Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

7.5 hrs/day, M-F, 180 days a yeer

(Salaries shown do not include increases for the 25-26 school year pending PSE salary reopener; current salaries listed are for the 24-25 school year.)

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) Job Description

GENERAL SUMMARY

This position's responsibilities are to provide occupational therapy to students as directed by the occupational therapist. Responsibilities vary with assignment, but typically include tutoring students in prescribed learning activities, providing occupational therapy to students individually or in small groups, conducting various tasks/treatment interventions to assist students with motor development and/or orthopedic/health impairments or multiple handicaps. Assisting with school and classroom management and maintaining student records.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION

Depending upon the individual assignment, the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant may perform all of a combination of the following:

• Adapts equipment including computers for the purpose of providing optimal positioning and increased independence for special education students.
• Administers standardized tests (e.g. VMI, MVPT, etc) for the purpose of determining the need for further individualized assessment.
• Assists in the assessment of student's fine motor and development skills for the purpose of determining their deficits and developing recommendations.
• Assists other personnel for the purpose of supporting them in the completion of their work activities.
• Consults with physical therapists, speech therapists, teachers, paraeducators, etc. for the purpose of providing requested information, developing plans for services and/or making recommendations.
• Fabricates adaptive equipment as may be required for the purpose of meeting the individual needs of the student.
• Instructs individual and groups of students for the purpose of implementing treatment programs for remediation of functional limitations.
• Prepares a wide variety of written materials (e.g. Medicaid billing, etc.) for the purpose of state compliance, documenting activities, providing written reference and/or conveying information.
• Researches resources and methods (e.g. intervention and treatment techniques, assessment tools and methods, community resources, etc.) for the purpose of determining appropriate approaches for addressing student's functional goals.
• Works with multidisciplinary team members for the purpose of implementing motor/therapy goals in classroom and community environments.
• May serve on various district committees and/or departmental work teams. Models appropriate and cooperative behavior, including protecting confidential information, consistent with district ethical guidelines.
• Performs related duties consistent with the scope of the position.
• Attends conferences and workshops to enhance professional skills.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to the Director of Student Services. Receives guidance from assigned occupational therapist or assigned certificated staff.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Required to lift, carry, push and/or pull, some climbing and balancing, frequent stopping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, bend or work in other positions besides sitting or standing. The use of significant fine finger dexterity. Required to meet externally imposed and inflexible deadlines to include IEP's and other meetings.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Associate in applied science - Occupational Therapy Assistant preferred or education, training, skills, and experience necessary to carry out the assignment. Experience in a school setting desirable; occupational therapy experience strongly preferred.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge to perform basic math, including calculations using fractions, percents, and/or facilitating group discussions: and solve practical problems. Specific knowledge required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job includes: student behavior management skills; adaptive equipment; and occupational therapy models, practices and theories. Skills are required to perform multiple, technical tasks with a need to occasional upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skills required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: adhering to safety practices; applying assessment instruments; operating equipment used in occupational therapy; operating standard office equipment using pertinent software applications; preparing and maintaining accurate records. Ability to schedule activities, meetings and/or events; gather, collate and/or classify data; consider a wide variety of factors when using equipment. Flexibility is required to work with others in a variety of circumstances; work with data utilizing defined but different processes; and operate equipment using a variety of standardized methods. Ability is also required to work with a wide diversity of individuals; work with a variety of data; and utilize a variety of job related equipment. Problem solving with data required independent interpretation of guidelines; and problem solving with equipment is moderate. Specific abilities required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: adapting to changing work priorities, communicating with diverse groups; maintaining confidentiality; setting priorities; working as part of a team; working with detailed information/data.

Licenses/Special Requirements

Requires fingerprinting and background check. May be required to obtain first aid certification.

Employment contingent upon successful clearance of a Washington State Patrol, FBI fingerprint criminal history background check, and Sexual Misconduct background check.

Required Testing/Clearances:

• Fingerprint/Background Clearance

Licenses/Certificates:

• Valid Health Card
• Valid Driver's License

Benefits

Insurance Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, and long term disability plans provided through and in accordance with the rules of School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB)

Retirement Benefits: Provided through the WA State Department of RetirementSystems (DRS)

Paid Leave Benefits: Per applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement: or School Board Policy in the 5000 section:

Sick leave

Personal leave

Vacation

Holiday

Other Fringe Benefits: Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) 403(b)

Supplemental Compensation: Extended days, professional development, and stipend reimbursement, per applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement

Acknowledgement:

Eatonville School District #404 reserves the right to modify and interpret this job description. This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. This job description is illustrative and in no way implies that these are the only duties, including essential duties, to be performed by the employee occupying this position. This job description is not an employment contract, implied or otherwise.

Eatonville School District #404 does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.

Eatonville School District #404 will provide equal educational opportunity and treatment for all students in all aspects of the academic and activities program without discrimination based on race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged, veteran or military status, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, marital status, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. The district will provide equal access to school facilities to the Boy Scouts of America and all other designated youth groups listed in Title 36 of the United States Code as a patriotic society. District programs shall be free from sexual harassment. Auxiliary aids and services will be provided upon request to individuals with disabilities.

Address: 200 Lynch St. W., Eatonville, WA 98328; Telephone: ...

Title IX Coordinator, Section 504/ADA Coordinator & Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator: Dracy McCoy, Executive Student Services. Email: ...

Title IX inquiries may also be directed toward the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR):

Information about the nondiscrimination and sex-based discrimination policies and grievance procedures, and how to report a concern or complaint: