Personal Care Assistant - Multiple Disability Support (Elementary)

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POSITION MANAGEMENT GUIDE

Title: Personal Care Assistant Division Approval: 1/1/2024 Department: Student Services HR Approval: 6/25/2024 Reports to: Student Services Supervisor Board Approval: 6/25/2024

SUMMARY OF PURPOSE The Personal Care Assistant (PCA) plays a vital role in supporting an individual student's overall development by assisting in enhancing self-sufficiency, communication, interpersonal skills, social engagement, academic progress, and mobility. This role involves aiding the student in accessing their educational program through various means, such as providing assistance with balance, engaging in visual perceptual activities, refining fine and/or gross motor skills, assisting with boarding/exiting the school van, and offering prompts to maintain focus. Additionally, the PCA serves as a teacher assistant, contributing to maintaining a positive learning environment in the classroom, particularly when the student is working with another staff member or is absent. This position is integral to fostering a supportive educational experience for the student and ensuring their success in both academic and social aspects of their learning journey.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

• High School diploma or equivalent
• Must have or obtain and maintain a current certificate in first aid
• Must have or obtain and maintain a current certificate in CPR
• Must have or obtain and maintain c urrent certificate in LIU -approved crisis management and intervention program, preferred
• Must obtain highly qualified status within one year from date of hire
• Relevant experience working with students in an educational setting, preferred
• Patience, flexibility, and positive attitude
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to follow instructions and work collaboratively with teachers and staff
• Must complete twenty (20) hours of professional development related to assignment each year

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assists with supporting instruction in self-sufficiency and maintenance of skills for a child with disabilities, leading to student's increased independence and self-advocacy.

• Duties include any activity that allows the student to participate at his/her maximum ability to the extent possible and in the least restrictive environment, including, but not limited to:

o Assists the student with using equipment o Assists the student to set up, break down, use, and maintain augmentative communication devices o Assists the student to use other assistive technology as needed o Assists the student to ambulate, position, and transfer Ambulation (walker, crutches, wheelchair, etc.) Positioning on mats or on/in adaptive equipment Positioning and transferring in/out of wheelchair Range of motion and other exercises 6013 Title: Personal Care Assistant (Continued)

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Gross motor exercises Fine motor exercises o Assists with activities of daily living, such as eating, grooming, bathing, toileting, etc. Toileting, changing of diapers, and/or changing of menstrual pads Grooming activities (washing, shaving, combing hair, brushing teeth, etc.) o Monitors the incidence and prevalence of designated health problems or medical conditions, e.g. , seizure precautions or extreme lethargy o Assists with mobilization o Assists with oral feeding o Observes and intervenes to redirect inappropriate behavior o Assists, monitors, and guides students to pay attention, participate in activities, and complete tasks o Accompanies students on school buses, vans, or other vehicles as needed o Consult with other service providers and teachers concerning students' medical/mental health status and any perceived problems as directed by the supervising teacher and/or program supervisor o Maintains records or data related to students' medical, behavioral, and academic needs, including progress monitoring, charting, medical assistance forms, and/or school-based ACCESS billing.

• Support the student's communication skills, fostering effective verbal and non -verbal communication.
• Facilitate the development of interpersonal and social skills to encourage positive interactions within the educational environment.
• Provide academic support tailored to students' needs, collaborating with teachers to reinforce learning objectives.
• Encourages, supports, and educates the student by assisting him/her in daily living activities necessary for her/his comfort, well-being, cooperation with peers and authority figures, and integrity.
• Assists students in managing and maintaining his/her environment to meet special physical and psychological needs.
• Rides bus with student for indicated transportation needs as assigned. Aid the student in boarding and exiting the school van, ensuring their safety during transportation to and from the educational facility.
• Completes duties of a classroom assistant when the student is absent and/or travels to other location(s) as needed.
• Assists teachers and/or students in arranging the environment of the room to best meet student's needs.
• Attends training sessions, in -service, and/or workshops designed for assistants working with individual students.
• Participates in regular staff meetings, if appropriate.
• Reads, understands and is responsible for implementing and documenting behavior plans and/or individualized education programs, as appropriate.
• Follows the direction of the classroom teacher and program supervisor.
• Assignment may change based on needs.

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DEPARTMENT/ORGANIZATION

• Keeps current with related technology and developments that impact the department and the organization.

• Makes decisions consistent with the LIU vision, mission, and core values. Establishes and maintains effective communication and positive relationships within the LIU and fosters professional development of LIU staff.

• Contributes to the effective team management of all issues and opportunities within the LIU by modeling the qualities of an LIU Team member (being versatile, ethical, transparent, team-oriented, innovative, transformative, and collaborative; valuing each team member; and understanding the importance of customer service).

• Understands organizational development and change principles and applies these principles to promote improvement within the Department.

• Performs other functions as assigned.

SCOPE AND IMPACT

This position works under direction in the performance of the tasks.

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ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL/MENTAL/ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS By checking any of the boxes below, the LIU indicates its reasonable belief that the identified physical/mental/environmental requirements are job -related for this position and consistent with business necessity for the performance of the essential job functions. Notwithstanding, the LIU may not rely solely on these qualifications. Instead, the LIU must consider whether reasonable accommodations enable an otherwise qualified individual to perform the essential job functions.

1. Following Directions Full Understanding of Both Written and Verbal Instructions Required Understanding of Verbal Instructions Only Required Understanding of Written Instructions Only Required

2. Communication - English Excellent Verbal Communication Skills Necessary Basic Verbal Communication Skills Necessary Limited or No Verbal Communication Skills Necessary

3. Functional Reading - English Fluent Reading Recognition of Signs/Symbols Simple Reading No Reading Skills Required

4. Hearing Ability to Hear Required Limited Hearing Hearing Not Required

5. Seeing 20/20 Vision with Corrective Eyewear Limited Vision Vision Not Required

6. Functional Math Complex Computational Skills (Accounting and Financial Skills) Simple Computational Skills (Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division, Percentages) Simple Counting Skills No Mathematical Skills Needed

7. Time Must Tell Time to the Minute Must Recognize Specific Times (Arrival, Departure, Breaks, Lunch)

8. Orientation (Familiarity with Surroundings) Several Blocks from Building Building Only Work Area Room Only

9. Mobility Skills Mobility Within the Building Mobility Within a Four-Block Radius Driving Required 6013 Title: Personal Care Assistant (Continued)

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10. Sitting 75% - 100% 50% - 75% 25% - 50% Less than 25%

11. Standing 75% - 100% 50% - 75% 25% - 50% Less than 25%

12. Bending Knees and Waist Waist Only Knees Only No Bending Required

13. Lifting Greater than 30 lbs. 10 - 30 lbs. Less than 10 lbs. No Lifting Required

14. Reaching Greater than 6 Feet 2 - 6 Feet Less than 2 Feet Reaching Required

The above job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by employees assigned to this job title. This is not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all duties, tasks and responsibilities. Employees will be expected to perform duties that do not appear on the job description. Management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet operational and organizational needs as necessary.

Adopted by LIU Board of Directors: 6/25/2024