Certified Orthopedic Therapist Assistant (COTA-Orthopedic Focus)

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Certified Orthopedic Therapist Assistant (COTA-Orthopedic Focus)

Location: State-Wide - MUST BE A COLORADO RESIDENT

(Grand Junction servicing Montrose Classical Academy in Montrose)

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Reports to: Director of Exceptional Student Services

Work Hours/Days: Part-time, Temporary. Full-Time or Part-Time based on student enrollment and special education service needs. Caseload expectations will be aligned with FTE assignment in accordance with state and federal special education guidelines.

Wage: $34.34-$48.08/per hour. Compensation will be prorated based on FTE assignment.

Benefits: Benefit eligibility is based on FTE status. Employees working 30 hours or greater per week are eligible for full benefits including health, dental, vision, 401k and paid leave. Employees working less than 30 hours per week will get paid sick leave.

We are a small non-profit organization based in Colorado, passionate about helping charter schools succeed. Our primary goal is to assist schools in optimizing their business, human resources and financial functions. We strongly believe that working collaboratively with schools and supporting their essential back-office functions can help them focus on their core mission of educating students. We understand that schools face many challenges, and our team is committed to helping them overcome these challenges by providing tailored solutions.

As an employee of Minga Education Group, you will be part of a small, passionate and dedicated team committed to making a positive impact on the education sector. You will have the opportunity to work with a diverse group of schools and make a meaningful contribution to their success. We are committed to providing a supportive and collaborative work environment that fosters growth and professional development.

Certified Orthopedic Therapist Assistant (COTA – Orthopedic Focus)Job Function

The Certified Orthopedic Therapist Assistant supports the delivery of inclusive, data‑driven mobility and access services by partnering with school leaders, Physical Therapists, special education teachers, paraprofessionals, and families to implement high‑quality, compliant orthopedic and functional movement interventions for qualifying students. This role strengthens MTSS/RTI frameworks, trauma‑informed practices, and SEL‑aligned participation supports by promoting safe, culturally responsive access to school environments. The COTA provides therapeutic intervention, consultation, and progress monitoring to address the orthopedic, motor, and functional needs of students with disabilities. Through collaborative teaming, targeted staff training, and inclusion‑focused problem‑solving, the COTA builds capacity in schools to improve mobility, safety, and engagement for students across settings, including those served through 504, Gifted, and Multi‑Lingual Learner supports. The COTA is a key contributor to multidisciplinary evaluation and IEP teams, with some remote consultation and documentation.

Core Responsibilities

Direct Student Support

• Implement orthopedic and functional mobility interventions as outlined in the PT's treatment plan.
• Facilitate strength, balance, endurance, motor‑planning, and functional movement activities aligned to IEP goals.
• Support students in safely accessing classrooms, playgrounds, buses, and other school environments.
• Reinforce strategies that promote independence, participation, and safe movement across routines.

Data Collection & Documentation

• Record accurate session notes, progress data, and observational information.
• Communicate student performance, safety concerns, and emerging needs to the supervising PT.
• Assist with preparing data summaries for IEP meetings and progress reporting.
• Maintain documentation that meets district, state, and federal requirements.

Collaboration & Consultation

• Partner with teachers, paraprofessionals, and families to generalize motor and mobility strategies across settings.
• Support training on safe lifting, transfers, positioning, and use of adaptive equipment.
• Participate in team‑based problem‑solving to reduce barriers to access, safety, and participation.
• Contribute to multidisciplinary evaluation and IEP teams within the assistant‑level scope.

Equipment & Environment

• Assist with fitting, maintenance, and safe use of adaptive and mobility equipment.
• Monitor student positioning, safety, and environmental access throughout the school day.
• Report equipment needs or concerns to the supervising PT for follow‑up.
• Support staff in maintaining safe, accessible learning environments.

Qualifications

• Completion of an accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant program or equivalent coursework.
• Associate's degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant studies or a related field.
• Current Colorado COTA license or eligibility to obtain it.
• Experience with pediatric, orthopedic, or school‑based populations preferred.
• Ability to follow treatment plans with fidelity and communicate effectively with multidisciplinary teams.
• Commitment to culturally responsive, inclusive, and trauma‑informed practice.

Optional Remote/Tele-Support

• Virtual consultation with teachers and families.
• Remote progress monitoring when appropriate.
• Digital documentation and collaboration.