Instructional Assistant III - Severely Handicapped

Santa Maria Bonita School District (CA); Santa Maria (CA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Santa Maria-Bonita School District is seeking an Instructional Assistant III to support severely handicapped students under supervision. You will assist teachers and therapy staff with instructional and therapeutic activities, reinforce learning, and help with self-care routines in a classroom setting.

The role involves assisting with personal care, behavior management, and the preparation of instructional materials.

Qualifications

• Graduation from High School supplemented by relevant coursework in child growth or special education.
• Experience working with children with severe handicaps is preferred.
• Ability to follow teachers’ instructions and classroom routines.

Responsibilities

• Assist instructional and therapy personnel to plan, organize, and conduct instructional, training, and therapy activities with students experiencing various physical and learning handicaps.
• Reinforce and follow up learning activities with individual students.
• Monitor and assist children with self-help activities including dressing, feeding, and bathroom routines.
• Assist students with personal care needs and who have limited body function control.
• Support behavior management using positive reinforcement techniques as directed by staff.
• Observe and support students’ safety in classroom and playground settings.
• Prepare instructional materials and learning aids as directed by teachers.
• Attend staff meetings and parent conferences as assigned.

Skills

Patience

Tact

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Discretion

Education

High School Diploma

Special education training

Tools

Office equipment

Job description

Santa Maria-Bonita School District INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT III - SEVERELY HANDICAPPED BASIC FUNCTION

Under the direction of an assigned supervisor, perform a variety of functions pertaining to the care, instruction, and training of severely handicapped students; perform a variety of routine clerical and supporting activities for instructional and therapy personnel.

Representative Duties

• Assist instructional and therapy personnel to plan, organize, and conduct instructional, training, and therapy activities with students experiencing various physical and learning handicaps
• reinforce and follow up learning and training activities with individual students
• monitor and assist children in a variety of self-help activities including dressing, feeding and use of bathroom facilities including bath and shower
• assist and aid students experiencing personal accidents and who have a limited control of body functions
• assist in the management of student behavior through the use of positive reinforcement strategies and techniques
• observe and control behavior of students according to approved procedures
• assist in the shaping of social behavior
• supervise and discipline students according to approved policies and procedures
• monitor and assist students in drill, practice and study activities
• direct students into safe learning activities and functions
• assist physical therapy personnel in pursuing a prescribed program which may include limb manipulation, body movement, stretching, and swimming instruction as required
• assist in the development of communication skills for students with language and hearing disorders
• prepare lessons as directed by the teacher
• assist in the preparation of a variety of instructional materials and learning aides
• perform routine first aid including emergency treatment of students experiencing seizures or respiratory problems
• administer medication in accordance with specific medical instruction
• confer with teachers concerning programs and materials to meet the individual needs of severely handicapped students
• maintain confidentiality of student records and information according to established guidelines
• accompany mainstreamed students to regular classrooms as assigned
• provide instructional assistance
• direct student activities as assigned
• assist in monitoring lunchroom and playground activities
• accompany students on field trips as assigned
• assist students wearing braces and other mechanical apparatus
• lift and move students as needed
• participate in staff meetings, inservice training programs and parent conferences as assigned
• perform a variety of routine clerical duties in support of instructional therapy personnel
• operate instructional and office equipment
• perform related duties as assigned

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of: Basic concepts of child growth and development and developmental behavior characteristics of severely handicapped children; Behavior management strategies and techniques, and a variety of reinforcement methods and strategies; Problems and concerns of students with special needs; Safe practices in classroom activities; Basic subjects taught in District schools including arithmetic, reading, writing, grammar, and spelling; Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy; Classroom procedures and appropriate student conduct; Correct English usage, punctuation, spelling, grammar and vocabulary; Methods, techniques, and procedures for lifting and moving children incapable of providing assistance; Basic first aid and emergency treatment procedures.

Ability to: Demonstrate an understanding, patient, and receptive attitude toward severely handicapped children; Assist with instruction and related activities in a classroom or assigned learning environment; Reinforce instruction to students with learning disabilities, communication and behavioral problems; Perform clerical duties related to classroom activities; Understand and follow oral and written directions; Read, interpret, apply and explain rules, regulations, policies and procedures; Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships; Work confidentially with discretion; Communicate effectively both orally and in writing;

Ability to: Understand and work within scope of authority; Communicate effectively with children and adults; Learn the procedures, functions and limitations of assigned duties; Operate a variety of educationally related machines and equipment; Learn to utilize a variety of instructional materials and procedures to enhance the training and educational environment for severely handicapped children.

Education and Experience

Any combination equivalent to: Graduation from High School supplemented by training and coursework in child growth and development, special education instructional technology, and subject areas dealing with the severely handicapped and two years of paid or volunteer experience working with severely handicapped children.

Working Conditions

Environment: Indoor classroom environment. Physical Abilities: Sitting or standing for extended periods of time; Bending at the waist; Kneeling or crouching to assist students; Hearing and speaking to exchange information and make presentations; Seeing to read assignments and to monitor student activities; Lifting heavy, non-compliant students. Hazards: Contact with dissatisfied or abusive students who bite, kick and slap; Potential exposure to communicable diseases and contact with blood and other body fluids. Approved: 02/25/98 descripticlassiaiiish