Position Summary:

Under the direction and supervision of a Registered Occupational Therapist (OTR),the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) assists in supplementing, enhancing, and extending occupational therapy services by completing a variety of tasks such as, but not limited to, activities designed by OTR to assist with assessment, intervention, treatment and activities to enhance motor, sensory, self-regulatory, feeding and other functional abilities.

COTA Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assists OTR with screenings, assessments and occupational therapy services
• Follows and implements documented IEP plans or protocols
• Documents student progress toward meeting established objectives and reports the information to the OTR
• Assists the OTR during assessments with formal documentation, preparing materials, and performing clerical duties; prepares therapy materials and/or equipment for use in the classroom and therapy activities
• Assists in organizing classroom activities such as displaying educational materials, arranging furniture to facilitate instructional requirements, and creates an orderly and clean learning environment
• May implement behavior management programs for students as designed by certified staff, observes and reports significant student behavior, behavioral patterns, and/or other problems to the OTR.

Note: The COTA is NOT able to conduct assessments/evaluations, initiate treatments, interpret data, alter IEP plans or perform any task without the express knowledge/approval of the supervising OTR. The COTA is able to administer assessments with OTR approval but is NOT able to interpret the results.

Requirements

COTA Education and Experience:

Associate degree in and/or graduation from a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant certificate program, OR Bachelors degree in Occupational Therapy with a minimum of 70 hours field work/clinical experience from a Board-approved program .Must have demonstrated competence in effective communication required; experience in a school setting preferred.

Licenses and Certificates:

Current certification by Occupational Therapy as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) at the time of appointment and must maintain current certification throughout employment in this classification.

Knowledge of:

• Occupational therapy equipment, materials, procedures;
• Normal child development;
• Physical and mental disorders that can affect pediatric occupational performance;
• Student behavior management techniques and strategies;
• A variety of screening tools, protocols, and forms of documentation;
• Effective and tactful communication in both oral and written forms to ensure successful interaction with parents, students, supervisor, school staff, and community agency representatives;
• Modification and differentiation of lessons to meet students’ needs and progress(with guidance from OTR);
• Development and monitoring of carry over activities with classroom teacher and home;
• Development and implementation of creative, appropriate lessons/materials to ensure progress towards student IEP goals;
• Development of schedules for student services that meet IEP requirements.

Benefits

Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)

Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)

Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)

Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)

Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)

Short Term & Long Term Disability

Training & Development