Position: Educational Assistant IB - Spanish Preferred- Hospital School Program - Behavioral Health

The Hospital School Programs provide a flexible and motivational educational experience through instruction and educational support to students up to age 21 with significant, acute medical, rehabilitation or mental health needs during the course of their hospitalization and / or ongoing treatment.

The educational impact to hospitalized children is mitigated by receiving ongoing educational services, maintaining contact with their attending districts, and by planning a reasonable and realistic transition back to school following hospitalization. Program staff involve parents in the educational process and may include siblings and other family members in the instruction. Special Education, ELL and Transition Services are also provided.

Department: Instructional Services 

Program: Hospital Schools

Reports to: Hospital Schools Program Administrator

Classification/Range: Classified Represented/Range 11

Schedule: 185 days per year, x 7 hours per day

Interview Timeline: December 2024/January 2025

Start Date: January 2025

POSITION PURPOSE: 

Provides educational and classroom assistance under guidelines of teachers, program administrator and other supervisors, and assists in carrying out instructional activities, promoting student safety and well-being, and reinforcing classroom programs.

NATURE & SCOPE: 

The primary purpose of the Educational Assistant classification is to recognize extraordinary efforts involved in providing instruction assistance, and achieving student learning. Duties are performed under risk of injury and require work with students having intense learning and behavioral needs.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. Confer with teachers, supervisors, and other colleagues to plan day-to-day routines, programs, and special projects.

2. Perform MESD program-related instructional, behavioral, and other activities such as helping students with personal management concerns as per students' individualized educational programs, instructing students in the community, and implementing behavior plans and related activities.

3. Undertake delegated instructional tasks for individuals and small groups; assist with classroom assignments; and monitor student activities in the classroom and other locations (e.g. lunch, field trips, etc.).

4. Confer with teachers and other professional staff; participate in parent-teacher conferences. Assist teachers in reviewing student programs.

5. Perform instructional support tasks such as preparing worksheets, organizing materials, creating and posting bulletin boards, data collection, and monitoring progress.

6. Assure the physical and emotional well-being of students.

7. Assist in transportation supervision as required by individual student needs.

8. Implement program-adopted crisis prevention/intervention strategies to include the use of de-escalating procedures and physical interventions to avoid injuries.

9. Maintain a satisfactory job attendance record.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:

Attend workshops, staff development classes, and other meetings. Help perform building, classroom, and equipment maintenance. Perform other related duties as assigned. Adhere to the school building, district, Hospital, and MESD policies and procedures.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work is performed in an open classroom environment in a sub-acute residential setting; involves sitting, standing, and walking. May work with high-stress students or family situations. May involve restraining students and frequent lifting of up to 50 pounds with occasional lifting of more weight.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking English
• Proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking Spanish preferred
• Ability to follow directions, follow through on classroom plans, and maintain effective working relationships with teachers, other educational assistants, other MESD and local school district personnel.
• Ability to listen, make sound emergency or crisis decisions, and effectively work with students in high-stress environments.
• Good basic problem-solving with effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to physically perform assigned duties.
• Ability to perform data collection and recording tasks.

ESSENTIAL QUALITIES:

1. Develop trust among co-workers through honesty and fairness.

2. Communicate in an inclusive and collaborative manner.

3. Support the mission, vision and values of MESD.

4. Be respectful, caring, and courageous.

5. Be a team player.

6. Be involved in, and supportive of continuous overall improvement of MESD.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, ABILITIES: 

• Daily and consistent attendance and punctuality are paramount as this provides consistency and alignment with students, peers, and programming outcomes. 

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, ABILITIES: 

• Ability to follow directions, follow through on classroom plans, and maintain effective working relationships with teachers, other educational assistants, other MESD and local school district personnel, and other agency partners.
• Ability to listen, make sound decisions on a day-to-day basis as well as during emergency or crisis situations, and effectively work with students in high-stress environments.
• Good basic problem-solving with effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to perform data collection and recording tasks.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• High school diploma and/or G.E.D
• Experience working with at-risk youth, and students with severe disabilities o in alternative education learning environments
• Any combination of education and experience that would provide the applicant with the desired skills, knowledge and ability required to perform the job

BENEFITS: 

• The district pays full medical, dental, and vision premiums for eligible employees and dependents
• Two medical insurance plan options: 
• Group Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)
• Opt-Out option
• MESD pays employee’s 6% Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) contribution
• Paid holidays, vacation, sick leave, and personal time off
• Tuition Reimbursement and Professional Development 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this classification. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Ability to walk, climb, sit and/or stand for four (4) plus hours per day.
2. Ability to squat, crawl and or run occasionally as required to perform job duties. Involves continuous strenuous efforts, such as the ability to personally lift students weighing up to 35 lbs and the ability to lift with assistance students weighing up to 150 lbs

This position is subject to board policies, administrative rules and procedures, department regulations and applicable state and federal statutes. This position does not carry administrative authority. All commitments outside of authorized programs and services are subject to prior approval by the supervisor of this position.

NOTE: The description contained herein reflects general details as necessary to describe the principle 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 to balance the workload.  

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 

MESD recognizes the diversity and worth of all individuals and groups. It is the policy of MESD that  there will be no discrimination or harassment of individuals or groups based on race, color, religion, gender,  sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, marital status, age, veterans status,  genetic information or disability in any educational programs, activities, or employment. 

Reasonable accommodations for the application and interview process will be provided upon request and as  required in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Individuals with disabilities may  contact the Human Resources Director for additional information or assistance.  Speech/Hearing impaired persons may contact the district for assistance through the Oregon telecommunications Relay Service at 1-800-735-2900.