Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA)

LOCATION: TBD

The Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools (KCKPS) is a nationally recognized urban school district that serves approximately 22,000 students and 60+ different languages are spoken in the homes of our students. KCKPS is home to Sumner Academy, the #6 highest rated High School in the Nation and #1 High School in Kansas according to the US News rankings.

With Head Start/preschools, 28 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, and 5 college and career academies/high schools, we are the fifth largest district in the state of Kansas and our student population is approximately 56% Hispanic, 24% African American, 9% White, and 6% Asian. To serve our students, the district employs approximately 4,000 employees including more than 1,800 teachers.

JOB GOAL:

To facilitate student comprehension and application of concepts, skills and behaviors

that contribute to the development of mature, able and responsible member of society.

To ensure continuous improvement in state and national performance levels to prepare

students for college and careers in a global society, and at every level, performance is

on-track and on-time for success.

Purpose Statement

The job of Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA) is done for the purpose/s of assisting a licensed Occupational Therapist in helping students gain functional independence so that they can more completely benefit from the educational environment.

Essential Functions

• Assists students in gaining functional independence for the purpose of enabling them to more completely benefit from the educational environment.
• Assists students in gaining functional independence for the purpose of enabling them to more completely benefit from the educational environment.
• Assists other personnel as assigned by the Executive Director of SPED or their designee, and Licensed Occupational Therapist for the purpose of supporting them in the completion of their work activities.
• Assists OTR with screenings and assessments for the purpose of identifying student needs.
• Attends meetings, workshops and conferences for the purpose of receiving and/or conveying information related to job functions.
• Collaborates with teachers for the purpose of developing plans and/or modifying curriculum to meet the academic needs of the student.
• Communicates with students, parent/guardians, staff, and community for the purpose of facilitating communication between/among involved parties.
• Develop an awareness of changes in OT (e.g. innovative ideas, techniques, practices, etc.) for the purpose of supporting and/or changing current method(s).
• Facilitates effective occupational therapy interventions for the purpose of assisting the teacher in improving the students' academic and life skill success through specially developed OT student IEPs.
• Maintains written materials for the purpose of documenting activities, providing written reference and/or conveying information.
• Monitors individual students (e.g. collect observational data, etc.) for the purpose of providing assistance in preparation of progress reports/evaluations and ensuring a safe and positive learning environment.
• Prepares therapy materials and/or equipment for the purpose of ensuring they are ready for student use.
• Provides direct occupational therapy services to students according to IEP goals for the purpose of ensuring compliance with established practices and procedures.
• Responds to inquiries (e.g. parents, teachers, staff, etc.) for the purpose of providing information or referring to appropriate personnel.
• Support newly identified OT students for the purpose of complying with directives in their IEP.
• Supports training for applicable staff on specific accommodations for students (e.g. devices, grips, motor- writing strategies, etc.) for the purpose of providing appropriate services as documented by the IEP.

SKILL S are required to perform multiple, highly complex, technical tasks with a need to periodically upgrade skills in

KNOWLEDGE is required to perform basic math, including calculations using fractions, percents, and/or ratios; read technical information, compose a variety of documents, and/or facilitate group discussions; and solve practical problems. Specific knowledge-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include:pertinent codes, policies, regulations and/or laws; and stages of child development.

ABILITY is required to schedule a number of activities, meetings, and/or events; gather, collate, and/or classify data; and consider a variety of factors when using equipment. Flexibility is required to independently work with others in a wide 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 significant diversity of individuals and/or groups; work with data of varied types and/or purposes; and utilize a variety of types of job-related equipment. Problem solving is required to analyze issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data frequently requires independent interpretation of guidelines; and problem solving with equipment is moderate. Specific ability based

competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: maintaining confidentiality; meeting deadlines and schedules; displaying patience and self-control; and working with constant interruptions.

Responsibility

Responsibilities include: working under direct supervision of an OTR, using standardized procedures; directing other persons within a small work unit; operating within a defined budget. Utilization of some resources from other work units is often required to perform the job functions. There is a continual opportunity to impact the organization’s services.

Work Environment

The usual and customary methods of performing the job functions require the following physical demands: significant lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, some climbing and balancing, frequent stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 50% sitting, 30% walking, and 20% standing. The job is performed under minimal temperature variations and under conditions with some exposure to risk of injury and/or illness.

Experience : Job related experience within a specialized field with increasing levels of responsibility is required.

Education: Targeted, job related education with study in job-related area. Associate degree in Occupational Therapy

Equivalency: An Associate’s Degree with a COTA degree from an accredited program recognized by Kansas

Required Testing: Certificates and Licenses

COTA degree from an accredited program recognized by Kansas Board of Healing Arts COTA-

Current Kansas License

Continuing Educ./Training: Clearances

Kansas Bureau of Investigation

Kansas Department of Children and Families

Physical and Tuberculosis Clearance

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: 186 Days

Certified Salary Schedule

SALARY:

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

REPORT TO: Director of Libraries and Building Principal

EVALUATION: Performance will be evaluated in accordance with Board of Education policy

Applications will be reviewed prior to the closing date for this position.

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. The individual holding this position performs additional duties and additional duties may be assigned.

Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer. KCKPS is an equal opportunity employer and shall not discriminate in its employment practices and policies with respect to hiring, compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment because of an individual’s race, color, religion, sex/gender (to include orientation, identity or expression), age, disability, national origin, genetic information or any other basis prohibited by law.

For more information regarding Title IX please contact:

District Compliance Coordinator

2010 N. 59 th Street

Kansas City, KS 66104

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