CERTIFIED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT (COTA/OTA)

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA/OTA) works under the general supervision of an Occupational Therapist(s). In addition, the COTA’s delivery of services is directly supervised by a Licensed Occupational Therapist (OTL).  COTAs, under the supervision of OTL, provide quality school-based occupational therapy services, which includes but is not limited to interventions, IEP planning and implementation, discharge planning, related documentation, and communication between teachers, teacher assistants, related service providers, and families.  Professional judgement and clinical knowledge are used to develop individualized programming based on occupational performance deficits and educational necessity in the areas of student role, social interactions, process skills, self-regulation and sensory processing, positioning for function, visual and fine motor skills, graphic communication, self-care, leisure/play, and community integration/work based on the AOTA Practice Framework.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Have successfully completed and graduated with an associates’ degree from an accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant professional program recognized by NBCOT and have completed fieldwork requirements.
• Possess or maintain a license issued by the Virginia Board of Medicine as an Occupational Therapy Assistant.
• Prefer, two years of experience as an occupational therapy assistant, preferably in school system or other pediatric practice setting. Knowledge and experience with autism is beneficial.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and a means to transport self to varied school sites.
• Must have the physical ability to perform duties of itinerant OTA involving standing, walking, lifting, carrying, bending, kneeling, reaching, pushing, pulling, and manipulating general tools and equipment. In general, OTA must be capable of exerting 20-50 lbs. of force to move objects, equipment, and/or students (i.e., transfers/lift).
• Visual and hearing acuity need to be sufficient to assess and document student’s safety and abilities.

*Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential tasks.*

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• As assigned by or in conjunction with the OTL, participates in multidisciplinary meetings to integrate findings with other disciplines, offer recommendations, and develop individual education plans and intervention plans to achieve IEP goals.
• Provides targeted, evidence-based therapeutic intervention to facilitate student participation and occupational performance within the school environment with consideration of safety and effective pacing and time management.
• Consults with the school-based team to achieve student outcomes.
• Adapts and modifies environments, equipment, and materials, including assistive technology; and provides training to instructional staff to meet individual student needs that help students function as independently as possible.
• Educates student, educational personnel, and family to facilitate skills in areas of occupation as well as health maintenance and safety.
• Monitors and gathers data on the effects of occupational therapy intervention and collaborates with supervising OTL on the need to continue, modify, or discontinue intervention.
• Documents occupational therapy services to ensure accountability of service provision.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the federal, state, local legislation, regulations, policies and procedures that mandate and guide occupational therapy practice in schools.
• May assist with the gathering of informal and formal assessments information as for OT Evaluations.
• May contribute to student intervention plans developed by OTL.
• Prepares a wide variety of written materials (e.g. attendance, intervention notes, correspondences, treatment plans, reports, etc.) for the purpose of documenting activities, providing written reference, and/or conveying information.
• Demonstrates professional, moral, and ethical standards, as well as personal integrity, in all interactions
• Takes responsibility for and participates in a meaningful and continuous process of professional development that results in the enhancement of student learning.
• Works in a collegial and collaborative manner with supervising OTL, peers, school personnel, and the community to promote and support student learning.
• Provides service to the profession, SECEP, and the community.
• Performs related work as required.

Salary : $27 - $44