EC Personal Care Assistant

Durham Public Schools Exceptional Children's Department Job Description Exceptional Children's Instructional Assistant JOB TITLE: Exceptional

Children

Personal

Care

Assistant

REPORTS TO: Building Principal SALARY: Based on State and Local Salary Schedules STATUS: Permanent, 10 months, Classified, Nonexempt SUMMARY: An Exceptional Children Personal Care Assistant (PCA) provides direct support to a designated

student

to

assist

that

student

with

accessing

the

school

environment.

The

PCA

may

also

assist

the

classroom

teacher

in

every

area

necessary

to

provide

support,

instruction,

and

supervision

for

students.

RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

1. Provides one-on-one assistance to designated student(s). Details regarding assistance needed will be outlined

in

the

student's

IEP

and

medical

records.

If

designated

student

is

absent,

PCA

will

provide

assistance

to

other

students

under

the

direction

of

the

classroom

teacher

and/or

building

administrator.

2. Performs, under general supervision, a variety of technical and clerical tasks in assisting the teacher, as needed.
3. Stays abreast of activities performed by the teacher, daily routines of the classroom, student handbook

rules,

handbook

of

Parent's

Rights

and

procedures

to

follow

in

the

event

of

an

emergency.

4 . Obtains and maintains certification in Nonviolent Crisis Intervention and additional trainings and Professional Learning Communities as outlined by EC Central Services and building administrator. 5. Participates in professional learning to assure implementation of: adapting instruction, use of equipment and tools for students with disabilities; confidentiality regulations; principles of organization and administration of the school district; curriculum for the grade/age of the children with which assistant is assigned to work; evidence-based practices for teaching students with disabilities; research-based curriculums. 8. Under the supervision of the teacher, provides direct and indirect instruction to students; assists students with becoming increasingly independent. 9. Provides supervision of student(s), ensuring the safety and well-being of students; implements use of positive reinforcement procedures to teach and reinforce appropriate behaviors. 10. Collects data on student performance under the direction of the teacher. 11. Performs various clerical duties as needed, maintains records of student progress; develops and files incident reports; grades student papers and scores tests; checks daily attendance; makes copies; develops classroom display and instructional materials; maintains and operates audiovisual equipment; orders supplies; maintains class files, etc. 12. Assists with the delivery of specialized services for students in need daily living skills and self-care skills;

includes

but

is

not

limited

to

tube

feeding,

catheterization,

toileting,

changing

diapers,

lifting,

pushing

wheelchairs,

use

of

other

adapted

equipment;

and

other

necessary

and

appropriate

medical

procedures

under

the

training

and

supervision

of

the

school

nurse

and/or

classroom

teacher.

DPS HR Rev. June 2024 Job Description EC

PCA

13. Administers medication, when trained, and monitors special diets. 14. Performs general housekeeping duties; sets up a variety of equipment each morning; puts equipment

away

at

the

end

of

the

day;

washes

mats,

toys,

equipment,

etc.

with

appropriate

cleaning

supplies;

performs

simple

repairs

and

maintenance

related

to

student

and

school

equipment.

15. Accepts possible exposure to blood borne pathogens and other bodily fluids and may be required to wear

personal

protective

equipment

such

as

latex

gloves.

26. PreK: May work with EC Specialized Programs as follows: accompany classes on field trips; assist with physical

education

class;

assist

with

the

instruction

of

emergency

procedures;

performs

lunch,

bus,

hall

duty,

etc.;

keeps

abreast

of

and

adheres

to

child

care

licensure

and

sanitation

rules

and

regulations.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND REQUIREMENTS: Associates Degree; in combination with the training and experience to demonstrate the required knowledge,

skills,

and

abilities

to

effectively

do

this

job.

Must

meet

paraprofessional

requirements

under

No

Child

Left

Behind;

required.

Must

become

initially

certified

in

a

Crisis

Intervention

Program

and

any

other

specific

program

to

be

determined

by

the

DPS

Exceptional

Children's

Department,

as

well

as,

maintain

that

certification

through

the

proper

renewal

process

(adhering

to

all

timelines). KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: 1. Ability to work independently and efficiently, including the ability to research and gather information

from

varied

sources.

2. Working knowledge and proficient level of experience with Microsoft Office programs such as Word, Excel

and

PowerPoint.

3. Ability to learn, interpret and explain departmental and systems procedures and policies. 4. Ability to walk, lift, reach, stoop, stand, grasp, kneel, crouch, and key requiring repetitive Motions; Lift students of various weights independently and with shared responsibility. 5. Ability to communicate effectively; possess excellent oral and written communication skills (grammar, spelling, etc). 6. Operate/use a variety of automated office machines and other office equipment. 7. Safely work in situations of exposure to blood borne pathogens, which may require specialized personal protective

equipment.

8. Establish positive relationships with students. 9. Perform under stress, deal with persons acting under stress and adapt when confronted with emergency

situations.

10. Apt to teach or assist in providing instruction. 11. Familiar with best practices in working with students with disabilities. 12. Ability to relate well to diverse groups of people. 13. Strong organizational and problem-solving skills. 14. Ability to prepare, read and comprehend a variety of job related forms, reports, spreadsheets, maps,

plans,

records,

documentation,

etc.

15. Apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw

valid

conclusions.

16. Apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagrammatic

form.

17. Perform under stress; deal with persons acting under stress and adapt when confronted with emergency

situations.

18. Be aware of cultural differences among individuals and groups of persons. DPS HR Rev. June 2024 Job Description EC

PCA

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Work in this classification is considered light physical work requiring the exertion of up to 20 pounds of force occasionally

and

a

negligible

amount

of

force

frequently

or

constantly

to

move

objects.

DISCLAIMER: The statements of the job description are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed

by

an

employee

in

this

category.

The

description

does

not

contain

an

exhaustive

list

of

all

responsibilities,

duties,

skills

and

other

requirements

necessary

of

employees

to

perform

in

this

position.

Signature____ Date____

DPS HR Rev. June 2024 Job Description EC

PCA