Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

Company Description

KIPP, the Knowledge Is Power Program, is a national network of free, open enrollment, college preparatory public schools dedicated to preparing students in underserved communities for success in college and life. There are 280 KIPP schools across the nation and the District of Columbia, serving more than 175,000 students and alumni with more than 15,000 educators. 

Founded in 2008 with 50 students in 5th grade, KIPP Columbus currently educates  2,000 students in grades Kindergarten through twelfth.  With a mission to, together with families and the community, create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose -- college, career, and beyond --  KIPP has maintained excellence in its growth, and will improve upon that standard – proving what is possible in public education.

KIPP Columbus continues to rank as one of the top schools for academic growth of any school in the state of Ohio, and is a top performing urban school in the state for academic growth. In our first three graduating classes (in spring 2020, 2021, and 2022) 100% of students were accepted to college and/or military service  with nearly $40 million in merit scholarships from colleges and universities awarded.

In addition to academic excellence, KIPP Columbus also partners with nearly 100 community organizations to provide extracurricular activities, programming, health and wellness services, meals, and more to KIPP students, families, and the broader community. KIPP is also a member of the Ohio High School Athletic Association, offering more than 10 varsity sports. 

The KIPP Columbus learning campus will continue to advance student learning, expand partnerships, enable superior programming, and serve as a teaching and leadership lab for schools nationwide, reimagining education through a deeper lens of antiracism, excellence, and joy as we expand to educate nearly 4,000 students on our learning campus in the coming years. 

Interested in learning more about our school?  Please check out our website: https://www.kippcolumbus.org/

The Opportunity

The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) will work under the supervision of a licensed Occupational Therapist (OT) to provide occupational therapy services to students with disabilities in a school setting. The COTA will support the OT in implementing treatment plans, assisting with assessments, and providing therapeutic interventions to help students develop or maintain skills necessary for academic success, daily living, and social participation. This position requires collaboration with teachers, special education staff, parents, and other related service providers to ensure that each student's needs are met in accordance with their Individualized Education Program (IEP). The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant at KIPP Columbus provides crucial support and services to students with disabilities and to work in collaboration with other service providers and student services team members to ensure a high quality continuum of services is available to all KIPPsters.

Job Description

The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant will be licensed by the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce with a minimum of 1 year experience as a school-based COTA.

A summary of responsibilities include, but not limited to: 

• Implement treatment plans designed by the supervising OT to address student goals related to fine motor skills, sensory processing, coordination, and other areas of occupational functioning.

• Monitor student progress and report data back to the supervising OT to assess effectiveness and make necessary adjustments.

• Conduct individual and group therapy sessions as directed by the OT, following the treatment plans and IEP goals.

• Provide hands-on therapeutic interventions to enhance student functional skills, including fine motor development, sensory processing, self-care skills, and school-based tasks.

• Support students in their physical, sensory, and emotional development through structured therapy sessions.

• Assist the OT in gathering data for evaluations, assessments, and observations of students’ abilities in relation to their goals.

• Participate in IEP meetings, offering insights into student progress and recommending therapeutic approaches.

• Collect and document student progress data based on observation, student performance, and other objective measures.

• Maintain accurate, timely, and organized records of therapy services, including progress notes, treatment plans, and student outcomes.

• Ensure that all documentation adheres to school and legal requirements, including compliance with the Individual