Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) / Activity Professional - Gracedale Nursing Home

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) / Activity Professional - Gracedale Nursing Home

Salary

$47,796.00 Annually

Location

Gracedale Nursing Home, 2 Gracedale Avenue, Nazareth, PA

Job Type

Full time

Job Number

2026-00210E

Department

Human Services

Division

Gracedale Nursing Home

Opening Date

06/08/2026

Closing Date

6/22/2026 5:00 PM Eastern

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Application Requirements

In order to be considered for this position, applicants must successfully submit a completed application prior to the posting deadline. Applications submitted with incomplete or missing education and/or work experience sections will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed. These applicants will be disqualified from consideration. The attachment of a resume to the application does not fulfill this requirement and will not prevent incomplete applications from being rejected. Education and work experience fields must be completed, regardless of the presence of an attached resume.

Once the posting closes, all applications will be reviewed. The information provided on the application will be utilized to determine whether or not each applicant meets the Minimum Requirements for this position as noted in the Job Description. We encourage all applicants to provide a comprehensive, concise history of their education, certification, licensing, and employment history. Please read the Minimum Requirements thoroughly and then demonstrate that you meet these requirements on your application.

For questions regarding this posting, please contact Sherry Christman, Human Resources Analyst at schristman@norcopa.gov or 610-829-6382.

Equal Employment Opportunities - It is the policy of Northampton County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, sex, gender identity, gender expression, age, genetic information, disability, or any other status protected by the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and any other state, federal, or local law.

Job Description

GENERAL PURPOSE

The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) / Activity Professional assists the Life Enrichment Director in the organization, direction, and implementation of activities for all residents at Gracedale Nursing Home. The individual in this position is responsible for practicing ethical and professional behaviors related to the field of Life Enrichment, and for meeting the interests and physical, mental, emotional, and social needs of all residents.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

This position reports directly to the Life Enrichment Director.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

This position is responsible for the indirect supervision of the Life Enrichment Recreation Aides.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES OF THE POSITION

Plans, organizes, and implements all scheduled activities, including workshops, trips, social/special events, and religious activities.

Maintains supplies and equipment, prepares and completes projects, and adapts activities to meet residents' needs.

Responsibilities on assigned units include: initial evaluations, documentation of attendance and status through progress notes, total plans of care goals, and conducting life enrichment programs.

Participates in departmental meetings, interdisciplinary patient care plan meetings, and in-services.

Cooperates and maintains good working relationships with other staff members and volunteers.

Operates Life Enrichment Department equipment including large screen television, VCR, iPad, DVD player, CD player, computer, cell phone, van, and bus.

Responsible for the transportation of residents to and from activity programs.

Responsible for remaining alert to the mental and physical needs of all residents during activities. Must recognize residents' limitations, and report any problems to the immediate supervisor.

Assists with staff orientation, as needed.

• An employee assigned to this title shall perform a majority, but may not perform all, of the duties listed in this job description. Conversely, minor level duties performed on the job may not be listed. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE - Graduation from an accredited college or university with an Associate's degree in Occupational Therapy, or an alternative degree with major course work in the field of recreation or occupational therapy; OR

The possession of an Activity Professional Certification such as Activity Directors Certification (ADC) or Activity Professional Certified (APC); AND

At least one (1) year of satisfactory full-time professional experience in providing therapeutic recreation services in a long-term patient care facility; AND

All employees of Gracedale Nursing Home will be required to attend Feeding Program training; AND

Employee assigned to this title will be required to possess and maintain a valid and current motor vehicle operator's license. Must have an acceptable driving record.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Thorough knowledge of goals, objectives, principles, and practices pertaining to life enrichment in long term care.

Thorough knowledge of life enrichment methods and techniques applicable to individuals in an inpatient nursing facility.

Thorough knowledge of physical, mental, emotional, and other factors affecting geriatric patients' needs, interests, and capacities.

Thorough knowledge of governmental regulations and requirements governing life enrichment.

Thorough knowledge of the organization, functions, and operations commonly found in inpatient care facilities and their relationship to the administration of life enrichment services.

Ability to plan and assign the work of lower-level staff members and volunteers engaged in providing life enrichment services.

Ability to assess individual patient needs, design activity plans which address those needs, and coordinate efforts with medical, social, and other care.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, representatives of social, community and other organizations, and residents including securing their participation in life enrichment activities.

Ability to operate a computer to enter information into established programs and produce finished copy.

Ability to maintain records of activities and prepare reports of same.

