SpEd Paraprofessional - Significant Support Needs - Behavior / Medical Support

Academy School District 20•Colorado Springs, CO

13d•$21 - $22•Onsite

About The Position

The SpEd Paraprofessional supports students with Significant Support Needs in day-to-day learning and care under the supervision of a teacher. The role supports the principal and classroom teachers in implementing SSN programs and maintaining a positive, safe learning environment. The paraprofessional assists licensed special education teachers, occupational and physical therapists, nurses, and other evaluative staff with implementing goals for students with severe or profound disabilities. The position does not make diagnostic or long-term educational decisions. Assignments may take place in nontraditional learning environments, including off-campus work sites. The position addresses current student needs at Frontier Elementary School; if needs change, the employee may be required to work at another school during the school year. Duties include implementing teacher-planned instruction; supporting students individually and in groups; assisting with personal care, meals, mobility, and delegated medical tasks; monitoring and supporting behavior; collecting assessment data; maintaining records and materials; and assisting with classroom, community-based, and other learning activities. The role requires ongoing training, including training related to student-specific needs and delegated nursing practices. The position is full-time, regular, and scheduled for 37.5 hours per week (7.5 hours per day), Monday through Friday, for 176 days per year. Work is generally in a classroom and may also involve homes, schools, offices, job sites, and other settings. The work environment may include varying noise levels, exposure to fumes, conflict or personal-harm risks, and student medical emergencies. Extended work hours or days may be required as directed. Compensation is $21.02–$22.07.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Obtain and maintain certifications necessary to support students with special needs.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing and to interact with students and adults in a wide variety of settings.
Computer proficiency, including office productivity applications and the ability to use software systems to create, access, input, retrieve, and manipulate information.
Ability to maintain accurate records, manage documents and files, and preserve confidentiality; understanding of data privacy laws and their implications for the educational community.
Ability to follow oral and written instructions, work independently, manage simultaneous demands, set priorities, and work hours, days, locations, and assignments as directed.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, administrators, coworkers, staff, students, parents, and the public, including people from diverse backgrounds and professions.
Knowledge of office methods and procedures, district policies and functions, and special education, educational programming, and related legal requirements as relevant to assigned students.
Demonstrated teamwork, organizational and time-management skills, attention to detail, problem-solving ability, and cooperative and collaborative skills.
Commitment to student education; student-centered, relationship-focused approach; and professional qualities including compassion, patience, reliability, respect, responsibility, integrity, and trustworthiness.
Willingness to attend CO-TOP opportunities and other professional learning, OT-PT training, and ongoing training; receive student-specific on-the-job training; and be trained to carry out delegated nursing practices.
Ability to meet students' physical and self-help needs, including toileting, feeding, dressing, and transfers; physically restrain or escort students when necessary in accordance with applicable guidelines.
Ability to sit, stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch or squat, climb stairs, ladders, or stools, and reach, hold, grasp, turn, and carry objects; lift, push, pull, or carry up to 50 pounds, with student lifting and higher demands possible for some assignments.

Responsibilities

Support the principal and classroom teachers in implementing Significant Support Needs programs and promoting a positive, safe learning environment.
Assist special education teachers, therapists, nurses, and evaluative staff in implementing student goals.
Carry out instructional programs and lessons in varied learning environments as directed by lesson plans, and reinforce teacher-introduced material with small groups.
Support students with meals, feeding, communication, oral motor, sensory integration, physical, toileting, dressing, and mobility needs.
Perform assigned medical tasks, which may include dispensing medication, tube feeding, catheterization, toileting, diapering, and suctioning; clean and disinfect bodily fluids and sanitize equipment and materials.
Maneuver and secure wheelchairs, use physical therapy support equipment, provide initial first aid or emergency care, and accompany students between locations and activities.
Monitor behavior contracts and reward systems, and use Nonviolent Crisis Intervention techniques when appropriate.
Assist with non-standardized testing, tutoring, recitation, reading, curriculum tasks, games, teaching aids, and preparation and maintenance of student materials and equipment.
Coordinate assignments and job tasks with classroom teachers and/or employers, and support students in one-to-one, group, classroom, and community-based settings.
Monitor students during recess, hall duty, passing periods, bus loading, computer use, and use of swimming pools, weight rooms, or therapy pools.
Support students in the library, conduct story time, and assist with classroom and community activities.
Attend required pre-job and ongoing training and meetings; maintain required certifications and participate in professional learning and student-specific training.
Serve as a resource to the student personnel evaluation team as needed and work with teachers to integrate assistive technology into classrooms.
Maintain and update student files, collect assessment and monitoring data, complete daily paperwork, and perform clerical duties.
Maintain, order, and organize program materials and equipment; laminate materials and prepare bulletin boards as needed.
Report consistently for scheduled work, perform other assigned duties, and attain proficient or higher evaluations on established performance standards.