Job Description:

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST  or  COTA           

Location: Phoenix 
Employee Status: Permanent  
Hours Per Week: 40
Work Calendar:12-Month
Pay Rate: $42.5900-$62.5303 

CLASSIFICATION SPECIFICATION
The Occupational Therapist is part of the related services providers and evaluates students referred for occupational therapy as a result of observation, record review, or multidisciplinary staffing.

Additional responsibilities include: planning Occupational Therapy programs for individual students; writing IEP goals and implementing programs through the IEP process; conferring with Teachers, Teaching Parents, and parents on the therapy plans for students; maintaining Occupational Therapy records and disseminating information to parents and professionals relevant to student progress and occupational therapy needs; training staff in techniques and principles of therapy; maintaining current information about community resources relevant to occupational therapy; serving as a resource to medical and educational staff.

Participates in the MIPS (Medicaid in Public Schools) as directed.
Position will be responsible for some or all of the listed duties and/or additional duties that occur from time to time.

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTAs) provide support to students in the area of occupational therapy, as directed by a supervising Occupational Therapist. The COTA assists in the process of screening/evaluation and the implementation of intervention services. They work with students identified with, or suspected of having, disabilities that interfere with their ability to perform daily life activities and limit access to their educational program. A COTA implements individually designed interventions based on occupational performance deficits in the areas of personal care, student interaction skills, process skills, and play/& community integration. The interventions are planned with the supervising occupational therapist.

In addition, the COTA is responsible for taking daily notes on therapeutic progress and documenting them in quarterly reports. He/she must be knowledgeable about the policies and procedures regarding Special Education within the Agency and be capable of carrying out therapy plans directed by the occupational therapist.

The COTA participates in MIPS (Medicaid in Public Schools) billing.
Position will be responsible for some or all of the listed duties and/or additional duties that occur from time to time.


TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

• Two years of therapy experience
• Pediatric therapy experience
• Experience working with sensory-impaired individuals
• Experience working with handicapped children

 
LICENSING/CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to pass FBI and State background checks
• Defensive Driver Training Program to be completed by all agency personnel who drive on State business

• Completion/Graduation from an Accredited Occupational Therapy Program
• State of Arizona Occupational Therapist License
• National Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners Certified Occupational Therapist
• AZ Fingerprint Clearance Card
• AHCCCS number for Medicaid billing within four months of hire.

 
KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Policies, procedures, and programs of the immediate work unit
• Principles and practices of administration and management
• Agency or program rules, regulations, and operating procedures
• Principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation
• Federal and State statutes, policies, and procedures related to occupational therapy

 
DEMONSTRATED SKILL/ABILITY TO:

• Ability to communicate in sign language or willingness to learn
• Write comprehensive reports and communicate verbally

BENEFITS
Benefit-eligible employees have a variety of choices for medical, dental, vision, short-term disability, supplemental, and dependent life insurance.  Offered plans provide exceptional value to our employees and their eligible dependents.   Employees have 31 days from the effective date of hire to elect coverage.  Elected benefits could start as early as 2 weeks after hire. 
Benefit-eligible employees are automatically covered for basic life, non-smokers, accidental death and dismemberment, and seat belt insurance. 
Benefit-eligible employees are automatically enrolled in the State’s retirement plan and long-term disability (LTD) program.  Enrollment is mandatory and is subject to a 26-week waiting period before initial enrollment.  Employees may also choose to participate in a deferred compensation program to take advantage of tax-deferred retirement investments.  Benefit Options also offer Employee Self-Service, Wellness, Tuition Discount, Travel Reduction, Auto & Home Insurance, and Purchase Discount Programs.  
 CONTACT INFORMATION
For more information, contact the Recruiter at: HumanResources.Recruitment@asdb.az.gov
Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation, such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format, by contacting the Recruiter. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.
 
Arizona State Government is an EOE/ADA Reasonable Accommodation Employer.