Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)

About Spring Lake Park Schools Welcome to Spring Lake Park Schools! We are a vibrant school community serving about 6,200 students from the suburbs of Blaine, Fridley and Spring Lake Park, in the northern Minneapolis‑St. Paul metropolitan area. Our district purpose – "High expectations, high achievement for all. No excuses" provides our focus to meet the unique and varied needs of each student. Spring Lake Park Schools is recognized for its commitment to personalized learning, creating a culture of innovation and creativity through human‑centered design thinking. We are working to develop a system and culture with a methodology and set of processes where teachers and staff have the freedom, flexibility and invitation to design new ways of learning centered around deepening student engagement and continuously improving student success. Position Overview The successful candidate will be an individual who firmly believes that all students can and will learn, and that their learning can be directly influenced by focusing on factors over which we have control; is ready to work interdependently with teachers, school, and district leaders throughout the system, aligning the work of adults around improving student learning by meeting the needs, interests, and aspirations of students; intends to work in partnership with staff to continuously improve practices to enhance student and family engagement, creating the conditions for equity, excellence, and student success; and is committed to personalizing learning for students, meeting academic, social, and emotional needs and aspirations so that each student feels valued and has a sense of belonging, leading to academic success. General Responsibilities Screen and/or evaluate students referred to occupational therapy in the areas of fine motor coordination, postural adjustments, perceptual motor control, sensory integration, activities of daily living, and pathological responses related to academic functioning. Consult with teachers and parents regarding appropriate motor activities, self‑help skills, and special equipment/assistive devices. Maintain close communication with classroom teachers, other staff members, and parents concerning student performance. Maintain accurate records of students evaluated and served in the occupational therapy program, including assessment results, therapy progress, and reports. Participate in designated team meetings, Individual Education Plan (IEP) conferences, and periodic reviews to assess programming and reevaluation decisions. Schedule occupational therapy evaluation and treatment times and locations with teachers and building administration. Knowledge and Skills Communicate clearly and concisely, in both oral and written form. Read and interpret documents such as professional assessment and program manuals. Make decisions regarding eligibility for and dismissal from special education services. Score and interpret scores on standardized tests. Schedule efficiently across multiple sites. Apply occupational therapy knowledge to students in an educational setting, effectively and efficiently meeting their individual needs. Function independently and as a member of a professional team. Provide consultation services to teachers, paraprofessionals, and parents to effectively serve students in need of educationally‑based occupational therapy. Handle and manipulate specialized equipment and demonstrate use to students, as needed. Perform work wherever required by students and parents, including schools, offices, and residences. Use typical office productivity software and applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Schoology, Infinite Campus, etc.). Qualifications Associate's Degree from an ACOTE approved school. Licensed as an Occupational Therapy Assistant in the U.S. Exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, or up to 10 pounds of force, or negligible force constantly, to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Wage and Benefits Rate of Pay – RN: $29.75/hr Medical, Dental, Sick Leave, 403(b), Life, LTD, FSA. How to Apply Individuals who wish to be considered for this position must apply online at Qualified and appropriately licensed individuals will be considered for an interview. Please contact our Management Assistant for Student Services, Cyndi Steinke, at View email address on click.appcast.io or View phone number on click.appcast.io with inquiries. EEO Statement Spring Lake Park Schools is an equal opportunity employer and will not deny anyone the opportunity for employment because of sex, race, religion, color, creed, national origin, marital status, age, sexual preference, disability, or status with regard to public assistance. #J-18808-Ljbffr