Personal Care Attendant, SPED (2024-2025)

Reports to: Campus Principal and Assigned Teacher(s)

Wage/Hour Status: Nonexempt

Pay Family: Clerical/Paraprofessional

Pay Grade: 01

Minimum Salary: $22,814

Duty Days: 187 days per year

Primary Purpose:

The Personal Care Attendant (PCA) under the supervision of the classroom teacher, provides direct care and support to one or more children with disabilities to accommodate full implementation of the students' individual education plans. The PCA's care and support for students may be in the areas of orientation, mobility, walking, eating, dressing, toileting, personal hygiene, communicating, focusing, cuing, redirecting, staying on task, behavioral change and control, accessing instructional settings and opportunities, or in any other area of daily living that supports each student's IEP. The Personal Care Attendant will share their time across assigned students in a manner that provides equal support for each student. In the situation where no assigned student is in immediate need of support, the PCA will conduct other special education duties, as have been previously assigned or to be assigned. These special education duties may include such things as copying, scoring, filing, data collecting, as well as other duties. When a student is not in immediate need of care and support, the PCA is responsible for actively seeking those assignments from designated special education personnel.

Qualifications:

Education and Certification

• High school diploma or equivalent

Experience

• Two years of experience working with children is preferred

Special Knowledge and Skills

• Ability to work effectively with children with disabilities
• Ability/willingness to accept guidance and follow verbal and written instruction
• Ability to read, write and communicate effectively
• Ability to provide rewards/incentives to students
• Ability to work effectively with others
• Attends all required staff development training
• Ability to demonstrate reliability and consistency
• Ability to use technology and complete eSHARS billings

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

Instructional Support

• Demonstrate ethical and professional decision-making.
• Maintain student confidentiality.
• Gain knowledge and record data regarding students.
• Demonstrate skill and consistency in job performance.
• Provide all required direct personal care services and support to assigned students.
• Follow the instructions provided by teachers and other administrative personnel.
• Attend required Department of Special Education trainings and meetings.
• Inform the PCA Coordinator of concerns or any training needs.
• Enter Medicaid billings at least monthly.
• Attend CPI training upon request from PCA Coordinator.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Department of Special Education.

Other Related Duties:

• Follows district safety protocols and emergency procedures.
• Participates in professional development, department meetings, and special events as assigned.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

Tools and Equipment Used: Standard office equipment including computer and peripherals; standard instructional equipment; other specialized and adaptive equipment used by students, including wheelchair lift and ramp

Posture: Frequent standing; kneeling/squatting, bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting

Motion: Frequent walking, standing, and reaching; possible running

Lifting: Frequent light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds); May require regular heavy lifting (45 pounds or over) and positioning or students with physical disabilities, controlling behavior through physical restraint, assisting nonambulatory students, and lifting and moving adaptive and other classroom equipment; Employee may on occasion be required to gain CPI training and utilize CPI techniques.

Environment: Work inside and outside (exposure to sun, heat, cold, and inclement weather); exposure to noise; exposure to biological hazards (bacteria, communicable diseases); may require occasional district-wide and statewide travel

Mental Demands: Work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under stress

This document describes the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.

THE DENTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER