Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant - Palmdale - Palmdale School District

Description

Salary: $4, $5,980.50 Monthly
Location : Palmdale, CA
Job Type: 11-month
Job Number: 25/26-07/01
Division: Special Education/Student Services
Opening Date: 07/01/2025
Closing Date: Continuous
Summary
THIS IS A CONTINUOUS RECRUITMENT AND EXAMINATION PROCESS.
IT MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME, WITH LITTLE OR NO NOTICE.
FUNDAMENTAL OBJECTIVE:
This position supports student achievement by providing, under the direction of the Director, Health Services and under the direction and monitoring supervision of the Occupational Therapist, educationally related occupational therapy services to students in accordance with the Individualized Education Plan (IEP); completes assessments of individual student's needs for therapy, as appropriate; prepares records and reports; and collaborates with district personnel and parents regarding therapeutic activities.
Representative Duties
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assists the occupational therapist in the evaluation process through observation and/or clinically derived surveys in areas including development of perceptual motor skills, motor coordination, and sensory motor development and processing.
• Collaborates with multi-disciplinary team members upon written referral; assists occupational therapist in developing a treatment program aimed at improving the identified areas of function as they relate to the child's educational needs.
• Provides occupational therapy to students with various disabilities in accordance with the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) goals and objectives.
• Reevaluates students' occupational therapy program in relationship to the goals prior to the IEP meeting; attends and participates in IEP meetings.
• Completes assessments of individual student's needs for therapy, as appropriate
• Maintains records and reports, as required, and complies with appropriate policies, state and federal laws and regulations.
• Implements intervention plans as outlined by the Occupational Therapist.
• Assists in the procurement of equipment necessary for the students to meet the goals outlined in the IEP; utilizes intervention tools and materials under the direction of the Occupational Therapist.
• Maintains a safe, orderly treatment area; maintains equipment and supplies.
• Attends meetings and conferences, as required; travels to different sites to provide services, as required;
• Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Click here to review the complete job description.
Minimum Qualifications
Any combination of training and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Education:

• Graduation from high school or evidence of equivalent educational proficiency.
• Satisfactory completion and certification from an approved program by the American Occupational Therapy Association as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant.

Experience:
Clinical experience in pediatrics and working with children in an educational setting are desirable.
License and Certifications:

• Must possess valid license certificate by the American Occupational Therapy Certification Board as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant.
• Possession of valid First Aid and CPR certificates.
• A valid driver's license and the availability of private transportation or ability to provide transportation between job sites is required.

Optional Second Language Requirement:
Some positions in this classification may require the ability to speak, read and write a second language in addition to English.
The following documents must be submitted as attachments to the application:

• Valid license as Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
• Valid First Aid and CPR certification

Employment Standards
Application Filing
Applications for this position will be accepted online only during the specified recruitment period. An eligibility list will be established to fill future vacancies. Applicants will receive notifications electronically by email only.
Examination
Testing procedures may consist of a written multiple-choice examination, skills performance, and oral interview examination. Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications will be required to take the exam and notified via email communication of the scheduled date, time, and location. A valid picture identification is required prior to admittance.
After the exam procedure concludes for this recruitment, an eligibility list will be established to fill future vacancies. When eligibility lists include open and promotional lists of qualified persons through competitive examination, the promotional list will be used first, unless otherwise stated on this bulletin.
Work ScheduleThis position works full-time eight (8) hours per day, 40-hour work week, and observes an 11-month work calendar.
Salary and Benefits
The initial salary rate for a new employee is at the first step of the appropriate salary schedule for the position. The District provides and contributes to a comprehensive benefits package (medical, dental, vision, term life insurance) per contract year for each employee and eligible dependents. View the benefit matrix.
Holidays and LeavesSeventeen (17) paid holidays that fall within the work year, pursuant to the District's Collective Bargaining Agreement with California Schools Employees Association Chapter 296 (CSEA).
Sick leave shall be granted in the proportion of daily hours worked. Vacation is earned at the prescribed rate as part of compensation, and does not become vested until after completion of the initial probationary period.
Work Environment
Work is usually performed in a classroom environment, learning center and in direct contact with students, other staff and the public, with exposure to minor contagious illnesses; high volume of work and tight deadlines. Incumbent occasionally is exposed to temperature variations, and the normal risks and hazards of operating standard office and computer-related equipment.
Physical Demands
The usual and customary methods of performing the jobs functions require significant sitting, standing, walking, twisting at waist, neck flexion/rotation; some stooping, squatting, kneeling, balancing, lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, reaching; significant fine finger dexterity.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
In accordance with Federal civil rights law, civil rights regulations and policies, the Palmdale School District, its offices, and employees, are prohibited from discriminating based on age, ancestry, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, immigration status, marital status, nationality, parental status, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, political beliefs, or association with a person or a group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity.
For further information regarding Palmdale School District's non-discrimination, sexual harassment and Title IX policies and/or Coordinator contact information, please click the following link:
For further information regarding Palmdale School District's Personnel Sexual Harassment Board Policy, BP , please click the following link:
Offers a comprehensive benefit package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave, as well as medical, dental, vision, and life up to the maximum district contribution for eligible employees.
More detailed information regarding benefit package eligibility will be presented at time of employment offer.
01
The following supplemental questions give you the opportunity to fully explain your background and qualifications as they pertain to the position of Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant. Your answers are required for your application to be considered complete. The information that you provide will be evaluated as it stands, and revisions to clarify the information provided are not allowed. Respond honestly and truthfully to all questions. Overstating your skill level is considered false and/or misleading information. Applicants found to have provided false or misleading information will be disqualified from further consideration.NOTE: All work experience and education that is described or included in your response(s) must be reflected in the "Work Experience" and "Education" sections of the application. A résumé or other documentation to convey this information will not be considered in lieu of completing all sections of the application.

• I have read and understand the instructions

02
Do you possess a valid license as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant from the American Occupational Therapy Association? (proof required as attachment to application)

• Yes
• No

03
Do you possess valid First Aid and CPR certification through a course approved by the American Red Cross and/or American Heart Association? (proof required as attachment to application)

• Yes
• No

04
Do you possess a valid driver's license with proof of adequate insurance coverage?

• Yes
• No

05
Describe your experience evaluating Individual Education Plans (IEP).
06
Describe individual or group physical therapy techniques that you commonly utilized for children with various disabilities. Give examples of the types of adaptive equipment or intervention tools used.
07
Describe your experience interpreting and applying federal, state and district policies, procedures, laws and regulations as they apply to occupational therapy.
08
Describe any major job-related accomplishments and/or experience that was not previously covered.