Teacher Assistant (Paraprofessional)

Summary/Objective: A Paraprofessional (Teacher Assistant) is responsible for assisting the teacher/therapist in providing instruction and support to assigned students in an educational setting, which is designed to promote intellectual, behavioral, emotional, and social growth. Paraprofessional (Teacher Assistant) can be assigned to individual students or to multiple students. All functions are performed under the direction of the teacher/therapist.
The position requires the employee to support students with a variety of needs, which may include individuals who exhibit aggressive behaviors and/or self-injurious behavior. The Paraprofessional (Teacher Assistant) will be trained to meet the individual needs of the students that they are assigned to with the classroom or setting. In some cases, the Paraprofessional (Teacher Assistant) will serve as an itinerant and work in homes and community settings within Bucks County.
Essential Functions
Provide one-on-one tutoring (if such tutoring is scheduled at a time when a student would not otherwise receive instruction from a teacher).
Assist with classroom management, such as organizing instructional and/or other materials.
Act as a liaison in communicating with teacher and other IU and district staff regarding ongoing needs of students.
Support parental involvement activities.
Provide support across all educational settings; escort and supervise students to various locations across all educational settings.
Assist the student to use equipment.
Assist the student to use and maintain augmentative communication devices.
Assist a student to ambulate, position, and transfer.
Support students in range of motion and other exercises.
Assist with Activities of Daily Living (ADL) (eg feeding, grooming, bathing, toileting, diapering, etc).
Monitor the incidence and prevalence of designated health problems or medical conditions (eg, seizure precautions or extreme lethargy).
Accompany student on school bus or other vehicle.
Cue, redirect or monitor to ensure that the student performs ADL tasks when a cognitive impairment prevents a student from knowing when or how to carry out the task (eg, a student may not be able to dress without instruction on how to do so or need reminders of what to do and when).
Observe/monitor and redirect/intervention to assist with completion of ADL’s.
Cue the student to pay attention, participate in activities and complete tasks.
Participate in the implementation of each students IEP (Individualized Educational Plan) and C.E.Rs (if applicable)
Assist with data collection of student performance.
May be trained, when qualified, to occasionally transport students.
Follow any individualized support plans that may be a part of a student’s educational program (eg, behavior, communication, health, transportation). Track information about each student including needs, strengths, gains and problem areas.
Assist with setting up educational environment and preparing materials for instruction.
Other Duties: This position description neither expresses nor implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the incumbent in this position. The employee will be required to follow any other job related instructions and perform other job related duties as requested by the immediate supervisor. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Supervisory Responsibility: This position does not have any supervisor responsibilities.
Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit and use hands. The employee is frequently required to walk; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee may be required to stand for long periods, and to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: This is a full-time, 185-day calendar position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday. Hours of work are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Hours are dependent on the needs of the districts. Occasional evening and/or weekend work may be required as job duties demand.
Travel: Travel or transport may be expected for this position.
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Qualifications
Education and Experience
Level of Degree
Meet the designation of a Bucks IU “Highly Qualified” Paraeducator by showing evidence of at least one of the following
Associate or Bachelor Degree
At least 48 college/university credits
A high school diploma or equivalency and successfully pass a local assessment. (Bucks IU considers that a Credential of Competency for Special Education Paraeducators from the Pennsylvania Department of Education meets this requirement for those individuals who do not have at least 48 college/university credits or an Associate or Bachelor Degree).
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Experience working with students with disabilities is preferred.
Processing software, email, sending attachments and tracking billing.
CPR & First Aid Certification Required
Crisis Prevention Institute Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Training Required
Work Authorization/Security Clearance (if applicable): Citizenship or work authorization to work in the United States required.
EEO/AA/VEVRAA Employer: The Bucks IU is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. Bucks IU does not discriminate on the basis of disability, veteran status or any other basis protected under federal, state or local laws.
IND123
Primary Location: US-PA-Quakertown
Work Locations: Itinerant Upper County 705 N Shady Retreat Road Quakertown 18951
Job: Classified
Organization: Bucks IU Business Unit
Schedule: Full-time
Employee Status: Regular
Job Level: Non-Management
Travel: No
Job Posting: Dec 14, 2022, 10:35:41 AM