KIPP St. Louis is a growing network of free, open-enrollment, public charter schools offering a choice to families and a college-preparatory education to children in St. Louis city. Our mission is to serve as a catalyst for education reform by establishing and supporting a world class network of public schools that develop in all of our students the knowledge, skills, character, and pursuit of excellence necessary to succeed in high quality high schools and colleges and the world beyond. 

KIPP St. Louis currently serves over 2,300 students and at full growth, we will serve nearly 3,500 students and hundreds of alumni. Today, our St. Louis network is comprised of two middle schools, three elementary schools, and a high school:

• KIPP Inspire Academy, founded in 2009

• KIPP Victory Academy, founded in 2014

• KIPP Triumph Academy, founded in 2015

• KIPP Wisdom Academy, founded in 2015

• KIPP St. Louis High School, founded in 2017

• KIPP Wonder Academy, founded in 2019

Position Overview 

Every day, it’s great people at KIPP that prove the possible. The job of Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA) was established for the purpose/s of providing educationally related occupational therapy services to students with a variety of cognitive, emotional and/or physical illnesses or disabilities according to the student’s Individualized Education Plan and under the direction of the Occupational Therapist. The Occupational Therapist Assistant position is part-time (between 20-25 hours a week). 

Position type: Part-time-approximately 20-25 hours per week, hourly, non-exempt

Responsibilities:

• Adapts school and classroom environment, tools and materials under the supervision of the Occupational Therapist for the purpose of improving student functioning and facilitating 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.) for the purpose of determining their deficits and developing recommendations.

• Attends meetings and workshops (e.g. IEPs, training, team meetings, conferences, meetings with outside agencies, etc.) for the purpose of conveying and/or receiving information, including best practices for school OT delivery.

• Consults with occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech therapists, teachers, educational assistants, families, etc. for the purpose of providing requested information, reviewing/revising students’ occupational therapy goals/objectives, developing plans for services and/or making recommendations to implement goals.

• Implements therapeutic activities and instructs students, teachers, parents and other involved persons (e.g. positioning, adjusting special equipment, etc.) for the purpose of providing appropriate care to students and/or supporting 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.) for the purpose of documenting activities and/or ensuring 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 for the purpose of implementing motor/therapy goals.

• Prepares written materials (e.g. activity logs, progress notes, reports, memos, etc.) for the purpose of documenting activities, providing written reference, and/or conveying information.

• Presents information (e.g. student performance data, clinical feedback, etc.) for the purpose of communicating information, gaining feedback and ensuring adherence to established internal controls.

• Provides direct occupational therapy services to students according to IEP goals for the purpose of ensuring compliance with established practices and procedures.

• Provides services at multiple work sites for the purpose of providing therapy and assistance as required. Provides training, consultation, and instruction to teachers on the use of adaptive devices and equipment for the purpose of ensuring such devices are used safely and optimal benefits are achieved.

• Researches resources and methods (e.g. intervention and treatment techniques, assessment tools and methods, community resources, etc.) for the purpose of determining the appropriate approach for addressing students' functional goals.

• Transports a variety of items (e.g. puzzles, games, assistive devices, assessment tools, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring the availability of materials required for therapy sessions.

• Troubleshoots problems with assistive devices (e.g. computer technology, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring that equipment is in proper working order and/or providing alternative strategies.

• Other duties as assigned.

• A degree from an Accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant Program through the American. Occupational Therapy Association.

• A COTA certification from National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).

• A current CPR certification.

• Experience with children or in pedatric settings preferred

• Reliable transportation to travel between schools.

At KIPP St. Louis we take care of our employees. We provide competitive salaries, and a full slate of benefits including best in class medical coverage, dental, vision, and, life insurance, short-term disability, and an optional 403b as a supplement to our retirement pension program. Benefits are subject to change year to year.

KIPP St. Louis is committed to a policy of equal treatment for all individuals applying for employment at our school. KIPP St. Louis does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, handicap, age, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.