Therapeutic Assistant

General Statement of Job

Under limited supervision, intervenes with students in crises to manage behavior problems and to facilitate emotionally handicapped students' academic and social progress. Assists teachers and school administrators in preventing or controlling classroom disturbances caused by students' non-compliance with school and class rules of behavior. Counsels and assists individual students as appropriate. Reports to the assigned principal and Director of Special Education.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities
Essential Functions: Assists students with classroom assignments by helping them to stay focus and on task. Removes emotionally handicapped students from the classroom setting when their behavior is a classroom disturbance or when behavior is potentially dangerous to self or others; attempts to calm students; monitors students in remote setting and documents behavior. Counsels students on how to manage behavior; discusses student incidents and cases with psychologists and teachers. Provides one-on-one, family and group counseling for students; provides instructions for reversing inappropriate behavior and rewards positive behavior; assists students with class assignments as necessary. Plans and implements recreational, educational and therapeutic activities. Assists teachers in modifying class lessons and activities to meet the needs of individual students; assists colleagues and parents in devising strategies to enhance students' performance and positive behavior. Keeps abreast of developments and innovations in the profession. Receives, reviews, prepares and/or submits various records and reports including daily reports, monthly reports, incident reports, referrals, memos, and correspondence. Operates and maintains a variety of equipment such as a computer, typewriter, copier, telephone, and audio-visual equipment. Interacts and communicates with various groups and individuals such as the immediate supervisor, District and school administrators, consultants, teachers, psychologists, medical professionals, social workers, other District personnel, students, parents, and the general public. Complies with all federal laws, state statutes, Board policies, administrative rules, and directives.
Additional Duties: Supervises students in detention or during lunch. Performs general administrative / clerical tasks as needed, including but not limited to typing reports and correspondence, copying and filing documents, filling out forms, answering the telephone, faxing information, attending meetings, etc. Performs related duties as required.
Minimum Training and Experience
Requires Bachelor's degree in education, special education, child development or closely related field supplemented by one year of related special education or mental health experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. 

Minimum Qualifications and Standards Required
Physical Requirements: 
Must be physically able to operate a variety of machines and equipment including a computer, telephone, basic office equipment, vehicle, hand and power tools, wheelchairs, etc. Must be able to exert up to twenty pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move persons and objects. Physical demands are in excess of those for sedentary work; work involves walking or standing for periods of time, stooping, kneeling, pushing, pulling, and performing light manual tasks. Must be able to lift and/or carry weights of up to thirty pounds.

Data Conception: 
Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable functional, structural or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.

Interpersonal Communications: 
Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving assignments and/or direction from supervisor.

Language Ability: 
Requires ability to read a variety of laws, policies and procedures, evaluation materials, professional studies, medical reference materials, etc. Requires the ability to prepare complex reports, progress reports, records, correspondence, etc. with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar, using all parts of speech. Requires the ability to speak with and before others with poise, voice control and confidence.

Intelligence: 
Requires the ability to apply rational systems to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists; to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic or schedule form. Requires the ability to learn and understand complex principles and techniques; to make independent judgments in absence of supervision; to acquire knowledge of topics related to primary occupation. Must have the ability to comprehend and interpret received information.

Verbal Aptitude: 
Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow verbal and written instructions; to counsel and teach students and colleagues. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently with persons of varying educational backgrounds and in a variety of technical and/or professional languages including special education, psychology, counseling, etc.

Numerical Aptitude: 
Requires the ability to add and subtract totals, to multiply and divide, to utilize mathematical formulas, to determine percentages and decimals and to determine time. Must be able to use practical applications of statistics.

Form/Spatial Aptitude: 
Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape, and visually read various information.

Motor Coordination: 
Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes using office and specialized machinery; to operate motor vehicles.

Manual Dexterity: 
Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, keyboards, office equipment, control knobs, buttons, switches, catches, small tools, etc. Must have moderate levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

Color Discrimination: 
Requires the ability to differentiate colors and shades of color.

Interpersonal Temperament: 
Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress when confronted with emergency situations or tight deadlines. The worker may be subject to danger or risk to a slight degree or to tension as a regular, consistent part of the job.

Physical Communications: 
Requires the ability to talk and/or hear: (talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing: perceiving nature of sounds by ear).

