Instructional Assistant

Direct Support Professional - Children's Services

Instructional Assistant: Support, Strength, and Compassion in Every Interaction

At Grafton Integrated Health Network, we’re guided by a shared purpose

helping individuals overcome barriers to live meaningful, fulfilling lives. As a Lead Mental Health Technician, your meaningful impact comes through hands-on support, encouragement, and the daily care that fosters growth and stability. You’ll thrive within a culture of teamwork and collaboration, surrounded by professionals who value your compassion and commitment. And because we care for you so you can care for others, we provide ongoing training, mentorship, and support to help you succeed.

Join us - and experience the deep fulfillment of knowing your work truly makes a difference! Be part of a team that leads with heart and grit, the Grafton way—where compassion and clinical excellence come together to change lives.

• Under general supervision, Direct Support Professionals in our Education program, participate in the direct care and plan implementation for clients, as prescribed by physician and treatment teams.
• They assist the Academic Teacher in implementing instructional and therapeutic activities.
• They may assist with writing lesson plans and preparing instructional materials to support instruction.
• They assist the Academic Teacher with assessing progress (analysis of data) and modifying teaching techniques to promote achievement of each assigned client’s established goals.
• They work with clients in residences during academic breaks and holidays.
• In community-based programs, they provide transportation between the residence and school.
• They provide supervision, safety and crisis management for the client population; complete documentation of client behavior and participation in programming; adhere to the scheduled activities; role model positive, mature behavior; utilize proactive behavioral strategies to minimize client crisis and maximize success.
• They report to a teacher or program supervisor/ manager.

Essential job functions

• 1. Health, Safety and Wellness of Clients
• Ensures medications are delivered accurately and on time.
• Provides for the well-being and safety of clients.
• Supports client health and hygiene.
• Utilizes infection control procedures.
• Reports serious incidents, participates in reviews and implements follow-up measures, as applicable. 2. Individual Plan Implementation
• Knows the SNAP (strengths, needs, abilities and preferences), goals/objectives/outcomes and treatment strategies from the current Plans (Treatment Plan, IEP, ISP) of assigned clients.
• Promotes clients’ achievement of behavioral goals by implementing the behavior strategies and teaching alternative behaviors, as indicated in the Treatment Plan/IEP/ISP.
• Actively instructs assigned clients so they can achieve education/residential goals and objectives or ID Waiver outcomes.
• Collects and documents behavioral and instructional data, accurately and reliably.
• Documents services delivered accurately and in a timely manner.
• Maintains a high level of engagement with and monitoring of clients. Implements planned activities throughout the workday. 3. Provides a Supportive and Solution–Focused Environment
• Builds trusting, respectful relationships with clients and helps clients do the same.
• Demonstrates knowledge about the symptoms and supports associated with diagnoses of assigned clients and a trauma-informed care approach.
• Manages behavioral crisis safely.
• Collaborates with the Treatment Team to provide continuity of support and care, by communicating and contributing to team discussions and decisions.
• Exhibits exemplary customer service with guardians, agency personnel and visitors. 4. Site Management – Housekeeping, Nutrition, Transportation, Finances
• Ensures a safe residence / classroom environment.
• Assures a clean and organized residence/classroom.
• Promotes good nutrition and, in group homes, assists with meal preparation.
• Provides transportation / community mobility.
• Assists with purchases and is accountable for program and client money, as applicable. 5. Teamwork and commitment to the mission, values and vision of Grafton
• Demonstrates knowledge of organization.
• Demonstrates the core values of personal integrity and accountability.
• Performs other duties, as assigned.

• Minimum training and experience
• A bachelor's degree in human services; or an associate's degree and 3 months experience working with children; or be a high school graduate or have a G.E.D. and 6 months experience working with children
• Must be 19 years of age
• Must pass criminal background check and pre-employment drug screen
• Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record
• Demonstrates moderate computer skills – how to log-in, how to navigate the Web for information, how to start and save a document in Microsoft WORD, and has basic keyboarding skills.

Employee benefits

• Caring for You, So You can Care for Others
• Free meals during shift, as available
• Medical, dental and vision
• Flexible Spending & Health Savings Accounts
• Generous Paid Time Off plan & attendance incentives
• Employer Paid Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Short-term disability (STD)
• Long-term disability (LTD)

Stronger Together

• Supporting Your Growth & Success
• Paid Career Development - we pay you while becoming certified in CPR, Ukeru [https://www.ukerusystems.com/], Mandt [https://www.mandtsystem.com/] and other career training!
• 401(k), including an employer match up to $2,500 annually
• Education Assistance up to $5,250 annually
• As Grafton is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, you may be eligible for federal student loan forgiveness

If you have issues applying or have any questions about this position, please reach out to us at hr@grafton.org

Grafton is an equal employment opportunity employer and tobacco-free workplace.