Certificated Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)

Selection for interview is based on evaluation of complete application file. Employment offer is based on employee evaluations discipline history and attendance records training and experience references and interview results. Hourly rate placement contingent upon verification of related experience.

Employment contingent upon completion and verification of form information and background check with fee to be paid by applicant.
Pay for contracted classified employees is distributed once/month on the last business day of the month. Pay for employees who work less than full year is spread through August. Questions concerning pay processes may be directed to the Personnel Office.

BENEFIT INFORMATION

Eligibility for SEBB medical dental vision life insurance AD&D and LTD if anticipated to reach 630 hours in the school year. Eligibility for retirement based on 3.50 hrs/day or more for 5 or more consecutive months. Optional tax-sheltered annuities: Omni 403(b) and Deferred Compensation Plan. Personal leave vacation leave (260-day employees only) and sick leave prorated based on FTE.

Classified Personnel

Job Description: Certificated Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)

Responsible to: Director of Student Support Services and Occupational Therapists

Work Year: 180 Days

General: The Certificated Occupational Therapy Assistant will be responsible for extending occupational therapy where such service is needed to provide appropriate OT services to qualified students.

Minimum Qualification:

• AA in Occupational Therapy
• Valid Washington State COTA license to be maintained for duration of position
• Experience working with children
• Valid First Aid and CPR training to be maintained for duration of position
• Experience and/or training with cultural ethnic and language diversity preferred
• Successful Washington State Patrol and Federal Bureau of Investigation Fingerprint Clearance
• Proof of Immunization (if born 1/1/57 or later)
• I-9 Employment Eligibility in compliance with the Immigrations Reform and Control Act
• Completion of all district-required trainings within thirty (30) calendar days from hire date
• Ability to work with students educational IEPs
• Ability to deal with students in a warm and confident manner
• Ability to work effectively with special needs students
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students staff and families
• Ability to be flexible prioritize duties organize activities and work independently
• Ability to communicate in English tactfully and effectively orally and in writing
• Ability to operate a PC computer and district adopted software including Google and Skyward

Position Responsibilities:

• This list of essential job functions is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary. Depending upon individual assignment the employee may perform all or a combination of several of the following duties:
• Assist in State mandated screening as required
• Assists OTR with screenings assessments and occupational therapy services.
• Follows and implements documented IEP plans or protocols.
• Documents student progress toward meeting established objectives and reports the information to the OTR.
• Assists the OTR during assessments with formal documentation.
• Prepares materials and performs clerical duties.
• Prepares therapy materials and/or equipment for use in the classroom and therapy activities.
• Adapts or modifies instructional materials and/or equipment as determined by student needs and abilities for teacher use in the classroom.
• Assists in maintaining student records tallying data preparing charts records graphs and reports.
• Assists in organizing classroom activities such as displaying educational materials arranging furniture to facilitate instructional requirements and creates an orderly and clean learning environment.
• Qualifications/Employment Standards
• Maintain consistent presence as assigned worksite and regular work hours
• Professional interact with students staff and public
• Comply with all district policies and procedures
• Perform such other duties as from time to time may be required.

Knowledge of:

Occupational therapy equipment materials procedures.
Current occupational therapy methodologies.
Normal child development.
Physical and mental disorders that can affect pediatric occupational performance.
Learning patterns in children.
Student behavior management techniques and strategies.
Dealing effectively with attitudes and behaviors of students.
Effective time management.
Effective selection preparation and presentation of materials.
Maintaining student progress documentation.
A variety of screening tools protocols and forms of documentation.
Effective implementation of therapy objectives.
Operation of instructional and office equipment.
Simple math in order to compile reports and maintain records and status reports.
Effective and tactful communication in both oral and written forms to ensure successful interaction with parents students supervisor school staff and community agency representatives.
Modification and differentiation of lessons to meet students needs and progress (with guidance from OTR).
Consultation with OTR when students progress is not consistent.
Development and monitoring of carry over activities with classroom teacher and home.
Development and implementation of creative appropriate lessons/materials to ensure progress towards student IEP goals.
Working with students individually and in small groups.
Development of schedules for student services that meet IEP requirements.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience:
Associates degree in Occupational Therapy.
Valid Occupational Therapy Assistant Certification from California Board of Occupational Therapy at the time of appointment and must maintain current certification throughout employment in this classification.
COTA experience in a pediatric setting.

Language Skills:
Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions short correspondence and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to staff.

Mathematical Skills:
Ability to add subtract multiply and divide in all units of measure using whole numbers common fractions and decimals. Ability to compute rate ratio and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Reasoning Ability:
Ability to apply commonsense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.

Other Skills and Abilities:
Ability to develop effective working relationships with students staff and the school community. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing. Ability to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and Board of Education policies.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance; and stoop kneel crouch or crawl. The employee is confined to a work area required to have precise control of fingers and hand movements.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The employee must be able to push items of 50 lbs such as pushing children on a bike or moving/rearranging furniture. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision distance vision and depth perception.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee will experience constant interruptions and inflexible deadlines and will be required to deal with distraught and/or angry persons. The employee will be exposed to infectious diseases carried by children. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud at a standard acceptable for this environment. The employee is continuously responsible for the safety well-being and work output of students.

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

Required Experience:

Junior IC