Infant Paraprofessional

$31,200 - $39,000/Yr

AdventHealth - Shawnee, KS

Full-time - Entry Level

Onsite - Shawnee, KS

Hospitals

About the position

The Infant Paraprofessional at the B.E. Smith Family Center - Britian Development Center plays a crucial role in supporting children with special needs from birth through six years of age. This position is designed for individuals who are passionate about early childhood education and are eager to contribute to the development of children in an inclusive learning environment. The paraprofessional will work closely with teachers, therapists, and other team members to ensure that each child receives the necessary support to thrive both cognitively and emotionally. The role involves providing direct assistance to children under the supervision of various specialists, including Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) teachers, Physical Therapists (PT), Occupational Therapists (OT), Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP), Music Therapists (MT), and Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA). In this position, the paraprofessional will assist with essential self-care routines such as diapering, feeding, toilet training, and hand washing. They will also help prepare classroom materials, organize storage areas, and maintain a clean and hygienic environment. The role includes substituting for teachers and other paraprofessionals when necessary, participating in therapy sessions, and attending parent conferences as appropriate. Collaboration with the director, manager, and social worker is essential to support individual child and family needs, as well as to access community resources. The paraprofessional will also be responsible for training and educating students, interns, volunteers, and family members of patients, ensuring a professional and supportive team environment. The position requires effective communication skills, punctuality, and the ability to adapt to changes in schedule and environment. The paraprofessional will utilize technology appropriately and maintain confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA guidelines. This role is not only about providing care but also about fostering a nurturing and supportive atmosphere for children with disabilities, helping them develop essential skills in a safe and inclusive setting.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct support to children under the supervision of ECSE, PT, OT, SLP, MT, and BCBA to assist children in developing cognitive, communication, self-help, social, motor, and sensory processing skills.
• Assist with self-care routines including diapering, feeding, toilet training, and hand washing.
• Assist classroom teachers in preparing materials and equipment, organizing the classroom and storage areas.
• Substitute for teachers and/or paraprofessionals when they are absent.
• Participate in therapy sessions and parent conferences as appropriate.
• Support the operations of the Britain Development by maintaining a clean and hygienic environment, including duties such as unloading the dishwasher, cleaning the pool, and washing toys.
• Collaborate with the director, manager, and/or social worker to support individual child and family needs and access community resources.
• Train and educate students, interns, volunteers, and family members of patients.
• Maintain a professional team relationship with co-workers by being considerate of workloads and assisting with duties.
• Communicate honestly and confront issues in a private setting.
• Return phone calls and emails in a timely manner, and be punctual for scheduled work hours, meetings, and patient treatment.
• Utilize computer access confidentially and appropriately, following HIPAA guidelines, including appropriate use of social media.
• Provide quality patient care skills/procedures considering the special needs of the patient, such as age, culture, and learning ability.
• Demonstrate the ability to adapt to constant changes in schedule and environment.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or Equivalent
• Communication skills
• Technologically competent

Nice-to-haves

• Knowledge of disabilities and child and family development
• Bachelor's Degree
• 1 to 2 Years of Position-Related Experience

Benefits

• Benefits from Day One
• Paid Days Off from Day One
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Career Development
• Whole Person Wellbeing Resources
• Mental Health Resources and Support