Primary Purpose of Position:

The Teacher Assistant provides educational, behavioral, and therapeutic support to children and adolescents receiving services within the Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF). Working under the direction and supervision of the classroom teacher and in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team, the Teacher Assistant assists residents with academic instruction, classroom participation, behavioral regulation, social-emotional development, and successful completion of educational activities. The Teacher Assistant is expected to maintain a structured, trauma-informed, therapeutic, and safe learning environment while supporting each resident's individualized educational and treatment needs. The position requires the ability to work effectively with youth who may demonstrate significant emotional, behavioral, psychiatric, developmental, or trauma-related needs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Educational and Classroom Support Assist the classroom teacher with implementation of daily lesson plans, instructional activities, assignments, and educational programming. Provide individual and small-group instructional assistance as directed by the teacher. Assist residents with understanding assignments, completing classwork, developing study skills, and remaining academically engaged. Reinforce instructional concepts and provide appropriate academic assistance without completing work for the resident. Assist with preparing classroom materials, educational resources, learning activities, and instructional equipment. Support implementation of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), Section 504 Plans, behavioral plans, and other educational accommodations as applicable and as directed by qualified educational personnel. Assist residents with organization, time management, classroom transitions, and completion of educational responsibilities. Promote educational achievement and encourage residents to develop confidence, independence, and appropriate academic behaviors. Maintain awareness of each resident's educational needs while protecting confidentiality. Behavioral and Therapeutic Support Maintain a structured, therapeutic, trauma-informed, and developmentally appropriate classroom environment. Reinforce facility expectations, classroom rules, treatment goals, behavioral expectations, and positive coping strategies. Utilize approved therapeutic communication, positive behavioral supports, redirection, de-escalation, and crisis-prevention techniques. Recognize early signs of emotional or behavioral dysregulation and intervene according to the resident's treatment plan, safety plan, behavioral support plan, and facility procedures. Avoid power struggles, confrontational interactions, punitive responses, and other practices inconsistent with therapeutic residential care. Encourage residents to appropriately identify and communicate emotions, needs, concerns, and frustrations. Model appropriate communication, problem-solving, conflict-resolution, emotional regulation, and interpersonal skills. Coordinate with clinical and residential staff when behavioral or emotional concerns interfere with a resident's educational participation.

RESIDENT SAFETY AND SUPERVISION

Maintain appropriate visual and physical supervision of residents according to facility policies, individualized treatment needs, and assigned supervision levels. Maintain accurate resident accountability during classroom activities, transitions, educational programming, and movement throughout the facility. Immediately report safety concerns, changes in behavior, threats, aggression, self-injurious behavior, suicidal statements, elopement risk, suspected abuse or neglect, contraband, or other significant concerns according to facility procedures. Follow established procedures for emergency response, behavioral crises, medical emergencies, elopement, and other critical incidents. Participate in crisis prevention and intervention procedures only within the employee's training, competency, and authorized scope. Maintain an environment free from hazards and promptly report environmental or safety concerns. Follow facility procedures regarding prohibited items, resident belongings, searches, and contraband.

INTERDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATION

The Teacher Assistant functions as a member of the resident's multidisciplinary treatment environment and is expected to: Communicate professionally with teachers, therapists, nurses, direct care staff, case managers, administrators, guardians, and other authorized professionals. Share relevant observations regarding educational participation, behavioral functioning, coping skills, peer interactions, and significant changes in resident functioning. Participate in staff meetings, educational meetings, treatment team meetings, case staffing, and training activities when requested. Reinforce treatment-team recommendations within the educational environment when appropriate. Maintain professional boundaries and ensure that communication regarding residents occurs only with authorized individuals.

DOCUMENTATION RESPONSIBILITIES

Complete required educational, behavioral, incident, and facility documentation accurately and within established timeframes. Document significant classroom behaviors, interventions, resident responses, educational participation, and other required information objectively. Immediately communicate significant behavioral or safety events to appropriate supervisory, clinical, nursing, and administrative personnel. Maintain educational records and resident information in accordance with applicable confidentiality requirements and facility policy. Ensure documentation is factual, professional, legible, objective, and free from judgmental or inappropriate terminology.

