SPED Lifeskills Aide

Wage/Hour Status: Nonexempt • Pay Grade: Para 3 • Days: 187 • Department/School: Assigned Campus

Primary Purpose

Help meet 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 general supervision of the principal and immediate direction of a certified teacher.

Qualifications

Education/Certification

• High school diploma or GED
• Valid Texas educational aide certificate
• Must have 48 college hours or be considered highly qualified through completion of a state approved program

Special Knowledge/Skills

• Ability to work with children with disabilities
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions
• Ability to communicate effectively

Experience

• Two years' experience working with children

Responsibilities

Student Management

• Help meet the individual needs of students, including transferring them to and from wheelchairs, lifting and positioning them, and signing or interpreting instructions for them, etc.
• Help students take care of physical needs and personal care including feeding, bathroom needs, and personal hygiene.
• Help manage the behavior of assigned students. This includes intervening in crisis situations and restraining disruptive or dangerous student 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.
• Assist assigned students throughout the school day, inside and outside the classroom. This includes lunchroom, bus, and playground duty.
• Keep teachers informed of special needs or problems of assigned students.

Other

• Attend parent/teacher conferences as requested.
• Present a positive attitude that provides a positive role model for students.
• Work effectively with others.
• Exhibit sound judgment in decision-making and problem-solving.
• Attend and participate in faculty meetings and special events as assigned.
• Participate in professional development activities to improve skills related to job assignment.
• Comply with policies established by federal and state law, State Board of Education rules, and local board policy.
• Comply with all district and local campus routines and regulations.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• All other duties assigned by the supervisor.
• Must be present regularly in person.

Equipment Used

• Wheelchair lift and ramp
• Adaptive equipment, oxygen gauges, and other devices based on the condition of the student assigned

Working Conditions

Mental Demands

• Maintain emotional control under stress

Physical Demands

• Frequent standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, pushing, and pulling
• Regular heavy lifting of students
• Biological exposure to bacteria and communicable diseases