Teaching Assistant/Direct Support Professional (RHO)

Summary:

Teaching Assistant (ADDT): Assist the Teacher(s) in the development, organization and implementation of an interactive/adaptive curriculum that provides an active, supportive, and positive learning environment. Assist the Teacher with each individual’s progress and overall learning, understanding of activities of daily living and interpersonal skills. Assist the Teacher in the development of obtainable and measurable goals and objectives and monitor the progress of each individual served. Responsible for ensuring the adults remain actively engaged in meaningful activities according to their level of development. Provide and assist with personal care for individuals in groups or in other groups as needed.

Direct Support Professional (Waiver): Responsible for a variety of duties related to the overall care and independence of individuals who have physical, developmental and/or intellectual disabilities. The DSP will increase the independence of the individual at home and in the community by providing training and assistance on individualized goals and objectives for daily life skills in a supportive and positive learning environment. The DSP will support the health, safety and an active lifestyle of the individual served. The DSP will provide or assist with personal care activities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

ADDT

• Assist individuals served by using a variety of methodologies, best practices ranging from individualized instruction, small groups and/or classroom style training based on the needs of each individual.
• Assist in the development of training materials that can be adapted to each individual’s learning style.
• Maintain a safe and organized classroom that supports learning and personal growth.
• Demonstrate ability and flexibility to transfer professional knowledge, temporarily or permanently, to multiple classrooms based on workload and program needs.
• Record accurate and detailed documentation regarding the individual’s progress towards goals and objectives, personal care, and behavior.
• Complete and submit daily data/weekly progress notes as required by program.
• Comply with and provide all program objectives, personal care, and medical instructions for each individual in assigned classroom throughout the program day.
• Ensure that all individuals remain actively engaged in meaningful activities according to their individual level of development and with the appropriate accommodations.
• Provide input into the development of the Individual Treatment Plan both verbally and written.
• Implement individual treatment and behavioral plans using a variety of methodologies and best practices based on the needs of the individual and criteria established in approved plans.
• Utilize positive behavior intervention techniques to manage and promote improved behavior, while remaining supportive of individuality.
• Monitor and know the location of all individuals in assigned classroom or group at all times, ensuring staffing ratios of 1:10 are always maintained.
• Monitor the need for assistance and/or behaviors for individuals during paid meal period and breaks. Will not congregate with other staff and will acknowledge and respond to requests for assistance from individual served, co-workers or supervisors.

Waiver

• Assist individuals (individually or in small groups) in home, health, recreational, social and community activities based on goals and objectives as defined in Treatment plan and Person Centered Service Plan.
• Document progress towards goals and objectives accurately, completely and within required timeframe per department procedures.
• Document transportation provided to individuals accurately, completely and within the required timeframe per department procedures.
• Document work time accurately and completely as required by department procedures.
• Document medication and health management activities accurately, completely and within required timeframe per department procedures.
• Complete, sign and submit all documentation related to provision of services within required timeframes per department procedures.
• Monitor the health and safety of the individual at all times.
• Respond to and report unsafe conditions, environment, and equipment to the Supervisor, verbally and in writing as soon as possible but no later than 24 hours after becoming aware of concern/conditions.
• Observe individuals for injury or bruises. Follow incident reporting procedures including documentation and submitting report to a supervisor as soon as possible but no later than 24 hours after becoming aware of incident.
• Evaluate the individual for changes in emotional and/or physical status and report verbally and in writing any concerns to a supervisor.

Availability:

• Complies with prescribed work schedule as assigned by supervisor(s).

• Arrive prepared for scheduled or assigned job duties and responsibilities.
• Comply with organizational and departmental attendance and leave policies.

Other duties as assigned to include but not limited to and are subject to change:

• For ADDT program, provide transportation using organization vehicles to transport individuals to and from Easterseals to community outings, individuals’ home, etc. upon completion of all required training and as assigned by Supervisor.

Compliance/HIPAA:

While performing the duties of this job, employee will comply with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations pertaining to Easterseals Arkansas.

Employee has access to all client protected health information of the individuals directly served by this person, except psychotherapy notes.  Employee will not attempt to access any other protected health information unless otherwise approved by Supervisor or Privacy Officer.

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience:                                               

High School diploma and two years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience. CNA certification preferred.

Must be currently employed by Easterseals Arkansas as a Teaching Assistant in the ADDT program.

       Competencies:

• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Good organizational skills.
• Good written and verbal communication.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaboratively with individuals receiving services with diverse ability levels and employees with diverse experience and knowledge levels.
• Ability to be self-directed, creative and to take initiative.

• Demonstrated commitment to the values of diversity, equity, and inclusiveness.
• Ability to use technology to communicate, track and document services provided.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations (Current):

Arkansas Driver's License

Automobile Insurance

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 regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach or lift with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those 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 moving mechanical parts (wheelchairs, walkers, etc.). The employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.