Full-Time Personal Care Assistant: Autistic Support

About the role

The Personal Care Assistant / 1:1 Paraeducator (School Age) is assigned to provide instructional, behavioral and personal care support as outlined in the student's Individual Education Plan. The assistant will be directed by the classroom teacher and is under the general supervision of the designated program supervisor. The assignment is for a school year and could terminate at any time based on student placement or needs.

Responsibilities

• Provide instructional support as outlined in the student's IEP
• Provide behavioral support as outlined in the student's IEP
• Provide personal care support as outlined in the student's IEP
• Follow directions of the classroom teacher
• Work under general supervision of the designated program supervisor
• Assignment is for a school year; may terminate based on student placement or needs

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or High School Equivalency
• Meet one of the following:
  • Completed the Credential of Competency for Special Education Paraeducators through the PA Department of Education (or willing to complete within 6 months of employment); submit copy within 30 days of hire or when received from PDE
  • Completed at least 2 years of postsecondary study with a minimum of 48 credit hours; submit transcript within 30 days of employment
  • Possess an associate degree or higher; submit copy of degree or transcripts within 30 days of employment
  • Meet a rigorous standard of quality as demonstrated through an approved form of assessment within 6 months of employment
• Each school year, provide evidence of 20 hours of staff development activities related to the position (prorated based on date of hire)
• Certification required: Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI), Safe Crisis Management Non‑Violent Crisis Intervention (SCM), or Quality Behavioral Solutions: Safety‑Care Crisis Prevention (QBS) as directed by program needs

Skills

• Verbal communication skills and ability to follow directions
• Computer skills: basic data entry, internet/email usage, word processing, and spreadsheets
• Ability to lift and/or assist in lifting students (pre‑school to age 21) and assistive appliances (e.g., wheelchair)
• Ability to physically restrain students in emotional stress using CPI, SCM, or QBS methods (training provided)
• Ability to contextually run/sprint after/to an eloping child
• Ability to help a learner off the floor if they drop to the floor under their own power

Pay

Minimum salary: $20.00 (presumably per hour)

Schedule

Full‑time schedule: 6.50 hours per day (9:00 am – 3:30 pm), Monday‑Friday, 185 days per year.