2024-25 District Calendar (link)

• Fulton's calendar has 166 student days and 179 staff days.
• Snow days are built into our calendar and will not be made up.
• School begins on August 21, 2024, and ends on May 22, 2025.
• There are several planned breaks throughout the year:
• November 1
• November 25-29
• December 23-January 3
• March 24-28
• April 18-21

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Purpose Statement

The job of a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant is done for the purpose/s of assessing students' functional physical development level; planning and implementing appropriate treatment to meet individual student objectives; identifying architectural barriers; providing recommendations for accessibility, program development and student placement under the supervision of an occupational therapist.

This job reports to the Occupational Therapist supervisor.

Essential Functions

• Assists the supervising therapist regarding students' fine motor skills and functional abilities (e.g. perceptual-motor, hand functions, motor coordination, sensory development, muscle strength, etc.) for the purpose of determining program eligibility and developing recommendations for treatment, appropriate assistive devices and/or school placement as requested by the supervising occupational therapist.
  
  
• Assists with direct occupational therapy services (e.g. constructing equipment, recommending adaptations to classrooms, student services, etc.) for the purpose of developing students daily living skills in compliance with established goals and objectives.
  
  
• Assists with research, resources and methods (e.g. intervention and treatment techniques, assessment tools and methods, community resources, etc.) for the purpose of determining the appropriate approach for addressing students' functional goals.
  
  
• Consults with teachers, parents, other personnel and/or outside professionals for the purpose of providing requested information, developing plans for services, making recommendations and/or coordinating occupational therapy services with those of other disciplines.
  
  
• Directs the work of assigned COTAs for the purpose of providing guidance and ensuring that program objectives are achieved. Instructs students, parents, paraprofessionals, teachers and staff for the purpose of providing information on medical/behavioral attributes, use of assistive devices and/or implementing plans for remediation of functional limitations.
  
  
• Implements treatment plans, interventions and/or educational materials for the purpose of remediating students' motor skill deficits and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements as written by the occupational therapist.
  
  
• Interprets medical reports for the purpose of providing information and/or ensuring that treatment/intervention plans are appropriate as directed by the occupational therapist.
  
  
• Maintains student files and/or records (e.g. progress reports, activity logs, billing information, treatment plans, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring the availability of information as required for reference and/or compliance as directed by the occupational therapist.
  
  
• Maintains professional relationships with students, parents, colleagues and other professionals.
  
  
• Participates in meetings, workshops, and seminars (e.g. training, IEPs, team meetings, etc.) for the purpose of conveying and/or gathering information as necessary and as directed by the occupational therapist.
  
  
• Performs site visits at multiple work sites including home visits for the purpose of providing direct therapy interventions and assistance as required.
  
  
• Responds to inquiries (e.g. parents, teachers, staff, students, etc.) for the purpose of providing information and/or referral as appropriate.
  
  
• Submits monthly reports and progress notes on assigned students as often as directed by the occupational therapist.
  
  
• Transports supplies and equipment to a variety of sites for the purpose of ensuring the availability of items as needed.

Other Functions
Performs other related duties as assigned to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Job Requirements: Minimum Qualifications
Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

Skills are required to perform multiple, highly complex, technical tasks with a need to periodically upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: applying assessment instruments; operating equipment used in occupational therapy strategies; operating standard office equipment including pertinent computer software; and preparing and maintaining accurate records.

Knowledge is required to perform basic math, including calculations using fractions, percents, and/or ratios; review and interpret highly technical information, write technical materials, and/or speak persuasively to implement desired actions; and analyze situations to define issues and draw conclusions. Specific knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: age appropriate activities; concepts of grammar and punctuation; health standards and hazards; safety practices and procedures; stages of child development; abnormal development and medical diagnoses related to special education funding categories; current OT treatment interventions; and pertinent codes, policies, regulations and/or laws.

Ability is required to schedule a number of activities, meetings, and/or events; gather, collate, and/or classify data; and consider a number of factors when using equipment. Flexibility is required to independently work with others in a wide variety of circumstances; work with data utilizing defined but different processes; and operate equipment using standardized methods. Ability is also required to work with a significant diversity of individuals and/or groups; work with data of widely varied types and/or purposes; and utilize a variety of job-related equipment. Independent problem solving is required to analyze issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data may require independent interpretation; and problem solving with equipment is significant. Specific ability based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: adapting to changing work priorities; communicating with diverse groups; maintaining confidentiality; meeting deadlines and schedules; working as part of a team; working with detailed information/data; maintaining effective working relationships; and translating therapy data into meaningful educational activities.

Responsibility
Responsibilities include: working under limited supervision using standardized practices and/or methods; leading, guiding, and/or coordinating others; operating within a defined budget. Utilization of some resources from other work units is often required to perform the job's functions. There is a continual opportunity to significantly impact the organization’s services.

Working Environment
The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: significant lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, some climbing and balancing, frequent stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 20% sitting, 40% walking, 40% standing. The job is performed under conditions with exposure to risk of injury and/or illness.

Attendance
Consistent and regular attendance is an essential function of this position.

Experience

Job-related experience is preferred.

Education

Associate’s degree from an accredited program in occupational therapy assistants required

Certificates and Licenses
Missouri COTA License

Continuing Education/Training

Maintain Certification/License

Clearances

FBI Fingerprint and Family Care Registry

FLSA Status

Exempt

Salary Grade

Certified

The purpose and utilization of job descriptions in Fulton 58 Public Schools are to ensure the essential functions of each position are articulated to create a clear understanding of job expectations for the incumbent while also providing a framework through which the recruiting, hiring, and retaining of employees may be enhanced.