Description Tacoma Public Schools Expected Start Date: September 1, 2024
FTE: 0.875
Hours per day: 7
Salary Level: PA4A $34.08 - No degree
PA4E $34.83 - AA degree
PA4F $35.08 - BA/BS or higher degree
Benefits: This job has the full range of benefits offered by Tacoma Public Schools.
Union/Days per year: Paraeducator, 192 work days, 10 month
Additional Information: This position is required to pass the National certification exam and Washington state jurisprudence exam. Continued certification required with renewal of license every year and 40 hours of continued education every two years.
Examples Of DutiesThis position performs specialized instructional support to individual and groups of students integrating significant para-professional health care services with instructional support; provides physical therapy treatments to assigned special education students as directed by a physical therapist; monitors and reports student day-to-day progress; builds and adapts student and program equipment.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS1. Works on an in-depth basis with individual and/or small group of students on special subjects and exercises and/or with students who have diverse medical and behavioral challenges to implement individual education plans (IEP) and strategies to maximize the learning experience.
2. Provides physical therapy treatments to students; instructs, encourages, and assists students in doing therapeutic exercises; exercises constant supervision of children; teaches various types of mobility (wheelchair, bicycles, swimming, and ambulation); helps students to stand using specialized equipment; teaches proper sitting posture and basic movements; assures safety of students following health and safety rules.
3. Prepares, per direction, age appropriate instructional aids and exercises to support the student(s) treatment plan; develops and uses incentives as positive reinforcement; assesses the need for, and uses, appropriate discipline in accordance with grade level and student’s ability to understand discipline.
4. Evaluates, documents and reports students’ academic and behavioral day-to-day progress; relays information regarding students from parents and staff to the physical therapist; may assist in developing and evaluating individual and group treatment goals and objectives according to the assigned student(s) plan; collaborates with other staff to ensure up-to-date information about students’ needs and progress.
5. May be required to assist, in keeping with the IEP goals of the individual student, the medically fragile with certain medical and hygiene functions; helps students learn to eat more independently using therapeutic feeding techniques; dresses and toilets students as part of the treatment session (mobility and transfers) and in keeping with the IEP goals.
6. Builds, sets up, adapts and operates equipment such as tricycle foot pedals and straps, foot rest boards under desks, sandbags, and various standers and straps to meet developing needs of students.
7. Maintains equipment; repairs and replaces broken parts; charges batteries of power wheelchairs; assists in ordering new equipment as necessary; initiates request for equipment and resource materials to support physical therapy treatment plan; cleans and maintains work area; wipes mats; puts equipment away; replenishes supplies as needed.
8. Prepares, completes and maintains records of treatments and interventions; performs student daily billing activities for eligible Medicaid recipients; maintains files; maintains equipment and supplies inventory.
9. May assist in supervising students on trips to swimming pool for treatment and on other field trips as part of their IEP mobility training.
10. Assists physical therapists in testing and evaluating students; may administer assessment instruments, per direction of physical therapist; may assist in reclassifying students according to proficiency; may assist in organizing meetings to share information about assigned programs and treatment plans; confers, as directed, with staff and teachers concerning programs and materials to meet student needs.
11. Attends departmental, building, and may attend IEP meetings, per request of the physical therapist; assists physical therapist with IEP process within parameters allowed by law and District policy.
OTHER JOB DUTIES1. Maintains current knowledge in the field by participation in professional and educational activities, as directed or as needed, and supports the overall objective of the position.
2. May perform cleansing intermittent catheterizations after receiving required training.
3. Performs related duties as assigned, on a temporary basis.
4.Regular, reliable, predictable attendance or physical presence is an essential job requirement and critical to the performance of the work.
CONDITIONSExperiences frequent interruptions; frequently required to lift/transfer/position students of all ages and sizes and handle and adjust, as necessary, physical therapy equipment; requires sufficient manual and finger dexterity to demonstrate teaching aids, to point out important words/figures to students, and to operate personal computers. Requires the ability to lift, carry, push, and move supplies, fixtures, wheelchairs, etc., of light-to-medium weight (under 50 pounds) on a regular basis, and heavy weight (under 75 pounds) without labor-saving equipment on an intermittent basis; may be required to bend, squat, stoop, kneel, crouch, walk, twist, climb, and/or be mobile; may be exposed to infectious disease; often required to deal with distraught students; may be required to deal with, and defuse, if appropriate, difficult and sensitive situations and/or people; required to frequently travel between schools.
Minimum QualificationsEducation and Experience Completion of a two-year certificated program at an accredited college for physical therapist assistants; work experience with children who have varying and diverse medical and behavioral challenges; 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.
Licenses/Special RequirementsRequired to pass the National certification exam and Washington state jurisprudence exam.
Continued certification required with renewal of license every year and 40 hours of continued education every two years.
Current Washington State driver’s license and access to personal transportation.
CPR certification and First Aid training, required.
MANDT training or District directed alternative required.
May be required to complete cleansing intermittent catheterization (CIC) training.
Fingerprints and successful WSP and FBI background clearance/sexual misconduct clearance.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Knowledge of effective physical therapy principles, practices, and procedures.
Knowledge of basic anatomy and physiology.
Knowledge of principles and practices of age appropriate child development and guidance applicable for an education setting.
Knowledge of instruction methods.
Knowledge of medical and therapeutic protocols and procedures used for student hygiene and comfort.
Skills that are well developed in human relations required for communicating and dealing with diverse students.
Skill in exercising patience when conveying information to students having difficulty with verbal and written communications.
Skill in demonstrating sensitivity to the special needs of students.
Skill in oral and written communication.
Ability to assess the needs of individual students, under the direction of the Physical Therapist, and develop instructional support techniques and materials to meet those needs.
Ability to perform the specific medical or therapeutic processes following developed protocols and procedures.
Ability to interact with staff, teachers, parents and specialist in order to carry out assigned duties.
Ability to work with students who have varying and diverse medical and behavioral challenges.
Ability to fulfill the needs of the job having physical strength and dexterity.
Ability to maintain accurate records.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively on a team.
Ability to obtain, clarify, and exchange information.
Ability to relate positively with students in a teaching/learning environment in order to build confidence.
Ability to work without direct supervision.
Ability to demonstrate reasonable, reliable and regular attendance.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of people in a multi-cultural, diverse socio-economic setting.
Supplemental InformationThis job description is not an employment agreement or contract. 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: Renee Trueblood, 25-57-252, civilrights@tacoma.k2.wa.us
- Title IX Coordinator, Elementary: Christa Erolin, 25-57-8, cerolin@tacoma.k2.wa.us
- Title IX Coordinator, Secondary: Wayne Greer, 25-57-9, wgreer@tacoma.k2.wa.us
- 504 Coordinator, Elementary: Jennifer Herbold, 25-57-096, jherbol@tacoma.k2.wa.us
- 504 Coordinator, Secondary: Megan Nelson, 25-57-00, mnelson@tacoma.k2.wa.us
Mailing address: P.O. Box 57, Tacoma, WA 9840-57.
Closing Date/Time: 8/11/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
