Personal Care Assistant (PCA) - Job Description

Aug 30, 2026

Personal Care Assistant (PCA) job description outlines duties performed under supervision of a certified professional to support assigned students’ educational, physical, emotional, and personal needs as defined in each student’s IEP. Responsibilities include instructional reinforcement, safety monitoring, redirecting negative behavior, implementing de-escalation and crisis prevention/intervention, maintaining daily activity logs, and supporting classroom discipline. Qualifications cover education, required clearances, preferred training and certifications, and strong communication, confidentiality, and ethical conduct aligned with FERPA.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time10 min

AccessFree to download

Job Description Summary

Qualifications and Essential Skills

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Additional Responsibilities

Reporting and Employment Terms

Physical Demands

Personal Care Assistant (PCA) Job Description Summary Under the immediate supervision of a certified professional, the Personal Care Assistant (PCA) assists in maintaining a safe and therapeutic treatment environment that meets the educational, physical, emotional, and / or personal needs of an assigned student(s), as outlined in the students Individual Educational Plan (IEP.) The Personal Care Assistant’s duties may include, but not be limited to, assisting student(s) with completing classroom assignments and projects, monitoring student’s safety, redirect negative behavior, implement de-escalation strategies, and / or conduct crisis prevention and intervention plans. The PCA will support and reinforce the teacher’s general program and management strategies including, but not limited to, appropriate and approved therapeutic interactions skills such as building relationships, listening, praising effectively, and assisting student(s) in daily activities. The role of the PCA varies according to a student’s needs as outlined in their IEP. Qualifications and Essential Skills 􀁸 High School Diploma, or its equivalent, required. 􀁸 Associate’s Degree in Child Development or related field or successfully passing the ParaPro exam preferred. 􀁸 Act 33 / 34, Act 114, and Act 151 Clearances required. 􀁸 Valid Driver’s License preferred. 􀁸 Training in Crisis Intervention preferred. 􀁸 CPR / AED / First Aid Certified preferred. 􀁸 Experience working with children with special needs is preferred. 􀁸 Experience working in an educational setting is preferred. 􀁸 Have an in-depth understanding and working knowledge of diversity, inclusion, and equity regarding students, staff, programs, services, and activities. 􀁸 Able to work as part of the educational team while supporting the individual needs of the student as identified on the student’s Individual Educational Program (IEP.) 􀁸 Strong interpersonal skills. 􀁸 Able to deal courteously and tactfully with all District personnel, students, and community stakeholders. 􀁸 Able to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. 􀁸 Be service oriented and able to work with minimal supervision. Essential Duties and Responsibilities 􀁸 Prepare, collect and set-up materials for student participation, following teacher direction. 􀁸 Provide instructional reinforcement, behavioral, or physical assistance to student(s) individually at the direction of the teacher to reinforce and follow up instruction. 􀁸 Guide independent study, enrichment work, and remedial work set up and assigned by the teacher. 􀁸 Maintain daily activity logs for your assigned student(s) . 􀁸 Alert regular and / or special education teacher to any problem or special information about your individual student(s) . 􀁸 Serve as the chief source of information for your assigned student(s) to assist an assigned a substitute teacher appointed in the absence of the regular teacher. 􀁸 Maintain a high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality of student information in accordance with FERPA. 􀁸 Operate and / or assist in the use of student mobility devices such as, but not limited to, walker, wheelchair, braces, canes, etc. 􀁸 Implement and maintain student(s) specific behavior, medical, emergency, and / or crisis plans. 􀁸 Assist in the maintenance of classroom discipline in accordance with established policy and procedures. 􀁸 Adapt to the student’s mode of communication as necessary for instructional purposes. 􀁸 Assist student(s) in self-care as assigned by the student(s) Individual Educational Plan (IEP.) May assist the assigned student(s) on and off the bus at arrival and departure times, with the removal of or putting on of outdoor wear, participating in physical education class, recess, etc. 􀁸 May conduct informal observation(s) of student(s) in mainstream classrooms. 􀁸 Apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written and / or oral instructions. De

FAQs

What is the primary purpose of the Personal Care Assistant (PCA) role?

To assist in maintaining a safe, therapeutic environment and support assigned students’ educational, physical, emotional, and/or personal needs as outlined in their IEP.

Which key tasks does the PCA perform during the school day?

The PCA provides instructional reinforcement, monitors student safety, redirects negative behavior, supports de-escalation and crisis plans, and maintains daily activity logs for assigned students.

What qualifications are typically required for this position?

A high school diploma (or equivalent) is required, with an associate’s degree in child development (or related field) or successful ParaPro exam passage preferred. Act 33/34, Act 114, and Act 151 clearances are required.

Aug 30, 2026

Upload by Callum