Education Assistant / Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA)

Make a difference in the classroom and beyond!

At Cedarcrest, our Education Assistants/LNAs play an important role in helping children and young adults learn, grow, and participate in meaningful daily activities. This unique position combines educational support with hands-on care, allowing you to build relationships with students while supporting their individual learning goals, medical needs, and overall well-being.

Working closely with classroom teachers, nursing staff, rehabilitation professionals, and other team members, you’ll help create a safe, positive, and supportive environment where every student has the opportunity to thrive.

Primary Responsibilities

1. Supports the classroom teacher in implementing the educational program.

• Implements specific components of individual students’ programs as assigned.
• Assists students in participating in group activities within the classroom setting.
• Monitors students’ responses to programming and modifies programs as recommended by the teacher, in collaboration with the classroom teacher.
• Assists students with oral motor, mealtime, and snack routines as recommended by the therapy department.
• Assists students with personal care as part of their individual programs.
• Lifts, transfers, and positions children according to facility guidelines.
• Assists in implementing recommendations from related service providers as assigned.
• Participates in classroom field trips and other community outings.
• Helps maintain a positive and safe classroom environment.
• May be asked to serve as a substitute teacher.
• Submits to a driver’s background check when required to drive company vehicles. This does not affect employment status.
• Provides instructional and care support across multiple classrooms and with multiple students at the same time, adapting to changing needs and schedules as determined by school leadership.

2. Provides support services to the education program.

• Participates in classroom planning, team meetings, and departmental meetings.
• Works cooperatively with classroom staff, rehabilitation staff, and nursing staff.
• Documents and maintains all required data and progress notes.
• Documents student attendance as required.
• Assists in preparing classroom materials.
• Reports observations and students’ responses to the classroom teacher and other appropriate team members.

3. Supports students’ medical needs in the classroom in accordance with the LNA job description.

• Monitors students’ medical status as required and reports significant medical changes to the charge nurse.
• Starts and disconnects tube feedings as necessary.
• Assists with managing students’ medical needs as requested by nursing staff.
• Reports and documents splint and brace use, stander and equipment use, mealtime and snack intake, voiding, bowel elimination, temperature, seizures, and other indicators as requested by nursing or therapy staff.
• Must be able to assist with and safely evacuate any student in an emergency, including during drills.

4. Provides LNA coverage on the floor during assigned holidays.

• Serves as an LNA on the floor during holidays as assigned, in accordance with the LNA job description.
• Works every other holiday from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Why Join Cedarcrest?

As an Education Assistant/LNA, you’ll have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in students’ daily lives while collaborating with a supportive, multidisciplinary team. Your work will help students participate in educational activities, receive the care they need, and continue working toward their individual goals.

• High school diploma required.

• Current Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA) licensure required, or willingness to enroll in the next available LNA course offered through Cedarcrest.

• Graduation from an associate degree program, preferably in Education, Physical Therapist Assistant, or Occupational Therapist Assistant, or two years of relevant experience preferred.

• Paraprofessional certification preferred.