CERTIFIED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT (COTA)

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)

Student Support Service Job Opening for the 2026-2027 School Year. School assignment to be determined. Starting salary: $53,525.99 for 35-hours per week.

Responsibilities:

• Schedules student therapeutic sessions in collaboration with licensed and certified occupational therapist (OTR/L), teachers, and/or other related service personnel to implement therapy programs focused on achieving educational goals and objectives as outlined in students' Individual Education Plans (IEPs).
• Implements therapy programs/plans designed to help students function independently under the direction of an OTR/L.
• Conducts safe, therapeutically appropriate individual and group therapy based on a students' Individual Education Plan (IEP).
• Developments and maintains effective communication with all team members (student, family, teachers, and other related service personnel) to represent OT needs and contribute to the development of OT-related services.
• Consults with members of PPT team when making recommendations for treatment, adaptations, modifications, and other supports to educational program based upon clinical judgment and best practice guidelines.
• Maintains appropriate student goals based on data and student progress that are identified as needed in the most current evaluations under the direction of supervising OTR/L.
• In collaboration with OTR/L, completes student observations and/or screenings to determine the need for further evaluation and/or appropriate recommendations.
• Completes/contributes to portions of occupational therapy evaluations, as appropriate, within scope of license, as requested by evaluating OTR/L.
• Participates in eligibility determination and IEP/PPT meetings and reports on student progress in attaining goals and objectives.
• Assists classroom staff in tasks including self-care and positioning of students and in the care of splints, adaptive utensils, and self-care aides.
• Submits requests for OT-based equipment needs, as per student treatment plan, to direct supervisor/s.
• Implements home programs and provides instruction for classroom staff, students, and families.
• Maintains current caseload information and accurate treatment data, completes progress summaries, and updates student files in a timely manner.
• Assists OTR/Ls in maintaining compliance of federal, state, and district mandates as it relates to the development and maintenance of Individualized Education Plans (IEP), Medicaid billing, treatment plans, and therapy log development.
• Participate in professional learning opportunities to maintain best practice standards and implement pertinent evidence-based research into daily practice.
• Meets with and maintains ongoing communication with supervising OTR/L on a regular basis regarding student needs and OT programing.
• Serves and protects the occupational therapy practice by adhering to professional standards, policies and procedures, federal, state, and local requirements, and National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) standards.
• Other duties as assigned by OTR/L or department administrator.

Qualifications:

• Connecticut licensure as an Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) and certification by the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).
• Superior organizational, oral and written communication skills.
• Strong and effective communication and collaboration with all staff, students, parents and community representatives.
• Demonstrate commitment to department "team" concept and the success of the organization.
• Demonstrate consistent and punctual attendance to designated school/therapy sites.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment to maintain consistent schedules and provide all therapeutic services as assigned.
• Ability to meet deadlines as required.
• Ability to travel to service students at more than one school location during the workday.
• Knowledge of Special Education (IEP/504) policies and procedures preferred.
• Knowledge of a public-school policies and procedures preferred.
• Computer literate.