Instructional Assistant - Specialized Physical Health Care

Garden Grove Unified School District

About The Job

OPEN/CONTINUOUS RECRUITMENT

OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND DISTRICT EMPLOYEES

ELIGIBILITY LISTS WILL BE GOOD FOR SIX (6) MONTHS

WE ARE ONLY ACCEPTING ONLINE APPLICATIONS FOR THIS RECRUITMENT

The examination process will be held on a continuous, as needed basis. You will be notified, as indicated on your application, regarding the exam dates, times, and locations.

SALARY

All new hires will be placed at the starting salary step of this classification ($26.69). Employees are eligible for a step increase on their anniversary date each year, up to the maximum step 5 of this salary range ($30.95).

Job Summary

Persons in these positions work part-time (3.5 hours per day) or full-time (6 hours per day), Monday - Friday, during the school session. Under the general supervision of a certificated teacher or administrator, assists students who have acute or chronic health problems which require daily, ongoing care, or monitoring by trained personnel to meet the physical requirements of attending classes, often at a special education school; performs a variety of instructional support duties in developing life skills and/or physical care activities; performs related duties as assigned.

Essential Duties

Assists teachers in assigned features of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) for students with a wide range of disabilities, often severe or profound and who may exhibit behaviors such as biting, kicking, hitting, throwing, running, spitting, verbal aggression, pulling, and pushing.
Assists in instructing/tutoring, supervising, monitoring, and record keeping of assigned students in basic academic language, personal hygiene, grooming, and self-help activities.
Following appropriate training and authorization, administers medications prescribed for students, and maintains related logs and records.
Following training in required procedures and sanitation techniques, administers gastroscopy tube feedings, oral feedings, tracheotomy suctioning, and catheters, as required, following clearly defined procedures.
Demonstrates or assists students with severe physical disabilities in performing personal hygiene and grooming functions, including toileting, diapering, eating, dressing, and positioning.
Assists in physical transferring/lifting students to and from wheelchairs.
Utilizes approved District restraint training to assist with restraining students as appropriate.
May be assigned to accompany students or transport to and from school, as required by IEP.
May accompany, assist, and monitor students on community-based instructional outings and field trips.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS : Works in a classroom or community environment with students with a wide range of disabilities, often severe or profound. Sitting, stooping, crouching, standing, running, kneeling, squatting, walking and bending to work with assigned students. Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate office equipment, learning aids and instructional materials. Hearing and speaking to model clear English speech. Drives to various district sites. May occasionally lift or move a student weighing up to 50 pounds without assistance. May need to lift or move a student weighing more than 50 pounds with assistance. May need to push wheelchairs up and down inclines, on and off buses and steps, and on long walks out in the community. Assist in positioning of students on the floor for exercise activities, in chairs for eating, classroom activities, and resting. Arrange classroom furniture and various types of training and mobility equipment. Subject to physical and emotional outbursts by students, including such behaviors as kicking, hitting, spitting, scratching, biting, running, and verbal aggression.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Education and Experience : High school diploma and one year of paid experience equivalent to full-time in working with individuals with disabilities or current enrollment in or completion of an approved nursing, medical or health-related program and some experience with individuals with disabilities is required. Part-time experience will be considered and adjusted appropriately. Any other combination of training and experience which would likely provide the required skills, knowledge and abilities may be considered. All candidates must meet the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requirement for this position. This can be met one of three ways: (1) Possession of an associate's degree or higher; (2) completion of 48 full semester units earned at an accredited college or university; or (3) by taking and passing the ESSA exam. If you meet the ESSA requirement through possession of the associate's degree or higher or have completed at least 48 full semester units, please attach a copy of your degree or college level transcripts to your application.

CERTIFICATE: Must possess, or obtain within the first month of employment, and maintain per CPR and First Aid guidelines, a valid First Aid Certificate and a Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation Certificate (through classes endorsed by the American Heart Association or American Red Cross).

Knowledge Of

Strategies and techniques of assisting in the instruction of students who are medically fragile or who possess mobility impairments.
Special characteristics related to the supervision and motivation of students in an instructional setting.
Child guidance principles and practices related to students who are medically fragile and/or who possess orthopedic impairments.
Essential procedures and concepts related to health, safety, hygiene, and patient care.
Principles of body mechanics in transferring and providing personal care to non-ambulatory students.
Effective verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
Correct English usage, including vocabulary, punctuation, spelling and grammar.
Basic teaching techniques and methods.
Record-keeping and report preparation techniques.
Appropriate restraint procedures using district training techniques.
Appropriate hygiene standards.
Health and safety regulations as related to the position.
First Aid and CPR procedures.

