Para-Educator
Make a lasting impact as a Paraeducator! The Department of Rehabilitation Therapies at the University Campus of University of Iowa Health Care is looking to hire a Paraeducator. Support students ages 5–17 in a therapeutic, trauma-informed classroom as they navigate their journey to wellness. You will collaborate with a dynamic team to deliver personalized instruction, foster positive coping skills, and create a safe, upbeat learning environment. If you are patient, flexible, and enthusiastic about helping kids thrive during challenging times, join us in helping students stay on track for a bright future! This position is located on our Medical Center University Campus.
Duties to include:
• Assist licensed teaching staff in implementing daily instructional activities for students ages 5–17 receiving acute inpatient behavioral health treatment.
• Provide one-on-one and small-group academic support to reinforce lesson objectives and promote student engagement.
• Support the implementation of individualized education plans (IEPs), behavior intervention plans (BIPs), and classroom accommodations as directed by the supervising teacher.
• Assist in maintaining a structured, therapeutic, and trauma-informed classroom environment that supports student safety and emotional regulation.
• Monitor student behavior and provide appropriate redirection, encouragement, and positive reinforcement in alignment with established behavioral strategies.
• Assist students with transitions between activities, classrooms, and treatment-related appointments while maintaining safety and supervision.
• Support students in developing social skills, coping strategies, and appropriate classroom behaviors.
• Observe and document student participation, behavior, and progress, and communicate relevant information to teaching staff and educational services leadership.
• Collaborate with teachers and interdisciplinary treatment team members, including clinical and nursing staff, to support students’ educational and treatment goals.
• Follow all hospital policies, safety procedures, and infection control protocols specific to the acute care setting.
• Respond calmly and appropriately to behavioral escalations using approved de-escalation techniques and crisis prevention strategies.
About:
University of Iowa Health Care —recognized as one of the best hospitals in the United States—is Iowa's only comprehensive academic medical center and a regional referral center. Each day more than 18,000 employees, students, and volunteers work together to provide safe, quality health care and excellent service for our patients. Simply stated, our mission is: Changing Medicine. Changing Lives. ®
• On Campus: This position is performed fully on the Medical Center University Campus.
• This position is: Full-time, 100%
• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm.
• Fringe benefit package includes paid vacation; sick leave; health, dental, life and disability insurance options; and generous employer contributions into retirement plans.
Minimum Eligibility Requirements:
• State of Iowa Paraeducators certificate or 2 years equivalent post-secondary coursework in education, psychology, or related area of study is required.
Special Qualification:
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Desirable Qualifications:
• Knowledge of behavioral strategies, disabilities, principles of child development and abuse reporting mandates.
• Ability to learn forms of communication appropriate for the population served such as Braille, sign language, and other adaptive forms of communication.
• Ability to be a positive role model for students.
• Ability to move, transfer and position students as needed using safe and effective techniques.
Position and Application Details:
To be considered for an interview, applicants must upload both the following documents and mark them as a “Relevant File” to the submission.
• Resume
• Cover Letter
Job openings are posted for a minimum of 10 calendar days. This job may be removed from posting and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended. Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. Up to five professional references will be requested at a later stage in the recruitment process. For additional questions, please contact Matt Hackler, HR Generalist at mhackler@uiowa.edu. This position is not eligible for university sponsorship for employment authorization.
Additional Information:
• Classification Title: Paraeducator
• Appointment Type: MERIT
Compensation:
• Pay Level: 07.
• Pay Plan: Merit Alpha Matrix | University Human Resources - The University of Iowa
Contact Information:
• Organization: Rehabilitation Therapies, Medical Center University Campus
• Contact Name: Matthew Hackler
• Contact Email: mhackler@uiowa.edu
Equal opportunity employer
The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, or associational preferences.
Persons with disabilities who need assistance or accommodations with the application or interview process may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, (319) 335-2660 or fsds@uiowa.edu. For jobs in UI Health care, please contact UI Health care Leave & Disability Administration at 319-356-7543.
