COTA Jobs in South Dakota
COTA jobs in South Dakota are concentrated in long-term care, school-based therapy, and rural health settings, with steady demand from entry-level to experienced practitioners. Most hiring activity is in Sioux Falls, Rapid City, and Aberdeen, where employers like Sanford Health, Avera Health, and the Sioux Falls School District maintain ongoing occupational therapy staffing needs. School-based and skilled nursing facility positions are among the most consistently posted specialties statewide. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Hiring a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) for a contract position in Mitchell, South Dakota 57301
13 week contract assignment
Monday – Friday schedule
Expected 40 hours per week
Compensation:
Local Pay: $32 per hour
Estimated Travel Weekly Pay: $1,443
Travel per diems will follow GSA guidelines to ensure compliance
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.
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Where South Dakota roles are concentrated, by current openings.
COTA Job Market in South Dakota
A snapshot from current South Dakota openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What South Dakota Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in COTA jobs across South Dakota.
- Active South Dakota COTA license issued by the South Dakota Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners
- Current NBCOT certification as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Associate degree in occupational therapy assisting from an ACOTE-accredited program
- Valid CPR and Basic Life Support certification maintained throughout employment
- Experience with electronic health records documentation in a clinical or school setting
- Ability to work independently in rural or community-based environments with minimal supervision
COTA Jobs in South Dakota: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a cota in South Dakota?
To become a cota in South Dakota, you must graduate from an ACOTE-accredited occupational therapy assistant program, pass the NBCOT Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant exam, and then apply for licensure through the South Dakota Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners. South Dakota requires an active state license before you can work legally as a cota. Once licensed, you complete fieldwork supervision requirements and maintain continuing education to renew.
Which companies hire cotas in South Dakota?
South Dakota cota roles are posted by HiredFirst, Voyage Health, and Avera Health and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Sanford Health and Avera Health are two of the largest and most consistent employers of cotas across South Dakota, with openings in both hospital and outpatient settings.
Which South Dakota cities have the most cota jobs?
Mitchell, Rapid City, and Huron have the most cota openings in South Dakota right now. Sioux Falls leads because it anchors the state's two largest health systems, Sanford and Avera, while Rapid City draws demand from Monument Health and surrounding rural referral needs, and Aberdeen serves as a regional hub with its own hospital and school district therapy programs pulling consistent hiring activity.
How can I get hired as a cota in South Dakota with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying directly to fieldwork-to-hire programs at Sanford Health or Avera Health, both of which routinely convert Level II fieldwork students into new-graduate cota hires. School districts in Sioux Falls and Aberdeen also bring on new graduates under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist. Completing your South Dakota licensure quickly after passing NBCOT gives you a clear competitive edge over candidates still waiting on credentials.
Where can I find and apply to cota jobs in South Dakota?
You can find and apply to cota jobs in South Dakota on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers hiring across the state right now. Search the available roles, identify the ones that match your license level, specialty, and preferred location, and apply directly to the ones that fit your situation.
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