Paraprofessional - Physically Impaired (7 Hours/Day)

Personnel Commission•Madera, CA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the general direction of the site Principal or Designee, the Paraprofessional - Physically Impaired provides support to the instructional program with specific responsibility for assisting in the supervision and instruction of students with severe physical impairments (as defined in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act [IDEA]). The role involves observing and documenting student progress, implementing plans for instruction, and assisting students by providing for special health care needs. Incumbents in this classification provide specialized instructional support for students with severe physical impairments, directly supporting student learning and achievement.

Requirements

High School diploma or equivalent.
Completion of 48 units from a nationally accredited college or university; or A.A. degree or higher, or the passage of a local assessment test.
One (1) year of experience working with children in a specialized learning environment.
CPR/First Aid Certificates
Pass the District’s applicable proficiency exam for the job class with a satisfactory score
After offer of employment, obtain: Criminal Justice and FBI Fingerprint Clearance
Negative TB test result plus periodic post-employment retest as required (currently every four years)
Pre-employment physical exam B through District’s provider
Valid hands-on First Aid/CPR Certificate (infant, child, adult - on line certificates are not accepted)

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of specific needs, requirements and issues of students with physical impairments and severe special needs (e.g., wheelchair use, proper securing with lap belt, transfer from wheelchair to walker, oxygen tank use)
Principles of child development, instructional processes
General purposes and goals of public education, Special Education terminology
Techniques used in directing, disciplining and motivating students
Basic recordkeeping techniques
Classroom management techniques and playground rules
Safety practices and procedures
Conflict resolution procedures
Assist a diverse range of students in developing self-help and social skills
Assist in planning and prioritizing learning activities to support the special needs of physically impaired students
Perform basic clerical functions
Perform basic arithmetic calculations
Operate standard office equipment and software applications
Use English in both written and verbal form, use correct grammar, punctuation and spelling
Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy with students, administration, and staff
Actively move around play field, playground or campus for extended periods
Understand and carry out oral and written instructions
Maintain the confidentiality of student records
Assume responsibilities involved in supervising and working independently with students
Develop and maintain collegial relationships with staff
Meet schedules and deadlines
Read/interpret/apply rules, regulations, policies
Rapidly learn methods and materials used in a variety of instructional situations
Maintain safe environment for students
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, students and the public

Responsibilities

Accompanies students with disabilities from classroom to classroom; escorts student(s) from school bus or vehicle to classroom or from classroom to school bus or vehicle.
Adapts classroom activities, assignments and/or materials, under the direction of the supervising teacher, to support and reinforce classroom objectives.
Administers immediate first aid and medical assistance as instructed by a health care professional (e.g., diapering, tube feeding, colostomy bags, medication) to meet immediate health care needs and/or develop student’s daily living activities and behavioral skills.
Assists students with disabilities with toileting needs (e.g., accompanying children to restrooms, diapering); assists students with specialized health care needs in daily tasks.
Assists students in a variety of ways (e.g., eating/feeding, hygiene, health and safety issues, transportation, physical education, speech and language) to maximize educational opportunities and student success at school.
Assists students with mobility issues (e.g., braces, wheelchair, crutches, walking, lifting, repositioning) for the purpose of moving/transporting students within educational settings; may accompany student(s) on school bus.
Attends meetings and in-service presentations (e.g., first aid, CPR, approved behavioral training, emergency/lockdown procedures) to acquire and/or convey information relative to job functions.
Communicates with supervising instructional staff and professional support personnel to assist in evaluating progress and/or implementing IEP objectives.
Maintains instructional materials and manual/electronic files/records (e.g., daily Student Service Log) to ensure availability of items, provide written reference, and/or meet mandated requirements.
Monitors student(s) during assigned periods within a variety of school environments (e.g., bus stops, playgrounds, classrooms, field trips, public transportation, assemblies, cafeterias) for the purpose of maintaining a safe and positive learning environment.
Observes medical conditions and acts on symptoms to maintain student safety; monitors for seizures; communicates with teacher about changes of status.
Participates in the implementation of IEP plans to meet IEP goals and/or District benchmarks.
Provides, under the supervision of assigned teacher, instruction to individuals or small groups in a variety of areas (e.g., cognitive, gross and fine motor skills, feeding skills, self-help skills, behavior control) to assist students in meeting learning goals.
Performs other related duties as assigned for ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit and the District, including various mandatory District trainings.