Education Assistant (Complex Medical)

SUPPORT STAFF

Join Our Team

School District 72 is looking for an Education Assistant (Complex Medical) to join our team of professionals at Ecole Phoenix Middle School who strive to bring the district’s learning beliefs to life.

School District 72 (Campbell River) is located on the east coast of central Vancouver Island, extending north to Sayward and south to Oyster River. The district also includes the outer islands of Read, Cortes, and Quadra. The district serves over 5,600 students in 18 schools with a diverse range of programs that are progressive and responsive to the educational needs and interests of students.

The district respects and values the relationships with all First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples who reside in these territories. It is with respectful consideration that the programs and services provided to students and staff acknowledge their histories, cultural contributions, and contemporary concerns.

About the Role

Education Assistants work under the direction of the Principal/Vice Principal and are supported by the Department of Inclusive Education and classroom teachers.

Complex medical needs are defined as a condition that makes a student completely dependent on others for meeting all major daily living needs (always requiring assistance for feeding, dressing, toileting, mobility, and personal hygiene), and without such care, attendance at school would not be possible.

• Working with students with, medical or health challenges to ensure the safe and inclusive integration in the classroom and community programs.
• Supporting learning interventions for students with significant medical needs.
• Collaborating where necessary with a transdisciplinary team of professional and paraprofessionals in support of learning plans for student’s need.
• Promoting personal health and hygiene by assisting with toileting, feeding, and general cleanliness; assisting with the administration of student medication as indicated on medical forms, under the teachers’ supervision, as required; ensuring students adhere to medial routines and/or special diets; and performing physiotherapy and/or speech therapy as instructed by Occupational Therapists (OT) and Speech Language Pathologists (SLP).
• Supporting mobility, which may include lifts and assisted transfers.
• Using recommended augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) methods as is overseen for the district speech and language pathologist.
• Carrying out duties consistent with the health and safety standards (i.e., wearing gloves).
• Ensuring a safe learning environment for all students by implementing recognized behaviour management techniques.
• Providing positive behaviour support and utilizing communication skills to diffuse distressed behaviours (e.g. defiance, emotional outbursts, disengagements, etc.), reporting any extreme or unusual incidents to the supervisor.
• Providing academic support by working with special needs students one-on-one and/or in small groups, reinforcing the concepts of the lesson at hand.
• Participating in IEP meetings with teachers, parents, and other parties such as psychologists and/or therapists upon request.
• Providing general classroom support by collaborating with the teacher to oversee the progress of other students in the integrated setting.
• Providing social guidance by reinforcing expected behaviours for social interaction; assisting with inclusion in the classroom as well as during recess and lunch periods as appropriate; implementing and monitoring behaviour management plans which may include observation, data-keeping, and follow-up; and discussing student progress and adaption requirements with the teacher.
• Transportation of students to various program activities.
• Directly supervising students in the pool as part of the swim program (where required).

Bring your Expertise

• Two-year post-secondary diploma in Educational Assistant training (or relevant discipline) or an Education Assistant certificate combined with 1 year of related experience.
• Depending on medical circumstances, the employee may need to develop a level of proficiency and competency through Nursing support services (tube feeding, medication administration) before working independently with the student.
• POPARD (Provincial Outreach Program for Autism and Related Disorders (or equivalent) training an asset.
• Level 1 First Aid certification is an asset.
• Class 5 BC Driver’s License.
• Working knowledge of the district child abuse protocol and reporting procedures.
• Current CPI (Crisis, Prevention, and Intervention) certification.
• Computer literacy and experience with technological assists.
• Ability to provide educational support in academic subjects as per school level (i.e. elementary, middle and secondary).
• Proven ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships and working collaboratively in a team environment.
• Ability to determine, judge and select appropriate course of action within the limits of established methods and procedures.
• Ability to effectively interact and establish positive rapport with students.
• Ability to communicate effectively using tact, discretion, and diplomacy, while maintaining confidentiality in all matters related to the school district.
• Sufficient physical capabilities, stamina, and coordination to perform the duties of the position to the required standard.

Contribute to Our Success

The Campbell River School District proudly developed a strategic plan for 2024-2028 that prioritized the following:

• Honour Indigenous World Views and Perspectives

• Student-Centred Learning Environments
• Evolving for Tomorrow

The following commitments are essential to all positions within the Campbell River School District:

• Commitment and adherence to workplace policies, procedures & practices.
• Commitment to standards of conduct, including behaving in a manner that is: respectful, professional, team-oriented, collegial, collaborative, ethical, honest, and trustworthy.
• Commitment to understand and implement the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.

Join Our Community

Campbell River is a scenic, oceanfront community framed by extensive waterfront, west coast forests and snow-capped mountains. The area is renowned for its natural beauty and recreational opportunities such as skiing, kayaking, fishing, mountain biking, hiking, golf, and endless opportunities to experience nature. The moderate climate allows residents to participate in numerous outdoor activities on a year-round basis.

Experience the Benefits of SD72

• Professional development and growth opportunities.
• The opportunity to grow your career in a small district.
• Progressive leadership team.
• Positive collegial culture with a great sense of community.

Employees are eligible for extended health and dental benefits, life insurance, and participation in a pension program as outlined in the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Local 723 along with competitive vacation and sick day entitlements.

Employment Equity

We value diversity of people to best represent the students and communities we serve as an equitable and inclusive employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, demographics and life experiences.

School District 72 is also committed to creating and maintaining an accessible work environment for all members of its workforce. Within this hiring process we will make efforts to create an accessible process for all applicants (including but not limited to people with disabilities). Confidential accommodation is available on request.

How to Apply

Please submit applications through the School District 72 Job Connect Portal. We thank all applicants for their interest and advise that only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. The successful candidate will be required to complete a criminal record check.

Please ensure your application includes a cover letter stating the posting number, an updated resume and references, including most recent supervisor(s).