Instructional Assistant

Description

The Instructional Aide supports the educational program by assisting teachers in the delivery of instructional activities and providing individualized support to students. This role involves helping with classroom management, preparing educational materials, and facilitating small group or one-on-one instruction to reinforce learning concepts. The Instructional Aide plays a key role in promoting a positive and inclusive learning environment, contributing to the academic and social development of students.

Qualifications:

1. High school diploma or GED required.
2. Associate's degree or higher in Education, Child Development, or a related field preferred.
3. Successfully pass competency tests related to the accurate and thorough documentation of incidents and effective communication practices.
4. One year of experience working with children preferred.

Essential Job Functions:

1. Physical capability to restrain children, lift over 20 pounds, and engage in physical activity including various sports, sitting, walking, bending, climbing, kneeling, twisting, reaching, etc.
2. Be able to work in a harmonious manner with subordinates, supervisors, administration and others.
3. Protect and honor individual integrity through confidentiality.
4. Ability to work effectively with cultural/ethnic diversity.
5. Physical, mental and emotional health adequate to perform job duties.
6. Maintain current Medic First Aid certification and respond appropriately to medical incidents, ensuring the health and safety of clients and staff.
7. Participate in and successfully complete the 28-hour initial Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) training and maintain certification through a minimum of 12 hours of annual refresher training.
8. Consistently apply TCI principles to manage crises safely and effectively, in alignment with trauma-informed care and agency protocols.

Responsibilities:

1. Assisting in all classroom/activity responsibilities under the direction of the Teacher.
2. Implementation of the Academic program under the supervision of the Teacher.
3. Utilize program specific screening tools and complete other program related forms.
4. Responsible for yard duty (recess coverage) and bus duty (receiving, loading children) as directed by the Teacher.
5. Support after school duty on pre-assigned days.
6. Be flexible and available for movement throughout the Program/School as directed by the Teacher (i.e., in the case of staff absences).
7. Responsible for preventing and controlling infection.
8. Responsible for maintaining a culture of quality and safety.
9. Effectively use de-escalation skills and techniques for crisis prevention.
10. Properly administer the C-SSRS to help prevent suicide.
11. Effectively use Therapeutic Crisis Intervention techniques for crisis prevention and/or intervention.
12. Effectively communicate with clients with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities to teach life domain skills and adhere to principles of normalization.

Other:

1. Attend all required meetings and trainings.
2. Report any suspected child or dependent adult/elder abuse or neglect immediately to direct supervisor or utilize the chain of command if supervisor is unavailable.
3. Report any client imminent danger to self or to others or gravely disabled immediately to direct supervisor or utilize the chain of command if supervisor is unavailable.
4. Other duties as assigned.