Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

JOB TITLE Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA)

PROGRAM AREA Center for Teaching and Learning/Related Services

SUPERVISION NEEDED FOR JOB
Duties will be performed under the general supervision of a Student Services Supervisor

QUALIFICATIONS

• Ohio Occupational Therapy Assistant Board License

• ODE license as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

• Prior experience in pediatrics preferred

JOB SUMMARY
A COTA provides occupational therapy services to students with disabilities ages 3-22 under the direction and supervision of a registered occupational therapist. These services include assisting with the intervention, progress monitoring and the documentation process. The COTA assists students in acquiring functional performance skills needed to participate in and benefit from the educational environment and help the student function independently.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS - Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Consult with the supervising therapist concerning implementation and status of therapy goals (feeding programs, positioning, equipment, etc.).Contribute to the progress reports and help collect data for IEP

• Assist students in the transfer of newly acquired skills to the classroom and home by working with students, their teachers, and parents in a supportive and collaborative manner.

• Participate as a team member in the transitioning of students into and out of educational and/or therapy programs.

• Acts as resource person for classroom teachers regarding strategies, adaptations, and resource materials.

• Assist in monitoring work and school environments for accessibility.

• Construct, modify, and maintain adaptive equipment for positioning, ADL, vocational, and classroom use.

• Assist with ensuring the proper and safe use of equipment, making certain equipment is constructed properly and maintained in good working order.

• Assist in developing awareness of individual student needs and assist the occupational therapist in monitoring these needs.

• Assist with instructing the educational staff concerning the use of adaptive equipment, positioning programs, and integration of therapy goals into classroom and academic activities to enhance function.

• Assure that proper positioning and handling techniques are carried out correctly across all environments.

• Maintain accurate and complete student records; prepare and submit all required reports

• Assist with maintaining an inventory list of equipment; accountable for proper care and use of therapy equipment

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

• Participate in IEP meetings upon request

• Participates in school IAT meetings upon request

• Cooperate with appropriate community agencies, resources, and facilities concerned with students with disabilities

• Refer students who require specialized technologies to appropriate resources and community agencies

• Seek opportunities to improve skills and grow professionally; attend all required meetings and in-services

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

• Knowledge of the Ohio Operating Standards for the Education of Children with Disabilities

• Knowledge of FERPA and HIPPA

• Knowledge of Ohio rules and regulations regarding occupational therapy as both a program and related service option

• Knowledge of IDEA and the IEP process

• Knowledge of effective intervention strategies

• Knowledge of effective classroom management techniques

• Ability to use technology as both a productivity tool and as a method of communication; proficient in computer applications (e.g. Microsoft Office, Google Docs)

• Ability to maintain accurate student records

• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing

• Ability to maintain confidentiality

• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with students, co-workers, administrators, and public

• Ability to work with teachers and students to demonstrate ways of supporting students in the regular classroom

• Ability to work with students in a variety of non-traditional treatment settings

• Ability to work and communicate effectively with students who have various cognitive and physical limitations

• Ability to work with team to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate program progress and implement changes

PHYSICAL DEMANDS - While performing duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

• Stand for periods of time, move around the work site, move from one work site to another, sit at a desk

• Stoop, kneel or crouch to assist students

• Occasionally lift and/or move materials up to fifty pounds

• Communicate with internal and external stakeholders by talking and listening

• Operate a computer and other technology devices

• Read and analyze data (close visual acuity)
  WORK ENVIRONMENT•Noise level may escalate in group or event settings.

• May include exposure to disease and infections.

• Exposure to inclement weather when traveling from one work site to another

• May be required to deal with students with behavioral risks

• May require local/regional/statewide travel

• May also require attendance at meetings outside of regular work hours (e.g. early morning, evening).

• Involves stress as a result of the responsibility to ensure that laws, regulations and procedural rules are followed, the responsibility of dealing with individual student concerns and maintaining student discipline, and the demands of maintaining effective communication with other staff members, students and parents.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Remain free of any alcohol or nonprescribed controlled substance in the workplace throughout his/her employment at the ESC of Lake Erie West

• Complete a satisfactory background check

• Possess a valid driver's license or have transportation

• Review the ESC Staff Handbook as well as Board Policy to understand job expectations

• This job description is subject to change and in no manner states or implies that these are the only duties and responsibilities to be performed by the employee. The employee will be required to follow the instructions and perform duties required by the employee's supervisor and/or Superintendent.

PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONEvaluated by assigned Student Services Supervisor

FLSA STATUS EXEMPT - Full Time/Part-Time

CONTRACT

• Contingent upon availability of funding;

• Contract days determined by ESCLEW governing board;

• Other terms and conditions of employment as per the ESCLEW governing board policies and procedures or negotiated agreement

SALARYBased on salary schedule and/or commensurate with experience and education.