Paraprofessional/Personal Care Assistant

Job Title: Paraprofessional / PCA

Salary: Consistent with the existing collective bargaining agreement

Building/School: District Wide

Reports to: Principal

Hours: Consistent with school hours

PRIMARY PURPOSE:

To assist the classroom teacher in providing the students with support in academics, hygiene, and all other aspects of the school day

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Documents daily interactions and monitors student performance including documenting behavioral observations under the guidance of the classroom teacher.
• The paraprofessional is responsible for the health needs of the assigned student(s) as directed by the building Principal, teacher and medical departments as they relate to the personal care needs such as feeding, toileting, and hygiene.
• Performs such instructional support as designated by the principal and teacher. As a rule of thumb such duties are those which might well be performed by various means including using technology with the assigned student(s).
• Assist the assigned student(s) in completion of tasks throughout the school day in multiple learning environments.
• Supervise play activities or group games when the intent of such activity is recreational rather than learning where duties do not directly relate to the instruction of student athletes.
• Supervise and escort in the transition of student(s) throughout the school building throughout the school day.
• To participate in professional development as provided by the district.
• Performs all related tasks as directed by the principal, teacher and/or medical department.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge and understanding of students with disabilities.
• Ability to work in highly flexible situations; following directions and taking responsibility.
• Willingness to communicate and work in multiple school environments.
• Ability to obtain, provide safe crisis management and positive behavioral support with the team through this process.
• Ability to obtain and provide emergency and basic first aid care.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and physically support student’s mobility needs.
• Knowledge of technology such as computer use and ability to provide support to student’s educational programs.
• Highly Qualified status required. (Associates degree, two years of post- secondary education or pass a local assessment).

STATUS:

• Perform the above mentioned duties and responsibilities.
• Assume the schedule and assignment as prescribed by the school principal.
• Must have acceptable references.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Ability to reach above and below the waist.
• Ability to use fingers to pick, feel and grasp objects.
• Some stooping, bending and twisting of the body required.
• Ability to lift and/or carry supplies and/or papers weighing no more than 20 lbs.
• Ability to sit, stand, walk or move throughout the building and/or office, often for extended periods of the workday.

SENSORY ABILITY:

• Visual acuity
• Auditory acuity

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Typical school environment
• Subject to inside environmental conditions

TEMPERAMENT:

• Must possess excellent interpersonal skills
• Must be able to work in an environment with frequent interruptions
• Able to make appropriate decisions and work under high level of stress

COGNITIVE ABILITY:

• Ability to communicate effectively
• Ability to organize tasks
• Ability to handle multiple tasks
• Ability to exercise good judgement