Position Type: Special Education DepartmentDate Posted: 8/8/2024Location: Northern Shores Elementary SchoolClosing Date: UNTIL FILLEDPosition: Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) Salary: $36,951 - $47,393
Under the general supervision of the Director of Special Education and supervising Occupational Therapist, the Occupational Therapy Assistant provides school-based occupational therapy services to enable students to benefit from special education programing. Areas of emphasis include, but are not limited to, fine motor skills, perceptual-motor skills, sensory processing skills, and activities of daily living skills as related to a student's ability to access the educational program. Primary Responsibilities
- Contribute to the planning of applicable portions of Individualized Education Programs (IEP)/504 Plans for eligible students with support from supervising occupational therapist.
- Implement IEP/504 occupational therapy services (direct and/or consultative) to eligible students in area of endorsement.
- Ensure that all services are performed in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
- Contribute information/therapy data from ongoing treatment sessions to supervising occupational therapist for IEPs and evaluations to assist in determining students' continued eligibility for services.
- Provide consultation to educational staff and parents regarding student progress and strategies to meet students' needs.
- Attend and contribute to team meetings to assist in determining student placement, strengths, needs, services, programs, etc.
- Actively participate in the supervisory relationship with supervising occupational therapist.
- Review student records and IEPs and provide input regarding appropriate services.
- Record and report students' progress on IEP goals in computerized IEP system.
- Maintain therapy equipment and materials.
- Complete and maintain documentation requirements (progress reports, therapeutic treatment logs, documentation required for Medicaid billing, etc.) in accordance with confidentiality requirements.
- Participate in regularly scheduled division-wide professional development and staff meetings.
- Perform any other related duties as assigned by the Director of Special Education or other appropriate administrator.
Note: The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities. It is not meant to be all inclusive of every task or responsibility. Equipment
- Use standard office equipment such as personal computers, printer, copy and fax machines, and telephone.
Travel Requirements
- Travel to school district buildings and professional meetings as required.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Current professional license issued by the Virginia Department of Health Professions.
- Current certification issued by The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy.
- Minimum of Associate's degree from an accredited program in discipline applicable to assignment.
- Thorough knowledge of pediatric/school-based occupational therapy treatment methods.
- Experience providing school-based therapy preferred.
- Experience documenting school-based Medicaid-eligible therapy services preferred.
- Effective organizational and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to implement assigned treatment plans to address the individualized needs of eligible students within the educational setting.
- Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws regarding education and students.
- Ability to use computer network system and software applications as needed.
- Ability to organize and coordinate work.
- Ability to engage in self-evaluation with regard to performance and professional growth.
- Ability to maintain workflow in a variety of environments and situations with a diverse population.
- Ability to demonstrate punctuality and reliability, and to complete assigned duties in a timely manner.
- Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships and effectively communicate with others contacted in the course of work.
- Travel to school district buildings and professional meetings as required.
- Use of standard office equipment.
- Ability to stand, sit, bend, lift/carry as related to job requirements.
Education Associate's degree from an acredited college or university in discipline applicable to assigment. Certification Must hold a valid license from the Virginia Department of Health Professions Physical and Mental Demands, Work Hazards The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Duties are normally performed in a school/classroom environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. FLSA Status: Non-exempt Contract: 10 Months/Full time Benefits: Employer Portion Paid Retirement, Life Insurance, Contribution to Medical Insurance, Personal and Sick Leave.