Instructional Assistant

Positions Available:

• F/T Term to August 31, openings)
  
• Casual - working 20-40 hours per week

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday: 8:00AM - 4:15PM

Requirements:

• Must be available to work a full shift
• Must have a Class 5F (Full) Driver's License
• Applicants must secure Class 4F (Full) Driver's License within six (6) months of employment if in a F/T Term IA position

About Us

St.Amant supports over 5,000 people in Manitoba with developmental disabilities, autism and acquired brain injury. We are a not-for-profit organization that offers a wide range of supports for adults, children and their families. Our over 2,000 staff follow a person-centered approach and adapt to the needs of each person and each family.

Visit St.Amant online at

Position Summary

St.Amant is committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility where everyone is respected, valued, and empowered to bring their authentic selves – free from fear of discrimination – while celebrating the diverse identities and experiences that enrich our community. We stand firmly against individual and systemic discrimination and racism as per the Canadian Human Rights Act.

Instructional Assistants are responsible for implementing educational programs and providing care to small groups of students as assigned and directed by the teacher and consistent with the Mission and Philosophy of St.Amant. The school serves school-age persons who reside at River Road Place and individuals who live in the community but receive a school program at St.Amant School. The school program is designed as one component of an integrated service model in which all St.Amant resources are seamlessly coordinated and integrated to achieve shared objectives.

St.Amant, as part of an initiative entitled "Meaningful Connections", seeks to expand the culture of support ("excellent caretaking") to include an intentional focus on equipping a person with the opportunities and skills to develop relationships. The goal of this initiative is to have people we support exploring and establishing relationships with people in the community.

Qualifications:

• Must possess a Grade XII diploma (or equivalent).
• One year certificate in a relevant area of study (e.g. Developmental Service Worker Certificate, a year completed towards the Early Childhood Education Diploma Program or Educational Assistant Diploma).
• A combination of Grade 12 and three thousand hours of experience working in a school program within the last five (5) years, may be considered in lieu of certificate provided the candidate is willing to undertake further educational course work (at own expense).
• Experience with individuals with severe developmental disabilities is an asset.
• Previous experience in an interdisciplinary school environment is an asset.
• Must have the ability to work effectively within a participatory team approach.
• Knowledge of the history of education and support services to people with disabilities and current trends, philosophies and practices concerning their care, education and lifestyles is an asset.
• Must have good written and verbal communication skills.
• Must be flexible and able to work with modified school structures when this is of benefit to students.
• Computer literacy related to special education computer software is an asset.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Supports teacher to identify, with other interdisciplinary team member, the total needs of a group (classroom) of residents.
• Supports and encourages people to have new relationships, and supports people to explore engagement in community activities, and may be matched with a person supported to assist them in exploring these relationships and activities (This is known as an "exploring pair")
• Follows the direction of the Teacher, working with other team member to deliver the educational component of the overall program of care, education and training. Duties include carrying out directed learning activities, and providing primary physical care (e.g. feeding, changes, health procedures, etc.) to students as needed.
• Participates in a formal IPP/IEP (Individualized Program or Educational Planning) process to ensure that the overall needs and preferences off each student are addressed by an interdisciplinary team at least annually and those educational plans and consequent outcomes are documented.
• Works closely with other team members to ensure coordination and integration of services.
• Communicates with students' family members or advocates as required.
• Support others to function as effective team members and to achieve consensus decision.
• Provides direction, supervision and assistance to volunteers. Assists with planning and implementing appropriate orientation for volunteers.
• The Instructional Assistant is responsible for participating in and supporting an integrated total quality management/continuous quality improvement program (and culture) within the School Program that emphasizes a client focus and staff empowerment.
• The Instructional Assistant is responsible for helping predict changing needs of students, for modifying services to meet changing needs and for contributing to the ongoing development of the School consistent with the leadership and vision of the Centre.

The above information is intended to describe the general nature of this position and is not considered to be a complete statement of duties and responsibilities. Additional duties and responsibilities may be assigned provided they are consistent with the qualifications identified and fall within the parameters of this role. These positions are unionized and fall under the MGEU Support Collective Agreement.

St.Amant is a bilingual organization. Proficiency in both official languages (French/English) would be considered an asset.

As a condition of employment, successful candidates will be required to provide a satisfactory Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening, Adult Abuse Registry Check, Child Abuse Registry Check and Prior Contact Check.

As a Condition of Employment, new hires must complete a series of Occupational Health checks. This includes the requirement to confirm immunization or immunity of specific communicable diseases. Successful applicants will also be required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination prior to start date.

St.Amant supports equitable employment practices and promotes an inclusive workforce representative of the people we support including diverse abilities, backgrounds, cultures, and identities. Applicants can request reasonable accommodations in all aspects of the selection and hiring process.