Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)

The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) will work under the supervision of a Registered Occupational Therapist (OTR). The COTA will work with one or more scholars carrying out scholar goals, instructional objectives and supports as outlined in the Individualized Education Plan (IEP). This may include but is not limited to providing 1:1 single scholar support, working as a building program support position, or working in an itinerant position.

Essential functions under the Americans with Disabilities Act may include any of the following duties, knowledge, and skills. This list is illustrative only and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by employees in this position. Regular on time and in person attendance is an essential function of this job. Other essential functions may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Assist in providing Occupational Therapy in the following areas:
  • Departmental evaluations on assigned caseload.
  • Instruction of teachers/paraprofessionals/non-certified staff who assist with classroom groups.
  • Writing of instructional objectives for assigned scholars, to be approved by supervising OTR.
  • Maintenance of records regarding progress on instructional objectives.
  • Writing of clinic reports and other medically related information for assigned caseload, as assigned by supervising OTR.
  • Organizing "job skills" for assigned classrooms.
  • Keeping work area and atmosphere of classroom equipment and/or instructional materials.
  • Modifying and maintaining equipment and/or instructional materials.
  • Making adaptive equipment as needed.
• Attend team meetings, meetings, staff meetings, and appropriate in-services and training.
• Perform other tasks as requested.
• Follow policies and procedures of the building(s) to which he/she is assigned, of the Special Education Division, and of the Grand Rapids Public Schools.
• Interact with co-workers, administration, scholars, parents and the community in positive, supportive and cooperative ways.

• Provide inclusive instructional support to a classroom of multiple scholars or as additional adult support for scholar success, as needed.
• Provide support in a specialized building program or special education classroom (i.e., in a moderate cognitive impairment program, an autism spectrum disorder program, and emotional impairment program).
• Comply with federal, state, and district laws, rules, and policies

• Other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience:

• Must have A) completed at least two (2) years of study at an institution of higher education (60 Credits); or
• obtained an associate's or higher degree; or
• achieved a passing score on an MDE approved assessment.
• COTA certification by the American Occupational Therapy Association.
• Licensed as a COTA by the State of Michigan.

Preferred Qualification:

• Experience with individuals with disabilities (including children) preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, and consistently reliable attendance and punctuality.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to deal with scholars, parents & staff in a tactful and courteous manner.
• Ability to work as a member of a team.
• Ability to work in a diverse environment.

ADA Requirements:

The physical demands, work environment factors, and mental functions described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands:

The work is medium work which requires exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, talk, hear (in a quiet or noisy environment). Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust/focus.

Work Environment:

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Mental Functions:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to compare, analyze, communicate both orally and in writing, copy, coordinate, instruct, compute, synthesize, evaluate, use interpersonal skills, compile, and negotiate.

Non-Discrimination:

The Grand Rapids Public Schools will not discriminate against any person based on race, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, height, weight, color, religion, national origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, disability, veteran, or military status. Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations: Assistance with the application process may be requested through the Human Resources Department at View phone number on click.appcast.io or View email address on click.appcast.io.