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Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA)
Company : Select Medical
Location : West Orange, NJ, 07052
Job Type : Full Time / Part Time
Date Posted : 12 January 2026
Overview
Position: Certified Driving Rehabilitation Specialist CDRS (COTA)
Location: 1199 Pleasant Valley Way West Orange, NJ
Schedule: Full-Time 40 hours weeklyCompensation: $32-40 hourly depending on years of experience
At Kessler, we take pride in creating an exceptional patient experience, helping our patients get back to athletics, work, life, and the things they love.
Our benefits package supports your career growth and personal well-being:
- Start Strong: Our mentorship and orientation programs ensure a successful transition
- Ease the Burden: Our student debt benefit program helps alleviate the financial pressure of student debt
- Recharge & Refresh: Generous PTO to maintain a healthy work-life balance
- Your Health Matters: Comprehensive benefits packages
- Invest in Your Future: Company matching 401(k) retirement plans
- Advance your Career: We offer a tuition reimbursement program
- Go Anywhere with Us: 1900 centers in 39 states, offering internal movement
Responsibilities
Specific Duties:
Performs comprehensive driving evaluations with clients of varying abilities, follow-up driving sessions, along with marketing and program development. Provides clinical and service excellence. Through their actions, consistently demonstrates best practice while performing initial evaluations, treatment planning, treatment progression, ongoing assessments, goal setting, alternative referrals and discharge planning for the clients referred to the driver rehabilitation program. Through comprehensive history taking and utilization of appropriate objective measures and standardized tests is able to establish an action plan that addresses the clients’ specific needs and goals. Is able to understand and comply with diagnosis specific medical instructions, restrictions and precautions. Demonstrates ability to utilize appropriate clinical decision making to maximize client outcomes. Identifies client barriers, such as accessibility, language, age specific needs, culture and learning differences that may impede functional progress, follows best practices established by Association of Driver Rehabilitation Specialists (ADED) and works with rehab team to collectively resolve issues.
Qualifications
Minimum Education & Experience (Including Licenses)
Requires a current and valid COTA license and CDRS. Licensed experience in a neuro outpatient setting is also required.
Additional Data
Equal Opportunity Employer/including Disabled/Veterans
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Frequently asked questions
West Orange, NJ, has a growing need for Certified Occupational Therapist Assistants, especially in outpatient and rehabilitation clinics like Select Medical. The demand is fueled by an aging population and increased awareness of driving rehabilitation, making this area moderately competitive but promising for COTAs seeking stable employment.
Yes, obtaining a valid New Jersey state licensure as a driving instructor alongside a current COTA license significantly improves job prospects. Additionally, certifications like the Certified Driving Rehabilitation Specialist (CDRS) are highly regarded in West Orange’s healthcare community, especially for roles focused on driver rehabilitation.
Mastering comprehensive driving evaluations, clinical decision-making, and client-centered treatment planning are essential. Familiarity with neurological patient care and effective communication tailored to diverse client needs also distinguishes successful Certified Occupational Therapist Assistants in specialized rehabilitation settings.
Daily tasks often include conducting thorough driving assessments, designing individualized treatment plans, and carrying out follow-up sessions. COTAs also collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, address client-specific barriers, and ensure compliance with best practices to maximize functional outcomes in driver rehabilitation.
Beyond clinical settings, COTAs can advance into specialized roles like certified driving rehabilitation specialists or transition into program development and marketing within rehabilitation centers. Additional certifications and tuition reimbursement programs support upward mobility and niche expertise expansion.
Select Medical offers mentorship programs, tuition reimbursement, and internal mobility across 1900 centers nationwide. These initiatives foster career advancement while promoting a balanced work-life culture, making it an attractive employer for COTAs eager to grow their skills and explore diverse rehabilitation specialties.
Select Medical emphasizes comprehensive mentorship, student debt relief, and a strong focus on driving rehabilitation. Their integrated approach to patient care coupled with extensive benefits and internal career pathways sets their COTA roles apart in West Orange’s competitive healthcare landscape.
Certified Occupational Therapist Assistants in West Orange typically earn between $32 and $40 per hour, depending on experience and certifications. This range aligns with regional standards for specialized outpatient rehabilitation roles, reflecting the demand for professionals with driving rehabilitation expertise.
West Orange’s diverse population necessitates that COTAs adapt communication styles and treatment approaches to overcome language barriers and cultural differences. Recognizing these factors enhances client engagement, leading to better therapeutic outcomes in driving rehabilitation and occupational therapy.
Experience with neurologic patients is highly advantageous, as the role demands nuanced understanding of diagnosis-specific precautions and tailored treatment planning. Such expertise enables COTAs to design effective rehabilitation strategies, particularly in driving assessments and therapy for clients with cognitive or motor impairments.