Instructional Assistant IV-SH (29.5 hr/wk)

Job Purpose Statement/s 

Under direction of the designated supervisor, the Instructional Assistant IV-Severely Handicapped will perform a variety of  functions/activities pertaining to the health care, instruction and training of severely handicapped children; perform a variety of routine clerical and supporting activities for instructional and therapy personnel; do other related work as required.

Essential Job Functions: 

• May provide code-authorized health services including but not limited to suctioning, catheterization, gavage feeding, and administering oxygen.
• Assist instructional and therapy personnel with planning, organization and conduct of instructional, training and therapy activities with children experiencing various physical and learning handicaps.
• Work with individual students to reinforce and follow up learning and training activities.
• Monitor and assist children in a variety of self-help activities, including dressing, feeding and toileting.
• Aid and assist children who experience toileting accidents and who have a limited control of body functions.
• Direct children into safe play activities and assist them with appropriate social behaviors; assist in managing behavior of children through use of a variety of reinforcement techniques.
• Assist in preparation and maintenance of a variety of instructional and learning aids.
• Assist physical therapy personnel in pursuing a prescribed physical therapy program which may include limb manipulation, body movement, stretching and swimming instruction.
• Assist in development of communication skills with children who experience language and hearing disorders.
• Assist children with braces and other mechanical apparatus.
• Use methods, techniques and procedures for lifting and moving children incapable of providing assistance.
• Assist instructional personnel with presentation of learning materials and in the conduct of instructional exercises.
• Monitor and assist students with special learning needs in drill, practice and study activities as follow-up to presentation of instructional lessons by instructional personnel.
• May assist with yard duty during recess/nutrition.
• Assist in management of student behavior through use of positive reinforcement strategies and techniques.
• Maintain a variety of records and files, including confidential student records and information.
• Operate and assist students in operation of a variety of instructional media.
• Monitor and assist in remediation of specific learning problems.
• Administer medication in accordance with specific medical instruction.
• Perform routine first aid which may include aiding children experiencing seizures or respiratory problems.
• Request appropriate assistance for serious pupil injury or illness.
• Maintain or assist in maintaining an orderly, attractive and positive learning environment.
• May participate as directed in parent conferences.
• May assist children with special physical needs.
• Work cooperatively with others.
• May assist in the development of communication skills with children who experience language and hearing disorders.
• May ride bus with students.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Proper methods of behavior intervention.
• Various instructional techniques.
• Basic concepts of child growth and development as well as developmental behavior characteristics of severely handicapped children.
• Behavior management, strategies and techniques and a variety of reinforcement methods and strategies.
• Basic first aid and emergency treatment procedures.
• Basic arithmetic and reading concepts.   
• English usage, punctuation, spelling, grammar, and math.
• Routine record management, storage and retrieval procedures.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.

ABILITY TO:

• Demonstrate an understanding, patient and receptive attitude toward students with severe handicaps.
• Appropriately manage student behavior and guide students with severe handicaps toward more acceptable social behaviors.
• Communicate effectively in oral and written form and utilize manual communication as required by the assignment.
• Perform routine clerical skills and operate a variety of education related machines and equipment.
• Learn to utilize a variety of instructional materials and procedures to enhance the training and educational environment for students with severe handicaps.
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.
• Use new equipment and technology as it becomes required to perform this job.
• Consistently follow an assigned schedule, timelines and direction.
• Maintain relevant documentation.
• Do simple math in order to compile reports, and maintain records and status reports.

 

Experience: One year of paid or volunteer experience working with severely handicapped children Education: Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade Training or coursework in child growth and development, special education, instructional technology, or a closely related field desirable and subject areas dealing with severely handicapped