Ability to read, write, speak, understand and communicate in English to perform the duties of this position.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT

Telephone, personal computer (including word processing and spreadsheet software), writing implements, life enrichment equipment, hammer, screwdriver, pliers, video equipment, VCR, large screen television, CD player, iPad, DVD player, van and/or bus, stove, microwave, electric frying pan, vacuum cleaner, blender, glue gun, scissors, sewing machine, and other related equipment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, sit, talk or hear.

The employee must occasionally support and/or maneuver heavy patients of limited physical capacity.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee will work in resident care and therapy room environments.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately loud in resident care areas and in therapy sessions.

SELECTION GUIDELINES

Formal application, rating of education and experience, interview, and reference check as well as job related tests may be required.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

FLSA STATUS: FLSA NON-EXEMPT (ELIGIBLE FOR OVERTIME)

DESIGNATION: CAREER SERVICE

PAY GRADE: GU-09

UNION STATUS: AFSCME GRACEDALE

Updated July 2025

Full-time employees of the County of Northampton are afforded a package of benefits which includes the following:

Medical Insurance

Vision and Prescription

Dental

Life Insurance

Retirement

I. Medical Insurance

Coverage begins for the employee the first of the month following full-time employment for employees and their eligible dependents. Cost to the employee to participate in the plans varies by the coverage selection and number of dependents; and may be subject to collective bargaining, if a union member. The employee may also elect to opt out of the Countys medical insurance if proof of coverage through the spouses employer is provided. Under this arrangement, the employee is provided with an annual $1,500.00 opt out payment.

II. Vision and Prescription

Coverage begins for the employee the first of the month following full-time employment for employees and their eligible dependents. Copayments may vary, subject to collective bargaining, if a union member. Coverage under the vision plan varies and depends upon the employees choice of doctor and frame selection.

III. Dental Coverage

Coverage begins for the employee the first of the month following full-time employment for employees and their eligible dependents. Copayments may vary, subject to collective bargaining, if a union member.

IV. Life Insurance

A life insurance policy is afforded to full-time employees beginning on the first day of employment, unless specified differently in a collective bargaining agreement. It remains in effect as long as the employee is actively employed and terminates upon resignation or retirement. $20,000 is afforded to all eligible employees.

V. Retirement

All full-time employees and part-time employees working more than 1000 hours per year qualify for County of Northampton retirement benefits, in which employees must contribute 5% of their earnings, and employees may choose to add additional voluntary contributions, not to exceed an additional 10%. Additionally, employees may participate in an optional deferred compensation plan [457(b)] which may provide present tax advantages and future retirement savings. Such arrangements are made directly with the providers and the County will administer payroll deductions only.

01

Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as a part of the applicant screening and selection process. The information you provide will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. Do you agree to answer each supplemental question truthfully and that your responses can be verified from information included within the application?

• Yes
• No

02

Current Northampton County employees MUST detail ALL County work experience on their application. Failure to include correct work history and employment dates will result in the rejection of your application. If you need assistance with this information, please reach out to the Human Resources department BEFORE submitting your application. Please select "yes" to confirm your understanding of this requirement. If you are not a current County employee, please select "no".

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have an Associates degree in Occupational Therapy, or an alternative degree with major course work in the field of recreation or occupational therapy? If yes, you MUST attach a copy of your transcript to your application. Unofficial copies will be accepted. Failure to attach your transcript may result in the rejection of your application. If you encounter difficulties in uploading your transcript, please reach out to Human Resources BEFORE the posting close date.

• Yes
• No

04

Do you possess an Activity Professional Certification such as Activity Directors Certification (ADC) or Activity Professional Certified (APC)? If yes, please attach a copy of this certification to your application. Failure to do so may result in the rejection of your application. If you encounter difficulties in uploading this documentation, please reach out to Human Resources BEFORE the posting close date.

• Yes
• No

05

Do you have at least one (1) year of full-time, professional work experience providing life enrichment services in a long term patient care facility? If yes, your Work History section must reflect this experience to qualify.

• Yes
• No

06

Do you possess a valid and current drivers license with an acceptable driving record?

• Yes
• No

07

Did you learn about this position through a current Gracedale employee referral?

• Yes
• No

08

If you answered yes to the previous question, please provide the name of the Gracedale employee who provided the referral.

09

Provide three (3) references in the space below - you may include personal and/or professional references. Please include name, telephone number(s) and indicate if it is a personal or professional reference.

Required Question

Employer Northampton County

Address Human Resources Department

669 Washington Street

Easton, Pennsylvania, 18042

Phone 610-829-6382

Website http://www.norcopa.gov