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Pediatric Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)
About Us
Playabilities for Sensational Kids is a dynamic, multi-disciplinary pediatric clinic specializing in occupational, physical, and speech therapy. We provide personalized, innovative, and client-centered therapy services to children with neurodevelopmental disabilities, including developmental delays, autism, and sensory processing disorders. Through engaging, play-based therapy, our team fosters growth, confidence, and independence, ensuring that every child receives the support they need to thrive.
At Playabilities, we believe in doing better—for children, families, and the future of therapy. Our journey began with a simple but powerful idea: to break down the barriers that prevent children from receiving the services they need and deserve. We are committed to creating a world where therapy isn’t limited by funding or structure but driven by possibility and passion.
Our team at Playabilities doesn’t just provide therapy—we build a movement that redefines what pediatric therapy can be. Our work is guided by five core values that shape our culture and mission, and every day, our team brings these values to life:
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Passionate About Making a Difference – We are energized through serving others. Every action we take is driven by our commitment to improving the lives of children and families.
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Learn and Innovate – We strive for personal and professional growth to continuously better serve our company and community. We embrace change and new ideas.
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Do the Right Thing – We prioritize relationships and make all decisions, especially people decisions, with integrity. Trust is at the heart of everything we do.
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We Build a Village – Connection is the foundation of our services. We create meaningful relationships, ensuring families and professionals feel supported every step of the way.
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Share Joy and Have Fun – Therapy should be empowering and joyful. We help families achieve and maintain “joie de vivre”—the joy of life—through our work.
Your Role
At Playabilities, we are seeking a Pediatric Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to help bring our mission to life through play-based, client-centered therapy. In this role, you’ll partner closely with your supervising Occupational Therapist (OTR/L) to implement individualized treatment plans that foster skill development, independence, and confidence for each child you serve.
You will help children develop the foundational skills they need to thrive in everyday life—building independence in areas such as fine motor coordination, sensory processing, emotional regulation, and self-care. Whether you’re adapting tasks to fit a child’s unique strengths or introducing creative strategies to promote success, your expertise and care will make a lasting impact. Every day, you’ll play a vital part in shaping brighter futures and expanding the reach of our mission in the lives of children and their families.
What You'll Bring
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Experience and Expertise: With 2+ years (preferred) of experience as an Occupational Therapy Assistant, you’ve developed a solid understanding of how to create positive, lasting impacts through therapy. Experience in a pediatric setting is a plus but not a requirement; your general therapy expertise, ability to connect with clients, and dedication to making a difference are what matter most. New graduates with strong clinical practicum experience are welcome to apply.
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Strong Qualifications: You hold an associate's degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited university and are licensed as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA/L) in Kansas. You are also certified in Basic Life Support (BLS), ensuring you're prepared to respond effectively in emergency situations.
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Professional Liability Coverage: You carry a professional liability policy, ensuring both your protection and the protection of your clients as you provide therapy services.
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Collaborative Team Player: You thrive in a supportive, team-based environment and understand that collaboration enhances outcomes. You partner closely with your supervising Occupational Therapist, families, and interdisciplinary team members to provide holistic care that empowers children to grow and succeed.
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Strong Communication Skills: Your clear and compassionate communication allows you to build trust with families, caregivers, and team members. You ensure everyone is aligned on treatment goals and progress, and encourage an open and supportive environment. You use neuro-affirming language that respects individual experiences and strengths, helping create a space where all voices feel heard, valued, and understood.
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A Problem-Solver at Heart: You creatively adapt interventions to meet each child’s unique needs, using a neuro-affirming and play-based approach that keeps therapy engaging and effective.
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Commitment to Professional Growth: Driven by curiosity and a passion for learning, you actively seek opportunities to grow both personally and professionally. You stay open to new ideas and embrace innovative approaches that help children reach their goals in meaningful and creative ways
What We Offer
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A Mission You Can Believe In: At Playabilities, we are dedicated to transforming pediatric therapy and creating new possibilities for children with all abilities. Founded by visionary occupational therapist Kelly Reardon, our mission is deeply rooted in enriching the lives of children and families. Every day, you’ll have the opportunity to make a meaningful change alongside a passionate team that values innovation, collaboration, and exceptional care. Our goal is to lead pediatric therapy in the Midwest and become the clinic of choice for families, shaping the future of pediatric therapy, and making a lasting impression in children's lives.
