Care Companion

• Under the direction of the Mental Health Clinical Supervisor, provides individualized one-on-one behavioral support by matching the intervention to the unique needs of each child.

• Addresses unsafe behaviors through the utilization of the Teaching Pyramid, Handle With Care, or other supportive non-physical strategies.

• Assist in the implementation of the students Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), Individualized Educational Plan (IEP), and/or their mental health consultation plan.

• Actively participate and collaborate in all assigned meetings.

• Assist the teacher in establishing and maintaining a clean, safe, and cooperative classroom and learning environment.

• Coach teachers and parents by modeling strategies and providing education on

effective methods to support the child’s prosocial behavior and development.

• Accompany and supervise the student on community based instructional outings or field trips; reinforces positive behavior in public settings; assist the student in learning life skills such as crossing streets safely, riding buses, etc.

• Confer, on a regular basis, with teachers regarding planning and scheduling activities, progress in instructional goals and objectives, pertinent health or behavior concerns and overall child progress.

• Provide center team, EHSS Manager, and the Mental Health Clinical Supervisor with information on student progress through observation, daily contact, and maintenance of accurate student progress records/logs.

• Assist students in becoming self-reliant; foster student independence in classroom and learning environments.

• Assist children with toileting and at mealtimes according to their individual needs.

• Assist with lifting a student in and out of wheelchairs, braces, and other orthopedic equipment; assist in physically transferring a student to and from their wheelchairs for busing, school, and/or community activities.

• Guide students and/or provide appropriate modeling in a variety of areas to support safe and full participation in class activities.

• Maintain confidentiality of child records and classroom information in accordance with licensing requirements and agency policies.

• Participate in weekly case supervision with Mental Health Clinical Supervisor.

• Conduct home visits in partnership with other team members, when requested by the families.

• Attend training, in-service, and staff meetings as required, which may occur offsite and beyond the normal workday or work week.

• Other duties as assigned by the Mental Health Clinical Supervisor, Educational Health and Supportive Services Director, Program Director, or Chief Executive Officer.

• Ensure the health and welfare of children and staff is always maintained.

• Mandated to report suspected child abuse.

• Report safety hazards and injuries immediately to ensure the proper paperwork is completed in a timely manner.
• BA/BS in Child Development, Education, Psychology, and/or related field is preferred. Years of experience can be counted in lieu of a formal degree.

• 2 years previous experience working with children in mental health, applied behavioral analysis (ABA), or childcare setting.

• Must be in good health as verified by a current health screening, including a test for Tuberculosis performed under the supervision of a physician not more than 60 days prior to employment.

• Proof of up-to-date immunization records to include but not limited to Measles, Pertussis, Tuberculosis (every 4 years), and Influenza (annually).

• Must be able to pass a fingerprint clearance, criminal record, FBI and DOJ clearance and child abuse index check prior to employment.

• Must possess California Driver’s License and meet minimum insurance requirements for personal vehicles and have a driving record which meets the standards set forth in Administrative Regulation 4532 and 4533. If current auto insurance has a “Business Use Exclusion” it will need to be removed from your policy.

• Current Pediatric CPR and First Aid certificate from an approved vendor required.

• Completion of Mandated Reporter Training as per Assembly Bill 1207. Must be completed every 2 years.

• Bilingual/Biliterate a plus.

Physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met (or may be encountered) by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

ü Requires employee, on a regular basis, to do the following: stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, feel, reach with hands and arms, stoup, kneel, crouch, crawl, talk, hear, smell, lift 35 pounds or more, move safely and quickly across surfaces.

ü Requires employee, on occasion, to climb or balance.

ü Requires employee, on a regular basis, to use the following visually: close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to judge distances.

ü Requires employee, on a regular basis, to use their hearing to: respond quickly to sounds, recognize alarms, and receive detailed information through oral communication.

ü Requires employee, on a regular basis, to drive a vehicle to conduct work.

ü Requires an employee to have the ability wear personal protective gear correctly most of the day (as needed).

ü Requires employee, on a regular basis, to work outdoors in cold, wet and heat conditions.

Requires employee, on a regular basis, to work in a noisy environment