Instructional Assistant/Medically Fragile-Orthopedically Impaired

*The Position* _Health Benefits: 100% employer contribution towards employee and family premiums_ _District: Award-winning schools_ _Community: World-famous attractions_ *BASIC FUNCTION* Under the general supervision of an administrator, and general direction of a classroom teacher and specialists, including technical direction of a registered nurse, performs duties related to, but not limited to basic health care, meals, socialization, and developmentally appropriate activities for students who have acute or chronic health problems which require daily, ongoing care, or monitoring by trained personnel; assists certificated staff in reinforcing instructional activities to students who are medically fragile and/or non-ambulatory either individually, or in small groups in accordance with prescribed learning objectives; and performs other related duties as required.
*DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS* The Instructional Assistant – Medically Fragile/Orthopedically Impaired classification is distinguished from other instructional assistant positions in that the incumbent must possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to assist in integrating specialized health care services in an instructional setting; Incumbents in this class are required to perform the following essential health care tasks: monitoring bodily functions, recognizing and reporting changes in conditions, and performing other routine, repetitive, ongoing health care procedures that do not require the professional judgment of a registered nurse.
Employment Standards *MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS* _EDUCATION:_ Consistent with No Child Left Behind Act of 2002 and other related legislation, candidates for this classification must meet the following standards: The equivalent of graduation from high school and one of the following: 1.
Completion of at least two years of study (48 semester units or 60 quarter units) at an institution of higher education; Or 2.
Attainment of an Associate of Arts degree or higher degree; Or 3.
Meeting a rigorous standard of quality by receiving a passing score in an examination administered by the Personnel Commission which demonstrates the knowledge and ability to assist in instructing, reading, writing and mathematics.
_EXPERIENCE:_ One year of experience providing health care services in a school, hospital, skilled nursing, extended care, or other similar care environment.
Current enrollment in an approved nursing program may be substituted for one (1) year of experience.
Experience working with children and individuals with severe physical disabilities is desirable.
_LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:_ Possession of a valid CPR and First Aid certificate at time of application and throughout employment.
Conditions of Employment/Physical Requirement: Successfully complete a pre-employment physical examination.
*KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES* _KNOWLEDGE OF (Typically learned through formal training or education):_ Strategies and techniques of assisting in the instruction of students who are medically fragile or who possess mobility impairments; Special characteristics related to the supervision and motivation of medically fragile and/or mobility impaired students in an instructional setting; Child guidance principles and practices related to individuals who are medically fragile and/or who possess orthopedic impairments; Essential procedures and concepts related to health, safety, hygiene and patient care; Principles of body mechanics in transferring and providing personal care to non-ambulatory students; Effective verbal and non-verbal communication skills; Secondary-level academic subjects taught in District schools; Emergency crisis management techniques; Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary; Record-keeping and report preparation techniques; Appropriate safety precautions and hygiene standards; Health and safety regulations; First Aide/CPR procedures.
_SKILL TO (Typically attained through formal training or practice):_ Assist in the supervision and instruction of medically fragile and/or orthopedically impaired students in a school environment; Adapt to new procedures and conditions; Tutor students who have special learning needs in any subject matter; Perform essential health care and personal hygiene tasks for students who are medically fragile and/or who possess mobility impairments; Successfully operate one or more pieces of medical equipment; Safely and skillfully, perform specialized health care services as directed or required; Assist students with personal care such as dressing and toileting; Recognize and effectively assist in responding to emergency and/or hazardous conditions; Follow safety procedures; Understand and carry out oral and written instructions; Follow universal precaution procedures; Transfer, position, and assist in ambulation of students who are medically fragile and/or who possess mobility impairments; Perform physically demanding work in lifting, transferring and assisting students; Perform First Aid and CPR.
_ABILITY TO (Typically a personal quality attained without formal training, education, or practice):_ Maintain emotional control under difficult situations; Work as a team; Organize daily tasks and complete them in a timely manner; Establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, parents and District staff; Demonstrate an understanding, patient, warm and receptive attitude toward students with severe needs; Document and maintain accurate daily written documentation of specific services performed; Make accurate mathematical calculations, such as add, subtract, multiply, and divide; Communicate in a clear, concise manner appropriate to the development stage of the student; Communicate effectively orally and in writing; Maintain confidentiality of student records; Perform routine clerical support duties; Operate standard classroom equipment, telephones and computers; Effectively utilize training received on the job; *PHYSICAL DEMANDS* Incumbents in this class must be able to stand for long periods of time; run or walk long distances and/or quickly for short distances to keep pace with students; sit, kneel, stoop/bend repeatedly; lift, carry, push and/or pull up to 50 lbs.
unassisted, and over 50 lbs.
with assistance; use both hands and legs simultaneously, reach over head, pull hand over hand, use fingers repetitively twisting or applying pressure with wrists or hands; have rapid mental/muscular coordination; maintain balance; have depth perception, see to read small print and distinguish shades; must speak clearly and hear normal voice conversation; and use a telephone and a computer.
