Educational Assistant -Lifeskills- CHS

About the role

This position assists licensed staff in implementing an individualized education program (IEP) for students with moderate to severe learning and/or physical disabilities. The primary duties include providing individualized and small group instruction, assisting with student data collection, and managing classroom/program operations.

Responsibilities

• Implement developmental, academic, and life skills instructional programs addressing moderate to severe learning and physical disabilities or special social/behavioral, cultural, and language needs.
• Work with small groups or in one-to-one settings to provide instruction.
• Exercise independent judgment to assist in the management of classroom/program operations.
• Adjust lesson plans or teaching strategies during instructional activities as necessary to achieve IEP goals and objectives.
• Manage behavior and provide education regarding appropriate interpersonal actions; respond to discipline problems; act as a role model.
• Provide supplemental practice in various learning experiences, including drills and activities using learning strategies designed by licensed staff.
• Supervise students in and outside the classroom, such as riding the bus, playground, or job site in the community, to support the district/building's discipline and instructional program.
• Assist students with basic skills, behavior, communication, self-help skills, motor skills, and academic skills, or any other instructional task as determined in the individualized education plan under the direction of the special education teacher/service provider.
• Assist students with physical movement, which may include lifting, and carrying of students; and assisting with communication which may require the use of specialized devices.
• Work with students who may exhibit challenging behaviors and creatively problem solve difficult situations using intervention strategies within the scope of the IEP goals and objectives.
• Assist licensed staff in training volunteers, professionals, and peer tutors to work with students in a manner that supports the district educational plan.
• Attend in-service and workshop training related to area of assignment; apply training to instructional responsibilities.
• Implement nursing protocols, with appropriate training provided, under the direction of a district nurse. This may include G-Tube feeding, suction, tracheotomy care, catheterization, and others specific to individual student needs.
• Perform minor medical and health procedures as requested in a manner that meets state and district guidelines.
• Provide other related services as assigned.

Requirements

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.

• An associate's (or higher) degree, two years post-secondary study (72 quarter or 48 semester credits), or a passing score on a district-approved assessment.
• Prior experience working with special needs children desirable.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function 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.

• An associate's (or higher) degree, two years post-secondary study (72 quarter or 48 semester credits), or a passing score on a district-approved assessment.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; including communications to parents under the direction of the general education and special education teacher/service provider.
• Interest in learning to effectively use other communication systems.
• Ability to formulate ideas for program improvement.
• Ability to collect, record, store, retrieve, assimilate, organize, and utilize information and records efficiently.
• Ability to understand and implement the school/program's student discipline policy and manage student behavior effectively.
• Ability to work with challenging behaviors and creatively problem-solve difficult situations while using intervention strategies.
• Ability to understand and implement the school/program's instructional goals and carry out work assignments in a manner that supports those goals.
• Ability to interact effectively and collaboratively with individuals and groups of all ages.
• Ability to independently organize and carry out work assignments, follow student schedules or individualized education plans, and direct the work of students and others associated with the program.
• Following adequate training, ability to provide motor instruction in a swimming pool.
• Proficient in use of classroom/program equipment and technology.
• Ability to obtain specialized training as required.
• Ability to travel among district facilities as needed; if driving, the ability to meet district driving standards.
• Standard First Aid certification, or the ability to obtain certification within two months of hire, may be required.

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 talk and hear.
• The employee is regularly required to stand and use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• The employee is required to regularly walk (occasionally on an uneven surface), occasionally sit and reach with hands and arms (frequently reaching above the shoulder), stoop, kneel, and crouch.
• With district approved training the employee may be required to restrain a student and/or provide physical assistance for extended periods of time.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
• The employee must regularly lift, move, and/or carry up to 50 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 150 pounds with assistance.
• The employee may be exposed to bloodborne pathogens and bodily fluids.

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.

• The noise level in the work environment could be usually moderate to occasionally high.
• The work may occur in the classroom, other campus learning environments, or other community-based settings including worksites.