Instructional Assistant - Autism Intervention Center

Company: Empower Centers
Location: Columbus
Posted on: February 26, 2026

Job Description:

Instructional Assistant - Autism Intervention Center POSITION TITLE: Instructional Assistant REPORTS TO: Behavior Analyst/Behavior Consultant; Mental Health Clinical Supervisor; Director(s); Clinical Supervisor(s); Other managers as directed. POSITIONS SUPERVISED: None. The Instructional Assistant does set the expectations for the classroom to follow policy and procedure and redirect to management if needed. FLSA STATUS: Non-exempt PURPOSE: The IA/QBHS position is a multi-faceted position due to the variety of services that may be provided by this staff member. An Instructional Assistant runs a classroom of 4-8 students providing educational instruction based upon the student's IEP and Clinical Treatment Plan. The Instructional Assistant runs the classroom's daily schedule created in conjunction with the Director to ensure that students receive individual 1:1 instruction as well as group learning using the principles and procedures of Applied Behavioral Services. Services may address the individualized mental health and/or educational needs of the client as determined by the client's daily/weekly/monthly service schedule and depending on their specific caseload including mental health treatment and support services, therapeutic behavior intervention services, psychosocial rehabilitation, intensive intervention services, and education services. ORGANIZATIONAL LEVEL: - Director - Manager - Senior Staff - Staff EDUCATION REQUIRED: Must hold an associate degree or higher from an accredited institution of higher education; OR have completed at least 2 years of study (defined as 48 semester hours or 72 quarter hours) at an accredited institution of higher education; OR possess certification as a Registered Behavior Technician. Internal candidates must provide a letter of recommendation from their supervisor. Prior experience with Applied Behavior Analysis or with special needs children preferred.Must complete agency QBHS training upon hire. PRODUCTIVITY REQUIREMENT: 2.5 hours of group sessions per week General Requirements (All Employees) - Follow work schedule with reliable attendance and punctuality and attend meetings, staff development, and training - Multi-task, organize and prioritize assignments - Adhere to applicable company and departmental policies and procedures - Work in difficult environments, solve problems effectively, and exhibit a positive attitude - Initiate communication with supervisor when needed and work collaboratively with supervisor and other employees - Follow the guidelines, coaching, and directives provided by management to ensure consistent application of agency protocols - Receive constructive feedback from supervisor(s) and implement corrections - Follow all legal and licensing board requirements and ethical standards - Follow state, federal, and local law as they pertain to job duties and execution - Keep all client information confidential Specific Duties, Competencies, Responsibilities, and Behaviors - Treatment Room Organization: IA sets up the classroom areas such as teacher desk, independent centers and instructional area. Creates schedules and sub plans for the classroom and students. Treatment Binder is set up correctly and the room is clean and organized daily. - Safety: Maintains proper supervision of children within care at all times. Maintains a safe environment for students by ensuring children do not have access to anything that could harm or injure them. Student health and hygiene are top priority as well as teaching self help/adaptive skills. - Discrete Trial Training: Implements the procedures of Applied Behavior Analysis including completing correction procedures, teaching verbal behavior accurately, modifying instructor variables. Implements errorless learning as designed as well as prompt fading procedures. - Discrete Trial Training Part 2: Implements appropriate variable ratio schedule of work to reward, uses visuals such as schedules and first, then boards, token economy systems, reviews data daily and uses an appropriate pace of instruction - Mandatory Training: Pairs self and environment with reinforcement on a daily basis, conducts preference and reinforcer assessments, and teaches functional communication training to students - Engagement: Has a medium to high level of engagement with clients captures their motivation in order to increase skill development at a high frequency - Behavior Support Plan Implementation: Implements behavior support plans as designed including specific strategies like social extinction, therapeutic rapport, rational detachment and demonstrates professionalism, compassionate care as well as cultural competence during this time. - Administrative Job Duties: Uses professional, ABA language and privacy when discussing a client. Turns in data collection, dismissal checklist and progress reports in a timely manner. Creates materials, takes daily data and seeks input from supervisors. - Professionalism: Recognizes potential problems, presents them professionally, and suggests appropriate solutions, follows IA and all staff policies and procedures. Creates a positive working environment for all staff. - Complete all training, education, and development activities as required - Demonstrate accurate implementation of clinical and other competencies specific to the position - Provide behavioral health services following the client's treatment plan, and as qualified to do so, including but not limited to CPST and/or TBS services - Complete data collection, progress notes, and communication of client progress or lack thereof following internal procedures (e.g., progress note documentation, walkie procedures, Q/A systems, troubleshooting and program completion forms, etc.) - Monitor and report progress on designated clients toward their ISP/ITP, IEP, and/or Treatment Plan objectives and goals to the supervisor - Work collaboratively within a treatment team; implement feedback as directed - Change diapers and provides toilet training; run after children that have eloped from treatment area, get up and down from ground when needed - Participate in staff development, education and training - Seek, receive and apply feedback appropriately and professionally - Meet productivity requirements - Model professional behavior and decorum such as treat staff and clients professionally; uses professional language when discussing - Identify and report to supervisors when interventions are needed for specific clients and client treatment and/or education programs - Substitute at any given time for other staff to work with clients potentially not on regular schedules - Maintains all competencies from 30 day feedback form, 90 day feedback form and all evaluations Other Employees in all positions may have contact with co-workers and clients and be required to engage in moderate physical activity. Company Management has the right to change an employee's job duties or request that employees perform other reasonable duties that are not listed. Job Type: Full-time Benefits: - 401(k) - 401(k) matching - Dental insurance - Employee assistance program - Health insurance - Health savings account - Life insurance - Paid time off - Referral program - Retirement plan - Vision insurance Work Location: In person JT26 Compensation details: 20-20 PIc7a04caa8d8f-37156-39045319

Keywords: Empower Centers, Columbus , Instructional Assistant - Autism Intervention Center, Healthcare , Columbus, Ohio