Occupational Therapy Assistant

JOB SUMMARY
Community Child Guidance Clinic is seeking a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to provide school-based occupational therapy services to students with social, emotional, behavioral, and educational needs within our therapeutic school program.
Under the supervision of a licensed Occupational Therapist, the COTA will support students in accessing and participating in the educational environment by implementing individualized treatment plans designed to improve functional, behavioral, sensory, motor, self-regulation, and daily living skills necessary for school success.
This position works collaboratively with teachers, clinicians, related service providers, behavioral staff, and families as part of a multidisciplinary special education team. Experience working in school settings and/or with pediatric populations is strongly preferred.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide direct school-based occupational therapy services to students in accordance with treatment plans developed by the supervising Occupational Therapist
• Implement individualized therapy plans based on IEP goals to improve students' fine motor skills, sensory processing, and coordination to allow access to educational curriculum.
• Assist with occupational therapy screenings, observations, data collection, and evaluations within the school environment
• Support students in improving participation in classroom activities, transitions, sensory regulation, fine motor skills, self-care tasks, and other school-related functional skills
• Implement therapeutic strategies and interventions within classrooms and other school settings
• Adapt classroom materials, sensory tools, equipment, and learning environments to support student needs
• Collaborate regularly with special education teachers, school administration, clinicians, paraprofessionals, and families regarding student progress and support strategies
• Maintain accurate treatment notes, service documentation, and progress data in accordance with school, state, and federal requirements
• Assist in maintaining therapy spaces, sensory equipment, and treatment materials
• Participate in PPT meetings, staff meetings, trainings, and other school-based team collaboration opportunities as appropriate
• Promote a safe, inclusive, trauma-informed, and supportive educational environment for all students

QUALIFICATIONS

• Associates Degree from an accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant program
• Graduate of a program accredited by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) or equivalent educational preparation approved by the Connecticut Department of Public Health
• Completion of required supervised fieldwork experience
• Successful completion of the required certification examination
• Minimum of 23 years of experience working with pediatric populations and/or within school-based settings strongly preferred
• Experience working with students with behavioral, emotional, developmental, or special education needs preferred
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary educational team

LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION

• Current Connecticut licensure as an Occupational Therapy Assistant required