Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA)

Job title

Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA)

Reports to

Principals/Program Administrator for

Exceptional Children; Occupational Therapists

Terms of Employment

10 Months

Salary

Occupational Therapist Assistant – MH10-MH12

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

Qualifications

• Completion of an accredited educational curriculum for occupational therapy assistants (required) and two years of experience or
• An equivalent combination of education and experience
• NC Occupational Therapy Assistant License

Job Goals:

• Evaluates students' abilities through a variety of functional and behavioral assessments and collection of information
• Provides direct therapy through various activities to develop and maintain living skills
• Participates in the multi-disciplinary meetings to develop Individual Education Plans
• Designs and constructs or modifies special equipment to meet individual needs
• Prepares sensory diets for students as appropriate
• Instructs and monitors educational personnel, community agencies and parents in the program to increase strength and dexterity of exceptional students
• Coordinates the development and evaluation of a school-wide occupational therapy program
• Projects budget needs, prepares and maintains budget
• Documents needs for equipment and materials
• Maintains clinical and administrative records in accordance with state guidelines and school policy
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned by supervisor

The major physical and cognitive requirements listed below are applicable to this job classification within Person County Schools.

Work in this classification is considered light physical work requiring the exertion of up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to move objects.

Must be able to:

• walk, lift, reach, stoop, stand, grasp, kneel, crouch, key requiring repetitive motions
• use visual acuity in preparing and analyzing written or computer data
• visually inspect small defects and/or small parts
• operate a variety of machines, motor vehicles, hand, and job specific equipment and tools
• determine the accuracy and thoroughness of work
• observe general surroundings and activities
• hear sufficiently to accurately perceive information at normally spoken word levels, receive detailed information through oral communications and make fine distinctions in
• communicate by spoken word to express or exchange ideas and convey detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly
• safely work in situations of exposure to blood borne pathogens which may require specialized personal protective equipment
• demonstrate a working knowledge the theory, principles and methods of occupational therapy and their application
• design or adapt equipment for individual needs
• apply and use therapeutic equipment
• communicate with students, parents and teachers
• prepare and maintain accurate records

Approved by:

Personnel Office

Reviewed:

5/2025

Disclaimer: The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees in this job.