COTA - Pediatric Rehab

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) – School-Based Full-Time | Monday–Friday | 8: 00 AM – 3:30 PM

Join our team and make a meaningful impact supporting students in a school-based setting! This full-time COTA role offers a consistent weekday schedule, allowing for excellent work-life balance while helping children and adolescents achieve their goals.

Position Overview

In this role, you will provide occupational therapy services to students under the direction of a licensed Occupational Therapist. You’ll play a key part in helping students develop the skills they need to succeed both in and out of the classroom.

School-based experience is strongly preferred, and occasional travel between school locations may be required.

What You’ll Do

• Deliver therapeutic interventions based on treatment plans developed by the Occupational Therapist
• Support students across a variety of age groups within your scope of practice
• Monitor student progress and communicate updates or recommended changes to the supervising OT
• Assist with standardized assessments and document results accurately
• Maintain timely, accurate, and compliant documentation for all services provided
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, including participation in meetings and in-service education
• Supervise and support clinical support staff as appropriate
• Adapt treatment approaches based on individual student needs and responses
• Travel between school locations as needed

What We’re Looking For

• Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) license in the state of practice
• Experience in school-based occupational therapy (strongly preferred)
• Strong communication, organization, and collaboration skills
• Ability to work independently while staying connected to a broader care team
• Passion for supporting children and helping them reach their full potential

Why Join Us?

• Consistent daytime schedule (no evenings or weekends)
• Meaningful work supporting students in a school environment
• Opportunity to collaborate with a supportive and experienced therapy team
• Professional growth through ongoing learning and development
• Graduate of an accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program approved by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), with an Associate degree
• Current licensure (or eligibility for licensure) as a COTA in the state of practice
• NBCOT certification required
• CPR/BLS certification (AHA-approved, including skills demonstration) required within 30 days of hire
• Knowledge of human growth and development across the lifespan
• Ability to read, understand, and interpret medical records and clinical documentation
• Strong organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Demonstrated professionalism and ability to interact with patients, families, and healthcare team members
• Commitment to ongoing learning and professional development (professional organization involvement preferred)
• Ability to adapt to a variety of patient needs and changing priorities in a clinical/school-based environment
• May work in areas where medications are stored; no direct medication handling required

Clearances (School-Based Requirements)

• Act 33 Child Abuse Clearance (with renewal)
• Act 34 Criminal Clearance (with renewal)
• Act 114 FBI Clearance (Department of Education, with renewal)
• Act 73 FBI Clearance (with renewal, if applicable)

Additional Requirements

• Completion of all required orientation and competency programs (system, facility, and department-specific)

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran