What is a COTA?
While doing a few internet searches, I have found that there are some misconceptions out there about what a COTA is. And most importantly, what it is that we do. I'm not sure if this is due to the fact that people are not educated with OT, or because of the way some COTAs attend to their daily treatments.
Unfortunately, it seems like many people view COTAs as a glorified nursing assistant (CNA/STNA). That means a person who completes tasks like taking people to the bathroom, assisting in dressing, getting them out of bed, helping them eat, and other daily living skills. Yes, we do these things don't we?
The big difference is that as a COTA, we can also identify and address a multitude of other concerns in our effort to increase the independence of this person. We can encourage and show them ways to accomplish as much of the task as possible. We can educate them with adaptive equipment use if appropriate. We can also show them energy conservation methods to make the task less strenuous. I could continue on here but I'm not seeking to list the entire host of skills needed to be a COTA, just the basics.
Yes, a good CNA/STNA may be able to do these things too. I have worked with some great CNAs in my career that I would trust to complete these kinds of tasks, including the encouragement, equipment use and conserving energy. These were nursing assistants that had been in the field for many years, trained by therapists, and attentive to how some of these tasks should be completed. Many CNAs I've met however have showed very little therapeutic connection with these tasks. Most just want to get the job done.
Anyway, through our schooling we received education on human anatomy, diseases, medical conditions, adaptive equipment, psychology, and interpersonal communication. This education is our groundwork to build upon. However, just like any newly presented knowledge, some people will be able to comprehend and utilize it in a more productive manner. Some will only remember pieces of their training, and carry out tasks in a less efficient manner.
I think one thing to remember here is that everyone learns at a different speed, and everyone applies this learning in different manners. For the ones who stop learning after they graduate, they may find that each day becomes more of a challenge. Being open minded enough to learn alternate techniques incorporated by other therapists is a great way to gain new skills. Attending continuing education classes relevant to your area of practice is another way to continue to grow your skills.
I've always said that I learned more in the first six months of practice than I learned in school. I attribute this fact to the first OTR I worked with. Not only was this person very knowledgeable in many aspects of Occupational Therapy, but they were also able to present the facts in a manner that made a connection to the problem. But, without an open mind and the desire to learn more, any of this continued learning I was offered would have gone to waste.
So, what is a COTA? A Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant is a person who can look at their patient and see a person they can help become more independent. Someone who can identify deficits and the methods needed to overcome them. Someone who knows proper communication techniques in order to present information in a manner that the patient can understand. Someone who is open-minded enough to learn more in an effort to become a better therapist. Most importantly, a COTA is someone who cares enough about their patient to develop a bond of trust in the effort to promote increased independence.
Yes, there are many other aspects to being a COTA. The topics I've covered here just touch on the basics. Depending on the area a COTA works in, there can be a multitude of other skills that are required to be effective. However, being able to combine all these skills, and employ them appropriately, is what really makes the difference between a COTA and a nurse aide.
Till next time, hope all your thoughts are good,
Tim