Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA)
Company : HealthPRO Heritage
Location : Freeport, IL, 61032
Job Type : Part Time
Date Posted : 8 January 2026
Overview
HealthPRO Heritage is seeking a Part-Time Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA) in Freeport, IL. An Opportunity to work in the Senior Living Setting!
- COTA Wage Range: $34-$39 (based on experience)
- Assisted Living Facility and Memory Care community with 75 residents.
- Open to PRN Hours!
Why Choose HealthPro Heritage?
- Purpose-Driven Work: Be part of a mission-driven organization dedicated to compassionate care and innovative therapy solutions.
- Growth Opportunities: Enjoy continuous learning and development opportunities tailored to support your professional growth.
- Collaborative Culture: Thrive in a supportive environment where teamwork, respect, and open communication are at the heart of everything we do.
- Commitment to Excellence: Join a team recognized for clinical expertise and commitment to delivering high-quality care and outcomes.
- Competitive Benefits Package: Enjoy competitive compensation along with a comprehensive benefits package designed with YOU in mind!
Join Us in Making a Difference
At HealthPro Heritage, we offer a fulfilling career where you can positively impact lives and achieve personal and professional growth. As a therapist-led, diverse organization, we provide clinical services across various settings, including nursing facilities, retirement communities, hospitals, home care, and pediatric schools and clinics. Join us to be part of a team that values your skills, listens to your input, and makes a meaningful difference in the community.
Responsibilities
- Patient Care: Assist in implementing treatment plans designed by Occupational Therapists. Provide direct patient care including therapeutic exercises, manual therapy, and modality applications.
- Treatment and Education: Monitor and document patient progress, report observations to the Occupational Therapist, and educate patients and families on treatment protocols, exercises, and self-care techniques.
- Documentation: Accurately document patient treatments, progress, and responses in compliance with facility policies and regulatory standards.
- Collaboration: Work closely with Occupational Therapists, other healthcare professionals, and support staff to ensure coordinated patient care and effective treatment outcomes.
Qualifications
- Education: Graduate of an approved Occupational Therapy Assistant program.
- Licensure: Valid state licensure as an Occupational Assistant, or license eligible.
- Skills: Strong assessment, diagnostic, and therapeutic abilities with excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Proficient in using diagnostic tools, therapy equipment, relevant software, and electronic health record systems, with a proven ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team.
HealthPRO Heritage and its subsidiaries provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, HealthPRO Heritage and its subsidiaries comply with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
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Frequently asked questions
Certified Occupational Therapist Assistants in Freeport benefit from steady demand due to an aging population and expanding senior care facilities. Compared to other healthcare assistant roles, COTAs often have clearer pathways to specialization and advanced certifications, creating robust opportunities for career progression within therapeutic and rehabilitative services.
In assisted living and memory care settings, COTAs focus on tailored interventions that enhance residents' independence and cognitive function. This involves adapting therapy plans for memory impairment challenges and collaborating closely with multidisciplinary teams to address both physical and emotional well-being of elderly patients.
A COTA in Illinois must hold a state licensure and complete an accredited occupational therapy assistant program. This certification equips them with specialized skills in therapeutic techniques and patient assessments, setting them apart from general certified nursing assistants or patient care assistants who have broader but less specialized scopes.
While Illinois mandates state licensure for COTAs, employers in Freeport, especially in senior care, often prefer candidates with additional training in memory care or geriatrics. Certifications related to dementia care and therapeutic modalities can enhance job prospects and demonstrate specialized expertise valued locally.
At HealthPRO Heritage, COTA wages range between $34 and $39 per hour, reflecting experience levels. This competitive pay aligns with regional norms for part-time occupational therapy assistant roles, particularly in senior living and memory care facilities, offering a balance of meaningful work and fair compensation.
HealthPRO Heritage emphasizes continuous learning, offering tailored development programs that help COTAs enhance clinical skills and stay current with therapy innovations. Their collaborative culture fosters mentorship and interdisciplinary exchange, which cultivates both personal growth and improved patient care outcomes.
The team-oriented atmosphere at HealthPRO Heritage encourages open communication and respect, creating a supportive environment where COTAs can contribute ideas and collaborate effectively. This culture of excellence and compassion positively impacts staff satisfaction and the quality of care delivered to residents.
Freeport experiences moderate demand for COTAs, driven by its senior living communities, but competition is less intense than in larger metropolitan areas like Chicago. This balance provides candidates with promising job opportunities without the high saturation seen in urban centers.
Freeport offers manageable commute times due to its smaller size and less congested roads. COTAs working here can expect shorter travel durations compared to larger cities, which can improve work-life balance and reduce daily stress associated with transportation.