Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA) - Akron

Job title Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant Classification  Non-Exempt Reports to Principal Organization Unit Support Approved by Human Resources Effective date 5/15/2025
Job Purpose
The Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant supports students by assessing and addressing fine motor, sensory-motor, and functional skills that impact their ability to participate in school activities. The ideal candidate will collaborate with educators, parents, and other professionals to develop and implement individualized strategies that promote student success in the educational environment.
Duties and Responsibilities
Include but not limited to:
Student Learning

• Provide high quality service delivery to all students with active IEPs consistent with best practice in occupational therapy, as well as school policies.
• Complete and submit to Principal intervention service logs to accurately reflect services provided.
• Work as an effective collaborator with the general education teacher(s) to carryover the OT goals/objectives outlined in the IEP – report to the Principal and/or Regional Director of Student Services if other professionals are not compliant with collaborative initiatives.

Compliance

 

• Participate in IAT meetings as indicated by teacher/parent referrals
• Write high quality Part 1's of ETR’s, IEP’s, and progress reports, consistent with state, federal, Performance Academies, Sponsor, and ODE guidelines
• Actively and professionally manage all OT referrals, OT evaluations, active OT IEP goals, and comply with all related timelines
• Forward, in a timely manner, any and all appropriate student documentation to requesting school districts that request student records pertaining to students with fine motor/sensory integration deficits
• Complete initial evaluations as well as re-evaluations requiring OT data, including observations, parent reports, and formal/informal assessments for students referred or identified with special needs
• Routinely follow up on all deadlines, procedures, and policies pertaining to re-evaluations of students with OT needs
• Write and send home high-quality progress reports (at least quarterly) for all students with active OT goals/objectives

Family/Community Involvement

 

• Work to the fullest extent possible to always include parents/guardians in all educational decision making pertaining to their child; ensure they are active participants in the ETR and IEP processes
• Create a network of support for students by treating all students and families with respect at all times and actively working with parents/guardians to coordinate home and school connections.
• Communicate regularly with parents and/or guardians, regarding students' progress via phone call, text, or dragon gram.

Professionalism

 

• Report any and all cases of suspected child abuse or neglect immediately to the Principal, Assistant Principal, and/or Superintendent, before contacting Children’s Services or local law enforcement.
• Be responsible for any and all inventory and maintenance of occupational therapy or related assessment materials, test kits, protocols, curriculum, devices, or resources used in the assessment, treatment, or intervention service delivery with students receiving occupational therapy services
• Keep all student identifying information confidential and keep all parent and student correspondences and communications confidential at all times.
• Read and understand all policies outlined in staff handbook and student handbook/code of conduct
• Stay abreast of any and all changes in policies, procedures, best practices, or guidelines per State of Ohio, IDEIA, or general standards in OT as it pertains to students with disabilities and serving and assessing students with OT needs
• Implement the State of Ohio Model Policies and Practices for Students with Disabilities to the fullest extent possible
• Other duties as assigned by Superintendent, Principal, Assistant Principal, Director of Student Services, or management staff

Qualifications

 

• Master’s Degree required
• Valid and current Ohio Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant License
• Valid and current Professional Pupil Services License
• Satisfactory completion of federal and state required criminal history checks
• Stays current on and understands all federal and state special education policies and laws.
• Experience with data analysis
• Proficient in computer applications, including Google Docs, MS Office Suite, e-mail, and internet

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Personal Characteristics 

 

• Reliable, dependable, and trustworthy work ethic; a strong sense of integrity.
• Strong ability to gather, analyze, and interpret student data to make sound educational decisions.
• Ability to work in a diverse educational community setting and as part of a team.
• Exhibit sound judgment while exhibiting flexibility regarding decision-making, daily challenges, and job duties.
• Ability to work well under pressure, effectively prioritize and execute tasks to consistently meet deadlines.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to be an active listener, critical thinker and make sound judgments.

Working Conditions

 

• Dexterity to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and to handle computer and other technology related components
• Report to the school no later than 7:30 AM and remain at school until 4:30 PM.
• Follow the required school dress code for building staff.
• Attend all required staff meetings, parent/teacher conferences, in-services and professional development days.

 

This is not necessarily an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements or working conditions. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned.