Job Title: SCHOOL-BASED CERTIFIED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT (COTA)
Supervised by/Reports to: Supervising Occupational Therapist, Director of Special Education
FLSA Status: Exempt
Job Goals: The primary purpose of this school-based Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant position is to provide therapeutic treatment of students in a school setting with the goal of helping them reach their maximum performance potential within an educational model of practice. The COTA provides unique therapeutic services to enhance the goals and objectives of eligible students and is primarily responsible for implementing the therapeutic program prescribed by the occupational therapist.
Qualifications:
- Graduate from an ACOTE Accredited School and pass the National Certification Exam (NBCOT) Exam.
- Valid Alabama Licensure as a COTA from the Alabama State Board of Occupational Therapy.
- Ability to read, write and communicate in English to understand directions and communicate with students.
- Ability to utilize and navigate computer applications for documentation and data tracking.
- Ability to drive between assigned schools.
- Experience working with students with special needs is preferred.
- Ability to physically move about the building.
- Ability to lift and position students (30-80 pounds) if assigned to a classroom with such requirements.
- Ability to make decisions with minimal supervision in accordance with established procedures.
- Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
Ability to participate in school-district required trainings and professional development activities.
Performance Responsibilities and Essential Functions :
- Understand rules and regulations regarding occupational therapy as a related service in school-based practice
- Knowledge of IDEIA and the IEP process
- Understanding of and ability to follow FERPA student confidentiality policies
- Ability to plan and implement effective intervention strategies
- Promote independence in activities of daily living that impact access to school milieu and academic curriculum through problem-solving, recommending adaptations and observation of the student.
- Observe, problem-solve and suggest positioning techniques and/or adaptive equipment or assistive technology to enhance educational participation and maximize function.
- Consult and assist classroom staff through gathering and sharing information at team meetings when requested.
- Discuss and exchange information about the students assigned with the occupational therapist.
- Utilize task analysis to suggest techniques to the educational team with regard to feeding, activities of daily living, pre-writing, pre-cutting, and other skills needed for access to academic curriculum and environment.
- Implement the individualized/small group therapeutic program prescribed by the occupational therapist based on goals and objectives.
- Collaborate with the IEP team in order to share information and expertise to plan and implement effective student programs.
- Collaborate with supervising occupational therapist and school personnel to develop an efficient schedule.
- Assist occupational therapist in determining extent to which goals and objectives are being met by collecting and maintaining data on individual student goals.
- Assist therapist in formulating new goals based on data analysis.
General Responsibilities :
- Assume appropriate roles as adult role model, behavior manager and educator.
- Continue professional growth.
- Assume other duties and special projects as assigned.
- Support and adhere to Limestone County Schools policies and procedures
- Adhere to Alabama State Board of Occupational Therapy and American Occupational Therapy Association Code of Ethics.
Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk and use hands to finger, to handle, or feel objects, equipment, or controls. The employee frequently is required to talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms, climb stairs, bend, stoop, squat, and crouch and kneel. The employee must occasionally lift, push, pull, carry and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include near vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
Salary: Salary to be established by The Limestone County School’s District Salary Schedule.
Terms of Employment: 187 days
AEA Approved: 6/13/2023
Board Approved: 6/13/2023
The statements included in this description are not intended to be representative of the duties and responsibilities of this job. They are not to be interpreted as being all-inclusive. The employee may be assigned other duties that are not specifically included in this job description.
LIMESTONE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
