Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

Wayne County Schools Employment Network; United States; On-site; USD 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Wayne County Schools Employment Network seeks a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to provide school-based OT services under a licensed OTR, delivering interventions aligned with IEP goals.

The role emphasizes collaboration with teachers, families, and the educational team, accurate documentation, and Medicaid billing in MiStar, with a typical schedule of about 35 hours per week and pay range $30-$36 per hour.

Qualifications

• ACOTE-accredited OT Assistant program completion required.
• Current MI OT Assistant license required.
• Ability to work with students, families, teachers, and related service providers.
• Strong organization, communication, and documentation skills.
• Experience with school-aged children and students with disabilities preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct and consultative OT services to students under supervision of an OTR.
• Implement treatment plans and interventions with supervising OTR.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation including daily notes and progress reports.
• Assist with Medicaid billing and MiStar documentation for eligible students.
• Collaborate with educational team to support student participation and access.

Skills

Collaboration

Documentation

Communication

Organizational skills

School-aged children experience

Education

Associates degree in OT Assistant

ACOTE-accredited program

MI OT license

Job description

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)

Qualifications:

• Associate degree or higher from an Occupational Therapy Assistant program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).
• Current and valid Occupational Therapy Assistant license issued by the State of Michigan.
• Ability to work collaboratively with students, families, teachers, special education staff, and related service providers.
• Strong organizational, communication, and documentation skills.
• Experience working with school-aged children and students with disabilities preferred.

Purpose:

Provide occupational therapy services to students in the school setting under the supervision and direction of a licensed Occupational Therapist (OTR), in accordance with students' Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), district procedures, and applicable state and federal requirements.

Compensation and Schedule:

Pay Range: $30-$36 per hour
Schedule: Approximately 35 hours per week

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The following duties are representative of the responsibilities associated with this position and are not intended to be all-inclusive. Additional duties may be assigned as necessary.

• Provide direct and consultative occupational therapy services to students in accordance with IEP goals and under the supervision of an OTR.
• Implement treatment plans and therapeutic interventions developed in collaboration with the supervising OTR.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of services, including daily treatment notes, progress monitoring data, and quarterly progress reports.
• Complete Medicaid billing and service documentation in MiStar for eligible students, as required.
• Assist the OTR with gathering and documenting data related to student progress, annual IEP reviews, and three-year reevaluations.
• Monitor student response to interventions and communicate progress, concerns, and relevant observations to the supervising OTR.
• Collaborate with teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators, and other members of the educational team to support students' participation and access within the school environment.
• Provide classroom-based strategies, accommodations, and recommendations related to fine motor, sensory-motor, visual-motor, self-care, and functional school skills, as appropriate.
• Assist in training and supporting staff in the implementation of occupational therapy strategies and recommendations.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with district policies, professional standards, and applicable state and federal regulations.
• Perform other duties and assume additional responsibilities as assigned or delegated by the Director of Special Education or supervising OTR.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described below are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

• Ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and perform other physical movements necessary to support students and provide services.
• Ability to use a variety of instructional, therapeutic, and adaptive materials and equipment.
• Ability to use hands and arms to manipulate objects, tools, keyboards, and other equipment.
• Ability to sit, stand, and move throughout the school environment for extended periods.
• Ability to move independently throughout assigned district locations during the workday.
• Ability to see and hear, with or without reasonable accommodation, sufficiently to perform the essential functions of the position.