Full-Time Personal Care Assistant: Autistic Support

Personal Care Assistant/1:1 Paraeducator (School Age)

The Personal Care Assistant / 1:1 Paraeducator (School Age) is assigned to provide instructional, behavioral and personal care support as outlined in the student's Individual Education Plan. The assistant will be directed by the classroom teacher and is under the general supervision of the designated program supervisor. The assignment of the Personal Care Assistant/1:1 Paraeducator is for a school year and could terminate at any time, based on student placement or needs.

All job functions are to be executed through the lens of high quality customer service. Customers are defined as both internal and external clients. Examples demonstrative of high quality service may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Prompt responsiveness to inquiries
• Professional and courteous verbal and nonverbal communication
• Proactive problem solving
• Embody the IU13 keys to culture

Assists the classroom teacher with the development and presentation of learning materials and instructional exercises.

Provides instructional assistance to students individually or in small groups at the direction of the teacher to reinforce instruction.

Follows established classroom schedule as designated by the teacher

Performs and/or supports clerical and recordkeeping duties as directed, including but not limited to tasks such as maintaining student logs, data sheets and functions related to assessments, etc.

Escorts students to/from various areas and/or activities during the school day ensuring student safety; must be able to run/sprint after an eloping (escaping) child and/or help a student off the floor should they drop to the floor.

Operates a variety of instructional media and office equipment.

Assists in the design and maintenance of bulletin boards and other displays.

Assists with responsibilities for student community based vocational instruction and inclusion opportunities when applicable

Assists in the enforcement of classroom discipline in accordance with established policy and procedures.

This is not a complete itemization of all facets of this position.

Education Required: High School Diploma or High School Equivalency Effective July 1, 2010 – Also must meet one of the following four qualifications:

• Have completed the Credential of Competency for Special Education Paraeducators through the PA Department of Education (or be willing to complete within 6 months of employment). A copy of the credential must be submitted within 30 days of hire or when received from PDE.
• Have completed at least 2 years of postsecondary study with a minimum of 48 credit hours. Copy of transcript required within 30 days of employment.
• Possess an associate degree or higher. Copy of degree or transcripts required within 30 days of employment.
• Meet a rigorous standard of quality as demonstrated through an approved form of assessment within 6 months of employment.

As required by the PA Department of Education: Each school year, provide evidence of 20 hours of staff development activities related to position. Pro-ration will apply based on the date of hire within the school year.

Skills Required: Verbal communication skills and the ability to follow directions.

Computer Skills: Basic skills related to data entry, internet/email usage, word processing and spreadsheets.

Certification Required: Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI), Safe Crisis Management Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (SCM) or Quality Behavioral Solutions: Safety-Care Crisis Prevention (QBS), as directed by program needs.

The strength and ability to lift and/or assist in lifting students ranging in age from pre-school to twenty-one and any assistive appliances, for example: wheelchair.

The ability to physically restrain students in emotional stress by using the Crisis Prevention Institute Training (CPI), Safe Crisis Management (SCM) or Quality Behavior Supports (QBS) method, depending on program need, for which training will be provided.

Must be able to contextually run/sprint after/to an eloping child and be able to help a learner off the floor should they drop to the floor under their own power.

Activities: Sitting: 20% Walk/stand: 20% Bending/stooping/squatting: 60% Lifting: See below Physical Demands Lift/push/pull: 80% Restrain: As needed Vision: Normal

Mental Demands: Interpret, analyze and problem solve

Environment: Learning Environment Physical Demands: The following is a detailed list of physical demands required based upon the essential functions of the Personal Care Assistant (School Age) position as established by an independent third-party provider: Lift -50lbs vertical lift from 1 inch to 24 inches from the floor with 90 degree pivot. Applicable Job Functions: -transferring and transporting students Lift Carry -25lbs vertical lift from 32 inches, horizontally transfer 100 feet and place at 12 inches from the floor -5lbs vertical lift from floor to 70 inches and horizontally transfer 20ft Applicable Job Functions: -transporting meal crate -dispensing classroom materials Push-Pull -Horizontally transfer 15lbs of force on a sled a distance of 10 feet Applicable Job Functions: -moving foam barriers UE Push -Horizontally transfer 50lbs of force on a sled with upper extremities only a distance of 1 foot Applicable Job Functions: -barrier during behaviors Climb -Ascend and descend a step with a height of 7 inches from the floor -Ascend and descend 3 rungs of a ladder Applicable Job Functions: -steps within facility and into facility -step ladder to observe a student over barrier Limited Headroom -Maintain a position within a space with a height of 28 inches for 1 minute Applicable Job Functions: -assist students at floor level below desk Repetitive Posture -Forward bend to reach a point of 28 inches from the floor -with no external support transition from standing to stooping/squatting, transition to quadrupled position and return to standing posture -Squat or kneel to reach a point at floor level -Reach forward and touch a point 24 inches from the chest -While seated turn head/neck to view object behind self to left and right -While standing turn head/neck to view object behind self to left and right Applicable Job Functions: -assist students at floor and table levels-changing position to access varying levels -assist students during classwork -turning neck and head while assisting students Static Posture -Kneel to reach a point at floor level and maintain the position for 1 minute -Squat to reach a point at floor level and maintain the position for 1 minute Applicable Job Functions: -assisting students at floor level Walk/Run -Jog on a treadmill self selected pace, 0% grade, 5 mins Applicable Job Functions: -jog to access location on assistance call