LAFOURCHE PARISH SCHOOL DISTRICT

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: PARAPROFESSIONAL for Visually Impaired

Qualifications

• Highly Qualified Requirements
• Must have accomplished at least one of the following:
• Passed the Educational Testing Service (ETS) Para-Pro Assessment [ETS ParaPro Assessment
• (0755) passing score: 450]; or

Completed two years of full-time study (48 semester credit hours) from a state-approved or
regionally accredited institution of higher education*; or
Earned an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, or Associate of Applied Science degree from a
state-approved or regionally accredited institution of higher education.
* Within the forty-eight semester hours, the paraprofessional must complete a total of 15 hours of general education requirements that include English Composition (3), English/Reading (6), and Mathematics (6). For the remaining 33 hours of coursework, acceptance of credit for a course shown on a transcript form an approved higher education institution is left to school district discretion in addressing the needs of the specific job. Discipline-specific electives may include as
many as 12 hours of developmental (remedial) courses.

Reports to: Director of Special Education or Designee
Supervises: Visually Impaired Students

Specific Job Duties

1. Perform duties under the direct supervision of the assigned teachers. Duties may include, but shall not be limited to, implementing tutorial activities (small group and/or individual), Work closely with the TVI, O&M Instructor, and classroom and/or special education teacher to support student learning needs and reinforce learning expectation (as stated in the student’s Individual Education Plan or IEP) , toileting/hygiene procedures, medical record keeping and preparation of class work ( prepare and implement adapted materials, support with learning of braille, utilized specialized technology and equipment, support and reinforce orientation and mobility, verbalized materials, and scribe as needed).
2. Perform physical demands requiring frequent lifting, carrying, transferring, or pushing of objects or wheelchairs weighing at least 50 pounds. Physical demands may also include walking and standing to a significant degree, kneeling, stooping, balancing, crouching, reaching, grasping, head and neck movement, and movement across mid-line. The paraprofessional must possess motor coordination, manual dexterity, finger dexterity, alertness, precision, speaking ability, auditory discrimination, and tactile discrimination.
3. Perform duties that relate to and support the educational process of the students. These duties may include medical and hygiene procedures, i.e., tube feeding, oral suctioning, trachea suctioning, catheterization, medication administration, glucose checks, ostomy bag care/changes, diapering and other noncomplex medical procedures deemed necessary by the nurse and IEP Committee. These procedures are determined by student need, not by program area. The paraprofessional may be required to move from one program area to another within the day.
4. Assist the students with activities as directed by the teacher(s). The paraprofessional may assist individual students, group of students, or students in an inclusive setting as well as accompany student(s) to recess and lunch if determined by IEP.
5. Assist and support the students’ instructional process as planned by the teacher(s), score objective tests and gather and record data.
6. Keep a log of daily activities performed with itinerant, within and/or between schools, as required by the program coordinator.
7. Support and implement the discipline philosophy of the school as well as disciplinary procedures designed for individual students.
8. Adhere to policy and procedure set forth by each individual school for schedules, break time, lunch
   time, and duty.
9. Attend IEP and other staff meetings as requested by teacher or administrative personnel
10. Performs all other duties as assigned by immediate supervisor or by Superintendent

Professional Attitude and Conduct

1. Establishes and maintains appropriate respectful, harmonious relationship with administration, school faculty, other employees, students, vendors, and the general public
2. Observes professional ethics as prescribed by the employee's profession/craft and in accordance with state law and board policy (GAl Solicitations, GAIB Solicitations of Staff Members, GAJ, Gifts)
3. Adheres to Board policy, administrative rules and regulations
4. Seeks, shares, and respects ideas of others
5. Exhibits a caring, positive attitude towards others
6. Maintains the confidentiality of all School Board business by refraining from accessing discussing or disclosing anything outside the scope of employment unless authorized by immediate supervisor
7. Participates in professional growth activities, such as participation in seminars, conferences, workshops for improvement of knowledge and skills relating to best practices in the use of supplies, tools or equipment, and methods of operation
8. Participates in professional activities on a local, state, and national level in assigned areas (include for appropriate personnel)

Communication

1. Understands and interprets written and verbal instructions from immediate supervisor and gives clear written and oral instructions to others as required
2. Accurately compiles data, summarizes information and provides written reports when required
3. Answers the telephone and receives visitors in a courteous and efficient manner
4. Follows the chain of command for various administrative procedures

Attendance and Punctuality

1. Reports to work at the assigned time
2. Attends work consistently
3. Contacts Supervisor when absent
4. Scans in or out using the employee scan system as appropriate

Safety

1. Completes task in a safe manner as prescribed by the Safety Department or by the employee'sprofession/craft
2. Maintains a neat and orderly work environment
3. Dresses appropriately for the job assigned and in compliance with state law and board policy GAMBEmployee Dress Code
4. Displays employee ID tag at all times while on duty
5. Reports any unsafe conditions or any incidents of injury or damage immediately to the appropriateofficial
6. Complies with policies GAMA Employee Tobacco Use and GAMD Drug-Free Workplace when onduty

Terms of Employment

7 hours per day - 180 days

There shall be a probationary period of 90 days from date of employment for new employees. After 90 days, a decision based upon an evaluation will be rendered in regards to the employee’s status as a permanent employee.
Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board’s policy on evaluation of non-instructional personnel
The Superintendent reserves the right to change the job and any other duties, as required, with advance written notification.

METHOD OF EVALUATION

The combination of the applicable measure of growth in student learning and the qualitative assessment of performance competencies and standards shall result in a composite score used to distinguish levels of overall effectiveness.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Other duties may be assigned

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, speak, hear and sometimes sit. Occasionally the employee will bend or twist at the neck more than the average person. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally push or lift up to 50 lbs. such as boxes of books.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as to read handwritten or typed material, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment described here is representative of which an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently exposed to a noise level in the work environment which is moderate to loud.

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

*MAX salary Per Year is contingent on possessing a Masters degree at 30 years of employment.