COTA (Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant)

Murfreesboro City Schools

Special Education Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)

Special Education Department

Effective on 07/19/04. Revised on 11/2/23

Credentials: Associate's Degree in Occupational Therapy. Must hold, or be eligible to apply for, a current valid license by the State of Tennessee Department of Health Related Boards in the area of Occupational Therapy Assistant.

Other Qualifications: Must meet all health, physical and background check requirements. Must have successfully completed supervised clinical internship. Must have successfully pass a national OT certification exam. Must have appropriate Tennessee licensure and /or certification. Must have broad knowledge and demonstrated proficiency in the areas relevant to providing therapy to eligible students in the public school setting, and be able to carry out responsibilities with limited direct supervision. Must have strong Interpersonal skills-ability to work effectively with a wide range of people (i.e., students, school administrators, teachers, support staff, etc.) Must be able to take direction and work productively both on a team and independently, along with being able to organize multiple priorities and work on a flexible schedule. Experience working with students with disabilities in a public school setting preferred. Must be familiar with Assistive Technology (AT) tools and strategies for students with disabilities.

Physical Demands: This person must be physically active and interactive throughout the day, have excellent memory; be emotionally mature and able to handle stress; possess the intellectual, sensory, and motor skills necessary for efficient office management, be flexible and the ability to work in an open, potentially distracting environment.

Essential Job Functions: The COTA will provide the Occupational Therapy services specified in the IEPs of eligible students with disabilities which are educationally focused and designed to enable students with disabilities benefit from their special education program. Other job functions include:

1. Maintain a positive relationship and open communication with supervising OTRs
2. Once the OTR has determined a plan for therapy, provide OT services as specified in each student's IEP and relay all relevant information to the OTR on a regular basis throughout the school year.
3. Assume responsibility for scheduling OT sessions during the school day as specified in each student's IEP.
4. Plan day-to-day curriculum and prepare materials to address the OT goals specified in each student's IEP.
5. Complete and maintain all therapy records and other required documents pertinent to the performance of assigned responsibilities and duties in an accurate and timely manner.
6. Provide all requested information to the OTR for IEP preparation (input for goal planning) in an accurate and timely manner.
7. Assess student progress towards goals and objectives on a regular basis and complete progress reports as required
8. Complete daily logging of students on caseload
9. Assist in gathering evaluation data as directed by the OTR.
10. With guidance from OTR, consult and collaborate with teachers and teams by suggesting ideas for classroom interventions and training other staff as needed
11. Move about the school system and community during school hours as needed, in the performance of assigned responsibilities and duties.
12. Maintain a daily log of activities carried out in the performance of assigned responsibilities and duties.
13. Maintain ethical standards while working independently
14. Assume full responsibility for maintaining professional endorsements, licensure, professional development and in-service, etc. required for employment in the position.

Staff Relationship: Reports directly to the School Principal.

Terms of Employment: Ten (10) months. Salary and benefits set annually. Non-Exempt.

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) and does not constitute an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position.

Murfreesboro City Schools does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, gender, national origin, disability, religion, genetic information, creed, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law in the provision of services, programs, activities, employment opportunities, or benefits.

Murfreesboro City Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Individuals who need reasonable accommodations for the application or hiring process should contact the Human Resources Department for assistance.