EC Instructional Assistant - Visual Impairment

JOB DESCRIPTION

Under general supervision, performs a variety of technical and clerical tasks in assisting a teacher of students with disabilities. Employee may perform a wide range of tasks in order to support the efforts of the supervising teacher, meet the needs of all students, and ensure the provision of quality instruction for all students. Employee provides individual assistance with academics and behavioral problems and may lead small group activities as directed. This position is specific to the education and care  of student(s) that have visual impairments. The employee must know or be willing to learn braille for the facilitation and implementation of academic and behavioral instructional needs of student(s). The employee must keep up with continuing trends and professional development in the area of visual impairments. Employee assists the supervising General Education and Special Education teacher(s) with general instructional, visual impairment needs, preparing and supporting materials for VI student(s), supporting with related services team members including speech-language, pathologists, occupational therapists, and orientation and mobility specialists, for VI student(s). This position is a one-on-one position. Reports to Principal and/or supervising teacher.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS (Specific to Job Assignments)

Functional Skills Classes: 

Assists with the delivery of special services for students; assists with daily living skills; provides one-on-one academic instruction; works to keep students on task during group instruction.

Accompanies students to and from the bus; guides students to their classrooms.

Assists with the delivery of special services for visually impaired/disabled students; assists with therapeutic rehabilitation; prepares students for therapy, general education, special education, and other special classes inside and outside the school environment.

Attempts to incorporate fine motor skills, sensory stimulation, self-help skills, social skills and brailled materials into classroom activities.

Performs general housekeeping duties; sets up various equipment each morning; puts equipment away at the end of the day; washes mats, instructional materials, equipment, etc. with antibacterial soap/Clorox; charges wheelchairs; performs repair and maintenance tasks related to school and student equipment.

Accompanies a student requiring constant observation, care and assistance due to a highly dangerous physically limiting and/or behavioral disability; accompanies the student at all times during the school day, assisting with mobility, motor skills, toileting, and behavioral management and uses physical restraint as necessary to protect the student or others from injury.

Administers and/or supervises the administration of medication, therapy and/or other special treatment required by the student; maintains records of all treatment as directed by the lead teacher.

Performs various clerical duties as needed; maintains records of student progress and reports to parents; assists classroom teachers as the situation warrants.

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

Qualifications:

• Minimum of Associate’s degree or 48 semester hours toward Bachelor’s degree
• Willingness to learn braille and progress to certification in braille and brailled materials
• Learn how to use 3D available 3D printing machines
• U.S. citizenship or documented work authorization
• Ability to read, speak, and write appropriately in Standard English
• Ability to use classroom equipment such as (but not limited to): computers, copiers, calculators, and equipment for children with special needs.
• Ability to lift, carry or otherwise move objects
• Ability to interact with students, teachers, and other staff in an effective manner
• Ability to work with a teacher and independently with students