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Growth Opportunities: Whether you're a student, just starting in your career, or bringing years of experience, we're dedicated to helping you grow and advance. We provide Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to ensure your skills stay current and refined, so you can continuously enhance your expertise. Our Clinical Ladders program offers a structured framework to support your progression, helping you evolve from foundational skills to mastery in specialized treatments. With mentorship, advancement scholarships, and opportunities to demonstrate your unique abilities, we’re here to support your journey and empower you to reach new heights in your career.
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A Village of Care & Collaboration: We are dedicated to being the best place to work for therapists, where collaboration across disciplines creates a vibrant and supportive community. At Playabilities, we’re seeking passionate individuals who thrive in a dynamic, collaborative setting and are eager to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families. Here, you’ll be part of a team that supports and empowers each other, cultivating an atmosphere where every contribution is valued and celebrated.
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Competitive Compensation: We value the hard work and dedication of our team, and we demonstrate it through a guaranteed base salary, along with monthly and yearly performance-based bonuses. Your contributions will be recognized and rewarded, all while spreading joy every day.
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Premium Benefits: We offer a comprehensive benefits package to support your health and well-being. Full-time employees enjoy health, dental, vision and life insurance, along with employer-paid-short-term disability. The package includes competitive paid time off (PTO), 8 paid holidays per year, and a 401(k) plan to support your long-term financial goals. You'll receive an annual stipend for licensure fees, approved continuing education units (CEUs), or certifications. We even provide Personal & Community Enrichment (PCE) time—empowering you to extend your impact and nurture positive change beyond Playabilities. The best part? Your benefits begin on the first day of the month following your hire date!
Additional Details
Availability:
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Choose your own schedule!
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40 hours per week
- 6 after-school hours requirement from 4-7 PM
Physical Demands:
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Lifting: Occasionally lift or move up to 30 pounds.
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Mobility: Sit or stand for long periods, walk, bend, and reach to interact with clients, set up therapy spaces, or move between rooms.
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Technology: Ability to use multiple computer components to track progress and maximize productivity.
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Manual Tasks: Utilize hands for documentation and therapy tools (e.g., stress balls, charts).
Occasional Physical Assistance:
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Assisting Clients: Light physical support may be required (e.g., guiding clients to a chair).
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Therapy Tools: Set up or adjust therapy aids such as sensory equipment, chairs, and visual aids.
Sensory Demands:
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Hearing: Actively listen to clients, picking up on tone, inflection, and non-verbal cues.
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Vision: Observe client behavior, interpret body language, and review written and electronic documentation.
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Speech: Clear and effective verbal communication with clients, families, and team members.
Client Interaction Requirements:
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Emotional Engagement: Maintain professionalism in emotionally charged situations or when clients are in distress.
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Physical Proximity: Comfortable working closely with clients and maintaining appropriate physical boundaries.
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De-escalation Skills: Use verbal techniques to calm clients in crisis, maintaining a calm and compassionate demeanor.
Cognitive and Emotional Demands:
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Concentration: Maintain sustained focus during therapy and while documenting case notes.
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Emotional Resilience: Manage emotional responses when dealing with sensitive client situations.
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Conflict Resolution: Ability to mediate disagreements and navigate difficult client dynamics with understanding and professionalism.
Work Environment Considerations:
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Ability to work in various settings such as office, clinic, remote (if applicable), or community locations.
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Adaptability to emotionally charged environments, ensuring client needs are met across different settings.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement
Playabilities for Sensational Kids is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against based on disability.
If you're ready to bring your expertise to a mission-driven team and take your career to the next level, we’d love to have you join our dedicated team.
Apply today and become a part of something bigger!
