Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA)

Occupational Therapist Assistant (OTA)

The job of Occupational Therapist Assistant (OTA) is done for the purpose of assessing students' functional development level, providing appropriate treatment to meet individual student objectives, and providing recommendations for program development and student placement under the supervision of an Occupational Therapist. This job reports to Director of Exceptional Student Services.

Essential Functions:

• Adapts equipment for providing optimal positioning and increased independence for special education students.
• Assists Occupational Therapist in the completion of their work activities.
• Assists with assessing students' fine motor and development skills.
• Attends meetings and workshops to convey and/or receive information.
• Consults with various professionals and families to provide requested information and develop plans.
• Implements therapeutic activities as directed by an Occupational Therapist.
• Maintains files and records to document activities and ensure compliance.
• Maintains treatment equipment and supplies.
• Performs site visits including home visits for providing therapy and assistance.
• Prepares written materials to document activities and convey information.
• Presents information to communicate data and gain feedback.
• Provides direct occupational therapy services to students according to IEP goals.
• Provides training and instruction to teachers on the use of assistive devices.
• Reports incidents and observations to maintain student safety and adhere to policies.
• Transports items required for therapy sessions.
• Troubleshoots problems with assistive devices.

Other Functions:

• Performs other related duties as assigned.
• Provides home visits and/or summer therapy services.
• Researches resources and methods for addressing students' functional goals.

Job Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications:

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

• Adhering to safety practices
• Applying assessment instruments
• Operating equipment used in occupational therapy
• Operating standard office equipment including software applications
• Preparing and maintaining accurate records
• Basic math skills
• Reading technical information
• Solving practical problems
• Student behavior management skills
• Adaptive equipment knowledge
• Occupational therapy models, practices and theories
• Health standards and hazards knowledge
• Job-related codes/laws/rules/regulations/policies knowledge
• Knowledge of community resources
• Recordkeeping and record retention practices
• Stages of child development knowledge
• Educationally based treatment modalities knowledge
• Scheduling activities
• Data gathering and classification
• Job-related equipment operation
• Flexibility to work with others and in various circumstances
• Problem solving with data and equipment
• Attention to detail
• Communication with diverse groups
• Maintaining confidentiality
• Teamwork
• Tact and courtesy
• Empathy and nonjudgmentalism
• Establishing and maintaining effective relationships
• Mechanical aptitude
• Working with interruptions
• Effective communication skills

Responsibilities:

• Working under direct supervision using standardized procedures
• Leading, guiding, and coordinating others
• Operating within a defined budget

Working Environment:

• Significant lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling
• Climbing and balancing
• Frequent stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling
• Fine finger dexterity
• Sitting, walking, and standing
• Temperature extremes and risk of injury and/or illness

Experience:

• Job related experience required
• Community college and/or vocational school degree with study in job-related area

Equivalency:

• Certificates Continuing Educ./Training
• Valid OTA license
• Continuing Education Requirements
• Valid Driver's License & Evidence of Insurability
• Maintains Certificates and/or Licenses
• Clearances: Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance

FLSA Status: Non Exempt

Approval Date: May 12, 2014