Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA) (2025/2026)

Basic Function and Scope of Responsibilities:

To provide direct and consultative therapy services to students under the supervision of an Occupational Therapist.

1. Direct Therapy

Using specifically designed therapeutic techniques individually or with a small group of students, as directed by the individualized education program.  Services can include classroom observations, teacher-staff parent consultation, positioning, and adjusting adaptive equipment.  Direct service will include some portion of consultation with others including family members, educational staff, etc. who need to incorporate input into daily activities.

2.     Consultative Therapy

Involving the therapist spending time on behalf of the student-related activities such as program planning IEP's, preparation of material, and adjusting adaptive equipment.  Consultative therapy also helps the educational team members to work more effectively with students.  It may include the reciprocal exchange of information where the primary recipients of the service are other team members.  Additionally, consultative therapy may include progress notes, home programs and communications, via phone calls, related to student services, multidisciplinary team meetings and informal staffing conferences.  Consultative therapy requires some direct interactive between the student and the related service provider in natural environments on an ongoing basis.

3.     Other duties as may be assigned.

Degree(s), area(s) of study, and/or licensures:

1. State of Arizona Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant License.
2. Proficiency in reading, writing, and communication.
3. Ability to work with other personnel such as occupational therapist(s), district administrators, teachers, principals, psychologists, classroom aides, as well as parents and students.