Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

Laurens County School District 55
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

General Job Description:    To assist in the District’s occupational therapy program in order to provide an appropriate education for designated students.   

Reports to:   Director of Special Education 

Qualifications:   

• Successful completion and graduation from an accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant program
• Current license as Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA) in South Carolina; or eligibility to become licensed as a COTA in South Carolina
• Experience with pediatric population required; school-based experience preferred

Essential Job Functions:

• Under the supervision of an Occupational Therapist:
• Assist in the process of screening and evaluating students using appropriate tests, clinical observation, and supplementary information from other agencies and records.
• Assist in the development and monitoring of individual treatment goals and services. 
• Provide and/or reinforce occupational therapy instruction to individuals or small groups of specified students.  
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Attend multidisciplinary team meetings to 1) share evaluation results and therapy progress, and 2) assist the team in the development of an appropriate educational program.
• Receive supervision from an Occupational Therapist, as appropriate, for carrying out duties within the department and in compliance with Medicaid and other relevant guidelines. 
• Have a working knowledge of various types of assistive technology.
• Participate in the selection and utilization of necessary adaptive equipment. 
• Assist in the inventory and maintenance of equipment, materials, and supplies.
• Attend appropriate in-service training programs, staff meetings, and individual student conferences as requested by supervisor and in compliance with established district guidelines.
• Keep all student and school-related information confidential in accordance with federal and state guidelines and Board policy.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with students, parents, teachers, and administrators.
• Adhere to established federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
• Perform other duties as assigned by administration.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Require the mobility to stand, stoop, reach, and bend.  Require mobility of arms to reach and dexterity of hands to grasp and manipulate small objects.
• Perform lifting, pushing, and/or pulling to implement Individual Education Plans and to provide appropriate therapy for assigned students.  Lifting of students, equipment, or supplies will be required up to 20 pounds frequently, up to 50 pounds occasionally, and up to 100 pounds rarely.
• Subject to inside and outside environmental conditions, multiple or single classroom environments.
• Additional duties may be assigned as necessary.

Term of Employment:   190 days per year (7.5 hours per day), Teacher Salary Scale

Evaluation:

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

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans 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.