Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) - 20267394 presso Clover Park School District

*Hourly Wage Range - $39.97/hr - $$42.25/hr

Hours per Day -7.0

Days per Year  - 191

**Shift - 7:15am - 2:30pm

I. IDENTIFYING INFORMATION

A.: Job Title:                                                               B. Classification Level:
 Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)               PT-6

C. Reports to:   
 Special Education Supervisor 

  
II. SUMMARY OF ASSIGNMENT

As a licensed health care provider within the educational system this position assists the occupational therapist in providing occupational therapy services to support the education of students with special needs.  The certified occupational therapy assistant is professionally responsible to, and under the supervision and direction of, a licensed occupational therapist(s) for all therapy-related issues.

III. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Assist the occupational therapist in conducting observations and/or screenings of students with physical/motor disabilities using formal or informal procedures.
2. Assist therapist in administering therapy testing protocols. 
3. Assist in recording and documenting observations and/or screening results. 
4. Work in cooperation with the occupational therapist to maintain an appropriate record-keeping and reporting system.
5. Design and implement therapeutic activities based upon goals and objectives in student's IEP records.
6. Establish schedule and proceed with service delivery and other assigned duties.
7. Independently travel to school sites delivering occupational therapy services 
8. Provide direct occupational therapy services for individual students, or groups of students, based on the goals and objectives established by the occupational therapist.
9. Use professional judgment in modifying functional techniques of therapeutic activities within the established Therapy Plan. 
10. Locate and prepare specialized therapy materials and equipment for student use.  Maintain therapy equipment, assemble and modify adaptive equipment, and prepare equipment inventory lists and update as necessary. 
11. Document intervention procedures and results using appropriate forms.
12. Compile data, records, and work samples for preparation of reports, IEP’s, assessments, and conferences.
13. As a member of the motor team, participate in the school District's comprehensive planning process for the education of children with special needs.
14. Provide information and establish relationships with school personnel, parents, and non-school agencies to promote the education of students with physical/motor disabilities.  Participate in training sessions for staff and families. 
15. Participate in professional growth continuing education opportunities as required by established state licensure laws and District expectations. Adhere to established ethical standards of the occupational therapy profession, state law, and District policy. 
16. Work in direct contact with students affected by a variety of disabilities including, but not limited to, medically fragile students to promote their prescribed occupational therapy programs.
17. May also require working directly with disturbed and/or emotionally distraught students
The essential functions listed above are not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary.  The position may perform a variety of non-essential functions consistent with the scope and intent of the position.

IV. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

A. Education and Experience
1. Associate degree for Occupational Therapy Assistant from accredited college or school, including fieldwork.
2. Current Washington State License for COTA. Certification in good standing with professional association.

B. Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
1. Excellent communication and human relation skills.
2. Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
3. Ability to take initiative and work independently with minimal supervision, as well as work effectively within a team environment.
4. Knowledge and understanding of accepted occupational therapy practices and procedures.
5. Excellent communication skills and effective problem solving ability.
6. Professional competence, patience, and the physical capacity to transfer and manipulate students
7. Demonstrated proficiency in written and oral communication.
8. Knowledge of accounting and budgetary principals and practices.
9. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, parents and staff members.
10. Ability to take initiative, work independently, and effectively manage multiple projects with conflicting deadlines and/or priorities.
11. Ability to work effectively on a team.
12. Ability to exercise sound decision making skills.
13. Proficient knowledge and experience operating a personal computer and applications in word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentational software.
14. Knowledge of diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds of the community’s citizens.

C. Certification and Licenses
1. Current Washington State License for COTA. 
2. Valid Washington State driver’s license and proof of insurance
3. Fingerprint and Background check

V. DESIRABLE QUALIFCATIONS

1. Previous experience as a COTA in a school setting..
 
2. 
VI. WORKING CONDITIONS
Required to be itinerant, and travel to school sites.  Requires patience, dexterity, and physical capacity to move and handle students. Work in close contact with students assisting with a variety of disabilities in completing therapeutic routines.  Position requires sitting; standing; walking; driving; carrying; lifting; filing; hearing; speaking; writing; keyboarding; and exposure to angry, frustrated, or aggressive individuals.
FLSA: Non-Exempt AFFLIATION: ESPCP
   
JOB CLASS: Professional Technical    WORK YEAR: 191 days

*Internal candidates may be placed on a longevity step per corresponding collective bargaining agreement.

**Shifts are subject to change

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment with Clover Park School District is conditional pending completion of a Washington State Patrol and Federal Bureau of Investigation fingerprint background check as required by RCW28A.400.303. (NOTE: All associated background check fees are the employee’s responsibility.) The fingerprint scan must be completed prior to the first day of employment.

INSURANCE BENEFITS

Employees who are anticipated to work 630 hours during the school year (September 1 through August 31) are eligible for medical, dental, vision, long term disability, and basic life insurance benefits. Clover Park School District benefits are administered by the Washington State Healthcare Authority under the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB). Click on the link https://www.hca.wa.gov/employee-retiree-benefits/school-employees for information on available benefit options.

RETIREMENT AND DEFERRED COMPENSATION

Eligible employees are required to be a member of the Washington State Department of Retirement System Plan. For eligibility information, check on the link to the Department of Retirement Systems' website.

Employees also have the ability to participate in tax deferred 403(b) and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP). These are supplemental retirement savings programs that allows you control over the amount of pretax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Click on the link https://www.drs.wa.gov/plan/dcp/ for information on 457 plan (DCP) with the Department of Retirement Systems.

To enroll in an eligible 403(b) plan, employees must consult with their own financial planner that is an approved vendor.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Clover Park School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, creed, religion, color, national origin, immigration or citizenship status, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, homelessness, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, neurodivergence, the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or marital status. The District provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Address questions and complaints of alleged discrimination to the following individuals at Clover Park School District, 10903 Gravelly Lake Dr. SW, Lakewood, Washington 98499-1341: Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator and Title IX Coordinator, Greg Davis, Executive Director of Compliance and Student Services, (253) 583-5154, [email protected]; Section 504/ADA Coordinator, Jennifer Herbold, Executive Director of Special Education, (253) 583-5170, [email protected]. Title IX inquiries may also be directed to the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR), https://bit.ly/US-OCR. Information about the nondiscrimination and sex-based discrimination policies and grievance procedures, and how to report a concern or complaint, is available at https://bit.ly/CPSDHIBPolicy; OSPI required language per RCW 28A.300.286 is available at https://bit.ly/OSPIModelLanguage.