*WORK ENVIRONMENT* Incumbents in this class work inside and outside, in a multiple or single classroom environment; direct contact with students, staff, and public; work around foul odors, loud noise; work with exposure to bodily fluids, minor and/or major contagious illnesses; wear gloves; works in negative interpersonal situations (irate students or parents); and work with continuous interruptions and changing priorities.
Examples of Duties _Note: The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees in this classification, and are not to be interpreted as an exhaustive list of responsibilities and qualifications required of personnel so classified.
Reasonable accommodations will be made so that qualified employees can perform the essential duties of the job.
_ *GENERAL ESSENTIAL DUTIES* _MEDICAL/HEALTH ASSISTANCE:_ Performs the following specialized health care procedures under the supervision of a registered nurse: suctioning-oral and tracheal, when needed to clear airway passages, including care of suction machine and attachments, and observation of tracheotomy tube and skin around insertion site; gastrostomy tube feeding, including care of gastronomy tube, equipment and skin around insertion site; catheterization, including care of supplies and equipment; colostomy, ileostomy care, and care of supplies, adjuncts and equipment; oxygen administration and proper use and care of equipment, including monitoring flow control oxygen levels; provides personal hygiene care: toileting, diapering, cleaning, hand washing, dressing and grooming; maintains toileting schedule; serves lunch and feeds students with severe eating problems and monitors self-feeding students as directed; takes appropriate action when students have difficulty while eating; monitors seizure signs and cares for students who may have seizures; monitors students with Diabetes for signs of hypo and hyperglycemia and alerts licensed personnel as needed; maintains a health awareness in the classroom and monitors students health daily; inspects medical equipment and monitors for minor repairs and preventative maintenance as needed; maintains logs of administered procedures of a medical and non-medical nature provided for the purpose of complying with established record keeping requirements; operates and maintains a variety of medical and orthopedic supplies and equipment; and administers first aid and/or CPR if necessary.
_STUDENT SAFETY/MOBILITY:_ Uses established universal precautions when working with students who may have chronic, contagious conditions to ensure personal and student safety; assists in using a variety of adaptive equipment and mobility procedures following the instruction of a therapist; attends and participates in a variety of trainings, meetings and workshops to maintain current knowledge which includes developments in the field of special education, health services, and emergency crisis management; assists students getting on and off a bus, including students in wheelchairs; assists lifting non-ambulatory students in and out of wheelchairs, braces, and other orthopedic equipment using proper lifting techniques and safety procedures; may lift students who weigh in excess of 50 pounds using a multi-person lift or use of mechanical lifting equipment; provides proper positioning for non-ambulatory students; assists staff members in moving pupils to and from activities on campus; monitors students during assigned periods within a variety of school environments (e.
g.
restrooms, lunch break, bus loading zones, parking lots, classrooms, field trips, assemblies, cafeteria) for the purpose of maintaining a safe and positive learning environment; accompanies medically fragile students on the bus as assigned; may assist other Instructional Assistant staff in monitoring students who demonstrate severe behaviors as assigned; administers first aid and/or CPR as necessary; and reacts effectively to emergencies.
_CLASSROOM/STAFF SUPPORT:_ Assists in providing instructional support as directed by teacher to individuals or small groups who have acute or chronic health problems in a variety of areas including cognitive, gross and fine motor skills, feeding, self-help and social skills; follows daily instructional schedule; assists in general housekeeping duties to maintain assigned facility in a clean and sanitary condition; disinfects equipment and materials; sanitizes laundry and dishes; maintains a professional rapport and demonstrates a sensitivity to the needs of students, staff and parents/guardians; communicates with supervising certificated staff and professional support personnel for the purpose of assisting in gathering data on student progress and/or implementing IEP objectives; and maintains confidentiality of student records in accordance with legal requirements and policies.
The classification specification does not describe all duties performed by all incumbents within the class.
This summary provides examples of typical tasks performed in this classification.
Job Type: Part-time Pay: $25.
54 - $31.
10 per hour Expected hours: 28.
75 – 30 per week Benefits: * AD&D insurance * Bereavement leave * Dental insurance * Employee assistance program * Flexible spending account * Health insurance * Health savings account * Life insurance * Paid time off * Parental leave * Retirement plan * Vision insurance Physical setting: * Public school * School * Special education school Schedule: * Day shift * Monday to Friday * No weekends Work Location: In person