Position: Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)
Reports to: Director of Clinical Programming
Status: Full Time
Job Summary: Occupational therapists lead the process in development, implementation, and coordination of the occupational therapy program. Under the supervision and guidance of the Director of Clinical Programming and the Occupational Therapists, the job of Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) is to provide occupational therapy services to students identified with disabilities that interfere with their ability to perform or participate in daily life activities. The COTA will collaborate with Occupational Therapists and follow through with continuous, ongoing assessment and therapy programs designed to increase functional independence and promote success in the school setting. Additionally, the COTA will specifically address Individual Education Program (IEP) goals and develop programs and techniques to reach those goals under the direction of an Occupational Therapist. Independent judgment is required to observe changes in student progress and to analyze and report data to the Occupational Therapist.
Certifications and Qualifications:
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant License as set forth by the Occupational Therapy
Licensing Board in the state of Pennsylvania
Current (dated within a year) Act 34, 114, and 151 clearances
Essential Duties and Competencies Required:
● Knowledge of occupational therapy theories, models of practice, principles, and evidence based practice.
● Ability to articulate the role of occupational therapy in the evaluation, intervention planning, and intervention process.
● Ability to analyze tasks relative to areas of occupation, performance skills, activity demands, contexts, and student factors to implement the intervention plan.
● Ability to recognize occupational performance deficits in the areas of personal care, student role/interactive skills, sensory processing skills and needs, play, community integration, and written communication.
● Ability to complete a thorough evaluation, including muscle tone, range of motion/mobility, orthopedic needs, movement analysis, perceptive/fine motor skills, sensory motor processing and functional activities of daily living.
● Implements therapy programs and IEP goals and objectives with individual students and/or groups of students under the direction of an Occupational Therapist
● Assists the Occupational Therapist in instructing other staff members in therapy related activities: positioning, using / attaching adaptive equipment, etc.
● Consults / communicates with the Occupational Therapist, classroom teacher, other support staff as needed to exchange information regarding student needs, and to coordinate the delivery of services to students.
● Maintains written records of frequency and duration of individual student activities and progress notes.
● Skilled in gathering screening and evaluation data, completing checklists, histories, and interviews.
● Ability to select, adapt, and sequence relevant occupations and purposeful activities that support intervention goals.
● A strong understanding and demonstrated commitment to ASUA’s philosophy of a collaborative approach to academic, behavioral, and clinical programming rooted in supportive and caring delivery of services and trauma-informed care.
● Skill in effective oral and written communication.
● Ability to maintain safe environments, equipment, and materials.
● Willingness to be educated and trained for specific program implementation.
● If full-time occupational therapy sessions are unavailable, the COTA will act as an
Instructional Assistant (IA) during non-OT service hours, following the IA job description.
● Initiative, strong work ethic, and the ability to positively interact and collaborate in a team environment.
● Educate and demonstrate (verbally or written) therapy techniques to parents that can be incorporated into the home.
● Attend staff meetings, in-service training, and continuing education courses as appropriate or required.
● Maintain professional clinical competency by attending certified CEU in-services and workshops.
● Travel between campuses as needed and directed.
● Duties can be performed in the building, community, or in other off-campus locations.
Additional Duties and Responsibilities:
● To read and abide by the Employee Handbook including updates and changes.
● To attend all mandatory meetings, including those that fall outside of regularly scheduled school hours and as described in the Employee Handbook.
● This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. The COTA will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other related duties as assigned by the Head of School, Associate Head of School, Chief
Academic Officer, Director of Clinical Programming, Director of Behavioral Programming, or other appropriate administrator.
Physical Requirements:
Moderate to high degree of physical stamina, with frequent lifting of up to 10 pounds and the possibility of lifting up to 50 pounds required in the physical assistance of students with special needs. Ability to move freely to various locations within the classroom and other supervisory settings (cafeteria/playground, transportation vehicles, worksites). Frequent standing, walking, sitting, and bending. Exposure to noise and activity of a school setting. Exposure to outdoor weather conditions. May involve exposure to communicable diseases and other adverse conditions.
Safety and Health:
Knowledge of universal hygiene precautions.
Equipment/Material Handled:
The COTA shall be assigned a variety of evaluation and consulting materials which are to be appropriately stored and accounted for. All media resources and borrowed material are to be judiciously used, and are to be maintained in a reasonably unsoiled and non- damaged fashion. Must know how to properly operate or be willing to learn to operate all multimedia equipment including current technology.
Work Environment:
The COTA shall be assigned office and/or therapy space (building or virtual), amenable to individual and group therapy sessions. When working with individual students or groups of students (or staff) a reasonably clean and distraction-free area is to be maintained in accordance with their supervisor. It shall be the duty of the COTA to maintain a travel schedule from one location to another, and to provide timely notices when published schedules cannot be maintained. Must be able to work within various degrees of noise, temperature, and air quality. Interruptions of work are routine. Flexibility and patience are required. Must be self-motivated and able to complete job assignments without direct supervision. Job responsibilities include both inside and outside assignments. Must be able to work under stressful conditions.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From $50,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Vision insurance
Medical Specialty:
License/Certification:
- Occupational Therapy Assistant certification (Required)
Work Location: In person
