ESY CERTIFIED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT (COTA)

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION Under general direction of the ESY Coordinator and general supervision and direction of a registered Occupational Therapist (OTL) the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) assists a registered Occupational Therapist in administering occupational therapy activities in the instructional environment for identified students with disabilities during the Extended School Year (ESY). Extensive travel to ESY identified school sites throughout Washoe County School District is required.

ESY will be held on the following dates: June 21-July 16, 2021 (Monday-Friday - No ESY on July 5). Staff hours are 8:00 am-12:30 pm. Training for ESY will be June 18th from 8:30am - 3:00pm. You must be able to work the full ESY session, including training, to be considered for a position.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Participates in evaluation and assessment using standardized measures, formal and informal tests, and checklists, as appropriate.
• Implements therapeutic procedures, as designated by the supervising occupational therapist.
• Contributes to progress reports and helps collect data for Individualized Education Plans.
• Maintains current records in accordance with school, state, and federal regulations.
• Assists with keeping accurate records of the therapy budget, inventory, and equipment.
• Assists the occupational therapist with establishing goals for students, developing and monitoring individual and group therapy activities.
• Assists in the dissemination/implementation of established therapeutic programs to the educational staff.
• Consults with the supervising therapist concerning implementation and status of therapy goals (feeding programs, positioning, equipment, etc.).
• Constructs, modifies, and maintains adaptive equipment for positioning, for activities of daily living (ADL), and vocational, and classroom use.
• Carries out general activity program for students with disabilities.
• Assists in monitoring the educational environment for accessibility.
• Helps ensure accurate and safe use of equipment and that handling techniques are carried out correctly across all environments.
• Ensures that equipment is constructed properly and maintained in good working order.
• Assists with instructing the educational staff concerning use of adaptive equipment, positioning activities, and integration of therapy goals into the classroom and academic activities to enhance function.
• May administer first aid and/or CPR/AED, when necessary.
• Conforms to safety standards as prescribed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Experience : Any combination of education/experience that could likely provide the required knowledge in qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills would be:

Education : Associates degree - Occupational Therapy Assistant (completion of an occupational therapy assistant educational program that is approved by the American Occupational Therapy Association; all fieldwork requirements)

and

Experience : Two (2) years of experience as an Occupational Therapy Assistant.

Licenses/Certificates : Possession of a valid certification as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT); Licensed by the Nevada State Board of Occupational Therapy. Certification must be maintained for the duration of the assignment.

Current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)/Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certificate from either the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, or other similar organization. Certification must be maintained for the duration of the assignment.

Possession of a current driver's license with a record acceptable to the District.

OTHER JOB REQUIREMENTS

Must demonstrate a willingness to travel between schools and other District facilities, and work a flexible schedule. Assigned work areas include Washoe County School District testing centers, classrooms, offices, etc.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

None.

COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES

Knowledge of/ Skill in/Ability to:

• Knowledge of health and safety practices and procedures, as well as the ability to monitor and direct others in health and safety areas of concern.
• Knowledge of methods of observation, recording, and data collection that apply to the monitoring of therapy objectives.
• Knowledge of routine occupational therapy practices.
• Knowledge of basic first aid, CPR/AED, and universal precautions.
• Methods of interventions used by occupational therapists.
• Writing and interpreting an IEP.
• Child pediatric development as necessary for providing services.
• Files and records management, office procedures, and basic computer literacy.
• Ability to perform activities that require various degrees of physical strength to handle and lift students with severe physical limitations.
• Ability to understand the concerns of other people.
• Ability and desire to foster the student's independence and sense of self-worth and to aid in the student's understanding of individual differences.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively with students having various cognitive and physical limitations.
• Ability to work independently without direct supervision.
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of information.
• Ability to develop rapport, open communication and empathy for student(s), parent(s) and/or guardian(s).
• Ability to interpret and apply oral and written instructions.
• Ability to comply with state rules, regulations, and statutes, district policies, regulations, practices, and procedures and master contract agreements.
• Ability to prepare and maintain pertinent records and reports.
• Ability to work with students in many non-traditional treatment settings.
• Ability to exercise judgment as when to act independently and when to refer matters to a supervisor or an administrator.
• Ability to work cooperatively with employees, other agencies, and the public.
• Ability to recognize and report hazards and apply safe work methods.
• Communicating effectively both orally and in writing.
• Working collaboratively with certified and classified personnel at various locations.
• Developing goals and objectives for occupational therapy eligible students.
• Implementing individual structured activities.
• Maintaining accurate and complete record records, files, and reports.
• Following directions regarding Occupational Therapy assessments and interventions.
• Interacting effectively with all individuals contacted during the course of work.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS

