Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant

Aspire Public Schools; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in education is looking for an Occupational Therapy Assistant to join their team for the 2024-2025 school year. This role involves providing essential therapy services to special education students, helping them achieve their educational goals. You will work closely with Occupational Therapists and collaborate with parents and staff to create a supportive learning environment. This position offers a unique opportunity to make a positive impact on students' lives while being part of a mission-driven community focused on well-being and empowerment. If you're passionate about helping students succeed, this could be the perfect role for you.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited program for Occupational Therapy Assistants is essential.
• 2 years of experience in occupational therapy or educational settings preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist in assessing and developing therapy plans for students with disabilities.
• Provide direct occupational therapy services and document progress.

Skills

Child growth and development

Occupational therapy practices

Educational strategies and methodologies

Special education law

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Education

Graduation from accredited Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant program

Tools

Computer software for therapy documentation

Classroom and office equipment

Job description

We are currently seeking professionals interested in opportunities for the 2024-2025 school year.

ABOUT ASPIRE

Aspire Public Schools operates a network of high-performing, college preparatory charter schools serving TK-12 scholars in communities across California. Founded in 1998—in an effort to transform the inequitable racial, social, and gender outcomes that our communities persist through—Aspire is one of the largest and most forward-thinking open-enrollment public charter school systems in the nation.

Our purpose is to prepare our scholars for success in college, career, and life. At Aspire, we set a foundation for our scholars to gain knowledge, skills, and power to access and make choices for their families and post-secondary lives. Every day, our community of students, families, teachers and staff comes together to learn, work, and play in an environment grounded in our values of Bienestar (Well-Being), Culture of Belonging, Community Partnership, Agency & Self-Determination, and Joy.

JOB SUMMARY

The Occupational Therapy Assistant works under the direction of an Occupational Therapist to provide educationally related occupational therapy services to identified special education students according to the Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) or 504 plan. Provides training and consultation to staff and parents and/or direct services to assist students with conditions which are mentally, physically, developmentally or emotionally disabling. These services are designed to allow students to benefit from their basic educational program.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assist Occupational Therapist in identifying and assessing student’s skills and abilities in fine motor function, gross motor function, oral motor, sensory registration and processing, visual processing, motor planning, activities of daily living, and postural stability.
• Assist with the development of the occupational therapy intervention plan as part of the IEP process including treatment goals; assists with data collection and assessments with established service competency documented.
• Provides scheduled, direct, individual or group occupational therapy services to students.
• Participates in consultations with parents and staff on occupational therapy interventions for students on site and through home and community programs to maintain and enhance the performance of students in their natural environments.
• Provides training, direction and supervision for ancillary staff as assigned.
• Document therapy services and records progress; maintains a variety of service related logs; prepares reports in collaboration with the supervising OTR/L; organizes materials needed for therapy interventions.
• Ensures the documentation of services is professional, efficient, and accountable, and in conformance with the policies of state and other agencies.
• Maintains regular contact with supervising OTR/L to review caseloads and services to students.
• Maintain a safe and orderly treatment area.
• Attends Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) meetings as directed to report findings and recommendations.
• Identify, evaluate and design adaptive equipment to assist students in self-care and academic activities.
• Assists in developing transition plans for students moving to other environments.
• Participates in professional growth activities in special education and in pediatric occupational therapy.
• Operate a variety of classroom and office equipment including a computer and assigned software; operate copier, paper cutter, laminator and other office equipment as assigned.
• Performs other duties as assigned that support the overall objective of the position.

Support the mission, vision, and core values of Aspire Public Schools.

QUALIFICATIONS

Competencies:

• Child growth and development.
• Practice of occupational therapy as applied to children and youth.
• Strategies and methodologies used in educational settings.
• Special education law relative to occupational therapy services.
• Current theories and best practices in the application of occupational therapy techniques.
• Functioning of adaptive equipment, assistive technology and special equipment as it applies to occupational therapy services.
• Work independently with appropriate supervision.
• Perform task analysis of underlying treatment components to address IEP goals and implement appropriate intervention strategies.
• Communicate clearly and concisely both verbally and in writing.
• Work effectively with parents, community and education colleagues.
• Function as a positive, contributing member of an educational team in a professional manner.
• Optimize a work schedule that involves multiple locations and organize and prioritize responsibilities.

Minimum educational level:

• Graduation from accredited Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant program.

Experience required:

• 2 years of experience working with children with disabilities ages 4 to 18 in an occupational therapy or educational setting is preferred.

Physical requirements:

• Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and confined spaces.
• Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.
• Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another.
• Assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned.
• Communicating with others to exchange information.
• Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.

Work authorization requirements:

• Clear the Department of Justice background screening.
• Authorized to work in the United States.
• Provide health (TB) clearance (renewed every four years).

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• The work environment characteristics are representative of those in a normal office, classroom/school setting which one might encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Work indoors in a standard office environment, computer lab, and/or classroom environment.
• Work is performed in indoor and outdoor environments.
• Exposure to dust, oils, and cleaning chemicals.
• Some exposure to childhood and other diseases in a school environment.
• May be required to work outside of typical workdays and office hours to meet operational deadlines.