Paraprofessional

Paraprofessional is a job title given to individuals in various occupational fields, such as education, healthcare, and law, who are trained to assist professionals but do not themselves have professional licensure. The term is used to differentiate between positions within certain fields, such as education, which requires different levels of training and certification.

Education

In education, paraprofessionals, also known as teacher aides or educational assistants, work in a variety of roles, ranging from assisting teachers in the classroom, to providing direct instruction or intervention to students, to clerical and administrative tasks. In many cases, paraprofessionals work with students with disabilities or those who require additional support in a specific area, such as reading or math.

Healthcare

In healthcare, paraprofessionals include nursing assistants, home health aides, and physical therapy aides. These individuals provide support to healthcare professionals, such as nurses and physical therapists, and often have direct contact with patients. They may assist with tasks such as taking vital signs, providing personal care, assisting with mobility, and performing certain therapeutic procedures under the supervision of a licensed professional.

Law

In law, paraprofessionals are often referred to as paralegals or legal assistants. They assist lawyers in their work, performing tasks such as conducting legal research, drafting documents, organizing files, and communicating with clients. Paralegals may specialize in a specific area of law, such as corporate law, criminal law, or family law.

Training and Certification

The training and certification requirements for paraprofessionals vary by field and by jurisdiction. In general, paraprofessionals must have a high school diploma or equivalent, and some level of post-secondary training in their field. This training may be a certificate program, an associate's degree, or a bachelor's degree. Some fields also require paraprofessionals to pass a certification exam or to complete a certain number of hours of supervised practice.

See Also

• Teacher assistant
• Nursing assistant
• Paralegal

Paraprofessional Resources
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