COTA Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) District-WideThe Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) provides occupational therapy services and supports to students across district schools and educational settings under the supervision and direction of a licensed Occupational Therapist (OT). The COTA assists students in developing the functional skills necessary to access, participate in, and make progress within the educational environment.Working collaboratively with occupational therapists, special education staff, general education teachers, related service providers, and families, the COTA implements occupational therapy interventions and strategies that support students' participation in educational activities, including fine motor development, visual-motor integration, sensory processing, self-regulation, activities of daily living, and access to classroom routines and materials. The COTA travels between district schools and settings as needed to provide services in accordance with students' Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and established service plans.Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesImplement occupational therapy interventions and treatment activities developed and directed by the supervising Occupational Therapist to support students' educational access and participation.Provide direct occupational therapy services to students in individual and small-group settings, as well as within classrooms and other natural educational environments, as appropriate.Support students in developing fine motor, visual-motor, visual-perceptual, sensory-motor, and functional skills needed for participation in school activities.Implement strategies to support students' sensory regulation, attention, motor planning, organization, and independence throughout the school day.Assist students in developing functional skills related to handwriting, written output, use of classroom tools and materials, and participation in daily school routines.Support the implementation of adaptive equipment, assistive technology, environmental modifications, and other accommodations recommended by the supervising Occupational Therapist.Collaborate with teachers, special educators, paraprofessionals, related service providers, and other school personnel to support the generalization of occupational therapy strategies across educational settings.Communicate with the supervising Occupational Therapist regarding student progress, response to interventions, barriers to participation, and emerging needs.Collect and maintain accurate data and documentation regarding services delivered, student performance, progress toward identified objectives, and other required service records.Contribute information to progress reports, IEP development, and team discussions under the direction of the supervising Occupational Therapist.Participate in team meetings, consultations, and professional development activities as assigned.Maintain confidentiality and comply with applicable federal and state laws, district policies, professional standards, and special education requirements.Manage a district-wide schedule and travel between assigned schools and educational settings to ensure the delivery of services.Perform other related duties as assigned by the Director of Special Education or designee.QualificationsCurrent certification as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) through the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).Current Massachusetts licensure or authorization to practice as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, as applicable.Experience working with children and students with diverse learning, developmental, physical, sensory, and functional needs preferred.Knowledge of occupational therapy strategies and their application within educational settings.Ability to implement individualized interventions and collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams.Strong communication, organizational, documentation, and interpersonal skills.Ability to travel between district schools and work effectively across multiple educational environments.Ability to perform the physical responsibilities associated with the position, with reasonable accommodations as applicable.