Senior Instructional Assistant - Medical

Salary: $23.15 - $28.19 Hourly
Location : Downey, CA
Job Type: Part-Time
Job Number: 000387 - 2026
Department: DUSD
Opening Date: 07/01/2025
Closing Date: 6/30/2026 4:30 PM Pacific


SELECTION PROCEDURES
Only online applications and required CPR and First Aid Certificates (American Red Cross or American Heart Association only) will be accepted:

This is a Promotional and Open recruitment to establish an eligibility list, fill vacancies, and hire substitutes. Substitutes work on an as-needed basis to fill in for absent employees. The eligibility list will be used to fill permanent vacancies which may occur during the life of the eligibility list. In a promotional and open recruitment, the promotional list shall take precedence. When the promotional list contains fewer than three eligible and willing employees, certification of additional ranks shall then be made from the open list. Positions in this classification are part-time, 30 - 32.50 hours per week, 10 months per year.
The recruitment process will consist of a written and/or an oral technical interview. Testing may occur on a weekly basis. Qualified applicants will be notified by email.
Recruitment will close without warning when sufficient applications have been received.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, TITLE IX, AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER

The Downey Unified School District does not engage in any employment practice that discriminates against an employee or applicant for employment on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability (mental or physical), sex, gender (including pregnancy and childbirth), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, medical condition, genetic information (including family and medical history), marital status, political affiliation, military and veteran status, or retaliation; or on any other basis as protected by state, federal or local law, ordinance or regulation, in its educational program(s) or employment. No person shall be denied employment solely because of any impairment which is unrelated to the ability to engage in activities involved in the position(s) or program for which application has been made. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process, Downey Unified School District will provide you with one upon notice.
BASIC FUNCTION:


Under the direction of an assigned supervisor, assist a certificated teacher or specialist in providing instructional support to individuals or small groups of students with disabilities in a Special Education program; assist in meeting specific student instructional needs which may include feeding, toileting, positioning and monitoring students with medical conditions; and perform a variety of instructional, medical, behavioral, and clerical duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISING CHARACTERISTICS:


Senior Instructional Assistant-Medical incumbents work with students with disabilities in a variety of settings which may include, but not limited to, a special day class, a resource program, or a general education classroom. SIA-Ms work within special education programs that work toward increasing the students' academic, social-emotional, adaptive, and vocational independence. They perform a variety of support functions, including supporting students' medical, self-care, toileting, and self-feeding needs.

FUNCTION & DUTIES


Provide instructional support as directed by the teacher to individuals or small groups of students with disabilities in a variety of areas including cognitive, gross and fine motor skills, feeding skills, self-help skills, vocational skills, and behavior; utilize and implement basic digitized instructional programs and applications for student learning and/or progress monitoring and utilize the District's Learning Management System. E

Assist students using a wheelchair when arriving and leaving classrooms; position and reposition students with medical equipment as appropriate. E

Assist students getting on and off bus, including students in wheelchairs; accompany students with medical conditions on the bus , as assigned. E

Assist the teacher in maintaining the health and safety of students with severe and multiple disabilities by scanning the environment for potential hazards for each student; assist the teacher to implement medical, health, and safety procedures according to established guidelines procedures. E


Serve lunch and feed students with mobility difficulties and monitor students who self-feed , as directed by a teacher; use gastronomy and suctioning equipment and take appropriate action when students have difficulty while eating. E

Assist students with personal hygiene; wash hands and faces; monitor individual toilet training schedules; toilet students and change diapers; and change clothing as needed. E

Monitor, observe, and collect data on students' academic, behavioral medical, and social-emotional progress according to approved District protocols; report progress to school staff as assigned by the classroom teacher; utilize approved behavior management strategies to redirect challenging behaviors. E

Assist District staff and specialists with providing physical development activities. E

Operate a variety of medical equipment including oral suctioning, gastronomy and orthopedic equipment. E


Administer first aid and CPR , as needed , to students with chronic and acute medical conditions. E

Perform routine custodial duties to maintain assigned facility in a clean and sanitary condition; clean dishes, tables, mats and therapy equipment; wash aprons, towels and other used materials/equipment. E

Collaboratively work with Individual Educational Program (IEP) teams to support students' growth and progress toward goals. E


Assist teacher in maintaining a variety of records including student data sheets, medication records and data on student progress toward (IEP) goals; assist in monitoring and reporting behavior changes and seizure activity as directed.


