Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant

Moffat County School District; Craig (CO); On-site; USD 50,000 - 117,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PERA retirement

Health insurance

Paid time off

Disability insurance

Job summary

Moffat County School District is seeking a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA) to support students’ motor and functional development district-wide. Under the Occupational Therapist, you will implement interventions, document progress, and participate in IEP-related activities.

Requirements include a Bachelor's degree and Colorado licensure. The role involves collaboration with OT, PT, SLP, teachers, and families to meet student goals and ensure compliant, quality service delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university.
• Current Colorado license/certificate endorsed in the area of assignment.
• Willingness to stay current with skills and practices.

Responsibilities

• Adapt classroom environment and materials to improve student functioning.
• Assess students' fine motor and developmental skills for goals.
• Attend IEPs and team meetings for communication and planning.
• Collaborate with OT/PT/SLP and teachers to implement goals.
• Provide direct OT services per IEP goals in classrooms.
• Maintain records and progress notes for compliance.
• Prepare written materials and reports for reference.
• Present information to stakeholders and obtain feedback.
• Troubleshoot assistive devices and ensure equipment is functional.

Skills

IDEA knowledge

IEP process

Intervention strategies

Communication (oral)

Communication (written)

Confidentiality

Data interpretation

Team collaboration

Student assessment

Strong documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA)

Location: District Wide

Date of Availability: ASAP

Date Closing: Open until filled.

Description

The Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant is responsible for implementing intervention and therapy regarding students' fine and gross motor skills and functional abilities (e.g. perceptual-motor, hand functions, motor coordination, sensory development, muscle strength, etc.) under the direction of the Occupational Therapist.

Salary

Salary is commensurate to experience and education on our certified salary schedule. Range $50,000 to $116,845

Education and/or Experience

Minimum requirement – Bachelor's degree(B.A.) from four year college or university.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Current and valid license with OT, PT, and AT Board. Eligible or already in possession of a Colorado Special Service Provider License/certificate endorsed in the area of assignment.Commitment to keep current with skills essential to the objectives of the position.

Reports to

Occupational Therapist / Special Education Program Coordinator

Essential Functions

• Adapts school and classroom environment, tools and materials under the supervision of the Occupational Therapist for the purpose of improving student functioning and facilitating student access to curricular and instructional activities.
• Assists Occupational Therapist with assessing students' fine motor, and development skills (e.g. oral motor, sensory integration, motor planning, developmental function, activities of daily living, fine motor function postural tone, etc.) for the purpose of determining their deficits and developing recommendations.
• Attends meetings and workshops (e.g. IEPs, training, team meetings, conferences, meetings with outside agencies, etc.) for the purpose of conveying and/or receiving information, including best practices for school OT delivery.
• Consults with occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech therapists, teachers, educational assistants, families, etc. for the purpose of providing requested information, reviewing/revising students' occupational therapy goals/objectives, developing plans for services and/or making recommendations to implement goals.
• Implements therapeutic activities and instructs students, teachers, parents and other involved persons (e.g. positioning, adjusting special equipment, etc.) for the purpose of providing appropriate care to students and/or supporting the student's IEP plan for use in the classroom.
• Maintains files and/or records in cooperation with the Occupational Therapist (e.g. progress reports, activity logs, etc.) for the purpose of documenting activities and/or ensuring an up-to-date trail for compliance with various state, federal, and administrative regulations.
• Maintains treatment equipment and supplies in clean and proper working condition for the purpose of implementing motor/therapy goals.
• Prepares written materials (e.g. activity logs, progress notes, reports, memos, etc.) for the purpose of documenting activities, providing written reference, and/or conveying information.
• Present information (e.g. student performance data, clinical feedback, etc.) for the purpose of communicating information, gaining feedback and ensuring adherence to established internal controls.
• Provides direct occupational therapy services to students according to IEP goals for the purpose of ensuring compliance with established practices and procedures.
• Troubleshoots problems with assistive devices (e.g. computer technology, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring that equipment is in proper working order and/or providing alternative strategies.
• Transports a variety of items (e.g. puzzles, games, assistive devices, assessment tools, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring the availability of materials required for therapy sessions.

