Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (Full or Part Time)

Title Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant Location NCOESC service areas (Mansfield and Marion) Reports To Assistant Superintendent Scheduled Days As per employment contract (Full time or part time available) FLSA Status Exempt Job Summary Under general direction of the Assistant Superintendent of Special Education and supervision of a Registered Occupational Therapist, provides therapy services to students in compliance with IEPs. The Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant’s role may include the following functions:

Has knowledge of methods of observation, recording and data collection that applies to the monitoring of therapy objectives

Has knowledge of routine occupational therapy practices

Is able to work with students in many nontraditional treatment settings

Has understanding of and concern for other people including:

a desire to foster the student’s independence and sense of self-worth and to aid in the student’s understanding of individual differences

a commitment to the concept that each person is an individual with individual rights

the ability to work and communicate effectively with students having various cognitive and physical limitations

the ability to develop rapport with and empathy for staff and students

knowledge of health and safety issues and the ability to monitor and direct others in health and safety areas of concern

an awareness of the emotional needs of students

Assists with keeping accurate records of the therapy budget, inventory, and equipment

Participates in evaluations and assessments, using standardized measures, formal and informal tests and checklists as appropriate

Is able to assume and carry out responsibilities assigned by the supervising therapist

Implements therapeutic procedures for which qualified, as designated by the supervising occupational therapist

Contributes to progress reports and helps collect data for IEPs

Assists with establishing goals for students and developing individual and group therapy activities

Assists with the dissemination of established therapeutic programs to the educational staff

Consults with the supervising therapist concerning implementation and status of therapy goals (feeding programs, positioning, equipment, etc.)

Constructs, modifies and maintains adaptive equipment for positioning, ADL, vocational and classroom use

Keeps informed of current professional/subject area literature and curricular learning materials/resources available

Assists in monitoring work and school environments for accessibility

Helps ensure the proper and safe use of equipment, making certain equipment is constructed properly and maintained in good working order

Helps develop an awareness of individual student needs and assists the occupational therapist in monitoring those needs

Assists with instructing the educational staff concerning use of adaptive equipment, positioning programs and integration of therapy goals into classrooms and academic activities to enhance function

Assures that proper position and handling techniques are carried out correctly across all environments