Personal Care Assistant - Special Education (3.5 hours/day) Life Skills

Sylvania; Hebron Township (PA); On-site; USD 19,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Sylvania is seeking a Personal Care Assistant to provide instructional and personal care support under the supervision of a classroom teacher. The role covers a full school year and may be terminated based on student needs.

Responsibilities include assisting with learning materials, supporting student instruction, and managing basic clerical tasks. Required qualifications include a high school diploma or equivalent, and PA DOE credential options or higher education credits.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent must be demonstrated.
• Two years of post-secondary study or higher is required.
• Credential of Competency for Special Education Paraeducators through PA DOE is acceptable.

Responsibilities

• Assist the teacher in developing and presenting learning materials.
• Provide instructional support to students individually as directed.
• Perform clerical and record-keeping duties as directed.
• Escort students between locations as needed.
• Operate instructional media and office equipment.
• Assist in bulletin board design and display maintenance.
• Record medication dosages under nurse supervision.
• Assist with therapy programs under professionals when needed.
• Maintain logs and documentation as directed.

Skills

Verbal communication

Follow directions

Team player

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Two years post-secondary study

Associate degree or higher

Credential of Competency for Special Education Paraeducators

Job description

2026-2027 Salary:

• $17.02 per hour

Position:

• Three and a half(3.5)hours per day
• Nine(9) month position

Paid time off:

• Days arepro-rated based on start date with the District and are allocated after successful completion of a 60-day probationary period.
• Three (3) personal leave days
• Five(5) days accumulated sick leave per year

GENERAL SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES

The personal care assistant is assigned to provide instructional and personal care support as outlined in the student’s Individual Education Plan. The assistant will be directed by the classroom teacher and is under the general supervision of the building principal or designee.

The assignment of the personal care assistant is for a school year and could terminate at any time, based on student placement or needs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

All job functions are to be executed through the lens of high quality customer service. Customers are defined as both internal and external clients. Examples demonstrative of high quality customer service may include, but are not limited to, the following: Prompt responsiveness to inquiries; Professional and courteous verbal and nonverbal communication; and Proactive problem solving.

1. Assists the classroom teacher with the development and presentation of learning materials and instructional exercises.
2. Provides instructional assistance to student individually at the direction of the teacher to reinforce and follow-up instruction.
3. Performs clerical and record-keeping duties as directed.
4. Escorts student to and from bus loading areas, cafeteria, lavatories, assembly areas and other classrooms, as needed.
5. Operates a variety of instructional media and office equipment.
6. Assists in the design and maintenance of bulletin boards and other displays.
7. Administers and scores tests where appropriate.
8. Assists in the maintenance of classroom discipline in accordance with established policy and procedures.
9. Maintains records of medication dosages administered at the direction of the school nurse.
10. Adapts to the student’s mode of communication, as necessary, for instructional purposes.
11. Assists in the implementation of therapy programs developed by speech and language therapist, physical therapist and/or occupational therapist.
12. Assists with needs of other students in the classroom, as needed.
13. Assists in movement of student from wheelchairs to classroom therapy equipment, as needed.
14. Feeds student appropriately to his/her functional level (may require tube feeding), as needed.
15. Assists student in toileting and personal hygiene activities (may require diaper changes), as needed.
16. Assists in the operation of medical equipment at the direction of the school nurse, as needed.
17. Completes all logs and documentation as directed by immediate supervisor.
18. Any other task assigned by immediate supervisor.

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

Other functions will vary with the specific assignment and depend on the particular position function for which the person is responsible.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Paraeducators shall meet one of the following four qualifications:
• Have completed at least two years of post-secondary study.
• Possess an associate degree or higher.
• Meet a rigorous standard of quality as demonstrated through a State or local assessment.
• Completed the Credential of Competency for Special Education Paraeducators through the PA Department of Education.

AND

• As required by the PA Department of Education: Each school year, provide evidence of 20 hours of staff development activities related to the position. Pro‑ration will apply based on date of hire within the school year.

CERTIFICATION REQUIRED

CPR and First Aid training are required based on the student’s IEP and medical assistance eligibility.

CERTIFICATION DESIRED

Crisis Prevention Institute or Safe Crisis Management Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Program, as directed by program needs.

SPECIAL SKILLS:

Verbal communication skills and the ability to follow directions.

PHYSICAL / MENTAL / ENVIRONMENTAL:

Physical Demands:

• The strength and ability to lift and/or assist in lifting students ranging in age from pre-school to twenty-one and his/her assistive appliances, for example, wheelchair. The ability to physically restrain students in emotional stress, CPI Training, as directed by program needs.
• Sitting 15%, walking, standing, bending, stooping, squatting 85%

Sensory Abilities:

• Visual acuity to read correspondence and computer screens.
• Auditory acuity to be able to use telephone.
• Ability to speak clearly and distinctly.

Temperament:

• Ability to work as a member of a team.
• Must be courteous and able to deal effectively with people.
• Must be cooperative, congenial, and service oriented.
• Ability to work with limited supervision.
• Ability to be flexible.

Mental Demands:

• Ability to interpret detailed written and verbal communications.
• Ability to function in fast-paced and high-pressure work setting.
• Ability to interpret, analyze and problem solve.

Environment:

• Special Education class environment.