Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA)

Aspire Public Schools; Silverdale (WA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

Paid time off

100% core health benefits coverage

Life insurance/long-term disability

Tuition reimbursement plan

Adoption assistance program

Job summary

A public educational institution seeks a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant to provide support and occupational therapy services to special education students. The role involves working under the direction of an Occupational Therapist, participating in the IEP process, and assisting with classroom interventions. Applicants should have graduated from an accredited program and ideally possess 2 years of experience working with children with disabilities. A competitive salary, benefits, and a $6000 hiring bonus are offered.

Qualifications

• Preferred 2 years experience working with children with disabilities ages 4 to 18 in an occupational therapy or educational setting.
• Experience with adaptive equipment and assistive technology is a plus.
• Knowledge of IEP processes and educational OT principles.

Responsibilities

• Assist in identifying and assessing student skills in occupational therapy.
• Provide direct occupational therapy services to students.
• Participate in consultations with parents and staff on therapy interventions.
• Document therapy services and maintain logs and reports.
• Provide training and supervision for ancillary staff.
• Document therapy services and progress; prepare reports with supervising OTR/L.
• Maintain compliant, professional documentation and reporting.
• Attend IEP meetings to report findings and recommendations.
• Identify adaptive equipment to support self-care and academics.
• Assist in transition planning for students moving environments.
• Engage in professional growth in pediatric OT.

Skills

Child growth and development

Occupational therapy practice with children

Strategies used in educational settings

Communication skills

Ability to work independently

Staff collaboration

Documentation

Professional communication

Adaptive equipment

Multi-site scheduling

Education

Graduation from accredited Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant program

Job description

We are offering a $6000 hiring bonus for all new Certified Occupational Therapist assistants.

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.
• Provide scheduled, direct, individual or group occupational therapy services to students.
• Participate 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.
• Provide training, direction and supervision for ancillary staff as assigned.
• Document therapy services and records progress; maintain a variety of service related logs; prepare reports in collaboration with the supervising OTR/L; organize materials needed for therapy interventions.
• Ensure the documentation of services is professional, efficient, and accountable, and in conformance with the policies of state and other agencies.
• Maintain regular contact with supervising OTR/L to review caseloads and services to students.
• Maintain a safe and orderly treatment area.
• Attend 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.
• Assist in developing transition plans for students moving to other environments.
• Participate 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.
• Support the mission, vision, and core values of Aspire Public Schools.
• Perform other related duties as required and assigned.

Additional

• Demonstrate knowledge of, and support, the Aspire Public Schools mission, vision, value statements including antiracism, policies and procedures, operating instructions, confidentiality standards, and the code of ethical behavior.
• Comfortable with utilization of technology.
• Perform other related duties as required and assigned.

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

Compensation

Aspire Public Schools is dedicated to our teammate's well-being! In addition to a competitive base salary that is benchmarked against local districts and charter schools, we offer employees exceptional benefits, including paid time off, 100% core health benefits coverage on select plans, life insurance/long‑term disability, participation in a CA state retirement plan, tuition reimbursement plan, and adoption assistance program. Our salary schedule based on years of experience for this position type is reflected here: Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant 25‑26 Pay Schedule.

EEO Statement

Aspire Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria. Aspire promotes affirmative action for minorities, women, disabled persons, and veterans.

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