Ability to

Assist in the supervision and instruction of medically fragile and/or orthopedically impaired students in a school environment.
Perform essential health care and personal hygiene tasks for students.
Successfully operate one or more pieces of medical equipment.
Safely and skillfully perform specialized health care services as directed or required.
Assist students with personal care such as dressing, eating, and toileting.
Assist students who exhibit behaviors such as biting, kicking, hitting, throwing, running, spitting, verbal aggression, pulling, and pushing.
Recognize and effectively assist in responding to emergency and/or hazardous conditions.
Transfer, position, and assist in ambulation of students who are medically fragile and/or who possess mobility impairments.
Perform physically demanding work in lifting, transferring, and assisting students.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Learn required record keeping, educational programs, medical practices, and procedures.
Gain the confidence of students.
Use patience and tact in working with students.
Follow oral and written instructions.
Communicate effectively in the English language, both in oral and written form.

SELECTION PROCEDURES

Applications will be accepted from the general public and district employees who possess the above qualifications. The district reserves the right to invite applicants whose qualifications most closely meet the requirements needed for the position to continue in the examination process. The examination may consist of an evaluation of training and experience, multiple choice, performance, and oral/technical exams. Persons needing reasonable accommodation must notify the Office of Personnel Services by the last day to file. A qualifying score must be achieved on all portions of the examination in order to be placed on the promotional eligibility list.

Non-Discrimination Statement

Garden Grove Unified School District prohibits discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying in educational programs, activities, or employment on the basis of actual or perceived ancestry, age, color, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, parental, pregnancy, family or marital status, immigration and citizenship status, military status, or association with a person or a group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.

Copies of GGUSD's policies including Uniform Complaint Procedures, Sexual Harassment Nondiscrimination, Title IX Rights and Protection, and Statewide Resources are available upon request.

Questions or complaints of alleged discrimination, harassment, intimidation, bullying, and equity should be directed to the Assistant Superintendent of K-12 Educational Services, Dr. Lorena Sanchez, at ***email_hidden*** or (714) 663-6143. Title IX equity and compliance concerns should be directed to the Director of Personnel Services, Chris Francis, at [email protected] or (714) 663-6338. Complaints may be mailed to 10331 Stanford Avenue, Garden Grove, CA 92840.

Pupils have the right to a free public education, regardless of immigration status or religious beliefs. More information about these rights is available from the California Attorney General, Know Your Rights. Contact the district office to learn more about Title IX and Sex Discrimination/Harassment including how to file a complaint.

Information About Application Procedures And Employment

HOW TO APPLY: Applications must be completed on our website at www.ggusd.us. Please note that the district office will not be giving out or accepting hard copy applications for those recruitments that are online only. Please read each posting carefully or call our office if you have any questions. All applications should be received by the Personnel Commission Office by 5:00 p.m. on the last day to file.

VETERAN'S CREDIT: Veterans shall have an additional five (5) points added to their final percentage score on an open eligibility list as prescribed by Education Code, Section 45296. "Veteran" as used in this article means any person who has served in the United States armed forces in time of war, or national emergency declared by the President of the United States of America, and who has been discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable. "Armed forces" means the United States Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard. At least thirty (30) days of active service are required to obtain veteran preference points.

Disabled veterans shall have an additional ten (10) points added to their final percentage score on an open eligibility list as prescribed by Education Code, Section 45296. A "disabled veteran" as used in this article means any veteran who is currently declared by the United States Veterans Administration to be ten percent (10%) or more disabled as a result of service in the Armed Forces of the United States. Proof of disability shall be deemed conclusive if it is of record in the United States Veterans Administration.

Additional eligibility may be granted based on future changes to the law and verification from the Veteran's Administration or the United States Office of Personnel Management.

In order to obtain credit, the applicant shall furnish satisfactory proof of qualifying military service prior to establishment of the eligibility list. No adjustment of rank on the list shall be made when such proof is presented thereafter.

A veteran may be credited veterans' preference points only to obtain initial employment in the district. Thereafter, the only additional points for an open examination shall be seniority points granted in accord with section 4220.3(C)2.

HIRING PROCEDURES: Garden Grove is a merit system (civil service) school district. Employment and promotions are based upon merit, fitness and qualifications. The person selected to fill any regular position will be from among the top three ranks on the eligibility list approved by the Personnel Commission. All regular employees will serve a six (6) month probation.

EXAMINATION FOR TUBERCULOSIS : Proof of freedom from active tuberculosis must be furnished prior to employment and must be based upon an intradermal Mantoux tuberculin skin test completed within the last 60 days.

FINGERPRINTING: All new employees will be fingerprinted.