The work environment and exposures described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Frequent hearing, talking, repetitive fine motor activities, reaching, and handling. Occasional stooping, kneeling, crouching, and feeling. Vision: Frequent near and far acuity, depth perception, and focal length change. Occasional color vision and peripheral vision. Environmental conditions vary from a climate controlled office/classroom setting to work out doors with temperatures ranging from mild/moderate to extreme cold/heat. Exposure to moderate noise intensity levels.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Frequent lifting of 25-45 pounds, occasionally 50+ pounds. May involve significant stand/walk/carry/push/pull.

THIS JOB SPECIFICATION SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED TO IMPLY THAT THESE REQUIREMENTS ARE THE EXCLUSIVE STANDARDS OF THE POSITION. INCUMBENTS MAY BE REQUIRED TO FOLLOW ANY OTHER INSTRUCTIONS, AND TO PERFORM ANY OTHER RELATED DUTIES AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY THEIR SUPERVISOR.

The Washoe County School District is committed to providing a safe and respectful learning and working environment for all students, staff, and visitors. The District prohibits bullying, cyber-bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, and/or discrimination based on an individual's actual or perceived race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, veterans or military status, marital status, disability or the presence of any sensory, physical or mental handicap in any of its educational programs/activities and employment, or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The District prohibits discrimination against any youth group listed in Title 36, as a patriotic society, (i.e. Boy Scouts of America) from access to public school facilities use.

Internal Job Number : ESY2021

Salary :

Schedule A: $29.93 per hour
Schedule B: $34.76 per hour

Salaries are subject to adjustment and may increase and decrease each fiscal year.



Range/Grade : 26

Additional Job Information :

Student Support Services is now accepting applications for Extended School Year (ESY) positions. Interested applicants may apply online at http://www.washoeschools.net by completing an EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL (ESP) application or by updating an existing ESP application. (applications must be linked to the job posting to be considered).

New employees will be fingerprinted upon hire and every five years thereafter. New employees will have $58.50 deducted from their first paycheck to help defray the cost of fingerprinting. Non-licensed employees will have $58.50 deduction when their fingerprints are completed every five years. Fingerprint fees are subject to change.

Applicants hired at a designated Title school must be HIGHLY QUALIFIED for this assignment. Applicants must possess a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent, and have completed the following requirements: Completed at least 48 semester hours of credit at an accredited college or university; or, obtained an associate's degree or higher degree from an accredited college or university; or, passed the ParaPro Assessment prepared and administered by Educational Testing Services (ETS) with a score of at least 460.

Temporary employees working less than 6 months do not receive benefits.

PERS ELIGIBLE POSITIONS:
Employees who select the employer paid salary schedule (Schedule A) will have Washoe County School District (WCSD) contribute 100% of the employee's retirement contributions. Employees who select the employer-employee paid salary schedule (Schedule B) will have a portion of the legislatively designated amount paid by WCSD to PERS for retirement benefits and the employee, in turn, will pay the remaining portion of the legislatively designated amount of his/her salary to PERS. These options are introduced and explained in detail during the New Employee Orientation upon selection for employment.