RESIDENT RIGHTS AND PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

The Teacher Assistant shall: Treat all residents with dignity, respect, fairness, and sensitivity. Protect resident confidentiality and privacy. Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with residents and families. Refrain from corporal punishment, humiliation, intimidation, retaliation, discrimination, threats, inappropriate restraint, or other prohibited practices. Follow mandatory reporting requirements concerning suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, or other reportable events. Promote a therapeutic culture that recognizes residents' strengths while maintaining appropriate behavioral expectations and accountability. Demonstrate cultural responsiveness and respect for individual differences.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates should meet facility requirements and any applicable educational, contractual, accreditation, or North Carolina requirements for the position.

Preferred qualifications include:

High school diploma or equivalent required. Associate degree or higher in Education, Special Education, Psychology, Human Services, Child Development, Behavioral Health, or a related field preferred. Previous experience working with children or adolescents in an educational, behavioral health, residential, special education, or therapeutic environment preferred. Experience working with youth with emotional or behavioral challenges is strongly preferred. Ability to effectively read, write, communicate, and document in English. Ability to understand and implement written and verbal instructions. Ability to work collaboratively within an interdisciplinary environment. Successful completion of required background, registry, health, credentialing, and employment screenings.

REQUIRED TRAINING AND COMPETENCIES

The Teacher Assistant must complete all orientation, annual training, competency assessments, and continuing education required by Canyon Hills Treatment Facility and applicable regulatory standards.

Training may include:

PRTF orientation Trauma-informed care Therapeutic communication Crisis prevention and de-escalation Facility-approved restrictive intervention training, when applicable to the position CPR and First Aid Resident rights Confidentiality and HIPAA Abuse, neglect, and exploitation recognition and reporting Suicide and self-harm awareness Elopement prevention and response Professional boundaries Behavior management and positive behavioral supports Emergency and disaster procedures Infection prevention and control Cultural competency Workplace safety Educational and classroom-management procedures Employees must maintain all required certifications and competencies as a condition of continued employment when applicable.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

The successful Teacher Assistant must demonstrate the ability to: Establish appropriate therapeutic rapport with children and adolescents. Remain calm and professional during behavioral or psychiatric crises. Provide clear, consistent, and developmentally appropriate directions. Redirect inappropriate behavior without escalating conflict. Recognize changes in resident mood, behavior, functioning, or safety risk. Maintain appropriate resident supervision and accountability. Support youth with varying academic abilities and learning needs. Maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries. Communicate effectively with educational, clinical, medical, residential, and administrative personnel. Accept supervision, coaching, corrective feedback, and ongoing professional development. Exercise sound judgment within the scope of assigned responsibilities.

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

The position may require the employee to: Sit, stand, walk, bend, stoop, reach, and move throughout the facility for extended periods. Accompany and supervise residents during classroom transitions and other approved activities. Respond promptly to behavioral, medical, or environmental emergencies. Perform physical activities associated with facility-approved crisis intervention procedures when properly trained and authorized. Work in an environment in which residents may exhibit verbal aggression, physical aggression, property destruction, emotional dysregulation, self-injurious behavior, or other challenging behaviors. Reasonable accommodations will be considered in accordance with applicable law.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

Performance will be evaluated based upon factors including: Resident safety and supervision Educational support and classroom effectiveness Therapeutic communication Behavioral management and de-escalation Professional boundaries Documentation accuracy and timeliness Attendance and punctuality Compliance with facility policies and procedures Teamwork and communication Confidentiality Resident rights Completion of required training Responsiveness to supervision and corrective feedback

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Continued employment is contingent upon maintaining all qualifications, training, certifications, screenings, and competencies required by Canyon Hills Treatment Facility and applicable federal and North Carolina requirements. The Teacher Assistant is required to comply with all Canyon Hills Treatment Facility policies and procedures, including policies related to resident rights, confidentiality, professional conduct, supervision, safety, emergency response, abuse and neglect reporting, documentation, and therapeutic interactions.

DISCLAIMER

This job description describes the general nature and essential responsibilities of the position and is not intended to represent an exhaustive list of every duty that may be assigned. Responsibilities may be modified based upon resident needs, program operations, regulatory requirements, and organizational needs. Nothing in this job description authorizes the Teacher Assistant to perform duties outside the employee's education, training, competency, professional scope, or facility authorization.

Benefits:

Dental insurance Health insurance Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person