Treat residents as directed by the Occupational Therapist.
- Complete timely, accurate, and compliant documentation in accordance with facility, governmental, and third-party payer requirements.
- Maintain a safe treatment environment by following infection control, safety, and equipment maintenance protocols.
- Participate in Resident Care conferences and/or Rehabilitation meetings, as needed.
- Assist nursing department with training of Restorative Aides.
- Communicates routinely with the supervising occupational therapist to ensure timely updates to physicians, nursing staff, the interdisciplinary team, residents, and families regarding progress, goals, and discharge planning.
- Provides in-services on training programs for other staff in the facility as needed.
- Educate residents, families, and caregivers on treatment goals, home exercise programs, maintenance programs, safety techniques, and fall prevention strategies.
- Recommend and facilitate the ordering of necessary durable medical equipment for residents to facilitate independence in ADLs; i.e., adaptive equipment, splints, assistive devices, elevated toilet seats, and grab bars.
- Must maintain confidentiality of residents' information as well as company information.
- Report any problems with department equipment so that it is maintained in good working order.
- Contribute to quality assurance, performance improvement initiatives, and facility rehabilitation program development as assigned.
- Ability to relate positively, effectively, and appropriately with residents/residents, families, staff and professional colleagues.
Qualification
Education and/or Experience
Associate Degree from an accredited COTA program. Proficient in computer skills such as inputting data into programs for Net Health and Point Click Care.
Language Skills
Ability to read technical procedures. Ability to read and comprehend policy and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond
to questions from managers, coworkers and families.
Mathematical Skills
Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations.
Reasoning Ability
Ability to solve practical problems. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
Licensed as an Occupational Therapist Assistant in the state. Employee must
meet continuing education requirements per state practices. Must maintain a license in good standing at all time with the state board. Determine additional certification as appropriate per facility. CPR certification, if required by licensure.
Physical Demands
The essential functions of this position require the ability to stand and walk frequently and sit occasionally, as well as occasionally climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl as needed to provide resident care and operate equipment. The position requires the ability to reach, push, pull, lift, and manipulate objects and equipment, with exertion that may occasionally exceed 100 pounds, frequently exceed 50 pounds, or constantly exceed 20 pounds to safely move residents or equipment. Effective communication, including talking and hearing, is required to interact with residents, families, and the healthcare team. The ability to perceive and respond to environmental cues, including tactile, auditory, and visual information, is essential for safe and effective resident care. Other essential functions include assisting, supporting, and transporting residents in accordance with safe resident handling practices.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job, in compliance with applicable federal and state laws.
The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.
We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status.
See All 19 COTA Jobs in Kentucky
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Find COTA JobsCOTA Jobs by City in Kentucky
Where Kentucky roles are concentrated, by current openings.
COTA Job Market in Kentucky
A snapshot from current Kentucky openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Kentucky Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in COTA jobs across Kentucky.
- Active Kentucky cota license issued by the Kentucky Board of Licensure for Occupational Therapy
- Current NBCOT certification as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Associate degree in occupational therapy assistant from an ACOTE-accredited program
- CPR and Basic Life Support certification current at time of hire
- Experience with EMR documentation systems such as Optima or Therapy Source
- Ability to meet physical demands including patient transfers and sustained standing
COTA Jobs in Kentucky: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a cota in Kentucky?
To become a cota in Kentucky, you must complete an associate degree from an ACOTE-accredited occupational therapy assistant program, pass the NBCOT Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant exam, and then apply for a license through the Kentucky Board of Licensure for Occupational Therapy. The board requires proof of your NBCOT certification and program completion before issuing an active state license, which is required before you can practice in any Kentucky setting.
Which companies hire cotas in Kentucky?
Employers hiring cotas in Kentucky right now include Signature HealthCARE, Trilogy Health Services, and Exceptional Living Centers, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Kentucky's concentration of long-term care chains, regional hospital systems, and school districts creates consistent year-round openings rather than purely seasonal demand.
Which Kentucky cities have the most cota jobs?
Lexington, Louisville, and Mount Washington lead Kentucky for cota openings. Louisville drives the largest share because of its dense network of rehabilitation hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and pediatric therapy clinics, while Lexington's university medical complex and Bowling Green's growing regional health system keep both markets active beyond the metro core.
Are there remote cota jobs in Kentucky?
Yes, but they're rare. Cota work is fundamentally hands-on, so most roles require an in-person presence with patients. About 0% of cota openings tied to Kentucky are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those positions are almost exclusively in telehealth consultation, care coordination, or school-based administrative support rather than direct patient treatment.
How can I get hired as a cota in Kentucky with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to new-graduate or associate-level positions at skilled nursing facilities, which consistently hire cotas fresh out of accredited programs across Kentucky. Large employers such as Baptist Health and regional long-term care networks in Louisville and Lexington often bring on new graduates under the supervision of an occupational therapist. Completing your fieldwork hours at a Kentucky facility and obtaining your NBCOT certification before your first interview gives you a clear edge. Roles listed as rehab aide or therapy technician also provide a recognized lateral route into supervised cota work.
Where can I find and apply to cota jobs in Kentucky?
You can find and apply to cota jobs in Kentucky on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers actively hiring across the state. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience level, specialty, and preferred location, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 19 COTA Jobs in Kentucky
Find roles in Kentucky that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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