Learning Assistant Jobs in Grand Junction, CO (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Attendant, Medically Fragile

Pay Program: Support Staff, Non-Exempt

Pay Range: Range 10  ($21.62 - $24.12)

Work Year:  Student Contact Days 173 days / 8 hours per day

Reports to:  Building Leader/Registered Nurse

Summary

Operating under the direction of the assigned Registered Nurse (RN) and Building Leader, this position provides direct support to students with significant medical needs, requiring constant monitoring, immediate response to health changes, and specialized medical procedures under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN). This role combines health and personal care with support for access to education, ensuring student safety, dignity, and participation in school and community settings. The position involves working with specialized medical equipment, possible exposure to bodily fluids, and physical demands such as lifting, positioning, and transferring students, requiring flexibility and close collaboration with nurses, teachers, and staff.

Essential Responsibilities - To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Frequency of responsibility, percent of time and work year may vary based on department or building assignment.

Health and Safety Support

• Provide continuous monitoring and supervision for medically fragile students with complex health needs.
• Respond immediately with medically appropriate interventions, including in potential life-threatening situations, as outlined in each student's individualized health management plan.
• Perform delegated medical procedures (e.g. suctioning, tracheostomy care, wound care, tube replacement, G-tube feeding, medication administration, seizure monitoring) under the oversight of the assigned Registered Nurse (RN).
• Maintain a safe, stable environment while safeguarding student dignity and privacy.
• Work with specialized medical equipment and procedures, with possible exposure to bodily fluids.

Child-Specific Medical Skills

• Implement the individualized health management plan for the assigned student.
• Monitor the student's medical status, which may include respiratory systems, wound care, mobility, or other complex conditions.
• Apply specialized skills and techniques as trained and delegated by the RN.
• Adjust care and interventions to the unique needs of the student supported.
• Remain flexible and responsive to changing medical and educational needs throughout the school day.

Personal Care and Daily Living Support

• Provide direct personal assistance, including dispensing medications, meal preparation, feeding, toileting, and other care measures as needed.
• Support students with self-care, hygiene, and mobility within the school environment.
• Lift, position, and transfer students as needed, assisting with mobility and the safe use of equipment.
• Adapt assistance to individual student needs while promoting independence, dignity, and access to school activities.

Access to Education Support

• Implement instructional activities developed by licensed staff to help students access learning.
• Assist with communication devices, interpret non-verbal cues, and facilitate use of assistive technology and multi-sensory materials.
• Support  life skills, hygiene, and social/emotional development as medical safety allows.

Medical Documentation and Communication

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records, including activity logs, medications, procedures, and equipment inventory.
• Complete documentation to meet legal, compliance, and claimable funding purposes.
• Proactively communicate concerns or questions about the student's medical status or care practices to the assigned Registered Nurse (RN).

Collaboration and Team Support

• Participate in team planning, meetings, and professional development activities as needed.
• Share information and strategies to ensure student needs are met.
• Collaborate closely with nurses, teachers, and other staff to maintain student safety and access to learning.
• Accompany and support students during field trips and community outings as required.

Other Duties

• Additional tasks, duties, and responsibilities may be assigned as needed/requested.

Education and Experience 

Acceptable demonstration of acceptable education and/or experience will be at the sole discretion of the District.

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Prior experience working in direct health/patient care in a health care facility and/or prior experience providing delegated medical care in a school setting preferred
• Two years of experience working with students required
• Prior school district experience preferred
• One-year experience working directly with students who have significant disabilities required

Licenses, Registrations or Certifications

• Criminal background check required for hire
• Valid Colorado driver's license or valid Colorado identification required
• Must be able to lift 35 pounds. Lift test required at time of hire
• Quality Behavior Solutions certification (QBS) must be obtained within 90 days of hire
• CPR/AED Certification and general first aid training required (or ability to obtain  within 30 days of hire)
• District-provided training in specialized medical procedures (e.g., G-tube feeding, suctioning, tracheostomy care, wound care, seizure protocols) required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to be adaptable and flexible with collaborative critical thinking and problem-solving capabilities
• Clear and effective written and verbal communication skills
• Strong customer service skills, with the ability to provide support in a professional and approachable manner
• Commitment to handling sensitive and confidential information with the highest ethical standards
• Strong interpersonal skills to collaborate with staff and various stakeholders
• Ability to lead, communicate, interact and work effectively and cooperatively with people from diverse ethnic and educational backgrounds
• Ability to follow applicable federal, state, local laws and Board of Education policies, in addition to building and department procedures
• Ability to recognize the importance of safety in the workplace, follow safety rules, practice safe work habits, utilize appropriate safety equipment and report unsafe conditions to the appropriate administrator
• Well-developed customer service, public relations, and interpersonal relationship building skills
• Strong ability to use de-escalation techniques and to defuse stressful and possibly volatile situations
• Ability to work independently as needed with minimal direction and/or supervision
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and frequent interruptions in a timely manner
• Ability to be adaptable and flexible with critical thinking and problem-solving capabilities
• Operating knowledge of and experience with personal computers and peripherals
• Operating knowledge of and experience with office software such as word processing, spreadsheets, and email
• Operating knowledge of and experience with typical office equipment, such as copier, scanner, fax machine, etc.
• Ability to remain calm, focused, and responsive during medical emergencies.
• Strong observational skills and attention to detail for monitoring medical status and documenting care.
• Skill in learning and using communication devices, assistive technology, and adaptive equipment.
• Physical ability to lift, position, and transfer students and operate medical or mobility equipment as needed.

Salary & Benefits:
View all salary schedules for the current school year at: https://www.d51schools.org/departments111/human-resources/salary-schedules
Information regarding D51 Benefits can be found here: https://www.d51schools.org/departments111/human-resources/employee-benefits