Cara Wales
Jacksonville,FL
Summary
Occupational therapy professional focused on functional daily living support, patient progress monitoring, and home-based follow-up care. Delivers assessment-based treatment, DME and caregiver education, collaborative care coordination, and accurate home health documentation to support safe outcomes across settings.
Overview
1
1
Certification
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
COTA-L
Ascension Home Health
Jacksonville, Florida
02.2025 - Current
- Provided home health occupational therapy services under Ascension care plans.
- Instructed patients in adaptive methods for dressing, bathing, and transfers to enhance daily living skills.
- Facilitated discharge planning and coordinated follow-up therapy services to ensure continuity of care.
- Created personalized home exercise programs to address individual patient needs and promote recovery.
- Worked with nurses, therapists, and families to support care plans.
- Instructed caregivers on support routines and equipment use.
- Participated in case conferences and staffings with other healthcare professionals to discuss patient progress and plan for future treatments.
- Maintained detailed treatment notes to support ongoing patient care and facilitate communication among healthcare providers. in home health documentation.
COTA-L
Select Medical
Fleming Island, Florida
04.2024 - 02.2025
- Provided home health occupational therapy aligned with Select Medical care plans to enhance patient recovery.
- Facilitated communication and collaboration among nurses, therapists, and families to ensure comprehensive patient care.
- Designed home exercise programs based on each patient's specific needs.
- Taught adaptive techniques for dressing, bathing, and transfers.
- Provided instruction in compensatory strategies designed to improve performance in daily living tasks.
- Maintained detailed treatment notes in home health records to support continuity of care.
COTA PRN
Dolphin Pointe Healthcare Center
11.2021 - 01.2023
- Executed daily assessments of patient progress on activities of daily living (ADLs), educated patients and caregivers, instructed on durable medical equipment (DME), and enhanced strengthening, cardiovascular endurance, and fine and gross motor skills while maintaining thorough documentation for daily, weekly, and discharge summaries.
- Guided residents through daily living exercises and functional mobility activities.
- Assisted occupational therapists with resident treatment plans at Dolphin Pointe Healthcare Center.
- Documented therapy sessions and resident progress in medical records.
COTA
Texas Rehabilitation Hospital
Arlington, TX
04.2015 - 03.2021
- Implemented occupational therapy treatment plans under supervision of licensed occupational therapists.
- Supported inpatient rehabilitation patients at Texas Rehabilitation Hospital with daily therapy activities.
- Assisted patients with self-care training, mobility tasks, and adaptive equipment use.
- Educated patients and caregivers on treatment plans to enhance adherence and health outcomes.
Education
Associates - Occupational Therapy
Keiser University
Jacksonville, FL06-2012
Skills
- ADL training
- Home health documentation
- Home exercise planning
- Patient assessment
- Cognitive Rehabilitation
- Patient Safety Training
- Clinical communication
- Communication
- Team collaboration
- Computer Skills
Certification
- CPR/BLS
Timeline
COTA-L
Ascension Home Health
02.2025 - Current
COTA-L
Select Medical
04.2024 - 02.2025
COTA PRN
Dolphin Pointe Healthcare Center
11.2021 - 01.2023
COTA
Texas Rehabilitation Hospital
04.2015 - 03.2021
Associates - Occupational Therapy
Keiser University