Residential Assistant

Residential Assistant

Department:  Deafblind 

Schedule: Full-time & Part-time

Perkins School for the Blind, located near Boston, was the first school for the blind chartered in the United States in 1829. For over 180 years, the staff at Perkins have been providing quality services to students and clients who are blind, visually impaired, deafblind and multi-impaired. Perkins School for the Blind embraces diversity in ability, thought, culture and belief. We provide equal education and employment opportunities and value the unique talents and contributions of all of our students and staff.

The Residential Assistant works with multiply impaired, deaf and deafblind students 5-22 years of age. Responsibilities include providing direct care, independent living skills training, assisting with lifting and transferring, implementing behavioral interventions and communication skills.

Responsibilities:

• Promotes student independence, self-confidence, and development of social, organizational, and other critical skills to the maximum extent possible.
• Takes initiative to plan activities that meet the development level of the student.
• Assists students in helping them to control their behaviors.
• Provides and monitors direct care tailored to the student’s individual performance levels and needs of students in a manner which respects student rights to privacy and dignity.
• Provides the appropriate level of physical assistance to students and assists student participation in all activities.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the general curriculum as well as the expanded core curriculum.
• Assists in the development and implementation of IEP (Individualized Education Plan) goals, objectives and strategies.
• Develops and prioritizes measurable objectives for students, both short and long term.
• Develops performance measures and informs students of the criteria for success.
• Evaluates student performance, keeps records, and reports progress in learning.
• Assists in providing a language and communication model based on the individual needs of the student.
• Performs other related duties and tasks as assigned.

Minimum Requirements:

• High School diploma
• Willingness to complete and maintain First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Automated External Defibrillator (AED), and Crisis Prevention and Physical Intervention (CPPI) certifications; Sign Language (dependent on program needs)