Audio and Vision Screening Tech

Paraprofessionals

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 325,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 45,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. Aligned with our transformed philosophy, we are steadfastly focused on ensuring that the District provides resources equitably to support every student, every school, and every community. Six core values guide the work we do every day for our students student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning. Each role in the district supports our vision that every student deserves a rigorous, joyful, and equitable learning experience.

The Office of Student Health and Wellness (OSHW) manages a variety of services to meet the health needs and requirements of students and their families. The OSHW provides vision and hearing screening, referrals and case management for over 207,850 students each year to help address vision and hearing-related barriers to learning.

Job Summary

The OSHW is seeking qualified candidates certified by the Illinois Department of Public Health to join our team of Audiometric and Vision Screening Technicians. As a Technician, the selected candidate would contribute as part of a team to 1) schedule; 2) conduct vision and hearing screenings; 3) document screening results electronically, and 4) provide written referrals for case management and medical examination. This is a paraprofessional and school-related personnel (PSRP) position represented by the Chicago Teachers Union Local 1 American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO (CTU). This position will report to the Director of OSHW.

Most students will receive a vision and hearing screening at their local school by an Audiometric and Vision Screening Technician, certified by the Illinois Department of Public Health, who is assigned to the school building. Some students may receive screening services at established clinic locations. Vision Screenings are required annually for students in Pre-K, K, 2nd, and 8th Grades. Hearing Screenings are required annually for students in Pre-K, K, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Grades. Both vision and hearing screenings are required for students who are new to the District, students being evaluated for an Individualized Education Program (IEP), and students with a 504 Plan or IEP. Students in a Head Start early childhood classroom must receive vision and hearing screening within 45 days of the first day of attendance.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate with the assigned school designee to plan and organize schedules to ensure delivery and documentation of screening services according to state and federal timelines.
• Conduct hearing screening and threshold testing according to the guidelines established by the Illinois Department of Public Health's Manual for Audiometric Technicians and Programmed Instruction Threshold Procedures.
• Conduct vision screenings according to the guidelines established by the Illinois Department of Public Health's Vision Screening Manual.
• Provide all students in a Head Start early childhood classroom with an initial vision and hearing screening within 45 days of the first day of attendance.
• Provide all students participating in MTSS/Response to Intervention (RtI) with vision and hearing screening prior to initial evaluation for special education services.
• Provide all students who have a 504/IEP with an initial vision and hearing screening annually.
• Provide all students in mandated grades and all students new to Illinois with an initial vision screening (PreK, K, 2, 8) and/or hearing screening (PreK, K, 1, 2, 3) annually.
• Provide a second vision screening and/or second hearing screening (with threshold test when indicated) approximately 10 days following the initial screen for all students failing an initial screen.
• Enter student-level data related to vision and hearing screening using the Board's electronic student information system.
• Provide a written referral for case management and medical examination for all students meeting the referral criteria established by the Illinois Department of Public Health.
• Participate in periodic continuing education and in-service programs as scheduled.
• Respond professionally to all student, parent, or school questions and concerns.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Audio and Vision Screen Tech must possess the following qualifications:

Education Required:

• High school diploma or G.E.D equivalent is required
• The following valid, current certifications from the Illinois Department of Public Health are required:
  • Hearing Screening Technician Certification
  • Vision Screening Technician Certification
• Completion of two years of college at an accredited college or university is preferred

Experience Required:

• Experience working consultatively and collaboratively with a team of professionals
• Experience managing multiple tasks at once in a fast-paced environment
• Experience working with students and families of culturally diverse backgrounds
• Experience providing vision and hearing screening services in a school-based or pediatric setting preferred
• Experience using an electronic student information system or electronic medical record system preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated proficiency in conducting vision and hearing screening using approved screening equipment as indicated by certification from the Illinois Department of Public Health.
• Knowledge of state and federal procedures and timelines related to vision and hearing screening.
• Ability to efficiently plan and organize schedules to ensure delivery and documentation of screening services according to state and federal timelines.
• Ability to lift and carry up to twenty (20) pounds of force occasionally and up to ten (10) pounds of force frequently. Requires walking, standing, sitting and bending to a significant degree.
• Some knowledge using Microsoft Office suite (i.e. Excel, Word, etc.) and Google Apps for Education (i.e. Gmail, Calendar, Drive, etc.) preferred.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to speak another language is preferred.

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:

• Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. The Chicago residency requirement does not apply to temporary/part-time positions; however, all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois.