RITA Pena
Hampstead,NC
Summary
Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant with specialization in Geriatrics and Pediatrics. Proven leadership as a Rehabilitation Director, enhancing patient outcomes through innovative care strategies and effective interdisciplinary collaboration.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
COTA/L
Premier Rehabilitation and Nursing
Jacksonville, NC
12.2025 - Current
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop personalized care strategies, enhancing patient outcomes.
- Monitored patient progress and adjusted treatments to achieve optimal recovery results.
- Utilized adaptive equipment to facilitate independence in daily activities for patients.
- Provided individualized interventions to promote functional independence and optimize the quality of life.
- Educated patients and families on therapeutic techniques and daily living skills.
- Designed home exercise programs based on each patient's specific needs.
- Conducted therapeutic activities designed to improve patient well-being. such as exercises and sensory integration techniques.
- Instructed patients in the use of adaptive equipment.
- Provided instruction in compensatory strategies designed to improve performance in daily living tasks.
- Engaged families in treatment planning, ensuring alignment with patient care goals.
- Participated in case conferences and staffings with other healthcare professionals to discuss patient progress and plan for future treatments.
- Collaborated with other members of the interdisciplinary team to coordinate care plans.
- Coordinated transition planning from hospitalization or rehabilitation back into the community setting.
- Maintained accurate documentation of patient records and therapy sessions.
COTA/L Manager for 2 clinics
Creative Hands Occupational Therapy
Holly Ridge, North Carolina
07.2020 - 12.2025
- Provided outpatient pediatric occupational therapy to children aged 1-13 in clinic, homes, daycares, schools, and Camp Lejeune Military Base. Managed diverse caseload addressing various developmental disorders and behaviors. Targeted interventions for sensory integration, proprioception, vestibular input, tactile defensiveness, feeding, prewriting skills, attention to task, reflex integration, and gross and fine motor coordination.
- Supported patients in performing essential daily tasks to improve their independence.
- Implemented therapeutic exercises to support patient rehabilitation goals.
- Collaborated with occupational therapists on individualized treatment plans.
COTA/L
The Greens at Pinehurst
Pinehurst, North Carolina
12.2015 - 06.2019
- Treated patients in a skilled nursing facility for neurological, pulmonary, cardiac, and dementia conditions, enhancing their ability to perform ADLs and IADLs through adaptive equipment and targeted modalities.
- Delivered patient-centered care through individualized treatment plans.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to enhance patient rehabilitation outcomes.
- Assisted patients with daily living activities to promote independence and dignity.
Director of Rehabilitation
Quail Haven Village
Pinehurst, North Carolina
06.2004 - 12.2015
- Oversaw rehabilitation programs for diverse patient populations at a senior living community.
- Collaborated with healthcare teams to develop personalized treatment plans for residents.
- Trained and mentored rehabilitation staff to enhance service quality and team performance.
- Conducted interviews for new hires, performed job performance reviews, and provided training on Casamba computer program to enhance team capabilities. Developing therapist schedules, planning minutes for PPS, coordination for department caseload. Treating patients with various conditions while in Continuing Care Retirement Center. Direct daily contact with Social Worker, Admission Coordinator, business office for insurance verifications, MDS coordinator, Director of Nursing and Executive Director. Attending the following meetings: Led daily team stand-up meetings to discuss priorities and updates. Monthly marketing presentations within the community with the Marketing department. Developed systems for Dietary department to train staff on proper care practices for residents, ensuring compliance with care standards. Administrative Duties: Operational weekly reports, financial spreadsheets, presenting in-services to various departments in the facility Executed thorough chart audits to ensure compliance and accuracy, managed End of Month billing, and prepared quarterly reviews and reports for QA team. Traveled to perform companywide training on handheld documentation devices.
Interim Rehabilitation Director
Wesley Pines
Lumberton, NC
01.2011 - 01.2013
- Coordinated rehabilitation programs as Rehabilitation Director at Quail Haven Village in Pinehurst, NC.
- Led strategic initiatives to enhance resident care and community engagement.
- Collaborated with staff to develop and implement operational policies and procedures.
- Oversaw budget management, ensuring resource allocation aligned with company goals.
Education
Associate - Occupational Therapy Assistant
Rockland Community College
Suffern, New York11-1999
Bachelor's - Human Resources and Education
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia05-1985
Skills
Patient assessment
- Patient documentation
- Adaptive equipment
- Treatment planning
- Casamba
- Clinic Source
- Optima
- Net Health
- Software applications
Timeline
COTA/L
Premier Rehabilitation and Nursing
12.2025 - Current
COTA/L Manager for 2 clinics
Creative Hands Occupational Therapy
07.2020 - 12.2025
COTA/L
The Greens at Pinehurst
12.2015 - 06.2019
Interim Rehabilitation Director
Wesley Pines
01.2011 - 01.2013
Director of Rehabilitation
Quail Haven Village
06.2004 - 12.2015
Associate - Occupational Therapy Assistant
Rockland Community College
Bachelor's - Human Resources and Education
West Virginia University