Logo
Suburban Cook County Online Application Consortium

Speech Language Pathologist Assistant

Suburban Cook County Online Application Consortium, Lyons, Illinois, United States, 60534


Position Type:Student Services/Speech and Language Pathologist

Date Posted:4/1/2024

Location:SD 147 DISTRICT WIDE

District:West Harvey-Dixmoor School District #147Job Title: Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)

Reports to: Director of Special Education

Job Summary: The Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant is responsible for implementing intervention and therapy regarding students' fine and gross motor skills and functional abilities (e.g. perceptual-motor, hand functions, motor coordination, sensory development, muscle strength, etc.) The COTA provides unique therapeutic services to enhance the goals and objectives of eligible students. The COTA is primarily responsible for implementing the therapeutic program prescribed by the occupational therapist.

Qualifications:

Associate's degree required, Bachelor's degree preferred. Current and valid license with OT, PT, and AT Board. Prior Experience in a school setting is preferred. Experience assessing and selecting assistive technology in a school setting. Experience in IDEA policy and procedures. Experience implementing appropriate therapy under the direction of an Occupational Therapist.Knowledge of the Operating Standards for Illinois's Schools Serving Children with Disabilities.Knowledge of FERPA and HIPPA.Knowledge of Illinois Academic Content Standards.Knowledge of Illinois rules and regulations regarding occupational therapy as both a program and related service option.Knowledge of IDEIA and the IEP process.Knowledge of current testing programs and mandated assessment tools.Knowledge of current educational issues and best practices.Knowledge of effective intervention strategies.Ability to apply problem-solving processes and creative thinking skills.Ability to recognize student strengths and weaknesses in communication.Ability to maintain accurate student records.Ability to analyze and interpret assessment data.Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.Ability to maintain confidentiality.Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with students, co-workers, administrators, and the public.Ability to work with teachers and students to demonstrate ways of supporting students in the regular classroom.Ability to work with students in many non-traditional treatment settings.Ability to work and communicate effectively with students who have various cognitive and physical limitations.Ability to work with the team to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate program progress and implement changes.Ability to establish working relationships with co-workers and function as part of a cohesive team.Ability to facilitate student/family access to appropriate community resources.Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out written or oral instructions.The ability to guide and facilitate delicate conversations between students, parents, and school administrators.Commitments to keep current with skills essential to the objectives of the position.Curiosity about learning and teaching.A desire to help students with special needs.Maintains confidentiality.Meet deadlines and schedules.Work as part of a team; work with detailed information/data; maintain effective working relationships; and translate therapy data into meaningful educational activities.Utilize specialized equipment in communication disorders.Health examination for new employees part-time or full-time:Chapter 122 Article 24-5 of the Illinois School Code mandates that School boards shall require new employees to provide evidence of physical fitness to perform duties assigned and freedom from communicable disease, including tuberculosis. Such evidence shall consist of a physical examination a tuberculin test and, if appropriate, an x-ray. The cost of such examination shall rest with the employee.Must have a physical examination prior to employment.Must pass a comprehensive drug screening.Must pass a comprehensive criminal background check.

Job Responsibilities:Adapts school and classroom environment, tools, and materials under the supervision of the Occupational.Therapist to improve student functioning and facilitate student access to curricular and instructional activities.Assists Occupational Therapist with assessing students' fine motor, and development skills (e.g. oral motor, sensory integration, motor planning, developmental function, activities of daily living, fine motor function postural tone, etc.) to determine their deficits and develop recommendations.Attends meetings and workshops (e.g. IEPs, training, team meetings, conferences, meetings with outside agencies, etc.) to convey and/or receive information, including best practices for school OT delivery.Consults with occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech therapists, teachers, educational assistants, families, etc. to provide requested information, review/revise students' occupational therapygoals/objectives, developing plans for services, and/or making recommendations to implement goals.Implements therapeutic activities and instructs students, teachers, parents, and other involved persons (positioning, adjusting special equipment, etc.) to provide appropriate care to students and/or support the student's IEP plan for use in the classroom.Maintains files and/or records in cooperation with the Occupational Therapist (e.g. progress reports, activity logs, etc.) to document activities and/or ensure an up-to-date trail for compliance with various state, federal, and administrative regulations.Maintains treatment equipment and supplies in clean and proper working condition to implement motor/therapy goals.Prepares written materials (e.g. activity logs, progress notes, reports, memos, etc.) to document activities, providing written reference, and/or conveying information.Presents information (e.g. student performance data, clinical feedback, etc.) to communicate information, gain feedback, and ensure adherence to established internal controls.Provides direct occupational therapy services to students according to IEP goals to ensure compliance with established practices and procedures.Troubleshoots problems with assistive devices (e.g. computer technology, etc.) to ensure that equipment is in proper working order and/or provide alternative strategies.Transports a variety of items (e.g. puzzles, games, assistive devices, assessment tools, etc.) to ensure the availability of materials required for therapy sessions.Performs other duties as assigned.

Terms of Employment: Confidential, Exempt 12-month (260 days) Employee.

Salary: Competitive compensation commensurate with experience and approved by the Board of Education.

Evaluation: Evaluated annually by the Director of Special Education.