Provide support to the classroom teacher by setting up work areas, displays and exhibits, operating audio-visual equipment, operating educational training equipment, and distributing and collecting paper and supplies.


Supervise and direct students at all times including lunch time, group activities, field trips, on the playground, and when mainstreamed into another class as needed; supervise the loading and unloading of students on school buses as assigned. E


Participate in meetings and in-service training programs as assigned.

Perform related duties as assigned.


Note: At the end of some of the duty statements there is an italicized "E" which identifies essential duties required of the classification.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES


KNOWLEDGE OF:
Basic child development practices as they relate to students with disabilities.
Unique needs of students with severe and multiple medical conditions.
Strategies and techniques of to assist in the instruction of medically fragile students.
Reading, writing, and mathematics.
Effective oral and written communications skills.
Safe practices in classroom and playground activities.
Basic instructional strategies.
First Aid and CPR procedures.

ABILITY TO:
Use appropriate interpersonal skills of tact, patience and courtesy.
Demonstrate empathy, friendliness, patience and responsibility.
Work collaboratively with the classroom teacher and school staff to support students' academic, behavioral, health, vocational, social-emotional, and self-help learning.
Maintain confidentially of sensitive and privileged information.
Effectively assist teacher in responding to students' emergencies.
Assist in toileting feeding, and basic health procedures.
Prepare instructional materials as directed by teachers.
Maintain records as directed by the teacher.
Understand and follow oral and written directions.
Work cooperatively with others and independently with limited direction and supervision as needed.
Assist in lifting students and equipment , including fully grown students.
Demonstrate attendance sufficient to complete the duties of the position as required.
Communicate effectively , both orally and in writing.
Demonstrate empathy, friendliness, patience and responsibility.
Maintain a work pace appropriate to the position.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE, LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Any combination equivalent to: graduation from high school and one year of paid or volunteer experience working with individuals with medical disabilities, or possession of Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certificate and experience working with individuals with severe disabilities.

LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
Valid First Aid and CPR Certificates issued by an authorized agency, as well as meeting requirements to keep certificates current. Some positions in this class may be required to utilize a second designated language. Senior Instructional Assistants - Medical who assist in classroom instruction must meet the education and experience requirement and the following requirements as set forth in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA):


All candidates must meet the state Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requirement for this position. This can be met one of three ways:
1. Possession of an associate's degree or higher
2. Completion of at least 48 full semester units at an accredited college or university
3. Taking and passing the ESSA exam administered by Downey Unified School District
If you meet the ESSA requirement through possession of the associate's degree or higher or have completed at least 48 full semester units, please attach a copy of your degree or college level transcripts to your application.
ENVIRONMENT:
Classroom environment for students with severe and multiple disabilities; subject to changing diapers and toileting students.


PHYSICAL ABILITIES:
Monitor students health and behavior during classroom activities; exchange information and provide assistance to students; bending at the waist, kneeling, walking and standing for extended periods of time, and dexterity of hands and fingers to operate specialized equipment and instructional equipment; lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling students up to 40 lbs. unassisted, and over 40 lbs. with assistance.


HAZARDS:
Aggressive behavior of students and emergency medical situations.
Part-time Employees earn up to:

• 1 paid vacation day per 1 full month of employment
  
  
  
• 1 paid sick leave day per 1 full month of employment with unlimited accumulation

• and paid holidays

The District offers two excellent medical plans, Blue Shield and Kaiser Permanente ; two dental plans, Delta Dental and MetLife SafeGuard ; and vision care through Vision Service Plan (VSP). All plans are available to the employee and their dependents. This coverage is available to employees working a minimum of 20 hours per week.
Retirement benefits include membership in CalPERS (California Public Employee's Retirement System) and Social Security (OASDI). This is a joint contribution plan. To qualify for CalPERS an employee must work a minimum of 20 hours per week or already be a member, if not the employee is eligible for an alternative retirement plan.
Additionally, the District encourages employees to pursue professional growth, and provides financial incentive for classified employees completing professional growth programs. Additional benefits available to employees to which the District does not contribute include life insurance, a Section 125 Flexible Benefit Plan, an income protection plan, and a credit union.
Substitute employees are not eligible for vacation or holiday pay but are eligible to earn sick leave at the rate of one hour per 30 hours worked, not to exceed 48 hours. Further, substitute employees are not automatically eligible for CalPERS or District health benefits.
01


The information you provide on the general and supplemental applications will be used to evaluate whether you meet the minimum requirements for this position. All experience, education, training, and certification must be included in your application in order to be considered. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications for the position will be invited to participate further in the selection process. Supplemental questions that are not answered fully and completely will be considered incomplete and may cause you to not be considered further in the recruitment process. All experience mentioned in the Supplemental Questions must also be included in the Work Experience section of the application in order to be considered complete. Resumes are not required or reviewed during the application process; therefore, you must ensure the application is complete.
Did you read and understand this information?

