Therapeutic Assistant

Edmonton Catholic Schools is a large urban school division whose mission is to provide a Catholic education that inspires students to learn and that prepares them to live fully and to serve God in one another. The Division is comprised of over 44,000 students and 5,000 employees in 95 schools plus other sites.
- Position:
**Existing**
- Position Status:
**Permanent**
- Hours Per Week:
**31.5**
- No Months Per Year:
**10**
- Rate of Pay:
**$35,352 - $52,920**
- Empl Group:
**Unifor**

The job provides a range of educational support services, under the supervision of a Therapeutic Specialist (TS), to students in Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12 within the environment of our inclusive educational programs. The primary focus is to work directly with student’s and the teacher to provide support for a range of needs that impact classroom/academic functioning and to extend the services of the Therapeutic Specialist assigned to that classroom.

This position involves working within the classroom environment together with a classroom team consisting of a teacher, Therapeutic Specialist and may also include Educational Assistants, Learning Coaches, other multi-disciplinary team members (MDT), administrators, parents and school staff.

**Responsibilities**:

- Plan and implement programs/strategies with specific student’s and or groups of student’s within the classroom environment as outlined by the specialist and classroom team;
- Plan and implement small and large group strategies/activities within the classroom environment that support the development skills of skills of identified students;
- Develop materials related to varied programs/strategies as determined by the Therapeutic Specialist;
- Provide support to families by assisting with home program preparation, modelling and monitoring;
- Monitor, record and provide feedback;
- Maintain appropriate records of planned programs and student attendance;
- Monitor effectiveness of programs/strategies designed to meet specific objectives;
- Develop and maintain specific notes for Therapeutic Specialist and classroom team regarding students’ progress and response to current program/strategies follow up through contact notes, progress notes, anecdotal observations and / or conversation;
- Share information with classroom teaching team regarding planned strategies/programs and communicate with Therapeutic Specialist to determine appropriate level for programming and additional follow up required;
- Model/discuss strategies and supports as appropriate with classroom team;
- Work collaboratively with multi-disciplinary team members to implement strategies;
- Attend multi-disciplinary team meetings;
- Participate in cohort preparation time and meetings;
- Assist in the delivery of workshops/seminars;
- Conduct screenings to facilitate interpretation of results;
- Assist in administering informal/formal screening tools to gather information;
- Record and maintain results for use by the Therapeutic Specialist;
- Assist with preparing of materials, scheduling activities, as directed by Therapeutic Specialist or Assistant Manager (e.g. summer treatment programming);
- Perform checks and maintenance of equipment and materials, including cleaning and organizing of materials room;
- Assist with Therapeutic Specialist operations such as scheduling, record keeping, safety/maintenance of equipment, monitoring inventory (e.g. screening and assessment protocols);
- Participate in department meetings;
- Provide input into strategic planning;
- Provide cover off and assist team with peak workloads and projects;
- Participate in special events;
- Maintain technical knowledge and credentials through a range of professional development activities.

**Qualifications**:

- Therapist Assistant, Occupational or Physical Therapy diploma from a recognized institution, plus three years of directly related pediatric experience;
- Certified Member of the Therapy Assistant Association of Alberta (THAAA) is required;
- Knowledge of applied human anatomy, applied human physiology, functional anatomy and orthopedics, physical dysfunction and exercise in physical therapy; learning through play principles;
- General knowledge of inclusion principles and practices, and 21st Century educational skills;
- Knowledge of multi-media technology and equipment, Microsoft and Apple iPads;
- Knowledge of program planning and project management techniques;
- Knowledge of Microsoft programs including Office 365, Word, Outlook and Internet Explorer;
- Knowledge of Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) Legislation specifically related to student records;
- Knowledge of Workplace Safety and Occupational Health and Safety regulations, with a focus on lifting, transferring and repositioning students;
- Advanced verbal and written skills
- in English including digital literacies;
- Good communication, strong interpersonal skills, friendly/positive attitude are essential;
- Ability to work with a wide