Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant - Job #7396

Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant

Located in beautiful southeast Arizona, Sierra Vista Unified School District is seeking passionate, dedicated individuals to join our PreK-12 team! Award-Winning District * 5 Outstanding Schools * Competitive Salaries * Incentives * Paid Holidays & Leave * Exceptional Employee Benefits & Resources * Culture of Caring & Support

The Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA) licensing in Arizona is regulated by the Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners. The following are the qualifications for the COTA licensing:

• Complete a two-year program from an accredited OT program and graduate with an Associate's degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant.
• Complete at least 680 hours of supervised field experience.
• Obtain a passing score on the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapist (NBCOT) COTA Exam.

Qualifications:

• Current Arizona Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant License
• School-based COTA experience, preferred
• Ability to obtain a valid Arizona IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card
• Ability to obtain National Provider Identifier (NPI) Number to participate in the Medicaid School Based Claiming Program
• Have knowledge, skill and or experience in the implementation of Positive Behavior Intervention Supports (PBIS) strategies or be willing to receive training in those strategies

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to demonstrate strong leadership skills
• Strong organizational and record-keeping skills
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• Ability to work independently and to establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with district personnel and other team members
• Ability to follow written and/or verbal instructions
• Ability to demonstrate interpersonal and problem-solving skills to address challenges related to special education services
• Ability to demonstrate exceptional customer service skills
• Ability to maintain accurate records and reports and work with and secure the cooperation of students
• Ability to operate computer equipment for email communications, word processing, data management, and other assigned tasks as related to the position
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of situations
• Utilize, with fidelity, the District Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS) program at the building level
• Attention to detail for IEPs and program documentation
• Empathy, patience, and a genuine passion for working with students with disabilities
• Ability to understand and maintain students' and parents' rights to confidentiality and not violate those rights; nor discuss students in inappropriate places or with anyone not in direct contact with such individual students
• Ensure information obtained through the course of duties associated with this position, is held in the highest of confidentiality
• Perform all duties in accordance with Federal and State laws, district procedures, and Board policies, including mandatory reporting procedures

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide direct and consultative occupational therapy services to eligible students in compliance with the Individual Education Program (IEP), established practices and procedures
• Provide treatment therapy to eligible students to achieve specified educational objectives as defined by the IEP team under the supervision of a certified occupational therapist
• Maintain timely therapy notes, files and/or records in cooperation with the Occupational Therapist (e.g. student performance data, progress reports, activity logs, Medicaid billing) to document activities and/or ensure compliance with various state, federal, and administrative regulations
• Attend meetings and workshops (e.g. IEPs, training, team meetings, conferences, meetings with outside agencies) to convey and/or receive information, including best practices for school OT delivery
• Adapt school and classroom environment, tools and materials under the supervision of the Occupational Therapist to improve student functioning and facilitating student access to curricular and instructional activities
• Consult with teachers and other therapists to assist with the evaluation and potential solutions to treatment and therapy concerns for students and for adherence to the IEP
• Ensure regular and on-time attendance to ensure services are provided
• Collaborate closely with teachers and site administration

Physical Demands:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to reach with hands and arms, sit, stand, walk, stoop, and bend as necessary for student learning and safety
• The employee may lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects weighing a minimum of 50 to 75 pounds, frequently
• May lift and assist students as necessary
• The employee will read correspondence and computer screens, and use the telephone

Work Environment:

• Indoor school building and classroom environment and ability to work outdoors during outdoor student activities
• The noise level in the work environment is generally moderate and may become excessively noisy at times
• Will have contact with students, staff and the public

Organizational Relationships:

• The Director of Exceptional Student Services will evaluate performance of this position in accordance with the provisions of the Governing Board Policy on Evaluation of Certified Personnel
• The Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant will interact cooperatively with all other staff positions
• All elements of good human relations will be practiced

Terms of Employment:

• Initial Wage Placement Plan
• School Year - 9 Month Contract

Benefits:

• SVUSD offers a competitive benefits package that includes health, dental, vision, and supplemental insurance options available at an additional cost to employees. Benefits also include paid leave, paid holidays, paid life insurance, and an equal contribution to the Arizona State Retirement plan.