CERTIFIED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT (COTA) Rev. July 2025
All LISD employees are expected to maintain an extreme degree of confidentiality by following the
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) for student information
and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) for employee and student information.
Job No.: 301 FLSA Status: Exempt
Reports to: Lead OT/PT Pay Grade: 301
Dept./Campus: Special Programs Term: 187 Days
PRIMARY PURPOSE:
To provide direct occupational therapy services under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist. Collaborate
with occupational therapists, educators, and other members of the student's academic team to promote student
success in fine motor, gross motor, sensory processing, self-care, and functional skills.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
- Provide occupational therapy services as specified in the student's Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and
occupational therapy plan of care.
- Develop and assist students with individualized therapeutic strategies to improve handwriting,
keyboarding, scissor skills, and other classroom-related motor tasks. Design therapeutic strategies
for students to develop self-help skills such as dressing, feeding, and hygiene to promote
independence in the school environment.
- Design individualized sensory integration techniques to help students with sensory processing challenges
remain focused and engaged in classroom activities.
- Assist occupational therapists in recommending revisions to student IEP goals based on therapy progress.
- Train students and school staff to access adaptive equipment, assistive technology, and modifications to
enhance accessibility and participation in learning.
- Interact with students regarding student's progress and/or achievement of goals during each treatment
session.
- Provide individualized therapeutic interventions in a variety of school settings, including classrooms, therapy
rooms, playgrounds, and cafeterias.
- Implement and train students and school staff in therapeutic strategies to improve attention, self-regulation,
and social participation in school routines.
- Collaborate closely with special education teachers, general education teachers, instructional assistants, and
other school staff to integrate individualized student occupational therapy strategies into the classroom
setting.
- Provide recommendations and training to staff and families regarding accommodation, modifications, and
classroom strategies to support student participation.
- Assist in collecting data and monitoring student progress towards IEP goals.
- Maintain accurate and timely documentation of therapy sessions in line with school district policies, state
regulations, and federal guidelines (IDEA and Section 504).
- Contribute to progress reports and assist in drafting therapy-related sections of IEPs and 504 Plans in
collaboration with occupational therapist.
- Monitor the effectiveness of adaptive equipment and recommend repairs or replacement of materials needed
for student interventions.
- Compile, maintain, and file all physical and computerized reports, records, and other documents required.
- Follow ethical and professional standards of practice as outlined by the American Occupational
Therapy Association (AOTA) and state licensure requirements.
- Comply with policies established by federal and state laws, Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners,
CERTIFIED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT (COTA) Rev. July 2025
All LISD employees are expected to maintain an extreme degree of confidentiality by following the
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) for student information
and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) for employee and student information.
State Board of Education rule, board policy, and all district and campus routines and regulations.
- Maintain confidentiality.
- Lifting, transporting students and therapy testing materials weighing up to 40 pounds.
- Demonstrates regular and prompt attendance
- Perform other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
GENERAL QUALIFICATION GUIDELINES
Education/Certification/Experience:
- Valid Texas license as an Occupational Therapy Assistant issued by the Texas Board of
Occupational Therapy Examiners, completing required CEUs for every license renewal period.
- Graduate from an accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant program, earning an associate's
degree in science or equivalent combination of training/experience to demonstrate ability to
do the job.
- Experience in occupational therapy, including contact with school-age children.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
- Skill in organization; communication; and interpersonal relations.
- Ability to implement occupational therapy treatment programs as specified by occupational therapy plan of
care; and communicate effectively (verbal and written).
Mental/Physical/Environmental Demands:
The essential functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the characteristic duties,
responsibilities, knowledge, skills, and abilities noted herein; however, this is not a comprehensive listing of all
functions and tasks performed by positions found in this job description.
- Frequent district-wide travel in personal vehicle.
- Needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
- Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy
machine, and computer printer.
- Frequently communicates with other employees or the public.
- Must be able to exchange accurate information.
- Ability to understand, remember, and communicate routine, factual information.
- Ability to organize and prioritize own work schedule on short-term basis.
- Ability to make decisions which have moderate impact on immediate work unit.
- Ability to compose letters, outlines, memoranda, and basic reports and/or to orally communicate
technical information.
- Ability to communicate with individuals utilizing a telephone, computer, or other electronic device.
- Use standard office equipment including personal computer and peripherals. Potential exposure to
bodily fluids and communicable diseases.
- May be required to list 50-80 pounds unassisted.
- May be required to list 81-200 pounds assisted.
- Occasional prolonged and irregular hours.
CERTIFIED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT (COTA) Rev. July 2025
All LISD employees are expected to maintain an extreme degree of confidentiality by following the
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) for student information
and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) for employee and student information.
- Prolonged sitting; occasional bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting.
- Repetitive hand motions including frequent keyboarding and use of mouse; occasional reaching.
- Work with frequent interruptions.
- Maintain composure and professionalism at all times.