RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. To provide school-based Orientation & Mobility services which promote the skills needed for students to move through their educational environment safely, confidently and independently while participating in everyday routines and activities that is part of the educational program.
2. Evaluate each student’s skills and develop an IEP with the team based upon results and experience. Conduct student screenings and evaluations using skilled contextual observations and a variety of formal and informal assessments that may include checklists, histories, interviews and task analysis to identify student needs
3. Use instructional methods and materials that are appropriate for implementing goals and objectives of students’ IEP.
4. Collaboratively with students' IEP teams, examine and evaluate eligible students' strengths and needs to establish their ability to participate in meaningful school activities and routines with or without assistance.
5. Coordinate and develop an organized daily/weekly schedule. Schedule and prioritize own workload (according to efficiency. driving time, etc.) Submit and maintain up to date schedule to Program Director/ Coordinator
6. Caseload assignment is based on SSEC needs and may change at any time including location of service delivery, (which may include, but is not limited to school, community, and/or home settings). Follow direction of program director/coordinator/principal where assigned including procedures and protocols.
7. Ensure educational environment is neat, orderly, and accommodates students’ needs.
8. Ensure timely and orderly completion of daily activities as indicated in weekly schedule.
9. Consistently implement instructional methods and develop maturity and skill level of students.
10. Implement and follow through with appropriate behavioral programs for students when necessary.
11. Participate in team meetings, including parent conferences. Coordinate with all support specialists (Vision, OT, PT, Speech Therapists, Adaptive PE, Assistive Technology Team, Music Therapy, etc.) to provide a comprehensive service delivery program for each child.
12. Adapt environments to facilitate student access and participation in the educational program.
13. Employ goals, activities, and services for integrating life skills into specific subject areas and related services to promote independent living, social and interpersonal skills and to assist students in transitions, including entry into school, grade to grade, and school to school
14. Facilitate and/or assist in the development of the effective transition of students from one setting to another, in collaboration with the students, their families/guardians, or other professionals, including community representatives, to promote a continued level of functional performance at the new setting.
15. Support the school-based activity of safe transportation of students
16. Work effectively with diverse student populations
17. Support development of student communication/social skills through contextual learning experiences
18. Select, modify, or customize adaptive equipment and assistive technology to facilitate school access and participation
19. Develop appropriate assessment and alternative strategies to assess accomplishments of students on a regular basis; provide written reports, and other reports as needed. Interpret and clearly communicate, verbally and in writing, the results of the assessment process, for a variety of audiences, including but not limited to teachers, paraprofessionals, related service professionals, students and parents/guardians, as appropriate
20. Maintain contact with parents, doctors, hospitals, counselors, and other agencies involved with each child regarding information relevant to each student’s educational program.
21. Seek out and facilitate appropriate inclusion opportunities in the building, other schools and the community.
22. Initiate and participate in educationally relevant field trips with appropriate supervision of students. Drive school vans when necessary.(7D driver’s license required)
23. Restrain and/or lift students when necessary.
24. Participate in all required in-service training
25. Assist the Program Director in the intake of a student referral and the transition of a student from the program.
26. Follow all policies and procedures as established by the South Shore Educational Collaborative
27. Use de-escalation and restraint procedures as prescribed in SSEC approved restraint training programs when appropriate with students.
28. Follow protective restraint procedures at all times when working with students as prescribed in SSEC approved restraint training programs.
29. Use appropriate physical techniques when lifting and/or moving students as prescribed in SSEC approved restraint training programs.
30. Consistent work attendance which includes; arriving to work on time each day, working the entire day and notifying the program director/coordinator a minimum of 24 hours in advance for a personal day whenever possible.
31. Maintain confidentiality regarding information for all SSEC staff, students and their families.
32. Perform other duties as may from time to time be assigned by the program director/coordinator.
Mandatory participation in all of the following SSEC sponsored trainings to include but not limited to:
1. Successful completion of SSEC approved restraint training’s, full and/or re certification annually as appropriate.
2. Maintain active CPR/First Aid certification.
3. Successful completion of all SSEC approved threat assessment training.
4. Successful completion of required training hours for 7D licensure if requested by the program director/coordinator.
REPORTS TO: Program Director/Coordinator
WORK YEAR: School Year (183 days includes 2 professional days)
QUALIFICATIONS: Certification from Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals. Experience working with students in a school setting with academic, behavioral and/or emotional challenges, learning or developmental disabilities and/or autism and who have functional vision impairments, low vision or who may be blind. Must be able and willing to physically restrain and/or lift students.