Paraeducator II - (Special Edu Instructional Support)

Conejo Valley Unified School District•Thousand Oaks, CA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the immediate supervision of an assigned school administrator and general direction of a classroom teacher, this role assists in implementing instructional education programs for students who are medically fragile, with varied support needs, and performing specialized medical procedures as assigned. This position provides instructional and physical assistance to students who are developing the foundation for progressive mastery of reading, writing, and mathematics, while also having significant medical conditions requiring ongoing support and administration of specialized medical procedures. Paraeducator II positions may provide intrusive medical assistance, including daily specialized medical support, distinguishing them from Paraeducator I positions which primarily provide non-intrusive medical health assistance and/or emergency specialized medical support.

Requirements

High school diploma or an equivalent.
One year of experience working with children, adolescents, and young adults in an organizational setting.
Valid California Class C Driver's License.
Knowledge of correct English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
Knowledge of basic mathematical concepts appropriate to supporting school instruction.
Knowledge of non-violent crisis intervention techniques and principles.
Knowledge of fundamentals in classroom behavior management and support.
Knowledge of classroom procedures and appropriate student conduct.
Knowledge of child guidance and adolescent development principles and practices.
Knowledge of applicable laws, codes, policies and regulations related to assigned activities.
Ability to maintain professional integrity, respect, empathy, and patience with students having a wide range of physical and cognitive disabilities.
Ability to provide physical care and communicate effectively with students with special needs from age 3 to 22.
Ability to assist in lifting and moving students who may wear heavy braces, use wheelchairs, and other orthopedic devices.
Ability to learn and apply behavior management and intervention techniques.
Ability to communicate effectively in the English language, both orally and in writing.
Ability to show composure and clear thinking in emergencies and under stressful circumstances.
Ability to adapt quickly to new students and to changes in IEPs.
Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with students and staff.
Ability to recognize and report safety hazards.
Ability to learn, understand, and apply applicable laws, rules, practices, and procedures.
Ability to learn to use specialized instructional technologies.
Ability to model communication and interaction that respect and include all individuals and their languages, abilities, religions, and cultures.
Ability to exercise sound independent judgment within general policy guidelines.
Ability to use tact and diplomacy when dealing with sensitive, complex and/or confidential issues and situations.
Ability to ensure nondiscrimination in employment.

Nice To Haves

Completion of at least two years of study (48 units) at an institution of higher education, or Associates or higher degree highly desirable.
Experience working with individuals with special developmental needs is desirable.

Responsibilities

Assists teacher(s) with implementation of students' IEP goals and objectives through instruction and a wide variety of prescribed activities.
Reinforces classroom instruction through follow-up learning activities.
Provides additional tutoring to students in academic subject areas as assigned.
Supports student medical needs by performing assigned medical procedures and health related interventions according to established guidelines and protocols, and as directed by professional medical staff, including catheterization, NG tube feeding, changing tracheotomy tubes and ties, machine suctioning, colostomy/ileostomy care, gastrostomy feeding, mechanical ventilation, nasal cannula, oxygen supplementation, syringe suctioning and related procedures.
Provide primary care to students with physical handicaps requiring assistance with feeding, toileting and diapering, dressing (e.g. change of soiled clothing) and other related needs.
Assist students in developing cognitive, gross and fine motor, feeding and self-help adaptive skills based on the curriculum and developmental plans established by speech and physical therapists, psychologists, special education teachers and other specialists.
Establish and maintain daily documentation of specialized physical health care services and procedures, including administration of medication.
Assists in gathering, assembling, and preparing various instructional materials and learning aides for delivering classroom instruction and related activities.
Provides assistance with classroom, outdoor playground, cafeteria, and field trip travel supervision; ensures students are not leaving designated areas.
May lift and/or assist in lifting students in and out of wheelchairs, braces, and varied orthopedic equipment, including assistance with performing manual tasks, getting on/off the school bus, and other positioning or locomotion needs.
Confers with teacher(s), and other school personnel as appropriate, regarding programs and materials to meet student need.
Directs students to engage safely in learning activities and school functions, and assists in shaping of appropriate social behaviors.
Respond to emergency life threatening situations by administering to students' first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or other life-sustaining efforts until paramedics or other medical assistance is available.
Complete accident and incident reports on as needed basis; and may assist a school nurse in updating and maintaining medical records.
Assists the teacher with behavior management and intervention plans; may record behavior incidents.
Applies approved behavior intervention techniques to maintain student safety as required.
Assesses crisis situations and intervenes to defuse situations using conflict resolution, crisis intervention, restraints, or assisting staff as appropriate.
Assists students with personal care such as washing, grooming, toileting, and diaper changing.
Assists in keeping classroom neat, clean, and safe; assists in developing and maintaining the classroom learning environment that enhances student learning.
Reinforces functional academic concepts with music, puppets, big books and devices.
Collaborates with other service providers such as speech and adaptive physical education specialist.
Assists in hand-over-hand activities with students with limited fine motor skills.
Assists with proctoring assessments, grading assignments and assisting in library research.
Under the direct supervision and observation of a certificated staff, assists students with taking medication under prescribed policies and procedures.
May rides with students on the bus which transports the students to and from school and assists students in moving to and from activities on school site or campus.
Attends in-services and staff meetings as required.
May assist the teacher with routine classroom clerical tasks such as making photocopies and preparing and assembling classroom materials.
May accompany students in vocational training setting and/or on community outings.
Maintains confidentiality of student information in accordance with legal requirements and policies.
Performs other related duties as required.