Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA) - West Valley Campus, 26/27 SY

Arizona Autism Charter Schools, Inc•Peoria, AZ

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Arizona’s first and only autism-focused charter school is expanding and seeking a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to assess, diagnose, treat, and help students to communicate in the new state-of-the-art autism center. Under the supervision and direction of the Occupational Therapist, the COTA will be responsible for implementing student engagement strategies, moving students toward progress on goals, engaging in data-driven instruction, and implementing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) strategies. The role involves implementing goals identified on student IEPs related to fine motor skills, life skills/training, psychosocial adaptations, sensory processing/adaptations, and visual motor skills. The COTA will follow school-wide systems, rules, and positive behavior interventions, delivering services in a classroom integration model and coaching classroom staff on the implementation of occupational therapy goals. Effective and proactive communication with students and families is essential, as is paperwork compliance with data collections relating to IEP goals and accountability for growth and proficiency in IEP goals. The position also includes participation in annual and ongoing staff training, providing training for new COTAs, and conducting professional development sessions on sensory topics.

Requirements

Experience delivering services in a school setting, in a classroom integration model preferred
Ability to approach situations with optimism and perseverance
Excellent verbal, written, and organizational skills
Minimum of two years COTA experience in a school setting preferred
Experience and training in Applied Behavior Analysis(ABA) preferred
Valid Arizona fingerprint clearance card
Arizona IVP Fingerprint clearance card
Associate’s degree or higher in Occupational Therapy from an accredited school of the Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) or the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (AOTE)
Valid AOTCB certification
Valid license issued by the Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners as a COTA
Stooping, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions.
Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.

Nice To Haves

Experience delivering services in a school setting, in a classroom integration model
Minimum of two years COTA experience in a school setting
Experience and training in Applied Behavior Analysis(ABA)

Responsibilities

Implement student engagement strategies
Move students toward progress on goals
Engage in data-driven instruction
Implement Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) strategies
Implement goals identified on student IEPs related to: Fine Motor Skills, life skills/training, psychosocial adaptations, sensory processing/adaptations, visual motor skills
Follow school-wide systems, rules, and positive behavior interventions
Delivery of services in a classroom integration model
Coach the classroom staff on the implementation of occupational therapy goals
Communicate effectively and proactively with students and families
Responsible for paperwork compliance with data collections relating to IEP goals
Accountability for growth and proficiency in IEP goals
Participate in annual and ongoing staff training
Provide training for new COTAs under the guidance and supervision of the OT
Conduct no less than 2 professional development sessions per year on sensory under the guidance and supervision of the OT
Provide opportunities for shadowing, coaching, and modeling throughout the year for Tier 3 COTAs that require additional support with guidance and supervision from the OT
Regular and predictable attendance is considered an essential requirement of your position.
Other duties as assigned

Benefits

Competitive pay based on experience
Salaried, non-exempt
Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Supplemental Life, Short-term disability, Group Life Insurance, Supplemental Benefits (hospitalization, critical illness, scheduled accident), and Pet Insurance.
Paid Time Off (80 hours, prorated), paid federal holidays, and school breaks
Great professional development and advancement opportunities!
Eligible to participate in a 401(k) Traditional and/or Roth with a company match
Complementary access to Calm Health for you and up to 5 of your loved ones
Up to $500 in non-taxable reimbursement for CEU and licensing fees incurred each school year
Tuition reimbursement after 6 months of employment
Eligible to participate in the referral bonus program
A $1,000 sign-on bonus of $500 is paid after the first 90 days of the start date, and $500 after successful completion of the current school year, with satisfactory performance and attendance