Teaching Assistant/Paraprofessional

Description

Summary:   Provides support that creates a safe learning environment for students at all times.  The paraprofessional instructs, and engages children in activities that promote growth in the five developmental domains: social, cognitive, communication, motor and self-help with supervision and support from the Supervising Teacher and Lead Paraprofessional. Provides personal care to individual children, in a discreet and professional manner. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: include the following. 

Instruction

Under the direction of the Supervising Teacher and Lead Paraprofessional:

• Supervise students while engaging them in appropriate play, supporting transitions from one area to another, and ensuring their safety at all times.

• Provide instruction that is directed by the supervising teacher and lead paraprofessional. Develop an understanding of incorporating the five developmental domains, and positive behavioral support interventions into all instruction. 

• Collaborate on an ongoing basis with the Supervising Teacher and Lead Paraprofessional to ensure understanding of skills and teaching methods that will be utilized in the weekly classroom lesson plan..

• Ensure that all materials are organized and within reach before beginning each lesson with small groups or individual students. 

• Provide individual and small group instruction, and facilitate engagement of each student through positive behavioral supports such as praise, recognition of improved skills or behaviors, and constant feedback and support.  

• Model developmentally appropriate behavior and maintain a professional, positive rapport with students and other staff members.

• Participate in training that targets the specialized instructional strategies and behavioral support techniques utilized in the classroom. 

• Collect relevant and accurate data specified by the teacher and/or therapists to measure individual student progress toward skill attainment.

• Use visual, verbal, and physical prompts appropriately as directed by the Supervising Teacher and Lead Paraprofessional so that student independence and progress is maximized.

• Report and concerns about individual child’s skill development or lack of progress to the classroom teacher and/or lead paraprofessional.

• Provide personal care to students as directed and trained by the nurse, teacher and therapists.

Classroom Support Activities

Assists children with self-help skills to include toileting, grooming, feeding, etc.

Engage with children in all activities including small group, large group, independent play, playground, snack routine, lunch routine, etc.

Prepares lunches for children appropriately (blended, tube feeding, etc.)

Assists children with appropriate use of adaptive equipment as inservice/instructed by therapists, i.e., communication devices, splints, computer peripherals, etc.

Positions children in seating, e.g., corner chair, wheelchair, as inserviced/instructed by therapists and ensures proper positioning during classroom activities.

Assists in keeping the classroom organized and clean and keeping the playground and any other training areas free from clutter and obstacles to mobility for students and staff.

Compliance/HIPAA:

While performing the duties of this job, employee will comply with all federal, state and local laws and regulations pertaining to Easter Seals Arkansas.

Employee has access to client protected health information of the individuals directly served by this person. Employee will not attempt to access any other protected health information unless otherwise approved by Supervisor or Privacy Officer.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

With the Supervising Special Education Teacher, assists in supervision of up to three employees.  Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws.  Responsibilities include training and mentoring employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance and giving feedback; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Qualifications

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience:                   

Minimum qualifications of a high school diploma (or general education degree (GED)) and three to five years’ relevant field experience or a bachelor’s degree in education, speech language pathology or related human services or social services field and three years’ relevant field experience. 

Competencies:

• Communicate effectively and appropriately both verbally and in writing

• Makes self-available to parents and provides regular feedback of children’s participation and progress

• Supports and explains reasoning for decisions.

• Listens and gets clarification.

• Responds well to questions and provides concise answers.

• Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner.

• Develops alternative solutions.

• Uses time efficiently.

• Exhibits objectively and openness to other’s views.

• Supports everyone’s efforts to succeed.

• Develops personal leadership skills.

• Fosters quality in others, improves processes, products, and services.

• Understands and follows all licensing and governing regulations

Language Skills:                 

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.  Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.  Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

 Mathematical Skills:                   

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.  Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Reasoning Ability:                   

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.  Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: 

Valid Arkansas Driver's License

High School Diploma, GED or Bachelor’s Degree

Other Skills and Abilities:                   

Ability to lift and transfer students

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands/fingers/arms to handle, feel, reach, lift, assist and hold. The employee is frequently required to stand and walk. The employee is frequently required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Hearing abilities are also a requirement of this job.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.