Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)

Alabama State Department of Education; Alabama; On-site; USD 52,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

The Alabama State Department of Education seeks a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant to work within our statewide school system. The role focuses on providing OT services during the school day and aligning therapy with IEP goals in collaboration with teachers and families.

Qualifications include an OTA associate degree, fieldwork completion, NBCOT certification, and state licensure. Preference is given to candidates with school-based experience and the ability to coordinate care with

Qualifications

• Associate degree in OTA from an accredited program.
• Completion of required fieldwork.
• Passed NBCOT exam.
• Valid OTA certification/licensure.
• TB test and background clearance.
• Negative drug test.
• Prefer 3 years of school-based experience.

Responsibilities

• Cooperate with teaching staff to coordinate OT activities with the school.
• Provide therapy sessions during the regular school day.
• Prepare goals/objectives for IEPs.
• Confer with teachers and parents/guardians.
• Provide working notes when requested.
• Adhere to the Educational Occupational Therapy Model.
• Sign in for each school visit when services are rendered.
• Provide progress reports to the student’s case manager at the end of each 9 weeks upon request.
• Submit progress reports to case managers prior to annual IEP meetings.
• Assist in arranging make-up services or substitutes.
• Provide documentation to Central Office for Medicaid billing.
• Any services beyond direct services require prior approval.
• Take continuing education to maintain certification.
• Engage in personal growth and demonstrate professional ethics.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Special Education Coordinator/Superintendent.

Skills

Fieldwork requirements

Negative Drug Test

TB Test Certification

Background Clearance

School-based experience preferred

Education

Associate Degree in OTA

NBCOT Exam Passed

OTA Certification/Licenses

Job description

CERTIFIED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associate Degree minimum from an accredited occupational therapy assistant education program

• Completion of Fieldwork requirements

• Passed the national Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy Exam

• Valid Occupational Therapy Assistant Certification/Licenses

• TB Test Certification/Background Clearance

• Negative Drug Test

• Prefer 3 years of School-based experience

REPORTS TO:

• Special Education Coordinator

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Cooperate with the teaching staff and faculty to see that activities of the OT Department are coordinated to provide the best client care possible

• Provide therapy sessions during the regular school day

• Prepare goals and/or objectives for the Individualized Education Plans

• Confer with teachers and parent/guardians

• Provide working notes when requested

• Adhere to the Educational Occupational Therapy Model as set forth by the Alabama State Department of Education

• Therapists will sign in each time a visit to the school is made when occupational therapy services are rendered.

• Brief progress reports should be provided to the student’s case manager at the end of each 9 weeks upon request

• Reports of progress should be submitted to case managers prior to annual IEP meetings

• COTA should assist in arranging for make-up services or substitute

• COTA should provide the Central Office with documentation in order for the facility to receive direct Medicaid billing

• Any services provided other than direct services should receive prior approval from the Special Education Coordinator

• Take continuing education classes to maintain certification

• Engage in personal growth and demonstrates professional ethics and leadership

• Perform and other job related or system related duties as assigned by the Special Education Coordinator and/or Superintendent

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Salary and work year to be in accordance with the current applicable salary schedule.

EVALUATION:

• Performance of this job will be evaluated annually in accordance with provisions of the Board’s Policy on Evaluation of Professional Personnel.

NOTE: See Board policies for additional requirements.