Special Education Life Skills Paraprofessional

About the Role

Help meet the physical and instructional needs of individual students with disabilities inside and outside the classroom. Assist with the implementation of Individual Education Plans (IEP), including self-help, behavior management, and instruction programs. Work under the general supervision of the principal and immediate direction of a certified teacher.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED
• Educational Aide Certificate issued by SBEC
• Paraprofessional Assessment Certificate, Associate’s Degree, or two years (48 semester hours) of college
• Ability to work with children with disabilities
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions
• Ability to communicate effectively
• Two years of experience working with children

Responsibilities

Instructional Support

• Help teacher prepare instructional materials and classroom displays
• Maintain a neat and orderly classroom
• Assist with inventory, care, and maintenance of equipment
• Help teacher keep administrative records and prepare required reports
• Provide orientation and assistance to substitute teachers

Student Management

• Help meet the individual needs of students, including transferring them to and from wheelchairs, lifting and positioning them, and/or interpreting instructions for them
• Assist students with physical needs and personal care, including bathroom needs, personal hygiene, and feeding
• Help manage the behavior of assigned students, including intervening in crisis situations and restraining disruptive behavior as needed
• Assume responsibility for learning and adapting to each student’s special medical, physical, communicative, and emotional needs
• Work with assigned students or small groups to develop motor skills and conduct instructional exercises assigned by the teacher, Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, or Adaptive PE Teacher
• Assist assigned students throughout the school day, inside and outside the classroom, including lunchroom, bus, and playground duty
• Keep the teacher informed of special needs or problems of assigned students
• Help teacher maintain data records on learning and behavior
• Maintain personal car logs for Medicaid and submit them monthly for Medicaid-eligible students

Other

• Maintain confidentiality
• Participate in professional development programs, faculty meetings, and special events as assigned
• Attend annual training on physical restraint and CPR training as needed

Equipment Used

• Wheelchair lift and ramps
• Walkers and special needs chair bars in bathrooms
• Computers and other assistive devices as needed

Working Conditions

Mental Demands

• Work with frequent interruptions
• Maintain emotional control under stress

Physical Demands

• Prolonged sitting; occasional bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting
• Repetitive hand motions, including frequent keyboarding and use of a mouse; occasional reaching
• Occasional light lifting and carrying

Environmental Factors

• May work prolonged or irregular hours
• Occasional districtwide travel
• Frequent prolonged and irregular hours
• Occasional districtwide and statewide travel