Tacoma Public Schools

Expected Start Date: October 2021

FTE: .875

Hours per day: 7

Salary Level: PA4 $19.29

Union/Days per year: Para 182 + 11 holidays Active

Benefits: This job has the full range of benefits offered by Tacoma Public Schools.

Additional Information: In accordance with Governor Jay Inslee's announced Proclamation 21-14.1 on August 18^th, 2021, all K-12 school district employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by October 18^th, 2021. Candidates who are extended a conditional offer of employment with Tacoma Public Schools will be required to submit proof of vaccination status in compliance with Governor Inslee's mandate, prior to official hire with the district. Individuals qualifying for a medical and/or religious exemption outlined under the Governor's directive will be required to provide proof of exemption prior to official hire with the district. Tacoma Public Schools Human Resources will work directly with candidates to finalize proof of compliance with the Governor's mandate prior to official hire.

Additional Resources and Information:
• Press Release from WA Governor's Office
• Proclamation by the Governor: COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement
• OSPI Vaccination Requirement FAQ
• Vaccine Mandate FAQs
• DOH Vaccine fact sheet

Summary:
This position assists a certificated teacher with instructional and non-instructional activities for students who are developmentally disabled and/or have multiple disabilities, orthopedic impairments, and/or medically fragile disabilities.

Responsibilities:
1. Tutors students individually or in small groups in assigned learning activity; provides assistance as necessary to students with sensory or physical handicaps; performs vocational training with students according to their individual needs as assigned by the teacher or specialist; encourages students to participate in all learning activities.
2. Instructs students in self-care activities and performs activities such as feeding, dressing, and toileting; performs diapering and changing of sanitary napkins and colostomy bags, brushing teeth, inserting orthodontics and suctioning machines, tube or pump feeding; administers and logs medications.
3. Adjusts position of students with physical disabilities periodically throughout the day to protect skin and ensure comfort; implements occupational therapy and physical therapy as instructed by specialists; uses and teaches basic sign language with students as needed; monitors students constantly to ensure safety.
4. Monitors and documents student progress daily; maintains communication with classroom teacher, program administrator, and other school staff; communicates with parents/guardians as assigned; maintains student records.
5. Supervises students in the assigned program during recess or lunch periods; assists these students in loading or unloading buses and instructs drivers on proper handling of students; transports these students as needed throughout school premises; repositions students with physical disabilities.
6. Prepares and serves lunches and snacks for students in the assigned program; cleans dishes, utensils, and eating area following snack periods.
7. Models appropriate behavior for students; demonstrates and discusses behavior; assists in classroom management.
8. Assists teacher in planning and adapting materials and activities as directed; arranges classroom furniture and materials for activities; assists in planning special activities for students; accompanies students on field trips and camp activities; assists students in pool during swimming lessons or pool therapy; accompanies student to off-site jobs several times per week to supervise work; supervises students during inclusion periods.
9. Participates in department staff meetings; provides information regarding students.
10. Uses specialized adaptive equipment such as wheelchairs, wedges, standers, side-layers, etc.; assists in adapting and maintaining equipment for student use.
11. May coordinate technology activities; maintains and troubleshoots equipment; schedules students to use equipment; maintains equipment and software.

OTHER JOB DUTIES

1. May perform cleansing intermittent catheterizations after receiving required training.
2. Provides general clerical assistance in the classroom; duplicates materials and completes necessary paperwork; assists in assessing students and records outcomes.
3. Supervises students in the classroom during teacher's brief breaks and planning periods.
4. Performs related duties as assigned; may work in more than one room.

Minimum Qualifications
Other information:
Education and Experience
Associate's degree or 72 credit hours of post secondary education or passing state test to demonstrate knowledge and ability to assist in instructing students; one year of experience in working with individuals with severe physical and developmental disabilities in a setting similar to the assigned program; or any combination of experience and training which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and ability required to perform the work and that meets federal and state requirements.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of assigned developmental and/or physical disabilities.
Knowledge of safe and proper methods of lifting and positioning of students.
Excellent interpersonal skills required for dealing with disabled students.
Basic sign language skills.
Skill in obtaining, clarifying, and exchanging information.
Ability to be sensitive to students who cannot communicate their needs.
Ability to walk, sit, squat, crawl, kneel, bend, stoop, reach, and lift.
Ability to organize and coordinate activities.
Ability to appropriately restrain students.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of people in a multicultural, diverse socio-economic setting.
Ability to feed, diaper, and provide toileting and other personal assistance to students.

Required Licenses/Special Requirements
Required to obtain CPR and First Aid certification.
Required to attend MANDT training.
May be required to complete cleansing intermittent catheterization (CIC) training.

Working Conditions
Confined to work area; required to move and position students or materials; exposed to body fluids and infectious disease; required to wear latex gloves for feeding, etc.; may be exposed to high noise levels; required to deal with distraught and angry people; required to walk, sit, squat, crawl, kneel, bend, stoop, reach, and lift to attend to the physical needs of students in the program.

Job Locator Number: D2438

This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. Tacoma School District administration has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice. The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the primary functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods or otherwise balance the workload.

Tacoma Public Schools does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights Coordinator: Lisa Nolan, 253-571-1252, lnolan@tacoma.k12.wa.us; Title IX Coordinator: Eric Hogan, 253-571-1191, ehogan1@tacoma.k12.wa.us; and 504 Coordinator: Elementary, Elise Friedrich-Nielsen, efriedr@tacoma.k12.wa.us, 253-571-1096; Secondary, Cari Ake, cake@tacoma.k12.wa.us, 253-571-1225. Address: P.O. Box 1357, Tacoma, WA 98401-1357.

HRInfo@tacoma.k12.wa.us, (253) 571-1250