Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

Position Type:
SUPPORT STAFF/CERTIFIED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT

Date Posted:
12/12/2024

Location:
Lehigh County, Pennsylvania Position Definition: The person filling this position will provide occupational therapy treatments and therapy in accordance with the student's Individual Education Plan, assist in the development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions and activity programs, and document progress of treatment.

Relationship: The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) shall be directly responsible to the Supervisor of Special Education.

Qualifications:
Education/Experience:

• Valid certification of the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, required
• Valid PA Licensure as an Occupational Therapy Assistant, required
• Associate Degree from an accredited OTA program, required

Skills/Knowledge:

• Demonstrates advanced computer skills, including a thorough knowledge of Windows and the Microsoft Office Suite and proficient use of departmental Computer Software.
• Demonstrates the ability to work in a team environment.
• Demonstrates the ability to maintain complete confidentiality.
• Demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills, demonstrated by patience, understanding, and congeniality.
• Demonstrates excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrates the ability to organize, plan, and manage job responsibilities in order to complete assignments with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrates the ability to complete tasks with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Demonstrates the ability to make professional decisions.
• Demonstrates the ability to apply knowledge of occupational therapy treatments and activities.
• Demonstrates self-motivation as it relates to staying current with occupational therapy techniques and treatments.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the tools, techniques, and technology used for school-based therapy.
• Proficient in the use of tools and technology related to, but not limited to, occupational therapy.
• Demonstrates cultural sensitivity to a diverse student population and diverse stakeholders.
• Attends work regularly at assigned work hours subject to lawful leave rights and responsibilities.
• Demonstrates the skills to provide the highest level of customer service with patience and knowledge of the Department's services.

Physical:

• Ability to stand, bend, stoop, sit, lift, reach, and communicate (vision, hearing, and speech) to effectively carry out functions, duties, and responsibilities.
• Ability to independently ambulate in and around work areas.
• Ability to travel to and from assigned work locations without employer support.
• Ability to exhibit appropriate manual dexterity to effectively carry out functions, duties, and responsibilities.
• Ability to conduct a safety restraint protocol which requires:

a normal degree of flexibility;
the ability to stand, walk, run, and shuffle for at least several minutes;
the ability to kneel on one and two knees and then stand up;
the ability to bend the trunk at 45 degrees and twist to either side;
the ability to grasp firmly and raise hands above the head;
the ability to learn and correctly demonstrate multi-step physical skills

Authority: The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) will have the authority to perform all functions listed below in accordance with established policies and procedures.

Functions/Duties/Responsibilities: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function/duty/responsibility at acceptable standards. In accordance with both state and/or federal law, reasonable accommodations will be considered upon employee request.

Essential:

• Executes prescribed educational-based therapy recommendations and programs for students developed by the Occupational Therapist.
• Develops and implements research-based educationally relevant interventions.
• Reevaluates students annually in accordance with CLIU procedures.
• Participates in the development of the student's IEP or 504 Plan pertinent to occupational therapy.
• Attends IEP and other student mandated meetings.
• Follows the program established in the IEP or 504 Plan.
• Conducts educationally relevant individual and/or group occupational therapy sessions, in accordance with the Occupational Therapist treatment plan.
• Provides consultation to parents and/or teachers informally through phone or individual meetings or formally through workshops, parent program meetings, or in-service programs in conjunction with the OTR.
• Collaborates effectively with student IEP teams.
• Communicates and collaborates effectively with CLIU staff, district staff, and parents.
• Completes necessary documentation for medical ACCESS and school-based medical ACCESS within the timeframe required.
• Completes necessary documentation and reports relating to ongoing provision of therapy, including, but not limited to, monthly statistics, individual session notes, and progress summaries and data collection within deadline requirements.
• Maintains and stores current electronic files for each student.
• Follows work schedule as approved by the Supervisor of Special Programs and Services.
• Maintains ITT requirements for assigned caseload.
• Provides OTR with caseload updates throughout the school year for data verification.
• Provides supervisory shadowing for OTA students for field work placement as needed.

Secondary:

• Provides training to student, teacher, and parent/guardian in the proper use of device or equipment, as well as occupational therapy techniques.
• Assists in mentoring COTA students in clinical work experience.
• Provides supervision to OTA Fieldwork I and II students under the guidance of OTR/L.
• Participates in in-service training and continuing education experiences as deemed necessary by the Supervisor of Special Programs and Services.
• This Job Description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to perform other duties as assigned.