Lighthouse Central Florida is a mission-driven, values-based organization providing an optimal blend of rehabilitation training services and real-world applications to help individuals of all ages, who live with any degree of vision loss to adjust to their reality with grace and confidence so they can remain active, productive members of our community.

We seek a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA) to work with appropriately credentialed staff to implement a broad range of therapeutic services for each assigned client following their Individualized Service Plan (ISP) and doctors' orders for Occupational Therapy (OT). This role will provide both Occupational Therapy and Vision Rehabilitation Instructional Services to help each child or teenager achieve their goals for independence and self-confidence. It will ensure that all Vision Rehabilitation Instruction meets or exceeds contract obligations and professional standards.

Essential Job Requirements:

Direct Service

• Identify and actively support the appropriate involvement of volunteers in program functions to extend and enhance team effectiveness and efficiency. Serve as the primary staff contact for volunteers who are assisting with aspects of assigned work
• Provide instruction/therapies relevant to the needs of each client. Instruct clients in the use of an array of adaptive tools and techniques that allow for optimal success in activities of daily living with vision loss
• Reflect Lighthouse Central Florida's (LCF) mission, vision, and core values in daily interactions with clients, staff, and all external and internal constituencies
• Review assessment recommendations with the clients. Develop Individualized Service Plans and implement training plans.
• Conduct comprehensive functional vision rehabilitation assessments to identify existing skills, goals, and appropriate adaptive devices needed.
• Actively participate in efforts to demonstrate the connection between Occupational Therapy and Vision Rehabilitation Therapy.
• Actively build relationships between LCF and community partners, particularly in OT, higher education, optometry, and ophthalmology.
• Assist in the adjustment counseling of clients as necessary; evaluate client progress towards individual goals; mediate problems between clients and assigned program staff.
• Teach and model high standards of advocacy/self-advocacy
• Collaborate with clients, family members, and colleagues to share information and expertise to plan and implement effective instruction.
• Comply with agency policies and procedures, including completing required documentation and reports (timesheets, certificates of absence, etc.)
• Provide center-based, community-based, and virtual instructional services appropriate to the assessed needs and goals of the clients
• Promote independence in activities of daily living (including dressing, feeding, feeding, grooming, money identification/management, pre-cane mobility, cooking, and laundry) through problem-solving, suggesting adaptations, and observation of the student (children and teens)

• Actively assist when opportunities present for OT and COTA level 1 and level 2 rotations that frequently occur at LCF.
• Collaborate with Lighthouse teams to ensure successful contract and grant deliverables achievement.

Case Management and Reporting:

• Efficiently navigate the agency's database software to maintain complete, accurate, and timely documentation and reports as assigned
• Communicate with Case Management Team and other staff to expedite each client's movement through service delivery.
• Facilitate the request, receipt, and distribution of procurement requests
• Maintain the confidentiality of program participants following professional ethics and State and Federal regulations

Community Education:

• Participate in the development and implementation of educational programs/activities to inform the medical community, educators, parents, elected officials, and the community at large about the scope, variety, and effectiveness of LCF services to achieve inclusion and self-actualization
• Support and assist in collaborative activities with community partners as assigned.

Perform other duties as required.

Education:

Bachelor's Degree or Associate's Degree from an accredited occupational therapy assistant program

License and Certification:

OTR/L or COTA credential

Experience:

• Minimum of one (1) year of professional practice experience in a work environment with people with disabilities
• Experience with visual impairments is helpful but not required.

Demonstrated Knowledge and Skills:

• Possess excellent skills in the delivery of ADL and other self-help skills with people of a variety of ages

• Professional maturity, judgment, and objectivity
• Possess an ability to utilize the LCF database for client demographics, documentation, and agency reports
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, management, business professionals, civic organizations, and the general public
• Ability to work as an influential member of the team
• Capable of working with a variety of personalities and leadership styles
• Possess a working knowledge of MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and Internet
• Possess practical organizational and time management skills with attention to detail
• Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to adapt to and support change
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Ability to project a positive, compassionate image to clients, co-workers, and the public
• Ability to effectively convey skills and techniques for daily living to a wide variety of clients, adapting teaching methods as needed to accommodate a variety of learning styles

Physical Demands:

• Ability to move about independently within the facility and in the community we serve
• Prolonged sitting at a workstation
• Moderate ability to move and lift items, usually ranging up to 25 lbs
• Prolonged standing upon occasion

Requirements:

• Eligible to work in the United States
• Pass Level II background checks
• Possess reliable transportation

The employment policy of Lighthouse Central Florida and Lighthouse Works is to provide equal opportunity to all persons. Our company, therefore, has committed to equal employment opportunity through a positive and continuing affirmative action program. Lighthouse Central Florida and Lighthouse Works will recruit, hire, train, and promote qualified individuals in all job titles and ensure that all other personnel actions are administered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, and veteran status, or disability.

All descriptions have been reviewed to ensure that only essential functions and primary duties have been included. Requirements, skills, and abilities have been determined to be the minimal standards required to perform the positions successfully. In no instance, however, should the duties, responsibilities, and requirements delineated be interpreted as all-inclusive. Additional functions and conditions may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate.

The Americans with Disabilities Act may modify requirements to reasonably accommodate disabled individuals. However, no accommodations will be made that may pose serious health or safety risks to the employee or others or impose undue hardships on the organization.