Duties and Responsibilities:
Assists OTR with screenings, assessments and occupational therapy services;follows and implements documented IEP plans or protocols; documents student progress toward meeting established objectives and reports the information to the OTR;assists the OTR during assessments with formal documentation, preparing materials, and performing clerical duties;prepares therapy materials and/or equipment for use in the classroom and therapy activities;adapts or modifies instructional materials and/or equipment as determined by student needs and abilities for teacher use in the classroom;assists in maintaining student records, tallying data, preparing charts,records, graphs, and reports;assists in organizing classroom activities such as displaying educational materials, arranging furniture to facilitate instructional requirements, and creates an orderly and clean learning environment;may implement behavior management programs for students as designed by certified staff, observes and reports significant student behavior, behavioral patterns, and/or other problems to the OTR.
Note: The COTA is NOT able to conduct assessments/evaluations,initiate treatments,interpret data, alter IEP plans or perform any task without the express knowledge/approval of the supervising OTR.The COTA is able to administer assessments with OTR approval but is NOT able to interpret the results.
Education and Experience:
Associate degree in and/or graduation from a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant certificate program, OR Bachelors degree in Occupational Therapy with a minimum of 70 hours field work/clinical experience from a Board-approved program .Must have demonstrated competence in effective communication required; experience in a school setting preferred.
Licenses and Certificates:
Current certification by the Tennessee Board of Occupational Therapy as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) at the time of appointment and must maintain current certification throughout employment in this classification.
Knowledge of:
- Occupational therapy equipment, materials,procedures;
- Current occupational therapy methodologies;
- Normal child development;
- Physical and mental disorders that can affect pediatric occupational performance;
- Learning patterns in children;
- Student behavior management techniques and strategies;
- Dealing effectively with attitudes and behaviors of students;
- Effective time management;
- Effective selection, preparation and presentation of materials;
- Maintaining student progress documentation;
- A variety of screening tools, protocols, and forms of documentation;
- Effective implementation of therapy objectives;
- Operation of instructional and office equipment;
- Simple math in order to compile reports, and maintain records and status reports;
- Effective and tactful communication in both oral and written forms to ensure successful interaction with parents, students, supervisor, school staff, and community agency representatives;
- Modification and differentiation of lessons to meet students’ needs and progress(with guidance from OTR);
- Consultation with OTR when student’s progress is not consistent;
- Development and monitoring of carry over activities with classroom teacher and home;
- Development and implementation of creative, appropriate lessons/materials to ensure progress towards student IEP goals;
- Working with students individually and in small groups;
- Development of schedules for student services that meet IEP requirements.
FSLA Status - Exempt
