Special Education Life Skills Aide

Primary Purpose :

Help meet physical and instructional needs of individual students with disabilities inside and outside classroom. Assist with the implementation of Individual Education Plans (IEP), including self-help, behavior management, and instruction programs.

Work under general supervision of principal and immediate direction of certified teacher.

Qualifications :

Education / Certification :

High school diploma or GED

Educational Aide Certificate issued by SBEC

Paraprofessional Assessment Certificate, Associates Degree or two years (48 semester hours) of college

Special Knowledge / Skills :

Ability to work with children with disabilities

Ability to follow verbal and written instructions

Ability to communicate effectively

Experience :

Two years of experience working with children

Major Responsibilities and Duties :

Instructional Support

• Help teacher prepare instructional materials and classroom displays
• Help maintain a neat and orderly classroom.
• Help with inventory, care, and maintenance of equipment.
• Help teacher keep administrative records and prepare required reports.
• Provide orientation and assistance to substitute teachers.

Student Management

• Help meet the individual needs of students, including transferring them to and from wheelchairs, lifting and positioning them, and / or interpreting instructions for them, etc.
• Help students take care of physical needs and personal care including, bathroom needs, and personal hygiene and feeding.
• Help manage the behavior of assigned students. This includes intervening in crisis situations and restraining disruptive or student behavior as needed.
• Assume responsibility for learning and adapting to each student’s special medical, physical, communicative, and emotional needs.
• Work with assigned students or small groups to develop motor skills and conduct instructional exercises assigned by teacher and / or Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist or Adaptive PE

Teacher.

• Assist assigned students throughout school day, inside and outside classroom. This includes lunchroom, bus, and playground duty.
• Keep teacher informed of special needs or problems of assigned students.
• Help teacher maintain data records on learning and behavior.
• Keep personal car logs for Medicaid and turn in on a monthly basis for Medicaid eligible students.

Other

• Maintain confidentiality.
• Participate in professional development programs, faculty meetings, and special events as assigned.
• Attend trainings on physical restraint each year and CPR training as needed.

Equipment Used :

Wheelchair lift and ramps. Walkers, special needs chair bars in the bathrooms. Computers and other assistive devices as needed.

Working Conditions :

Mental Demands / Physical Demands / Environmental Factors :

Tools / Equipment Used : Standard office equipment including personal computer and peripherals

Posture : Prolonged sitting; occasional bending / stooping, pushing / pulling, and twisting

Motion : Repetitive hand motions including frequent keyboarding and use of mouse; occasional reaching

Lifting : Occasional light lifting and carrying

Environment : May work prolonged or irregular hours ; occasional districtwide travel

Mental Demands : Work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under stress

Occasional districtwide and statewide travel; frequent prolonged and irregular hours.

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.