Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA)

Purpose Statement

The job of Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA) is done for the purpose/s of assisting a licensed Occupational Therapist in helping students gain functional independence so that they can more completely benefit from the educational environment.

Essential Functions

• Assists students in gaining functional independence for the purpose of enabling them to more completely benefit from the educational environment.
• Assists other personnel as assigned by the Assistant Director of SPED or Licensed Occupational Therapist for the purpose of supporting them in the completion of their work activities.
• Attends meetings, workshops and conferences for the purpose of receiving and/or conveying information related to job functions.
• Collaborates with teachers for the purpose of developing plans and/or modifying curriculum to meet the academic needs of the student.
• Communicates with students, parent/guardians, staff, and community for the purpose of facilitating communication between/among involved parties.
• Develop an awareness of changes in OT (e.g. innovative ideas, techniques, practices, etc.) for the purpose of supporting and/or changing current method(s).
• Facilitates effective occupational therapy interventions for the purpose of assisting the teacher in improving the students' academic and life skill success through specially developed OT student IEPs.
• Maintains written materials for the purpose of documenting activities, providing written reference and/or conveying information.
• Monitors individual students (e.g. collect observational data, etc.) for the purpose of providing assistance in preparation of progress reports/evaluations and ensuring a safe and positive learning environment.
• Provides direct occupational therapy services to students according to IEP goals for the purpose of ensuring compliance with established practices and procedures.
• Responds to inquiries (e.g. parents, teachers, staff, etc.) for the purpose of providing information or referring to appropriate personnel.
• Support newly identified OT students for the purpose of of complying with directives in their IEP.

Other Functions

Job Requirements:  Minimum Qualifications

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

SKILLS are required to perform multiple, technical tasks with a need to occasionally upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: operating standard office equipment including using pertinent software applications; adhering to district policies; and regular attendance except when taking approved leave.

KNOWLEDGE is required to perform basic math, including calculations using fractions, percents, and/or ratios; read technical information, compose a variety of documents, and/or facilitate group discussions; and solve practical problems.  Specific knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: pertinent codes, policies, regulations and/or laws; and stages of child development.

ABILITY is required to schedule activities, meetings, and/or events; gather, collate, and/or classify data; and consider a number of factors when using equipment. Flexibility is required to work with others in a variety of circumstances; work with data utilizing defined but different processes; and operate equipment using a variety of standardized methods. Ability is also required to work with a diversity of individuals and/or groups; work with data of varied types and/or purposes; and utilize a variety of job-related equipment. Problem solving is required to analyze issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data frequently requires independent interpretation of guidelines; and problem solving with equipment is moderate. Specific ability based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: maintaining confidentiality; meeting deadlines and schedules; displaying patience and self control; and working with constant interruptions.

Responsibility

Responsibilities include: working under direct supervision using standardized procedures; leading, guiding, and/or coordinating others; operating within a defined budget. Utilization of some resources from other work units is often required to perform the job's functions. There is a continual opportunity to impact the organization’s services.

Working Environment

The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, some climbing and balancing, frequent stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 50% sitting, 30% walking, and 20% standing.  The job is performed under minimal temperature variations and under conditions with some exposure to risk of injury and/or illness.

Experience      Job related experience within a specialized field is required.

Education        Targeted, job related education with study in job-related area.

Equivalency    An Associates Degree with a  COTA degree from an accredited program recognized by Kansas Board of Healing Arts.

FLSA Status                             Approval Date                                              Salary Range

Non Exempt                                9/20/2017                                                           20