Paraprofessional

YAI•New York City, NY

30d•$17

About The Position

Supports assigned student as they work to achieve the goals set by the student’s teacher and related services team. Assists in the implementation of student’s individualized IEP at the discretion and direction of supervisors, teacher(s)/instructor(s) and administrators and supports behavior plan as directed by behavior department. Provides support for student inside and outside of the classroom to enable the student to fully participate in school activities. Provides support for the student in daily therapy and/or related service sessions. Supports the student throughout academic instruction/assignments under the supervision of the student’s teacher. Assists therapists with related service sessions, transferring and/or positioning the student throughout the day. Assists the student with self-care (including using the restroom, basic hygiene, feeding, etc.). Follows all appropriate policies and procedures relating to the care and safety of assigned student and the student’s management needs. Ensures that the student and their supplies are kept neat and clean throughout the day. Ensures that the student is fed appropriately throughout the day, and more broadly, maintains student’s safety at all times. Performs all other duties, as assigned. Where applicable, for students with more complex social-emotional needs, Paraprofessionals - Behavior Support will perform the following tasks, in addition to the above: Regularly liaises and collaborates with the Student Support Services team to support creation and implementation of the student support plan. Collects and records data as directed by Student Support Services team to ensure fidelity of the student support plan. Attends and participates in additional trainings and meetings specific to the student’s social-emotional and related needs as determined by their supervisor and Student Support Services team. Ensures the health and safety of students, self and others by responding timely and appropriately to social-emotional challenges including self-injurious behavior, injurious behaviors toward others and elopement risks. Where applicable, for students with more complex feeding needs, Paraprofessionals – Feeding Support will perform the following tasks, in addition to the above: Regularly liaises and collaborates with the Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) and Feeding Coordinator on the student’s mealtime plan. Understands and follows the Safe Feeding Guidelines put forth by the Speech and Language Department Implements mealtime plan and feeding strategies put forth by the SLP to support safe feeding of students, including assisting students with proper positioning for mealtimes. Collects and records data related to mealtime plans and to ensure safe feeding, intake, etc., as directed by SLP. Attends and participates in feeding, swallowing and oral motor-related trainings and meetings as determined by their supervisor and Director of Speech and Language and/or Feeding Coordinator. Provides coverage for other students with complex feeding needs and assists with feeding training for fellow classroom paraprofessionals, as requested.

Requirements

High school Diploma/GED or equivalent
Must be well organized with superior attention to detail and able to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
Ability to work with a great degree of independence and focus
Proficient in Microsoft Office Programs
Must have at least one (1) year experience working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and complex social-emotional needs in any setting (school, home program, day treatment center, etc.) and
Ability to demonstrate positive social and emotional support through collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team and to appropriately deescalate situations requiring immediate intervention.
Must have at least one (1) year of experience feeding children or adults with feeding and/or swallowing issues, using safe feeding protocols, including hospital, nursing home, residential or educational setting
Ability to demonstrate responsive feeding techniques, follow a mealtime plan, have knowledge of modified diets including liquids.
Open to learning new skills in the areas of feeding, swallowing and positioning.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s Degree or coursework in education preferred
One to three years of relevant healthcare, childcare and/or other school-based experience
First Aid CPR AED
Formal training, including college coursework in psychology, sociology, human behavior, mental health, special education and/or intellectual/developmental disabilities.

Responsibilities

Supports assigned student as they work to achieve the goals set by the student’s teacher and related services team.
Assists in the implementation of student’s individualized IEP at the discretion and direction of supervisors, teacher(s)/instructor(s) and administrators and supports behavior plan as directed by behavior department.
Provides support for student inside and outside of the classroom to enable the student to fully participate in school activities.
Provides support for the student in daily therapy and/or related service sessions.
Supports the student throughout academic instruction/assignments under the supervision of the student’s teacher.
Assists therapists with related service sessions, transferring and/or positioning the student throughout the day.
Assists the student with self-care (including using the restroom, basic hygiene, feeding, etc.).
Follows all appropriate policies and procedures relating to the care and safety of assigned student and the student’s management needs.
Ensures that the student and their supplies are kept neat and clean throughout the day.
Ensures that the student is fed appropriately throughout the day, and more broadly, maintains student’s safety at all times.
Performs all other duties, as assigned.
Regularly liaises and collaborates with the Student Support Services team to support creation and implementation of the student support plan.
Collects and records data as directed by Student Support Services team to ensure fidelity of the student support plan.
Attends and participates in additional trainings and meetings specific to the student’s social-emotional and related needs as determined by their supervisor and Student Support Services team.
Ensures the health and safety of students, self and others by responding timely and appropriately to social-emotional challenges including self-injurious behavior, injurious behaviors toward others and elopement risks.
Regularly liaises and collaborates with the Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) and Feeding Coordinator on the student’s mealtime plan.
Understands and follows the Safe Feeding Guidelines put forth by the Speech and Language Department
Implements mealtime plan and feeding strategies put forth by the SLP to support safe feeding of students, including assisting students with proper positioning for mealtimes.
Collects and records data related to mealtime plans and to ensure safe feeding, intake, etc., as directed by SLP.
Attends and participates in feeding, swallowing and oral motor-related trainings and meetings as determined by their supervisor and Director of Speech and Language and/or Feeding Coordinator.
Provides coverage for other students with complex feeding needs and assists with feeding training for fellow classroom paraprofessionals, as requested.