Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant

Job Title: Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA)


Reports to: Director of Special Programs or designee


Dept./School: Special Programs


Wage/Hour Status: Nonexempt


Pay Grade: AS1 - 197 Days


Date Revised: 05/08/2026

Primary Purpose:
The COTA provides occupational therapy services to students with disabilities, under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist. The COTA functions as a related services provider for individual students as part of their IEP (Individual Education Plan). The COTA works under the direction of the OT.

Qualifications:


Education/Certification:

• Completion of a COTA program accredited by The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. (NBCOT)
• Licensed to practice as a COTA in the state of Texas

Preferred Experience:


Two years as a COTA, preferably in pediatrics preferred

Special Knowledge/Skills:

• Knowledge of basic features of main occupational therapy theories, models of practice, principles, and evidence-based practice.
• General knowledge of human development throughout the life span.
• Ability to articulate the role of the occupational therapy assistant and the occupational therapist in the evaluation, intervention planning, intervention process.
• Ability to articulate difference between occupation and activity.
• Ability to analyze tasks relative to areas of occupation, performance skills, activity demands, context (s), and student factors to implement the intervention plan.
• Ability to recognize occupational performance deficits in the areas of personal care, student role/interactive skills, process skills, play, community integration/work, and graphic communication.
• Ability to articulate the influence of socio-cultural, socioeconomic, and diversity factors on student occupational performance.
• General knowledge of the federal, state, local legislation, regulations, policies and procedures that mandate and affect school-based occupational therapy services.
• Skill in gathering screening and evaluation data, completing checklists, histories, and interviews.
• Ability to select, adapt, and sequence relevant occupations and purposeful activities that support intervention goals.
• Ability to provide occupationally based interventions to achieve student participation in school environment.
• Skill in effective oral and written communication.
• Ability to maintain safe environments, equipment, and materials.
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate records.

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

General

1. Demonstrates thoroughness, reliability and a high degree of accuracy in performing work assignments.
2. Works cooperatively with others and maintains a positive attitude in the work environment.
3. Demonstrates initiative and good judgment in problem solving and decision-making.
4. Reports promptly and maintains good attendance.
5. Uses time productively on the job.
6. Follows district policies, rules and regulations
7. Accepts supervisory direction
8. Strives to improve job skills
9. Demonstrates tact, courtesy and helpfulness in dealing with staff, students, parents, and visitors in the district.

Student Support

1. May contribute to the occupational therapist's evaluation of student's abilities through a variety of functional, behavioral, and standardized assessments, data collection, checklists, and interviews with family, student and educational personnel, and observations.
2. May contribute to the occupational therapist's development of individualized intervention plans.
3. Based on the intervention plan, selects and implements therapeutic interventions to enhance student performance in areas of occupation, safety, and social participation within the school environment.
4. Based on the intervention plan, modifies environment including equipment, materials, devices, and adapts processes including the application of ergonomic principles.
5. Explains intervention techniques to student, parents, and educational personnel.
6. Continuously monitors through observation and consultation student progress and the effect of intervention and need for continuation, modification, or termination. Communicates this information to the occupational therapist.
7. Documents occupational therapy intervention services and maintains administrative records in accordance with state guidelines, school policy, and reimbursement standards.
8. Participates in multi-disciplinary team meetings to communicate student progress.
9. Maintains inventory of therapeutic equipment and projects needs for budget planning.
10. Maintains, organizes, and prioritizes workload and treatment environments including inventories.
11. Uses professional literature to make informed practice decisions.
12. Uses good time management skills.

Student Management

1. Help manage behavior of students. This includes intervening in crisis situation and restraining disruptive or dangerous student behavior as needed.
2. Keep teacher informed of special needs or problems of individual students.

Other

1. Maintain confidentiality.
2. Participate in staff development training programs, faculty meetings, and special events as assigned
3. Other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions:


Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:


Maintain emotional control under stress. Frequent standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, pushing, and pulling; regular heavy lifting of students. Biological exposure to bacteria and communicable diseases.

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.