The International Academy for the Brain (iBRAIN-Academy) is one of the largest brain-injury special education programs in the world. iBRAIN-Academy’s mission is to research, develop, and implement special education and related services for school-aged (3 to 21 years of age) students, as well as the development of a fully-inclusive education model, predicated on our Common Planning and Clinical-Educational Grand Rounds Model.
iBRAIN-Academy is headquartered in New York City with current locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Washington, D.C. iBRAIN is expanding to add an out-patient clinic (iBRAIN-Center), as well as growing its research efforts for the brain injury and brain-based disorders community (iBRAIN-Institute).
Position Title:
Research Assistant- Paraprofessional
Position Summary:
The Research Assistant - Paraprofessional will be working within a Muti-disciplinary Team to assist his or her assigned student in all aspects of the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) throughout each day. The student population is primarily non-verbal and non-ambulatory (in a wheelchair), and as such, this position plays an important part of the student’s day by supporting the student throughout academic and therapy sessions, ensuring the student is repositioned and transferred safely throughout the day, and assisting the student with all aspects of self-care. In addition, it is critical to be part of the research efforts surrounding his or her assigned student. Successful attributes include a background in neuroscience, psychology, social work, nursing, or pre-medicine, a strong strategic focus, individual leadership in an environment that promotes innovation and continuous improvement, effective communication with key constituents and stakeholders, and accountability for results.
Paraprofessional Duties
- Works under the supervision of the Deputy Director of Special Education and Associate Paraprofessional Special Education Director.
- Working closely with and under the supervision of their student’s Multi-disciplinary Team (special education teacher, physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech-language therapist, nursing, and medical staff, and/or vision education, hearing education, assistive technology, and music therapist) to achieve the goals set in the student’s IEP.
- Working to support their student inside and outside the classroom in order to enable the student to fully participate in activities, as well as provide support in daily academic and related service sessions.
- Attend to the students emotional, physical, and personal needs. This includes toileting, feeding, transferring, and supporting with student equipment, etc.,
- Assist student during Aquatic Therapy. You are expected to get into the water with your student – be comfortable entering and standing in 3 feet of water.
- Working with the student’s Multi-disciplinary Team to collect and analyze data for the student toward their IEP goals and benchmarks as well as other health related data analysis.
- Participate in group meetings and internal seminars.
- Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned by Multi-disciplinary Team.
- Motivation to learn new skills and knowledge.
- Possess sound judgment with a collaborative style that fosters teamwork and cooperation from the immediate team to the broader institute.
- Assist in the organization and maintenance of equipment and supplies.
- Required to check and answer emails in a timely manner.
- Assist in providing instructional activities during the student’s free time with the guidance of the classroom teacher/teacher’s assistant. Actively participating in progress monitoring data collection under the supervision of the teacher.
- Assist students during doctor office visits, field trips, and telehealth services.
- Helps prepare and organize instructional materials
- Must be able to lift (at least 50lbs.), transfer, and support students during their related service sessions.
Research Duties
- Prepare and submit wellness reports, which include 2 body checks, 2 wheelchair checks, and an overview of the student’s wellness (daily).
- Collaborate with the nurse to submit seizure-like event reports with media (promptly submitted, as applicable to the student).
- Grand Rounds to include preparing slides according to provided format, attending GR training meetings (ongoing), attend practice session (as scheduled), giving formal GR presentation (quarterly), and being confident in describing & scoring assessments (semi-annual hands-on practicum or quiz).
- Participation in regular iBRAIN Research meetings on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and others (as scheduled).
- RA/Para will fully understand their student's IEP & have a heightened ability to formulate in-depth student-specific research questions.
- Complete iBRAIN Research Integrity annual training.
- Completes designated CITI training modules for the protection of human subjects.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in neuroscience, psychology, social work, nursing, pre-medicine, or related field is required.
- Must be able to pass ALL of the FREE eLearning Short Courses in Clinical Research from The Global Health Training Centre website (https://globalhealthtrainingcentre.tghn.org/elearning/short-courses/)
- Must have excellent communication skills.
- Must be able to lift and carry at least 50 pounds independently.
- Must be detail-oriented, focused, highly motivated, and able to work as part of a team.
Other Requirements:
- Intrapersonal skills: Possesses a strong ability to interact with tact and diplomacy. Maintaining appropriate and timely responsiveness in all interactions whether under pressures, deadlines, or changes in priorities is a key asset.
- Candidate must have ability to work independently and collaboratively.
- Importantly, must have a passion for iBRAIN’s mission and a commitment to exceptional quality.
- Fluency in Spanish is a plus.
- MUST HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOR
Benefits:
Health insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Paid time off
Hours:
Monday through Friday, 8.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Salary Range:
$40,000 to $50,000
Reports to:
Associate Paraprofessional Special Education Director
Job Type:
Full time; In-person (no remote/hybrid)
Location(s):
New York (Manhattan or Brooklyn; iBRAIN-Academy campus)
Please note this position adheres to iBRAIN-Academy’s calendar.
Note: This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and/or qualifications associated with the position.
Employment with iBRAIN is contingent upon successful completion of any and all post-screening processes, including a reference and background check, and license/certification/degree verifications if/where applicable.
Please send a resume and cover letter to Jobs@ibrainnyc.org unless a specific job description specifies otherwise.