JOB
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 E; reinforce and follow up learning and training activities with individual students E;
monitor and assist children in a variety of self-help activities including dressing, feeding and use of bathroom facilities including bath
and shower E; assist and aid students experiencing personal accidents and who have a limited control of body functions E; assist in the
management of student behavior through the use of positive reinforcement strategies and techniques E; observe and control behavior of
students according to approved procedures E; assist in the shaping of social behavior E; supervise and discipline students according to
approved policies and procedures E; monitor and assist students in drill, practice and study activities E; direct students into safe learning
activities and functions E; assist physical therapy personnel in pursuing a prescribed program which may include limb manipulation,
body movement, stretching, and swimming instruction as required E; assist in the development of communication skills for students with
language and hearing disorders E; prepare lessons as directed by the teacher E; assist in the preparation of a variety of instructional
materials and learning aides E; perform routine first aid including emergency treatment of students experiencing seizures or respiratory
problems E; administer medication in accordance with specific medical instruction E; confer with teachers concerning programs and
materials to meet the individual needs of severely handicapped students E; maintain confidentiality of student records and information
according to established guidelines E; accompany mainstreamed students to regular classrooms as assigned E; provide instructional
assistance E; direct student activities as assigned E; assist in monitoring lunchroom and playground activities E; accompany students on
field trips as assigned E; assist students wearing braces and other mechanical apparatus E; lift and move students as needed E;
participate in staff meetings, in service training programs and parent conferences as assigned E; perform a variety of routine clerical
duties in support of instructional therapy personnel E; operate instructional and office equipment E; 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.
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Page 2 – Special Education Assistant III-Severely Handicapped
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.