JOB GOALS: Serve as a member of the trans-disciplinary team, working under the supervision/director of classroom teachers or related service personnel to assist students in personal, social and instructional needs to provide them with a smooth functioning class environment, which allows them to take full advantage of the instructional program and the available resource materials.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:  The duties assigned to the paraprofessional will include but not be limited to:

1. Assisting and caring for the personal needs of students.
2. Implementing activities/skill practice developed by the teacher from the IEP.
3. Provide instruction in school and community settings.
4. Maintain confidentiality of all information regarding the student.
5. Collect and summarize student progress data as directed by the classroom teacher.
6. Provide and arrange for transportation to community-based sites.
7. Provide general supervision to students under the teacher’s direction.
8. Monitor student’s social/vocational abilities through written documentation and observation.
9. Participate, as appropriate, in IEP conferences.
10. Display flexibility to adapt to the changing needs of the students.
11. Provide support/training for job situations.
12. Know and implement emergency procedures.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS: 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each 

essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

Paras hired after January 8, 2006, must have:

- Completed two (2) years or more years of study at an institution of higher education; or

- Obtained an associate’s (or higher) degree; or

- Passed the Para Pro Test

PHYSCIAL DEMANDS:  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hand or fingers to handle or feel objects, tools or controls.  The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The employee may also have to lift up to 50 pounds frequently (possibly lifting with another adult up to 150 pounds.)

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

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 environment is usually moderate.

EVALUATION: 

An evaluation will be done on the employee's performance on an annual basis.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION NECESSARY TO CLARIFY JOB DUTIES:           

Paraprofessionals working in the program for students with moderate and severe needs must have the ability to:

1. Provide hand-over-hand instruction.
2. Perform 1 – 2 person lifts and/or transfers according to training specifics by ECSEC physical therapists.
3. Lift 50 pounds (possibly lifting with another adult up to 150 pounds).
4. Sign simple words and phrases.
5. Use physical restraint when needed (per training procedures).
6. Be of assistance to students for personal needs such as dressing, diapering, feeding and toileting.
7. Assist students with the use of alternative modes of communication.
8. Assist students with physical and occupational therapy exercises.
9. Participate in Crisis Prevention Intervention Physical Restraint training.

Life Skills Paraprofessionals will receive in-service training on the following issues:

• the role of the paraprofessional to the therapists and teachers
• characteristics of the exceptionalities of the identified students
• confidentiality
• implementing instructional activities
• R.E./current local changes (ex., collaboration, inclusion)
• student motivation, behavior modification
• communication and time management

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

187 days per year. Salary and benefits as per Classified Policy.