Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) School Age

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

The job of Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant was established for the purpose of performing work activities and delivering health care services as assigned under the supervision of a Registered Occupational Therapist.

Essential Functions

• Collaborates with a variety of groups and/or individuals (e.g. parents, teachers, physicians, administration, maintenance personnel, team members, other professionals, etc.) for the purpose of communicating information, resolving issues and providing services in compliance with established guidelines.
• Instructs students and staff for the purpose of providing information on medical/behavioral attributes, use of assistive devices and/or implementing plans for remediation of functional limitations.
• Maintains files and/or records (e.g. progress reports, activity logs, billing information, treatment plans, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring the availability of information as required for reference and/or compliance.
• Responds to inquiries (e.g. parents, teachers, staff, students, etc.) for the purpose of providing information and/or referral as appropriate.
• Transports supplies and equipment to a variety of sites for the purpose of ensuring the availability of items as needed.
• Administers standard occupational evaluations for therapy procedures and modalities for the purpose of achieving program objectives as allowed for COTA.
• Assesses students' fine and gross motor skills and functional abilities (e.g. perceptual-motor, hand functions, motor coordination, sensory development, muscle strength, etc.) for the purpose of determining program eligibility and developing recommendations for treatment, appropriate assistive devices and/or school placement.
• Develops treatment plans, interventions and/or educational materials (e.g. activities to meet treatment goals as set forth by OTR; daily living activities; routine progression) for the purpose of remediating students' motor and time skill deficits and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Instructs students with demonstration of daily living activities (e.g. routine motor progressions for physical functionality) for the purpose of remediating students' motor skill deficits and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Participates in treatment planning (e.g. implement treatment according to IEP & guide performance toward determined objectives; guide student performance; provide instruction toward physical and fine motor function) for the purpose of remediating students' motor and fine skill deficits and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Prepares a wide variety of materials (e.g. splints, supportive and assistive devices) for the purpose of assisting with students' motor and fine skill deficits and ensuring activities of daily living.
• Researches and gathers data (e.g. student suitability for evaluation and receipt of occupational therapy services) for the purpose of determining the appropriate approach for addressing students' functional goals to access the educational environment.
• Identifies structural issues for the purpose of removing barriers for students with disabilities, limitations and/or identifying appropriate assistive technology and/or techniques to improve access to the educational environment.
• Participates in meetings and organizations (e.g. multi-disciplinary team; IEP team) for the purpose of serving and meeting need of the students and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Education Required: Targeted job-related education that meets organization's prerequisite requirements

Certification Required: Licensed as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

Experience Required: Job related experience required, especially working with school aged and early childhood students.