Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant - COTA/L

Job Description

Job Description

This is an in-person only position within area school districts. 

A Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant is a licensed professional who works under 10% supervision of a Registered Occupational Therapist.

PRIMARY PURPOSE

In general, the COTA, will support the educational team and the needs of students to achieve their greatest potential in their least restrictive environment and will be knowledgeable of occupational therapy techniques for the treatment of pediatric students. The COTA will complete treatment objectives and goals through assistance and collaboration with the supervising Registered Occupational Therapist.

This position is considered a safety-sensitive role. Errors in the assessment or treatment could cause serious harm to students and potential liability to the school system, and to our organization.

RESPONSIBILITIES

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  Maintain and promote a positive attitude toward pediatric clients/ students and their treatment programs while adhering to all district wide rules and regulations.
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  Re-Assesses students as directed by the OTR/L using appropriate re-evaluation tools, clinical observations, and review of medical and educational reports to determine need for therapy intervention plan.

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  Monitor performance in therapy activities, providing encouragement.
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  Observe and record progress, attitudes, and behavior and maintain this information in their record.
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  Demonstrate therapy techniques as required in a case by case situation within the school setting (i.e., passive range of motion, therapeutic stretching, sensory integration, etc.).
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  Accurate and timely submission of the Daily Time Tracker, mileage, billing, etc. as outlined in the appropriate procedures.
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  Report to supervisors, verbally or in writing, on student’s progress, attitudes and behaviors, and/or any problems or situations that need attention.
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  Support and assist with other tasks as requested within the school setting.
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  Become familiar with each student’s needs in the specially designed instruction within the IEP regarding potential behavioral issues students may be experiencing.
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  Maintain and keep track of equipment that is to be borrowed or given to a student.
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  Adapts and modifies the environment including assistive technology and appropriate individuals to meet the individual needs and to help students function as independently as possible.
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  Educate student, family, and any other pertinent individuals involved with student’s care to facilitate skills in areas of occupation as well as health maintenance and safety.
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  Monitor and reassess the effects of occupational therapy intervention and the need to continue, modify or discontinue intervention with the collaboration of OTR/L if needed.
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  Document occupational therapy services to ensure accountability of service provision and to meet standards for reimbursement of services.
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  Typical working hours are according to the school district/s in which employee is assigned.
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  Maintain accurate documentation of treatment sessions as well as any documentation related to the client’s IEP, ER and/or RR, as per the district’s requirements.
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  Understand and adhere to the district’s Individualized Education Plan (“IEP”), Evaluation Report (“ER”), and Reevaluation Report (“RR”) processes.
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  COTA must keep track of the reevaluation schedule and write re-evaluation and yearly IEP annual review reports.
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  COTA must be able to adapt, modify or change goals keeping them academically based that align with student needs.
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  Participate in multidisciplinary meetings to review evaluation results, integrate findings with other disciplines, offer recommendations, and develop Individual Education Plans and intervention plans to achieve IEP goals.
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  Become familiar with each student’s specially designed instruction within the IEP regarding potential behavioral issues students may be experiencing.
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  Maintain schedule and reschedule students as necessary to comply with IEP/504 plans.
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  Write letters of medical necessity and evaluate the need for new equipment or equipment fixes. Identify when to call for equipment issues/orders/etc. 
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  Follow all access billing procedures, billing on time, billing for correct services and notifying school personnel with changes to caseload. Completes random moment in time studies as required by MAC program guidelines.
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  Provide in-service trainings to staff/ teachers at district requests.
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  Provide supervision to level 1 and 2 Fieldwork Students as assigned by supervising OTR.
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  Travels between locations where students require services.
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  All other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL & ABILITY

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  Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for counseling and guidance.
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  Knowledge of district assigned IEP and Access billing reporting systems
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  Knowledge of Federal and State documentation procedures for Special Education.
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  The ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand.
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  Ability to listen and understand information and ideas presented.
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  Organizational skills – ability to prioritize
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  Proven problem-solving / decision making skills
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  Ability to manage one’s own time and the time of others.
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  Recognize the need for assistance/guidance and communicate appropriately
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  Proficient computer skills (Microsoft teams,Word & Excel)

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Required

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  Associate Degree as an Occupational Therapy Assistant

Preferred

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  Associate Degree as an Occupational Therapy Assistant and one year of experience as a COTA in a pediatric (clinic and/or school based) setting

LICENSE / CERTIFICATION/ REGISTRATION

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  Certification by NBCOT
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  State Licensure. This position requires a current state license and for the employee to be knowledgeable regarding licensure laws and requirements.
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  CPR & First Aid Certification
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  Child Abuse Clearance
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  FBI Clearance
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  State Police Background Check
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  Mandated Reporting

MENTAL AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This position requires full range of motion, including the ability to lift, manipulate, transfer and/or handle up to 100 lbs. Requires the ability to stand, walk, kneel, get up and down from the floor, navigate steps, and demonstrate coordination in order to safely and rapidly secure and maintain a student in your possession. This may include the need to move rapidly to include running, stability and agility. This position requires the therapist to use sound judgement, decision making skills, analyzing of information and drawing conclusions during all interactions with students and staff.

Physically able to carry out the district wide safe crisis management techniques if and only if the therapist is trained and certified by the district to prevent injury to self, student and others in emergency situations. 

Safety Sensitive Position- The position requires full and unimpaired skill, attention, and judgment to safely execute the duties. Risk of harm to the child and liability to the organization is significant if the employee is impaired in any way.

DRIVING REQUIREMENTS

This position requires employee to have reliable transportation to and from work as well as throughout the workday in order to travel between buildings within a given school district.