Abilities First, Inc., has been making a difference in the lives of people with developmental disabilities for almost sixty years. We offer a wide variety of services including school and preschool programs, day habilitation, residential habilitation, community habilitation, and employment services.Abilities First recognizes the value of diverse experiences, identities, and backgrounds to and does not discriminate in hiring. We are inclusive, welcoming and supportive of people of varying abilities, races, ethnicities, religions, socio-economic status, gender and gender identities. Abilities First is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.Abilities First is seeking Teacher Aides for our Education Program located in Middletown, NY. This position attends to the educational, physical, social and emotional needs of the students while assisting the Classroom Teacher and Teacher Assistant in the implementation of students' IEP goals.Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 3:30 pm; 32.5 hours per week, 48 weeks per year. This position follows the school calendar (September - June), with a 6-week summer program.Salary Range: $16.58 -$17.85Responsibilities include:
- Follows the classroom schedule ensuring that individual student's goals are achieved.
- Assists in the classroom to conduct individual and group activities.
- Keep student's workstations/areas organized.
- Assist in the construction of teacher-developed materials.
- Attend and participate in staff meetings and job skill training.
- Attend therapy sessions with students to allow for appropriate carryover in the classroom.
- Assists in the organization and arrangement of the classroom in order to provide a conducive learning environment.
- Escorts and assists students (via wheelchair, walker, etc.) to and from school buses while providing opportunities for students' increased independence in mobility and orientation.
- Attends all specials with students (PE, art, music, etc.)
- Takes off and puts on outdoor clothing as necessary and provide opportunities for students' increased independence in self-dressing and undressing.
- Perform wheelchair/equipment transporting, transferring and lifting.
- Toilet children and use appropriate adaptive equipment if necessary. This should be done at least 3 times daily (more often when necessary.)
- Change clothing when wet or soiled.
- Change diapers as necessary.
- Set out lunches and adaptive feeding equipment and provide opportunities for students' increased independence in meal preparation.
- Cut up or mash food as required and provide opportunities for students' increased independence in meal preparation.
- Feed students following OT procedures and provide opportunities for students' increased independence in self-feeding.
- Wash all feeding equipment and provide opportunities for students' increased independence in washing dishes and utensils.
- Put on and remove ankle-foot orthotics (AFOs), arm and hand splints, harnesses, neck braces, head pointers, etc.
- Lift, place, secure and remove students from prone boards.
- Set up computers, communication device systems and related adaptive equipment.
- Adhere to agency Code of Legal and Ethical Behavior, which require all employees, consultants, board members, volunteers and affiliates to perform their responsibilities according to ethical and legal standards with honesty, integrity, fairness, good faith and respect for others and the law.
- Follows all agency policy and procedures and demonstrates continuous regard to personal safety and the safety of others.
- Performs other appropriate job-related activities as requested by your supervisor or as circumstances warrant.
Requirements
- High School Diploma or equivalent.
- Experience within early childhood and special education preferred.
- Have the ability to push and pull students in wheelchairs, lift, bend, squat, turn in the knees, pivot and grasp with both hands (in order to properly and safely perform the techniques taught in CPR/First Aid, behavior intervention techniques, and lifting and carrying techniques), with or without a reasonable accommodation.