Performance Evaluation Criteria
Job Knowledge: 
Has thorough knowledge of the methods, procedures and policies of Special Education Services as they pertain to the performance of duties of the Therapeutic Assistant. Is knowledgeable in the laws, ordinances, standards and regulations pertaining to the specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Has considerable knowledge of the functions and interrelationships of Richland District One and other governmental agencies. Has knowledge of the principles and practices of psychology and abnormal psychology. Is able to develop rapport with students with behavior problems. Is able to instruct student, family and faculty members in behavior modification methods and techniques. Has knowledge of the tools, equipment, materials and devices used in behavior modification. Has knowledge of mental retardation, physical handicaps, learning disabilities, emotional handicaps and all other conditions making children exceptional. Has knowledge of appropriate curriculum and testing for special needs students. Is able to make sound, educated decisions. Has the ability to offer assistance to employees of other departments as required. Has the ability to use independent judgment as needed in performing routine and non-routine tasks. Is able to take the initiative to complete the duties of the position without the need of direct supervision. Is able to read and interpret complex professional and medical reports, student records and related materials pertaining to the responsibilities of the job. Knows how to prepare complex reports, student progress reports, student records, correspondence, etc. Has comprehensive knowledge of the terminology and various professional languages used within the department. Knows how to maintain effective relationships with personnel of other departments, professionals and members of the public through contact and cooperation. Is able to perform duties professionally in stressful situations. Knows how to react calmly and quickly in emergency situations. Knows how to make public presentations. Has the mathematical ability to handle required calculations. Has the ability to plan, organize and prioritize daily assignments and work activities. Has good organizational, technical and human relations skills. Has the ability to learn and utilize new skills and information to improve job performance and efficiency. Has skill in the use of computers. 

Quality of Work: 
Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities. Exercises immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur in areas of responsibility. Maintains high quality communication and interaction with all District departments and divisions, co-workers and the public.

Quantity of Work: 
Performs described "Specific Duties and Responsibilities" and related assignments efficiently and effectively in order to produce quantity of work which consistently meets standards and expectations of the District.

Dependability: 
Assumes responsibility for completing assigned work. Completes assigned work within deadlines in accordance with directives, District policy, standards and prescribed procedures. Remains accountable to assigned responsibilities in the technical, human and conceptual areas.

Attendance: 
Attends and remains at work regularly and adheres to District policies and procedures regarding absences and tardiness. Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and time-off requests.

Initiative and Enthusiasm: 
Maintains an enthusiastic, self-reliant and self-starting approach to meet job responsibilities and accountabilities. Strives to anticipate work to be done and initiates proper and acceptable direction for the completion of work with a minimum of supervision and instruction.

Judgment: 
Exercises analytical judgment in areas of responsibility. Identifies problems or situations as they occur and specifies decision objectives. Identifies or assists in identifying alternative solutions to problems or situations. Implements decisions in accordance with prescribed and effective policies and procedures and with a minimum of errors. Seeks expert or experienced advice where appropriate and researches problems, situations and alternatives before exercising judgment.

Cooperation: 
Accepts supervisory instruction and direction and strives to meet the goals and objectives of same. Questions such instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences are justified, i.e., poor communications, variance with District policy or procedures, etc. Offers suggestions and recommendations to encourage and improve cooperation between all staff persons and departments within the District.

Relationships with Others: 
Shares knowledge with managers, supervisors and staff for mutual and District benefit. Contributes to maintaining high morale among all District employees. Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with department employees, staffers and managers in other departments, representatives from organizations, and the public so as to maintain good will toward the District and to project a good District image. Tactfully and effectively handles requests, suggestions and complaints from other departments and persons in order to maintain good will within the District. Emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive image within the District. Interacts effectively with higher management, professionals and the public.

Coordination of Work: 
Plans and organizes daily work routine. Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology. Avoids duplication of effort. Estimates expected time of completion of elements of work and establishes a personal schedule accordingly. Attends required meetings, planning sessions and discussions on time. Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules. 

Safety and Housekeeping:
Adheres to all safety and housekeeping standards established by the District and various regulatory agencies. Sees that the standards are not violated. Maintains a clean and orderly workplace. 

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