Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)

Provides occupational therapy services under the direction and supervision of an Occupational Therapist. Essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following tasks, duties, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. This list is illustrative only and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents in this class. Essential duties and responsibilities generally include the following:

• Participates in pre-referral activities through informal observation, staff in-services, and sharing of evidence-based resources.
• Supports the referral process for occupational therapy services by collecting, summarizing and preparing screening data.
• Contributes to the occupational therapy assessment process by administering standardized screening instruments and/or testing as directed.
• Contributes to the development of the student's present level of academic and functional performance and attends IEPs.
• Contributes to the development of appropriate goals, objectives and/or benchmarks.
• Develops educationally relevant, data-driven therapeutic activities or strategies that can be supported in the classroom setting.
• Monitors student's response to occupational therapy intervention plan and therapeutic activities or strategies.
• Collects and reports data regarding progress towards goals, objectives and/or benchmarks.
• Contributes to the review and revision of existing occupational therapy intervention plans.
• Maintains documentation including: direct, integrated and consultative therapy services; 504 services; records of OT/COTA supervision; Medicaid billing; organization of student records/files; student work samples; tracking communication with parents, students and educational staff.
• Develops and revises work schedule to meet the unique and dynamic needs of students and staff.
• Serves as a resource to teachers, parents and educational staff to problem-solve and create therapeutic strategies to enhance environmental access and learning participation for all students.
• Orders, adapts, fabricates and maintains student and general therapeutic equipment.
• Demonstrates flexibility, effective writing and speaking skills, organization, time management and ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary team members.
• Performs other duties as assigned or required.

Knowledge and skills include:

• Knowledge of the educational system and its critical components, including federal, state, county and city statutes, rules, regulations, ordinances and PUSD policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of rules and regulations of state licensure, including ethical and legal responsibilities that apply to occupational therapy practitioners in the educational setting.
• Knowledge of the principles of occupational therapy assessment, service provision and therapeutic methods and techniques.
• Skill in adapting and modifying school activities to support access and participation of students.
• Skill in data collection and data analysis.
• Skill in planning and implementing a variety of activities and support services.
• Skill in consensus decision-making and multidisciplinary collaboration.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relations with co-workers, vendors, students, parents, the general public and others having business with the school district.
• Knowledge in the care and maintenance of occupational therapy equipment and materials.
• Skill in operating a personal computer utilizing a variety of software applications.

Minimum qualifications:

• Must possess an Associate Degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant from an accredited program.
• Must possess initial certification from The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc.
• Must possess current state licensure issued through the State of Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners (ABOTE).

Other requirements:

• Must hold or obtain and IVP fingerprint clearance card and pass a background check.
• Must obtain and maintain a valid Arizona driver's license.
• May be required to lift and carry heavy, bulky supplies and materials weighing up to 25 pounds.
• May be required to work outside of normal working hours.
• May be required to travel to perform work functions.
• Experience working with children for a minimum of one (1) year preferred.