Instructional Assistant
About The Position
Under general supervision, the Instructional Assistant (Direct Support Professional in the Education program) provides direct care and implements plans for clients as prescribed by physicians and treatment teams. The role assists the Academic Teacher with instructional and therapeutic activities, lesson plans and materials, and assessment of client progress so teaching approaches can be adjusted to support established goals. The assistant also supports clients in residences during academic breaks and holidays and, in community-based programs, provides transportation between residences and school. The position provides client supervision, safety and crisis management; documents behavior, participation, services and instructional data; follows scheduled activities; models positive behavior; and uses proactive behavioral strategies. Work includes supporting health, hygiene, medication delivery, individual plans, education and residential goals, safe and organized environments, nutrition, community mobility, and communication with treatment teams, guardians and other agency personnel. The role reports to a teacher or program supervisor/manager.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in human services; or an associate’s degree and three months of experience working with children; or high school diploma/GED and six months of experience working with children.
- Must be at least 19 years old.
- Must pass a criminal background check and pre-employment drug screen.
- Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.
- Moderate computer skills, including logging in, navigating the web, starting and saving a Microsoft Word document, and basic keyboarding.
Responsibilities
- Ensure medications are delivered accurately and on time.
- Support clients’ well-being, safety, health and hygiene, and use infection-control procedures.
- Report serious incidents, participate in reviews, and implement follow-up measures as applicable.
- Know assigned clients’ strengths, needs, abilities, preferences, goals, objectives, outcomes and treatment strategies in their current plans.
- Implement behavioral strategies and teach alternative behaviors to support clients’ behavioral goals.
- Actively instruct clients to help them achieve education and residential goals, objectives or ID Waiver outcomes.
- Collect and document behavioral and instructional data accurately and reliably.
- Document services accurately and promptly.
- Maintain engagement with and monitoring of clients and implement planned activities throughout the workday.
- Build trusting, respectful relationships with clients and support them in building relationships.
- Apply knowledge of clients’ diagnoses, associated supports and trauma-informed care.
- Manage behavioral crises safely.
- Collaborate with the Treatment Team and contribute to discussions and decisions to ensure continuity of support and care.
- Provide exemplary customer service to guardians, agency personnel and visitors.
- Maintain safe, clean and organized residence and classroom environments.
- Promote good nutrition and assist with meal preparation in group homes.
- Provide transportation and community mobility, including transportation between residences and school in community-based programs.
- Assist with purchases and be accountable for program and client money, as applicable.
- Assist the Academic Teacher with instructional and therapeutic activities, lesson plans, instructional materials, and assessment of client progress.
- Work with clients in residences during academic breaks and holidays.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the organization and its core values of personal integrity and accountability.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Benefits
- Free meals during shift, as available
- Medical, dental and vision coverage
- Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts
- Paid Time Off plan and attendance incentives
- Employer-paid life insurance
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Short-term disability
- Long-term disability
- Flexible scheduling and resources to support work and home life
- Retirement plan with employer match, up to $2,500 annually
- Employee discounts, including legal services and identity theft protection
- Travel assistance
- Virtual exercise and coaching
- Free will preparation services
- Paid career development, including certification training in CPR, Ukeru and more
- Education assistance up to $5,250 annually
- Continuing education opportunities
- Federal Student Loan Forgiveness eligibility
- Referral bonuses of $1,000 for bringing new talent to Grafton
- Potential shift differentials: $1.50 per hour for weekday evenings and overnight shifts, and $3.00 per hour for weekends
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
