Personal Care Attendant/ Teacher Assistant For School Environment

Job Description for Personal Care Attendant/Teacher Assistant for Student in School Setting

The job of Personal Care Attendant/Teacher Assistant in the school setting is done for the purpose of providing support to the instructional program with the specific responsibility of working with a student with multiple physical disabilities (i.e. CP, Visual and Speech Impairment) one-to-one; following educational, technological and specific physical/personal care plans.

Essential Functions:

1. Adapt classroom activities, assignments and/or materials and environment under the supervision of the supervising teacher for the purpose of supporting and reinforcing classroom(s) objectives.

2. Provides, under the supervision of the assigned teacher, instruction to the student (i.e. reading, verbal skills, listening skills, orientation and mobility, job skills etc.) for the purpose of implementing IEP goals and ensuring the student’s success.

3. Assist with all activities of daily living including, but not limited to: feeding, dressing, dispensing medication, transferring on/off the toilet, personal hygiene, diapering, transferring into and out of specialized seating and mobility equipment, and performing all prescribed or recommended physical activities.

4. Communicates with teachers and a variety of health care professionals (speech therapist, PT’s, OT’s, and TVI’s) for the purpose of evaluating student progress and implementing IEP goals.

5. Implements, under the supervision of the assigned teacher or therapist (TVI, SLP, PT or OT), physical, social, educational, and visual plans for the purpose of reinforcing learning concepts.

6. Models conversation, manners, clean up activities, listening, job skills and everyday interactions for the purpose of demonstrating appropriate social behavior in a culturally sensitive manner.

7. Utilizes technology including all AAC and personal technology, including powered mobility, to ensure active participation in all academic settings (under the supervision assigned special educator, TVI, speech therapist, physical therapist and occupational therapist).

8. Monitors the student’s daily schedule (class schedule, personal hygiene, meal schedule) for the purpose of maintaining a safe and positive learning environment.

9. Remain with the student at all times, unless the student’s schedule instructs otherwise, for the purpose of providing for the safety of the student.

10. Responds to emergency situations for the purpose of responding to immediate safety concerns.

11. Documents student’s daily activities for the purpose of completing daily logs of the student’s hourly activities.

12. Maintains manual and electronic files and/or records for the purpose of providing written reference; and/or meeting mandated requirements.

Other functions:

Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Job Requirements; Minimum Qualifications:

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

SKILLS are required to perform a variety of tasks with the potential need to upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. The most essential skills related to this position are patience, flexibility and creativity. Other specific skills include: adhering to safety practices; preparing and maintaining accurate records; and following specific physical assistance practices.

KNOWLEDGE is required to read a variety of manuals, write documents following prescribed formats, and/or present information to others; and understand and remember complex, multi-step oral and written instructions. Knowledge is required to perform basic math (including word problems). Specific knowledge based competencies include: age appropriate activities when working with children; concepts of grammar and punctuation; methods of instruction and training.

ABILITY is required to schedule and modify activities to fit the student’s needs, gather and collate date, and use job related adaptive and technological equipment. Physical ability is required lift over 50 lbs multiple times throughout the day, push heavy equipment, and maneuver equipment (wheelchair, adaptive bike, gait trainer) for distances as much of 1 mile. Problem solving in a variety of situations is required. Must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships, communicate to diverse groups, maintain confidentiality, work as part of a team, work with frequent interruptions, and maintain a good rapport with student and peers.