What Educational Background Do School-Based COTAs Need?
COTAs usually complete a 2-year program accredited by ACOTE (Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education). While earning an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) or similar degree, students study pediatrics as well as:
- Kinesiology
- Medical terminology
- Physical rehabilitation
- Neuroscience concepts
- Intervention techniques
The second year of the program includes important fieldwork and clinical experience, and the final step is passing the board exam. If you’re still completing your degree, you can explore fieldwork opportunities with PTS through your university.
What Will You Do as a COTA Working Alongside PTS??
As a COTA engaging with PTS, you’ll help students with physical or developmental disabilities complete tasks that enable them to fully access their education. Along with that, you’ll document and implement strategic therapeutic interventions, participate on students’ Individualized Education Plan (IEP) teams, and work under the supervision of a registered Occupational Therapist (OT).
At PTS, we take an Integrated Systems of Support Model to school-based therapy and related services. This consultative model involves integrating and aligning all therapy sessions to better support students with multiple areas of concern as well as creating more inclusive classrooms.
By collaborating with fellow service providers, clinicians, teachers, and administrators, you’ll learn and apply best practices from other disciplines and, in some cases, share your knowledge through OT in-service training.
What are the Benefits of Working as a School-Based COTA Alongside PTS?
When you engage with PTS as a COTA, you’ll work as an independent contractor. To begin, we’ll walk you through our personalized placement process to ensure a good fit in one of our partnering districts.
One of our top priorities is to ensure positive, long-term relationships with the therapists, administrators, and districts we work with. So, when we place you in a school, we’ll go with you too. A PTS Clinical Director will be available to provide you with access to guidance and support whenever you need it.
You’ll also have access to a range of other opportunities and resources that you can use to grow your COTA career, including:
- Community Facebook group
- Collaborative, cross-disciplinary environment
- Networking and career advancement opportunities
- Optional School-Based Academy orientation held annually
- Free resource library of clinician-developed interventions and worksheets
For over 25 years, we’ve developed an ever-growing network of independent contractor therapists who love working in our partnering school districts. The numbers speak for themselves: nearly half of our incoming applicants have been referred to us by current therapists, and we have a robust referral program!
Kick-off & Advance Your Career as a School-Based COTA
Ready to get started? If so, you can continue learning more about the PTS experience here on our website or begin browsing through current COTA opportunities in our partnering schools. We look forward to reviewing your application!