Sp Ed, Occupational Therapist Asst.

Job

Title:

Occupational

Therapist

Assistant

Wage/Hour

Status:

Exempt

Reports

to:

Asst.

Director

of

Special

Education

Pay

Grade:

409

Days:

187

Dept./School:

Special

Education

/

Assigned

Campus(es)

Date

Revised:

06/2026

Primary

Purpose:

The

Certified

Occupational

Therapy

Assistant

(COTA)

provides

unique

therapeutic

services

to

enhance

the

goals

and

objectives

of

eligible

students.

The

COTA

is

primarily

responsible

for

implementing

programs

prescribed

by

the

occupational

therapist.

Qualifications:

Education/Certification:

Associate's

degree

in

Occupational

Therapy

Valid

Texas

license

as

a

Certified

Occupational

Therapist

Assistant

granted

by

the

Texas

Board

of

Occupational

Therapy

Examiners

Special

Knowledge/Skills:

Ability

to

instruct

and

communicate

(both

verbally

and

in

writing)

effectively

Ability

to

successfully

interact

with

students,

professional

employees,

parents,

and

district

patrons

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.

Such

additions

and

alternatives

to

the

above

qualifications

as

the

Board

of

Trustees

may

find

appropriate

and

acceptable

Experience:

One

year

of

school-based

experience

as

a

certified

occupational

therapy

assistant

preferred.

A

minimum

of

1

year

of

pediatric

experience

is

required.

Experience

working

with

students

with

special

needs

is

preferred.

Major

Responsibilities

and

Duties:

Therapy

1.

Implement

the

individualized/small

group

therapeutic

program

prescribed

by

the

occupational

therapist

based

on

goals

and

objectives.

2.

Assist

the

occupational

therapist

in

determining

the

extent

to

which

goals

and

objectives

are

being

met

by

collecting

and

maintaining

data

on

individual

student

goals.

3.

Assist

the

therapist

in

formulating

new

goals

based

on

data

analysis.

4.

Promote

independence

in

activities

of

daily

living

(including

dressing

and

feeding)

through

problem-solving,

suggesting

adaptations,

and

observation

of

the

student.

5.

Observe,

problem

solve,

and

suggest

positioning

techniques

to

enhance

educational

participation

and

maximize

function.

6.

Consult

and

assist

classroom

staff

through

gathering

and

sharing

information

at

team

meetings

when

requested.

7.

Discuss

and

exchange

information

about

the

students

assigned

to

the

occupational

therapist.

Create

an

environment

conducive

to

learning

and

appropriate

for

the

maturity

level,

interests,

and

needs

of

the

student.

8.

Scope

of

Practice

in

the

educational

setting

includes

self-help

skills

required

in

the

educational

environment,

manipulation

of

classroom/educational

materials,

pre-writing,

writing,

and

use

of

technology

to

produce

written

work,

initiating,

completing,

and

organizational

skills,

self-regulation

skills/sensory

strategies,

use

of

adaptive

equipment/assistive

technology,

universal

design,

and

transitions.

Provision

of

collaborative

IEP

support

once

areas

are

identified.

Administration

9.

Compile,

maintain,

and

file

all

physical

and

computerized

reports,

records,

and

other

documents

required.

10.

Comply

with

policies

established

by

federal

and

state

law,

State

Board

of

Education

rule,

and

local

board

policy.

11.

Comply

with

all

district

and

campus

routines

and

regulations.

12.

Effectively

communicate

with

colleagues,

students,

and

parents.

13.

Participate

in

professional

development

to

improve

skills

related

to

the

job

assignment.

Working

Conditions:

Mental

Demands/Physical

Demands/Environmental

Factors:

While

performing

the

duties

of

this

job,

the

employee

is

regularly

required

to

talk

or

hear.

The

employee

is

occasionally

required

to

stand

and

stoop,

kneel,

crouch,

or

crawl

and

climb

stairs.

Regular

district-wide

travel

to

multiple

work

locations

as

assigned.

May

be

required

to

lift,

position,

and

transfer

students

to

and

from

wheelchairs

(30-80

pounds)

or

assist

with

positioning

students

with

physical

disabilities.

Frequent

standing,

stooping,

bending,

pulling,

and

pushing,

carrying,

and

lifting

up

to

35

lbs.

The

foregoing

statements

describe

the

general

purpose

and

responsibilities

assigned

to

this

job

and

are

not

an

exhaustive

list

of

all

responsibilities

and

duties

that

may

be

assigned

or

skills

that

may

be

required.

Approved

by

Date _____

Reviewed

by

Date _____