Skills, Abilities and Knowledge

• Knowledge of IDEA and the IEP process
• Knowledge of current testing programs and mandated assessment tools
• Knowledge of current educational issues and best practices
• Knowledge of effective intervention strategies
• Ability to apply problem solving processes and creative thinking skills
• Ability to recognize student strengths and weaknesses in communication
• Ability to maintain accurate student records
• Ability to analyze and interpret assessment data
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with students, co-workers, administrators, and public
• Ability to work with teachers and students to demonstrate ways of supporting students in the regular classroom
• Ability to work with students in many non-traditional treatment settings
• Ability to work and communicate effectively with students who have various cognitive and physical limitations
• Ability to work with team to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate program progress and implement changes

Benefits include

PERA retirement, health insurance, paid time off, short and long term disability, other optional benefit elections.

Additional information

*Salary/pay rateis determined based on qualifications and experience relevant to the job description requirements. Full pay range may be found on the appropriate salary schedule. Salary schedule link below.Employees hired new into a position are rarely qualified to receive maximum of the pay range shown on the salary schedule.

Qualification Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to performs the essential functions.

Language Skills

Ability to read and analyze and interpret general business periodicals professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of administrators, staff and the general public.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Other Skills and Abilities

Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory to instructional program; ability to plan and implements lessons based on division and school objectives and the needs and abilities of students to whom assigned. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, peers, parents and community; ability to speak clear and concisely in written or oral communication.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to run; stoop and kneel. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50lbs. The employee must occasionally push items of 75lbs. or more,moving/rearranging furniture. Specific vision abilities required by this include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception.

Working Conditions

Safety is essential to job performance. Employees must exercise caution and comply with standard safety regulations and district procedures when involved in the following situations: Balancing, bending, crouching, kneeling, reaching, and standing. Exposure to adverse weather conditions and temperature extremes. Exposure to blood-borne pathogens and communicable diseases. Interacting with aggressive, disruptive, and/or unruly individuals. Lifting, carrying, and moving work-related supplies/equipment. Operating and/or riding in a vehicle. Traveling to meetings and work assignments.

In compliance with Title VI & VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, and Colorado law, Moffat County School District RE-1 does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, age, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability or need for special education services in admissions, access to, treatment, or employment in educational programs or activities which it operates. English speaking ability will not be a barrier to participation and admission to District programs. Complaint procedures have been established for students, parents, employees or need for special education services. The following person(s) have been identified as the compliance officer for the District. Compliance Officer for Title IX – Megan Caughey, 600 Texas Ave, Craig, CO 81625, 970-826-6410, [e-mail].

En cumplimiento del Título VI y VII del Acto de Derechos Civiles de 1964, Título IX de la Enmienda de Educación de 1972; Sección 504 del Acto de la Rehabilitación de 1973, la Discriminación de Edad en Acto del Empleo de 1967, el Acto de los Americanos con Discapacidades, el Acto de no Discriminación de Información Genética de 2008 y la ley de Colorado, Condado de Moffat Distrito Escolar RE-1 no discrimina ilegalmente en base a raza, color, sexo, religión, origen nacional, ascendencia, credo, edad, estado civil, orientación sexual, información genética, discapacidad o necesidad de servicios de educación especial en la admisión, acceso, tratamiento o empleo en programas educativos o actividades que opera. Capacidad de hablar ingles no será un obstáculo para la participación y admisión a programas del Distrito. Se han establecido procedimientos de queja para los estudiantes, padres, empleados o necesidad de servicios de educación especial. La(s) siguiente(s) persona(s) han sido identificadas como el oficial de cumplimiento para el Distrito.Megan Caughey, 600 Texas Ave, Craig, CO 81625, 970-826-6410, [e-mail].