OVERALL DESCRIPTION

The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant will be responsible for supporting the Authority’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility objectives by assisting the Occupational Therapists in the performance and completion of ADA Functional Assessments as part of SEPTA’s ADA Paratransit Eligibility Determination process, and conducting travel training and orientation.  

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Supports OTR/L in completion of physical, cognitive, and psychological assessments of ADA Paratransit applicants applying all health and safety regulations to mitigate risks and form independent and objective reports of paratransit applicant’s functional ability to use accessible fixed-route service.
2. Provides Travel training for new and registered ADA and Senior customers, and supports the Occupational Therapist(s) in travel training in middle and high schools, and to other settings and populations as needed 
3. Reports metrics to assess the effectiveness of SEPTA’s Travel Training program.  Recommends changes based on metrics to assess the effectiveness of SEPTA’s travel training program.  
4. Collaborates and assists OTR/L’s with supervision of level I & level II graduate Occupational Therapy and OTA students. 
5. Prepares, organizes and provides presentations and training for other SEPTA departments, community based programs, school systems and SEPTA customers.
6. Coordinate with SEPTA personnel to ensure customers are transported to and from assessments/training.
7. Supports resolutions of ADA appeals and any other ADA eligibility matters as needed. 
8. Handles confidential matters, maintaining privacy issues in accordance with SEPTA’s confidentiality policies, rules and regulations.
9. Complies with all Authority and departmental safety and security policies and procedures as well as all applicable job safety responsibilities. Reports any safety concerns, compromises or hazards affecting operations, the public self and/or other employees. Responsible for personal safety and is encouraged to promote the safety of others.
10. This position is in office, or community based five days a week; remote work is not permitted.
11. Must be able to complete a mile of community mobility.
12. Lift up to 50 lbs.
13. Push a manual wheelchair 270 ft. multiple times a day and through multiple doors and thresholds.
14. Work under fluorescent lighting for up to eight hours a day.
15. Performs other duties as assigned/required.
     

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Must possess and maintain an active Professional License and certification to practice Occupational Therapy in the state of Pennsylvania.
• Two full time, eight week, level two clinical rotations.
• Familiarity with Occupational Therapy Practice Framework and the legislative requirements for implementing Occupational Therapy Services in the state of Pennsylvania.
• Perform some facets of Occupational Therapy Process including assessment, implementation of interventions and outcome measurement of applicant’s performance.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to interact with all levels of SEPTA management, private corporations, public entities, consultants and other project manager as required.

IDEAL QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Must be a graduate of an accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant program with an Associate’s degree, Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• At least one year of experience integrating Occupational Therapy Services in public transit and community based services is desirable.
• Experience working with children and adolescents on the autism spectrum and intellectual disabilities is desirable. 
• Experience with working with adults with physical, cognitive, and psychological impairments is desirable.