2025-2026 Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

Primary Purpose

Plan and provide therapy to students receiving Special Education Services. Assess students and provide therapeutic intervention to maximize physical function increase independent functioning and/or adjust to disabilities. The school occupational assistant administers occupational therapy interventions guided by an Individual Education plan (IEP) under the direction of an occupational therapist for increased participation and independence within the school environment.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Associates degree from an AOTA accredited COTA program
• Valid license as an Occupational Therapy assistant granted by the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners
• Valid Texas Drivers License
• Candidate must have a satisfactory outcome of a fingerprinting background check. Non-refundable fee approximately $50 paid by employee.

Special Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of rehabilitation procedures, activities, and equipment used in occupational therapy
• Ability to instruct students and manage their behavior
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to facilitate group discussions and effectively communicate with others
• Knowledge of confidentiality practices
• Knowledge of and ability to use district and Special Education databases
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills with an ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders to ensure that our Special Education services are delivered efficiently and in compliance with all regulatory requirements.

Major Responsibilities and Duties

Professionalism

The Educators Code of Ethics is set forth in the Texas Administrative Code to provide rules for standard practices and ethical conduct toward students, professional colleagues, school officials, parents, and members of the community.

• Rule §247.1: Purpose and Scope Definitions
• Rule §247.2: Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators

Student Growth and Development

The therapist fosters student growth and development through activities such as the following:

• Plan and provide direct and consultative services consistent with occupational therapy goals contained in students Individual Education Plans (IEP)
• Evaluate student progress and determine readiness for termination of occupational therapy services
• Design, construct, alter, and provide students with adaptive equipment and devices to promote maximum independence
• Create an environment conducive to learning and appropriate for the maturity level, interests, and needs of the students

Communication and Community Relations

The therapist promotes a positive tone for school or community relations through activities such as the following:

• Develop and maintain effective individual and group relationships with students and parents
• Consult with educational staff and parents regarding occupational therapy
• Consult with parents, teachers, administrators, and other relevant people to enhance their work with students
• Effectively communicate with colleagues, students, and parents
• Provide targeted evidence-based therapeutic intervention to facilitate student participation and occupational performance within the school environment
• Consult with the school-based team to achieve student outcomes
• Adapt and modify the environment, including assistive technology and training instructional staff, to meet individual needs and to help students function as independently as possible
• Educate students, educational personnel, and family to facilitate skills in areas of occupation as well as health maintenance and safety

Organization Management

The therapist manages administrative, fiscal, and facilities functions responsibly through activities such as the following:

• Develop and coordinate a continuing evaluation of the occupational therapy program and implement changes based on the findings
• Assist in the selection of equipment and adaptive materials
• Prioritize and schedule work tasks independently
• Manage inventory of therapeutic equipment and assessments and project needs for budget planning
• Maintain clinical and administrative records in accordance with professional standards, state guidelines, and school system policy
• Adhere to federal and state legislation, regulation, and policies that affect occupational therapy practice
• Review COTA services for quality improvement and make changes as needed to ensure quality of services
• Compile, maintain, and file all reports, records, and other documents required
• Comply with all district and assigned campus routines and regulations
• Document COTA services to ensure accountability of service provision and to meet standards for reimbursement of services as appropriate

Professional Growth and Development

The therapist participates in professional growth and development through activities such as the following:

• Participate in continuing education for professional development to ensure consistency with best practices and to meet credentialing requirements
• Provide staff development training in assigned schools to assist personnel with selection and use of adaptive equipment and understanding occupational therapy program
• Use professional literature, evidence-based research, and continuing education content to make practice decisions
• Attend meetings and participate in staff development activities to improve job-related skills

Qualities of Effective Certified Occupational Therapist Assistants

The therapist exhibits qualities such as the following:

• Daily attendance and punctuality at work are essential functions of the job
• Keep informed of and comply with state, district, and school regulations and policies
• Correct unsafe conditions in work area that could cause an accident and inform supervisor of any conditions that are not correctable immediately
• Shall comply with district policies as well as state and federal laws and regulations
• Shall comply with the standards of conduct set out in Board Policy DH Legal and Local and with any other policies, regulations, and guidelines that impose duties, requirements, and standards
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the administration
• Maintain confidentiality

Equipment

• Adaptive equipment
• Computer
• Printer
• Scanner
• Copier
• Fax
• Other equipment applicable to position

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Working Conditions

• Mental Demands:
• Maintain emotional control under stress
• Work with frequent interruptions
• Physical Demands:
• Frequent walking, standing, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing
• Occasional light lifting and carrying 15-44 pounds
• May be required under specific circumstances to provide physical restraint of students in danger of causing harm to themselves or others
• Environmental Factors:
• District wide and statewide travel
• Frequent exposure to temperature extremes, hot and cold, humidity extremes, noise, low or intense illumination, vibration
• Occasional exposure to biological hazards, communicable diseases, bacteria, etc.
• Work outside, work around moving objects or vehicles, work on uneven surfaces
• Assist students with physical disabilities according to their needs, including transferring to and from wheelchairs and positioning children.