Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (Cota)

Position Type:
Kent ISD Center Based Special Education Programs/Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)
Date Posted:
11/9/2023
Location:
Kent ISD
Closing Date:
Until Filled
District:
Kent ISD - websiteJob Title:Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA)
Kent ISD Center Based Programs - Pine Grove
182 day position
The Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant is responsible for implementing intervention and therapy regarding students' fine and gross motor skills and functional abilities (e.g. perceptual-motor, hand functions, motor coordination, sensory development, muscle strength, etc.) under the direction of the Occupational Therapist.
Job Qualifications:

1. Associates degree require, bachelor's degree preferred
2. Graduate of an accredited occupational therapy assistant program.
3. Hold current and valid state required Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant license.
4. Demonstrated experience in working in early childhood with children that have special needs, preferred
5. Demonstrated knowledge of current testing programs and mandated assessment tools
6. Demonstrated knowledge of effective intervention strategies
7. Knowledge of IDEA and the IEP process
8. Knowledge of current educational issues and best practices
9. Ability to apply problem solving processes and creative thinking
10. Ability to recognize student strengths and weaknesses in communication
11. Ability to analyze and interpret assessment data
12. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
13. Ability to maintain confidentiality
14. Ability to interact well with young children and families with knowledge in child development.
15. Ability to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing, and must have excellent evaluation and assessment skills.
16. Must have good organizational, problem solving and computer skills.
17. Have the ability to work on the floor with students and move quickly should the need arise for safety reasons.
18. Must pass criminal background check as required by School Safety Legislation.
19. Demonstrates a strong commitment to equity, social justice, and inclusion in all practices and position responsibilities. Demonstrates the ability to examine the impact of education inequities in student achievement outcomes as it aligns with race, ethnicity, and socio-economic status.

Responsibilities:

1. Provides direct occupational therapy services to students according to IEP goals for the purpose of ensuring compliance with established practices and procedures.
2. Adapts school and classroom environment, tools and materials under the supervision of the Occupational Therapist for the purpose of improving student functioning and facilitating student access to curricular and instructional activities.
3. Assists Occupational Therapist with assessing students' fine motor, and development skills (e.g. oral motor, sensory integration, motor planning, developmental function, activities of daily living, fine motor function postural tone, etc.) for the purpose of determining their deficits and developing recommendations.
4. Attends meetings and workshops (e.g. IEPs, training, team meetings, conferences, meetings with outside agencies, etc.) for the purpose of conveying and/or receiving information, including best practices for school OT delivery.
5. Consults with Occupational Therapists, physical therapists, speech therapists, teachers, educational assistants, families, etc. for the purpose of providing requested information, reviewing/revising students' occupational therapy goals/objectives, developing plans for services and/or making recommendations to implement goals.
6. Implements therapeutic activities and instructs students, teachers, parents and other involved persons (e.g. positioning, adjusting special equipment, etc.) for the purpose of providing appropriate care to students and/or supporting the student's IEP plan for use in the classroom.
7. Maintains files and/or records in cooperation with the Occupational Therapist (e.g. progress reports, activity logs, etc.) for the purpose of documenting activities and/or ensuring an up-to-date trail for compliance with various state, federal, and administrative regulations.
8. Maintains treatment equipment and supplies in clean and proper working condition for the purpose of implementing motor/therapy goals.
9. Prepares written materials (e.g. activity logs, progress notes, reports, memos, etc.) for the purpose of documenting activities, providing written reference, and/or conveying information.
10. Presents information (e.g. student performance data, clinical feedback, etc.) for the purpose of communicating information, gaining feedback and ensuring adherence to established internal controls.
11. Troubleshoots problems with assistive devices (e.g. computer technology, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring that equipment is in proper working order and/or providing alternative strategies.
12. Other duties as assigned.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements.
Salary: KISSA Instructional Support Specialist Wage Schedule - $17.88/hr - $20.83/hr
Benefits: Robust full benefit package includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, generous sick time; State of Michigan School Employment retirement program; student loan forgiveness may be available through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program for eligible Federal student loans.
Posting Dates: 11/9/23 - Until Filled
Distribution: External & Internal
To Apply: Kent Intermediate School District manages employment applications online. No hardcopy applications/resumes will be accepted for this position.

• Applications must be completed online at www.jobs.kentisd.org
• Please note, due to the large number of applications, we are unable to attend to e-mail or telephone inquiries on application status.
• All candidates will be timely notified regarding their application status.

The final candidate for this position will be required (at their cost) to furnish Kent Intermediate School District with a current Michigan State Police and FBI criminal records LiveScan check prior to our recommendation to hire.
It is the policy of the Kent ISD School Board that no student, staff member or candidate for any position in the District shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, creed, ancestry, age, gender/sex, sexual orientation, marital status, height, weight, veteran status, political belief or physical/mental disability which does not impair their ability to perform adequately in the individual's particular position or activity, excluded from participation in, denied the benefit of, or to be subjected to discrimination in any program or activity for which the Kent ISD School Board is responsible for or receives financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education. The Coordinator for Title IX, Section 504, the Age Discrimination Act and Title II is: Danielle Hendry, Human Resource Director.