Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

Southern Oregon Education Service District; Gold Hill (OR); On-site; USD 37,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

PERS retirement

9 paid holidays

Sick, vacation and discretionary leave

Job summary

Southern Oregon Education Service District is seeking a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant to support school-based therapy for K-12 students in Eagle Point School District. The role emphasizes collaboration with licensed therapists, data collection, and participation in IEP meetings.

Location-based, with a 190-day academic year schedule. The position offers benefits including health insurance, retirement, holidays, and leave provisions; strong teamwork and professional development are

Qualifications

• Graduate of accredited Occupational or Physical Therapy Assistant Program.
• Meets COTA/PTA licensing requirements of the OT/PT Therapy Licensing Boards, State of Oregon.
• Experience working with children who experience disabilities preferred.
• An understanding of school-based therapy services and/or experience working in pediatrics preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assists occupational/physical therapist with monitoring levels of functioning and progress toward goals.
• Adapts school and classroom environment, tools, and materials under the supervision of the occupational/physical therapist for the purpose of improving student access to learning.
• Assists the occupational/physical therapist in the development and implementation of therapy programs.
• Collects and records data on therapy programs.
• Maintains on-going communication with the occupational/physical therapist regarding student progress, status of therapy equipment and effectiveness of occupational/physical therapy programs.
• Assists occupational/physical therapist in design, modification, adaptation and procurement of adaptive equipment.
• Attends required IFSP/IEP meetings as appropriate, completes OI billing documentation, writes progress notes.
• Manages student behavior during therapy.
• Makes home visits as necessary.
• Respects confidential information.
• Maintains regular attendance in order to preserve the continuity of service delivery for the program.
• Performs duties in a manner reasonably expected and generally recognized by the profession.
• Establish and maintain cooperative work relationships with SOESD employees, education agency representatives and other stakeholders
• Participate in trainings and professional development.
• Participate in team meetings, and other committee meetings regarding program activities.
• Follow established SOESD policies and procedures.
• Perform physical requirements unaided or with assistance of a reasonable accommodations (see next page).
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Education

Graduate of accredited Occupational or Physical Therapy Assistant Program

Job description

The Orthopedic Impairment Program at Southern Oregon Education Service District is seeking a motivated, compassionate, and collaborative Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to join our team. This position is location-based and serves primarily K-12 students in the Eagle Point School District. The beauty of the area, along with many outdoor and cultural opportunities, offers an ideal work/life balance. If you are passionate about working with students to improve their access to learning through school-based therapy, are an excellent team player and communicator, and are looking for a work environment that is professional, positive, and intrinsically motivating, this job is for you!
Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant
Position Goal: To support the licensed occupational therapist in delivering appropriate school-based therapy services to eligible students under the direct supervision of the licensed therapist. These services may include assessing progress, training and assistance with program development and implementation, data collection, consultation, accessing adaptive materials and attendance at IEP meetings
Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Assists occupational/physical therapist with monitoring levels of functioning and progress toward goals.
• Adapts school and classroom environment, tools, and materials under the supervision of the occupational/physical therapist for the purpose of improving student access to learning.
• Assists the occupational/physical therapist in the development and implementation of therapy programs.
• Collects and records data on therapy programs.
• Maintains on-going communication with the occupational/physical therapist regarding student progress, status of therapy equipment and effectiveness of occupational/physical therapy programs.
• Assists occupational/physical therapist in design, modification, adaptation and procurement of adaptive equipment.
• Attends required IFSP/IEP meetings as appropriate, completes OI billing documentation, writes progress notes.
• Manages student behavior during therapy.
• Makes home visits as necessary.
• Respects confidential information.
• Maintains regular attendance in order to preserve the continuity of service delivery for the program.
• Performs duties in a manner reasonably expected and generally recognized by the profession.
• Establish and maintain cooperative work relationships with SOESD employees, education agency representatives and other stakeholders
• Participate in trainings and professional development.
• Participate in team meetings, and other committee meetings regarding program activities.
• Follow established SOESD policies and procedures.
• Perform physical requirements unaided or with assistance of a reasonable accommodations (see next page).
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduate of accredited Occupational or Physical Therapy Assistant Program.
• Meets COTA/PTA licensing requirements of the OT/PT Therapy Licensing Boards, State of Oregon.
• Experience working with children who experience disabilities preferred.
• An understanding of school-based therapy services and/or experience working in pediatrics preferred.
  

Any equivalent combination of experience, certification and training/education, deemed by the district, which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the essential functions of this job may be used as an alternative to this prerequisite.
Length of Position: 190 days (academic year) calendar
Salary: Per classified bargaining agreement $26.93-$32.26 /hr for the 2026-2027 school year.
Supervisor: Program Administrator
SOESD Benefits (For .50 FTE And Over)

• Southern Oregon ESD contributes up to 2182.00 per month (family coverage) for health, dental and vision insurance premiums for qualified employees.
• Employer-paid PERS (Public Employee Retirement System), including additional 6% individual investment account with PERS.
• 9 paid holidays
• A generous sick, vacation and discretionary (personal) leave packet is also provided to qualified employees.
  

Health Insurance

• OEBB MODA
• Includes medical, dental, vision & prescription insurance
• Monthly premium deducted pre-tax
  

Options

• Health Savings Accounts
• Flexible Spending Accounts medical, day-care expenses
• Optional Coverage for Additional Life, AD&D, Short Term Disability Insurance through Aflac or American Fidelity
• 403(b)
• Mercy Flights Membership
  

The following physical requirements are essential functions of this position:

• Stand/Walk: 6-8 hours/day
• Sit/Sit on Floor: 1-4 hours/day
• Drive: 1-4 hours/day
• Bending: Frequently
• Squat: Frequently
• Climb Stairs: Occasionally
• Single Grasping: Occasionally
• Pushing: Occasionally
• Pulling: Occasionally
• Fine Manipulation: Frequently
• Repetitive Foot Control: Limited
• Lifting (less than 25 lbs): Occasionally
• Lifting (25-50 lbs): Occasionally
• Lifting (50-75 lbs): Occasionally
• Lifting (75-100 lbs): Occasionally
• Shift Position Quickly: Occasionally
• Strength/Endurance: Occasionally
  

Note: This is not necessarily an exhaustive or all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, functions or working conditions associated with the job. This job description is not a contract of employment or a promise or guarantee of any specific terms or conditions of employment. The school district may add to, modify or delete any aspect of this job (or the position itself) at any time as it deems advisable.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
SOESD is an equal opportunity employer that complies with applicable employment discrimination laws, including ORS Ch. 659, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.
Link to Family and Medical Leave Act: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/f