Summary:
To support students with autism, intellectual disabilities, and other significant disabilities by implementing instructional and behavioral strategies, such as Discrete Trial Instruction (DTI) and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), individually or in small-group settings under the direction of the special education teacher.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Must be able to provide Discrete Trial Instruction (DTI).
- Must be able to apply the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).
- Implement individualized student behavior plans as directed and utilize targeted
- strategies to support positive behaviors, enhance student engagement, and promote
- effective learning.
- Must be willing to be trained in medication-delegation by a school nurse, as requested
- by the supervisor.
- Must be willing to obtain current CPR certification, as requested by the supervisor.
- Must be able to support students by following and implementing individualized health care plans, ensuring that medical needs, including seizure activity, are monitored and addressed as directed.
- Must be able to provide specialized instruction as outlined in students’ IEP plans and as directed by the student’s teachers and related service providers.
- Implement carryover strategies provided by related service providers (e.g., occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, counselors) to ensure consistency and reinforcement of student learning across settings.
- Must be able to receive direction from teachers and related service providers.
- Must be trained in Physical and Psychological Management (PMT) or other similar training offered by the district.
- Must be able to clearly and safely implement student feeding programs as directed by related service providers (e.g., occupational therapist, speech-language pathologist, or school nurse), closely monitoring students for any feeding-related complications.
- Must be trained as needed by a physical therapist or nurse in the use of mechanical lifts (Hoyer) for moving students and follow all safety procedures during their use.
- Must be cognizant of students with multiple disabilities that require frequent position change, and position students as directed by physical therapist or special education teacher.
- Must be able to provide toileting assistance to students as needed or directed.
- Must be able to provide incontinence care to students as needed or directed, to achieve IEP goals under the direction of the special education teacher.
- Must be able to perform clerical duties such as record keeping, filing, making copies.
- Facilitate student use of augmentative communication devices as directed by special education teacher and speech pathologist/assistant.
- Maintain a clean, orderly, and safe learning environment for students.
- Other duties as assigned by the supervising teacher, building administrator, or Director of Special Education
Qualifications:
- Must possess minimum of Associate degree, 60 college credits or have passed the CT ParaPro exam
- Must possess the ability to read, write, and perform math at a minimum of a 12th grade level
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff and the entire school community
- Ability to articulate clearly and concisely in both oral and written communications Ability to work proficiently in basic computer applications
- Possess an awareness of all district policies and procedures
Physical Demands:*
- Must possess the ability to stand, sit, and walk unassisted and provide movement assistance to students as needed
- Must possess the ability to lower self to a seated position on floors, and to move from a seated position on floor to standing position unassisted
- Must possess normal visual acuity, with or without corrective lenses, and depth perception
- Must have the ability to lift up to 40 pounds
*The physical demands of this position are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.
Work Environment:
- Often work indoors, moving between classrooms and other school areas
- May work outdoors during physical education and recess
- May be exposed to noise levels that are distracting
- May be exposed to hitting, kicking, biting, and pushing by students in addition to objects thrown by students
- Work near others, often within a few feet
- Work related tasks may be subject to deadlines and time constraints
- May be required to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Work Days:
- Follows school calendar, with additional professional development days following the collective bargaining agreement
Work Scheduled:
- Based on hours of school operations
Compensation & Benefits:
- EWPS offers an exceptional benefits package, including paid time off, participation in the Town of East WIndsor sponsored retirement plan, and a percentage cost share for premium health, vision and dental insurance plans (percentage amount may be based on current collective bargaining agreement)
- Hourly compensation based on experience and the wage table in the current collective bargaining agreement
The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.