Iowa Admin. Code r. 281-41.403

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 8, October 30, 2024

Rule 281-41.403 - Paraprofessionals

(1)Responsibilities. Special education personnel may be employed to assist in the provision of special education and related services to children with disabilities and shall:

a. Complete appropriate preservice and ongoing staff development specific to the functions to be performed. The agency shall make provisions for or require such completion prior to the beginning of service wherever practicable and within a reasonable time of the beginning of service where the preentry completion is not practicable.

b. Work under the supervision of professional personnel who are appropriately authorized to provide direct services in the same area where the paraprofessional provides assistive services.

c. Not serve as a substitute for appropriately authorized professional personnel.

(2)Authorized special education paraprofessionals. Authorized special education paraprofessional roles include:

"Audiometrist" provides hearing screening and other specific hearing-related activities as assigned by the audiologist.

"Licensed practical nurse" shall be permitted to provide supportive and restorative care to an eligible individual in the school setting in accordance with the student's health plan when under the supervision of and as delegated by the registered nurse employed by the school district.

"Occupational therapy assistant" is licensed to perform occupational therapy procedures and related tasks that have been selected and delegated by the supervising occupational therapist.

"Others" as approved by the department, such as educational assistants described in 281-subrule 12.4(9).

"Para-educator" is a licensed educational assistant as defined in Iowa Code section 256.157.

"Physical therapist assistant" is licensed to perform physical therapy procedures and related tasks that have been selected and delegated by the supervising physical therapist.

"Psychology assistant" collects screening data through records review, systematic behavior observations, standardized interviews, group and individual assessment techniques; implements psychological intervention plans; and maintains psychological records under supervision of the school psychologist.

"Speech-language pathology assistant" provides certain language, articulation, voice and fluency activities as assigned by the supervising speech-language pathologist.

"Vision assistant" provides materials in the appropriate medium for use by individuals who are blind or visually impaired and performs other duties as assigned by the supervising teacher of the visually impaired.

Iowa Admin. Code r. 281-41.403

Adopted by IAB April 17, 2024/Volume XLVI, Number 21, effective 5/22/2024