BENEFITS: All classified employees receive the following:

Up to 22 paid vacation days per year
Up to 14 paid holidays per year
Up to 12 sick leave days per year with unlimited accumulation
Social Security coverage

All regular classified employees who are employed 30 hours or more a week are eligible for the following additional benefits:

Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance for the employee
Family Life Insurance for the employee
Generous Retirement Plan (CalPERS)

WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/MERIT SYSTEM EMPLOYER

9701.89 (Revised: 7/24)

Garden Grove Unified School District offers a tremendous benefit package that includes:

Up to 22 paid vacation days per year
Up to 14 paid holidays per year
Up to 12 sick leave days per year with unlimited accumulation
Social Security coverage

All regular employees who are employed 30 hours or more a week are eligible for the following additional benefits:

Medical, Dental and Vision insurance for the employee and family
Life Insurance for the employees
Generous Retirement Plan (CalPERS)

The information you provide on the general and supplemental applications will be used to evaluate whether you meet the minimum requirements for this position. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications for the position will be invited to participate further in the selection process. It is important that you fill out the application as complete and accurate as possible. Supplemental questions that are not answered fully and completely will be considered incomplete and will cause you to not be considered further in the recruitment process. All experience mentioned in the Supplemental Questions must also be included in the Work Experience section in order to be considered complete. A resume in lieu of a complete response on the application or the supplemental is not acceptable. Did you read and understand this information?

As of January 1, 2026, in accordance with Education Code section 44051 (as added by California SB 848), applicants for classified positions are required by law to provide a complete list of every school district, county office of education, charter school, private school, and/or state special school with which you have previously been employed, regardless of the length of service. Please be comprehensive in disclosing any part-time, full-time, and substitute employment. Failure to disclose any previous educational employment may result in the disqualification of your application.

Have you ever previously been employed by another school district, county office of education, charter school, private school, and/or state special school?

If you marked “Yes” to the previous question regarding Education Code section 44051, for each location you were previously employed at, please state:

District/County/Charter/Special/Private School Name: Job Title: Dates of Employment: Presently Employed: Yes or No

Type N/A if you have not previously been employed by a school district, county office of education, charter school, private school, and/or state special school.

What is the highest level of education you have completed?

NOTE: If you have a degree, make sure to include it in the Education section of your application.

All candidates must meet the state Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requirement for this position. This can be met one of three ways: Possession of an associate's degree or higher; completion of 48 full semester units earned at an accredited college or university; or by taking and passing the ESSA exam. If you meet the ESSA requirement through possession of the associate's degree or higher or have completed at least 48 full semester units, please attach a copy of your degree or college level transcripts to your application.

High School Diploma or GED
Forty-eight (48) full semester units or seventy-two (72) college quarter units or more
Associate's (AA) degree
Bachelor's (BA) degree
Master's (MA) degree
None of the above

The Requirements For This Position Are Either

One year of paid experience (equivalent to full-time) working with individuals with disabilities; or
Current enrollment in or completion of an approved nursing, medical or health-related program and some experience working with individuals with disabilities.

Please select which qualifies you for this position.

NOTE: Two (2) years of part-time experience is equal to one (1) year of full-time.

I have at least one (1) year of paid experience working with individuals with disabilities.
I am currently enrolled in or completed an approved nursing, medical or health-related program and have some experience working with individuals with disabilities.
Neither of these.

Please describe how you meet the experience requirement in the previous question and include details about the duties you performed while working with individuals with disabilities.

In your response, include the place where you worked, your job title, and the dates you worked for each position.

NOTE: The jobs you list in your answer need to also be listed in the Work Experience section of your application.

If you are currently enrolled in or have completed an approved nursing, medical or health-related program, list the school you attended and the name of the program.

Do you possess a valid First Aid Certificate and a Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation Certificate (CPR) through classes endorsed by the American Heart Association or American Red Cross? Note: If you do not, they must be obtained within the first month of employment.

The questions below are designed for you to indicate which of the tasks you are WILLING to perform. Respond to each question and indicate whether you will or will not do the task. Please keep in mind that all of the tasks listed below are REQUIRED of the position. If you are not willing to do any one of the tasks listed below, you will not be recommended for further consideration in the recruitment process.

Did you read and understand these instructions?

Individually, or with the assistance of other staff members, lift and position students in and out of wheelchairs, braces and/or other orthopedic equipment.

Assist students requiring specialized physical health care procedures such as gastroscopy tube feedings, oral feedings, tracheotomy suctioning, and/or catheters.

Assist students (ages 5-17) in performing personal hygiene and grooming functions, including toileting, diapering, eating, dressing, and positioning.

Work where contact with bodily fluids will occur.

Work with students who have profound disabilities and who may exhibit behaviors such as biting, kicking, hitting, throwing, running, spitting, verbal aggression, pulling, and pushing.

Yes
No
Required Question