• Yes
• No

02


This position requires the graduation from high school and:

• One (1) year of paid or volunteer experience working with individuals with medical disabilities;
• OR Possession of Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certificate and experience working with individuals with severe disabilities.Please indicate below how you are meeting this requirement:

• OPTION A. I am meeting this requirement by graduation from high school and one (1) year of paid or volunteer experience working with individuals with medical disabilities.
• OPTION B. I am meeting this requirement by possession of Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certificate and experience working with individuals with severe disabilities. IF YOU CHOOSE THIS OPTION, YOU MUST ATTACH A COPY OF YOUR CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT (CNA) CERTIFICATE TO YOUR APPLICATION. IF YOU FAIL TO DO SO, YOUR APPLICATION WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

03


What is the highest level of education you have completed?

You MUST attach proof of the highest degree (diploma or official transcripts) you have earned, or your application may be disqualified.

• Less than High School Diploma or GED equivalent
• High School Diploma or GED equivalent
• Some college coursework
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctorate Degree

04


All candidates must meet the state Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requirement for this position.


This can be met one of three ways:

• Possession of an associate's degree (higher) at an accredited college or university;
• Completion of 48 full semester units earned at an accredited college or university;
• By taking and passing the ESSA exam.

If you meet the ESSA requirement as listed above, please attach a copy of your degree or college level official transcripts to your application.

If you do not attach proof of your education, you will be scheduled to take the ESSA exam.

Please indicate below how you are meeting the ESSA requirement:

• I have completed an associate's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• I have completed at least 48 full semester units at an accredited college or university.
• I will need to take and pass the ESSA exam administered by Downey Unified School District.

05


Applicants must possess a current, valid First Aid certificate issued by American Red Cross or American Heart Association. Do you possess a valid First Aid certificate? If so, you must scan this certificate as an attachment to your application. IF YOU DO NOT POSSESS A CURRENT CERTIFICATE, YOUR APPLICATION WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

• Yes - I have a current, valid First Aid Certificate.
• No - I do not have a current, valid First Aid Certificate.

06


Applicants must possess a current, valid CPR Certificate issued by American Red Cross or American Heart Association. Do you possess a valid certificate? If so, you must scan this certificate as an attachment to your application. IF YOU DO NOT POSSESS A CURRENT CERTIFICATE, YOUR APPLICATION WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

• Yes - I have a current, valid CPR Certificate.
• No - I do not have a current, valid CPR Certificate.

07


This section of the supplemental application form is designed so you can indicate which of the tasks below you are willing to do. Respond below and indicate whether you will do or will not do the task. Please keep in mind that all of the tasks listed below are required of the position. If you are not willing to do any of the tasks listed below, your application will not be considered.

Did you read and understand these instructions?

• Yes
• No

08


Work with students who may have extreme emotional or behavior problems.

• Will do
• Will not do

09


Operate a variety of medical equipment including oral suctioning, gastronomy and orthopedic equipment.

• Will do
• Will not do

10


Administer gastronomy tub feedings and perform tracheotomy suctioning.

• Will do
• Will not do

11


Assist students with personal hygiene including toileting, diapering and dressing.

• Will do
• Will not do

12


Physically position, reposition, lift, turn and move students from place to place.

• Will do
• Will not do

13


Administer CPR and First Aid to students.

• Will do
• Will not do

14


Administer medication.

• Will do
• Will not do

15


Perform routine custodial duties to maintain facility in a clean and sanitary condition: clean dishes, tables, mats, therapy equipment, wash aprons and towels.

• Will do
• Will not do

16


We are also looking to obtain substitutes in this classification. Following is information regarding substitute positions:

• Substitute employees are not entitled to benefits, such as, holiday pay, vacation, or insurance.
• Substitute employees DO NOT automatically become regular employees.

Would you be interested in being considered for substitute positions as well as regular positions?

• Yes
• No

17


CERTIFICATIONBy typing your name below, I hereby certify that all statements made in this supplemental application are true and complete to the best of my knowledge, and that any misstatement of material facts will subject me to disqualification or dismissal.
Required Question