JOB TITLE: PERSONAL CARE ASSISTANT

JOB SUMMARY:

Under the direction of special education and/or related services staff, or school nursing staff, a Personal Care Assistant (PCA) assists one or more students in accomplishing instrumental activities of daily living, health-related functions, redirection of behavior and other tasks as identified in an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 plan. Personal Care Assistants may be assigned to work with students who have physical disabilities, healthcare/medical needs or require other forms of specialized care. This position recognizes and meets basic student needs in routine, non-complex nursing situations; assists nursing staff in the delivery of school health programs; implements care as supervised by the nurse; assists educational staff in the delivery of instruction; participates in evaluation of care; monitors student health care plans; and assists with student monitoring and supervision as needed.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Comply with all applicable school district policies and procedures, health services practices, and the scope of practice associated with the level of training and certification.
2. Monitor and deliver basic daily student and staff health care, including medication and treatment administration, under the direction of district nursing staff.
3. Provides assistance and support, as needed, to students in accomplishing activities of daily living, including, but not limited to eating, toileting, grooming, dressing, bathing, transferring, mobility and positioning. 
4. Communicate effectively with school nursing staff, other staff and parents regarding student care, needs and concerns.
5. Follow medical emergency plans and maintain health records. 
6. Perform record keeping and clerical functions under strict confidentiality for the purpose of supporting the student and staff.
7. Perform services as delegated by appropriate personnel, monitored and evaluated by school nursing staff and/or special education staff..
8. Monitor students in a variety of settings (e.g. classroom, transportation, field trips) for the purpose of providing care as defined by student health plans and monitoring of student needs.
9. Assist with maintaining program continuity in daily student routines of learning, eating, grooming, and toileting.
10. Report outcomes of care to the appropriate designated personnel.
11. Ability to determine initial basic treatment and intervention based on symptoms and presentation of injury (e.g. SAMPLE - Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past medical history, Last oral intake, and events leading up to present injury/illness), as well as recognize the need to request advanced medical assistance.
12. Assist with physically transferring students from wheelchairs, mats, positioning tables, toilets, lifts or other positioning equipment as needed.
13. Be able to assist students with specialized equipment, including, but not limited to: computers, wheelchairs, augmentative communication devices, feeding equipment, and catheterization devices.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Assist in other educational needs within the building and the district, based on need and availability, under the direction of special education staff, nursing staff and/or the building administrator.
2. Support education and training efforts of the district and school sites for both students and staff.

Educational/Training Requirements:

1. High school diploma or GED 
2. Current First Aid and CPR certification (district training provided)
3. Background check 
4. OSDE Paraprofessional Module on Responsibilities and Ethics under supervision of special education or related services staff, or nursing staff
5. Ongoing PD requirements (six hours per year for targeted needs) 
6. District Medication Administration Training
7. Organizational skills, basic mathematical skills, basic computer skills, and communication skills are an essential part of this job.

Working Conditions:

1. Operate a computer to enter data, maintain records, and generate reports.
2. Regularly performs heavy physical labor requiring ability to lift, carry, push, pull,

and move heavy objects or materials such as lifting over 50 pounds on a continuous basis; lifting over 50 lbs. or carrying any object weighing over 25 lbs.

1. Will be required to regularly stand; walk; and sit for extended periods
2. May experience constant interruptions and changes to normal routines.
3. The ability to communicate with various groups of people to include: parents, teachers, transportation, administrators, other medical field personnel, and outside agencies.
4. Manage independently all materials, paperwork, and equipment required for completion of medical tasks; ability to lift and transport medical equipment; and ability to document and submit necessary medical information.
5. Maintain a high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality of information.
6. Adapt to a flexible lunch schedule, based on student needs.

Terms of Employment:

1. 174 day contract
2. 7 hours per day
3. Paraeducator - 1.112 ratio
4. Fully paid OTRS retirement contribution
5. $10,000 Life Insurance Policy
6. Fully paid health and vision insurance premium for the employee

Status: Non-Exempt Support

Evaluation: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee of this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Performance of this job will be evaluated annually in accordance with the provisions of the Board’s policy of evaluation for certified personnel.