Description:
Educational Assistants provide a range of support services that help students to achieve their academic, social, physical and personal potential. Educational Assistants assist students with intensive needs in five key areas, providing personal care, life skills and experiences, academic support, communication, and behavioural support as required by students and directed by teachers, to promote engagement, participation and success in school.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Provides personal care to students to maintain their dignity and promote independence. Personal care may include catheterization, administration of medication, oxygen monitoring, gastronomy tube feeding, changing student briefs, supporting toileting, and other procedures outlined in the student accommodation plan.
- Assists and coaches students to develop the skills and abilities they need to succeed in their daily lives and helps prepare students for life after high school.
- Works under the direction of the administrator, classroom teacher and student services teacher to promote student engagement in learning and provides academic support as defined by teachers, including small group/one on one reinforcement activities and clarifying/assisting with assignments.
- Supports up to date and complete student programming records by documenting progress on targeted goals in the Inclusion and Intervention Plan and other reporting, and participates in parent-student-teacher conferences when requested by the parent or administrator.
- Promotes, facilitates and models positive behaviour interventions and supports to encourage, support, reinforce and facilitate appropriate and positive student behaviour and social interactions, guided by Safety and Behaviour Plans where applicable.
- Works in collaboration with the students’ team to ensure learning occurs in the least restrictive environment and encourages/facilitates peer group interaction and participation in learning and other school activities.
- Performs other duties as may be required or assigned by the School Administrator.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Excellent interpersonal skills to effectively and collaboratively work as part of a team and engage with a wide range of children with behavioural, cognitive and physical challenges.
- Ability to interact positively with students, staff and parents in a team environment.
- Excellent problem-solving skills to be responsive to students’ needs.
- Written communication skills through documentation and record keeping, as well as clear and professional verbal interactions.
- Ability to be flexible with assignment duties based on student and school needs.
- Ability to manage confidential material and maintain staff and student privacy.
Qualifications:
- Grade 12 or equivalent.
- Educational Assistant Certificate or Diploma is an asset.
- First Aid, CPR and AED training is an asset.
- Specialized training in supporting students with differing abilities is an asset.
- Non-Violent Crisis Intervention training (will be provided as required).
- Transfer, Lift and Repositioning training (will be provided as required).