Personal Care Aide

The management services offered to our family of charter schools, allows us to collectively become a change agent and national leader in urban education as evidenced by student awareness of self, high academic achievement, positive school culture and community transformation wherever we serve.    

JOB GOAL: The Personal Care Aide (PCA) is responsible for working one-on-one with assigned scholars with disabilities to provide quality care and motivation. The PCA is also responsible for maintaining a safe and enjoyable environment. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serve as a positive role model, apply approved behavior management techniques designed to encourage appropriate social behavior.

• Utilize appropriate and approved therapeutic interactions skills, build relationships, listen, praise effectively, and lead activities with assigned scholar.

• Observe, document, and report to appropriate supervisor, noticeable changes in individual's behaviors and/or health conditions.
• Assist with scholar’s classwork and provide supervision during testing. 

• Participate in the implementation of each student’s educational program as outlined in their IEPs and according to the schedule and routine of the classroom program.

• Act as a liaison in communicating with teachers and other intermediate unit or district staff about the ongoing needs of individual students.
• Provide advice and possible solutions to teacher and other support staff concerning classroom-related issues.
• Document information regarding the students, including needs, strengths, gains, and problems.
• Follow the behavior support plans as provided by the teacher or behavior support staff.
• Supervise and support students during eating activities, gym, outdoor recess, and field trips as needed.
• Provide support to students attending inclusive regular education classes, assisting with modifications as directed by the teachers.
• Oversee students while embarking and disembarking from school bus, as needed.
• Participate in meetings to develop and update IEPs and Evaluation Reports, as requested.
• Attend training sessions, in-service workshops, and update skills as necessary.

• Assist students in activities of daily living and personal care skills, as needed including physically positioning students as or assisting with the mobility of students with physical challenges.

• Legal, ethical, and professional practices in compliance with federal and state mandates, as well as local policies concerning performance.
• Perform other duties as requested. 

REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School diploma or equivalent (GED)
• Ability to work with children with disabilities at different age levels.
• Some experience in rearing and supervising. 
• Good human relations skills. 
• Knowledge of and adheres to all policies, regulations, and rules. 

Additional Experience:

• Experience working in an urban school environment.
• Acceptable criminal history background check and proof of U.S. citizenship or legal
   resident alien status.
• Bring a spirit of enthusiasm, energy, and multi-cultural awareness.
• Possess strong written and oral communication skills.
• Utilize proper discretion in dealing with confidential matters.
• Work well without close supervision and with little direction. 
• Be able to solve problems independently and manage projects alone.
• Be adaptable to performing under stress and when confronted with emergency situations.

Physical Demands

• Speak, stand, talk, walk, see, hear and, sometimes, to sit. 
• Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. 
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. 
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to read small print. 
• Frequently bend, reach above the head, as well as forward, and use fine motor skills.

The Universal Family of Charter Schools adheres to the policy of providing equal employment opportunities to all job applicants and employees regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability or sexual orientation.