Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA)

Student Services

 

Reports to: Director of Student Services

Schedule: Beginning with the 2024-2025 School Year

Salary: Per the FHEA Master Agreement Salary Schedule

 

Job Summary: The Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant is responsible for implementing intervention and therapy regarding students' fine and gross motor skills and functional abilities (e.g., perceptual-motor, hand functions, motor coordination, sensory development, muscle strength, etc.) under the direction of the Occupational Therapist.

 

Required Qualifications:

• Associates degree required, bachelor’s degree preferred
• Hold current and valid state required Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant license
• Experience in working in early childhood with children that have special needs, preferred
• Knowledge of current testing programs and mandated assessment tools
• Knowledge of effective intervention strategies
• Knowledge of IDEA and the IEP process
• Knowledge of current educational issues and best practices

 

Essential Job Functions:

• Ability to provide effective and efficient direct occupational therapy services to students according to IEP goals for the purpose of ensuring compliance with established practices and procedures. Complete comprehensive evaluations and develops student centered goals based on current data and assessment tools
• Ability to apply problem solving processes and creative thinking
• Ability to recognize student strengths and weaknesses in communication
• Ability to analyze and interpret assessment data
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Ability to interact well with young children and families with knowledge in child development.
• Ability to pass a criminal background check as required by School Safety Legislation
• Must have good organizational, problem solving and computer skills
• Possess a strong commitment to equity, social justice, and inclusion in all practices and position responsibilities
• Assist Occupational Therapist with assessing students' fine motor, and development skills (e.g., oral motor, sensory integration, motor planning, developmental function, activities of daily living, fine motor function postural tone, etc.) for the purpose of determining their deficits and developing recommendations
• Attend meetings and workshops (e.g., IEPs, training, team meetings, conferences, meetings with outside agencies, etc.) for the purpose of conveying and/or receiving information, including best practices for school OT delivery
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech therapists, teachers, educational assistants, families, etc. for the purpose of providing requested information, reviewing/revising students’ occupational therapy goals/objectives, developing plans for services and/or making recommendations to implement goals
• Implement therapeutic activities and instruct students, teachers, parents and other involved persons (e.g., positioning, adjusting special equipment, etc.) for the purpose of providing appropriate care to students and/or supporting the student’s IEP plan for use in the classroom
• Maintain files and/or records in cooperation with the Occupational Therapist (e.g., progress reports, activity logs, etc.) for the purpose of documenting activities and/or ensuring an up-to-date trail for compliance with various state, federal, and administrative regulations
• Maintain treatment equipment and supplies in clean and proper working condition for the purpose of implementing motor/therapy goals
• Prepare written materials (e.g., activity logs, progress notes, reports, memos, etc.) for the purpose of documenting activities, providing written reference, and/or conveying information
• Present information (e.g., student performance data, clinical feedback, etc.) for the purpose of communicating information, gaining feedback and ensuring adherence to established internal controls
• Troubleshoot problems with assistive devices (e.g., computer technology, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring that equipment is in proper working order and/or providing alternative strategies
• Willingness to be trained in and utilize CPI, CPR, and First Aid Strategies
• Consistent and reliable attendance
• Perform any other related duties as assigned

 

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, talk, hear (in a moderate or noisy environment). The employee must have the ability to work on the floor with students and move quickly should the need arise for safety reasons. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust/focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

 

Work Environment:

The noise level in the work environment is usually loud to moderate. Work may be performed indoors and/or outdoors. The employee is directly responsible for the safety, well-being and work output of students.

 

Mental Functions:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to compare, analyze, communicate both orally and in writing, copy, coordinate, instruct, compute, synthesize, evaluate, use interpersonal skills, compile and negotiate.

 

Benefits & Evaluation:
In accordance with the FHEA Master Agreement. 

 

Terms of Employment:

The employee shall remain free of any alcohol or non-prescribed controlled substance abuse in the workplace throughout his/her employment in the District.

 

 

The Forest Hills Public School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, or sexual orientation), marital status, disability, genetic information, or any other legally prohibited basis in its employment decisions or the provision of services.