Job Abstract

The classification specification does not describe all duties performed by the incumbent in the class. This summary provides examples of typical tasks performed in this classification.

• Assist teacher with implementation of the Individual Educational Plan (IEP); confer with the teacher as related to the student’s goals reflected in their IEP.

• Assist student(s) with meeting IEP goals and objectives and report progress regarding student performance and behavior. E

• Be a resource for students by answering questions, modeling real-life appropriate behaviors and social interactions, providing social-emotional support, and a friendly attitude. E

• Implement positive behavior intervention strategies for students; implement and model identified behavioral techniques including positive behavior interventions and reinforcement strategies as identified by the teacher. E

• Interact with, escort, and monitor students during field trips, physical education and other recreational activities as directed. E

• Monitor and redirect, as needed, student behavior in accordance with established guidelines, and the safety of the student and others. E

• Observe and assist in emergency situations involving aggressive or uncontrolled behavior of identified students in accordance with approved Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) procedures as trained.

• Assist students with personal hygiene; wash hands and faces; monitor individual toilet schedules; toilet students and change diapers and clothing as needed. E

• Assist students with activities, including feeding students who are unable to feed themselves and monitor self-feeding students as directed by a teacher; use gastronomy and suctioning equipment and take appropriate action when students have difficulty eating. E

• Assist students requiring specialized health care procedures (tube feeding, suctioning, EPI-pen) and address immediate health care needs to allow students to function in a school environment. E

• Operate a variety of medical equipment including oral suctioning, gastronomy and orthopedic equipment. E

• Attend periodic and special training and in-services related to medical interventions and the instructional program. E

• Assist students in getting on and off the bus as directed; including pushing students in wheelchairs; lifting students in and out of orthopedic equipment; positioning and repositioning students; assist students with adaptive devices as needed.

• May be required to assist students during home-to-school transportation.

• Assist students with selected learning activities; assist students individually and in small group settings; open and close books, remove and add papers in notebooks. E

• Grade and check worksheets, tests, and workbooks; E

• Perform related duties as assigned.

Note: At the end of some of the duty statements there is an italicized "E" which identifies essential duties required of the classification. This is strictly for use in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Health/Instructional Assistant classification is designed to serve students whose instruction is identified and specified in an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or Section 504 Service Plan (SP). These students may have moderate to severe learning, orthopedic, communication, and/or other physical disabilities or impairments. Incumbents perform a variety of instructional tasks, assisting in such areas as reading, language, mathematics, and independent living skills, reinforcing the learning of students. Incumbents are required to perform a variety of instruction and tutoring on various subjects to students with emotional, physical, behavioral or mental disabilities in assigned special education programs.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Basic instructional methods, techniques, and subjects taught in schools.

• Basic child guidance principles and practices.

• Motivational techniques.

• Special needs of students with severe and multiple medical disabilities.

• Strategies and techniques of assisting in the instruction of orthopedically handicapped and medically fragile students.

• Safe and sanitary practices in classroom and playground activities.

• First Aid and CPR procedures.

• Basic record-keeping techniques.

• Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary.

• Operation of standard office equipment

ABILITY TO:

• Assist with instruction and related activities in a classroom or assigned learning environment.

• Reinforce concepts and instruction to individual or small groups of special education students as directed by the teacher.

• Use appropriate student behavior management strategies. Learn teacher-developed behavioral strategies that increase student independence, motivation, and self-esteem.

• Work with students in Special Education who may become combative.

• Effectively assist the teacher in responding to students' emergencies.

• Implement specialized instructional and health procedures as directed by psychologists, health professionals, and specialists.

• Assist students with basic needs such as toileting and feeding students with special needs.

• Learn and perform specialized health care techniques such as intervention techniques including gastronomy feeding, catheterization, and oral suctioning.

• Interpret and implement lesson plans as directed by the teacher.

• Assist students in getting on and off the bus as directed; including pushing students in wheelchairs; lifting students in and out of orthopedic equipment; positioning and repositioning students; assist students with adaptive devices as needed.

• Run after and gently, but firmly, restrain students attempting to leave the classroom or school grounds.

• Kneel or squat to assist students with shoelaces, braces, and floor exercises.

• Maintain records as directed by the teacher.

• Communicates with verbal and non-verbal students.

• Understand and follow oral and written directions.

• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

• Work independently with little direction as needed.

• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.

• Apply safety practices involved in the lifting, moving, and transport of students with special needs.

• Apply basic first aid techniques and practices.

• Maintain confidentiality about all personal information, assessment results, and other records concerning students and their families.

• Use patience and tact in working with students with disabilities.

• Perform simple and repetitive tasks.

• Maintain consistent, punctual, and regular attendance.

Any combination equivalent to: graduation from high school and two years experience working with children with special needs.

LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Valid First Aid and CPR Certificate issued by an authorized agency and provide proof of certifications to the Personnel Office.

Consistent with the No Child Left Behind Act of 2002 and other related legislation, candidates for this classification will be required to obtain a passing score on a special examination. Administered by the Personnel Commission, this exam requires that candidates meet a rigorous standard of quality through a formal academic assessment, including knowledge of and ability to assist in instructing reading, writing, and mathematics; or knowledge of, and the ability to assist in instructing reading readiness, writing readiness, and mathematics readiness, as appropriate; or, in lieu of an examination, candidates may provide either Official Transcripts demonstrating completion of at least two years of college or university study (48-semester units or 60 units) or documentation indicating attainment of an Associate of Arts degree or higher degree at an accredited institution of higher education.

WORKING CONDITIONS

ENVIRONMENT:

• Classroom and school site environment

• Working with students with the greatest needs and most involved disabilities

• Potential for employees in this classroom environment to work with students who may demonstrate verbal and aggressive behaviors (scratching, hitting, biting, etc.) due to their specific disabilities.

• Potential exposure or contact with bodily fluids, blood-borne pathogens, and infectious diseases.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES:

• Physical agility to: lift 25 pounds to shoulder height and 40 pounds to waist height; reaching overhead, above the shoulder, and horizontally.

• Lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling heavy equipment and students weighing up to 40 pounds.

• Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate educational training equipment.

• Bending at the waist, kneeling, or crouching to assist students.

• Seeing to monitor students.

• Hearing and speaking to communicate with students and instructors.

Persons with certain disabilities may be capable of performing the essential duties of this class with or without reasonable accommodation, depending on the nature of the disability.