Child Care Teacher Assistant

Your future role at a glance

Location: Wichita, KS

Facility: Ascension Via Christi Hospitals

Department: Child Development Center

Schedule: Year-round shifts 9:30am-6pm l PRN

Via Christi associates are eligible for tuition discounts and priority placement in select healthcare programs through our academic partnership with Wichita State University.

Life at Ascension: Where purpose meets opportunity

Ascension is a leading nonprofit Catholic health system with a culture and associate experience grounded in service, growth, care and connection. We empower our 97,000+ associates to bring their skills and expertise every day to reimagining healthcare, together. Recognized as one of the Best 150+ Places to Work in Healthcare and a Military-Friendly Gold Employer, you'll find an inclusive and supportive environment where your contributions truly matter.

Benefits that help you thrive

• Comprehensive health coverage: medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage and HSA/FSA options
• Financial security & retirement: employer-matched 403(b), planning and hardship resources, disability and life insurance
• Time to recharge: pro-rated paid time off (PTO) and holidays
• Career growth: Ascension-paid tuition (Vocare), reimbursement, ongoing professional development and online learning
• Emotional well-being: Employee Assistance Program, counseling and peer support, spiritual care and stress management resources
• Family support: parental leave, adoption assistance and family benefits
• Other benefits: optional legal and pet insurance, transportation savings and more

How you'll make an impact in this role

• Lead engaging classroom activities that spark curiosity and support developmental milestones, ensuring each child''s unique learning journey is celebrated.
• Create a vibrant, safe, and high-quality learning environment by maintaining classroom resources and advocating for materials that enhance the student experience.
• Support healthcare-hero families by building empathetic partnerships with parents, ensuring their specific routines and preferences are integrated into their child's daily care.
• Document child development milestones and daily care journeys to provide parents with clear, professional, and high-quality records of their child''s progress.

What minimum requirements you'll need

Licensure / Certification / Registration:

• Food Service Professional credentialed from the ServSafe National Restaurant Association obtained within 1 Month (30 days) of hire date or job transfer date. Will accept Food Handler Card through Food Handler Essentials Course through State Food Safety within 1 Month (30 days) of hire or job transfer date required.
• Heart Saver AED credentialed from the American Heart Association (AHA) obtained within 1 Month (30 days) of hire date or job transfer date. In lieu of Heart Saver, Pediatric CPR and First Aid through ASHI, AHA or LifeSaver Learning, Inc. obtained within 1 Month (30 days) of hire date or job transfer date will be accepted required.
• Certification specializing in Health and Safety Training obtained within 30 days (1 month) of hire or job transfer date, as required by the State of Kansas. KCCTO (Kansas Child Care Training Opportunities) certification, OR, a certificate of completion that includes the following subject areas: 1) Recognizing signs of child abuse or neglect, 2) Basic child development, 3) Safe sleep and SIDS, 4) Recognizing a sick child and the prevention/control of infectious disease, 5) Prevention of and response to emergencies due to food and allergic reactions, 6) Building and premises safety, 7) Emergency preparedness and response, 8) Handling and storage of hazardous materials, 9) Precautions when transporting children, and 10) Medication administration required.

Education:

• High School diploma equivalency OR 1 year of applicable cumulative job specific experience required.
• Note: Required professional licensure/certification can be used in lieu of education or experience, if applicable. In addition, and based on Kansas State Regulations, Child Care Assistants who are left alone with children in a licensed center must meet the minimum education required for a Teacher (see Teacher job description for Teacher minimum education requirements), OR, have completed the following education and experience requirements: Three (3) college credits in Early Childhood, Child Development or an approved, related academic discipline, AND, three (3) months of practicum experience providing direct care to and the supervision of children of the same age range served PLUS six (6) months experience providing direct care to and supervision of children of the same age range served.

What additional preferences we''re seeking

• Professional Childcare Experience: Minimum of 6 months providing direct care to children within a licensed and/or KDHE-licensed facility, preferably preschool children ages 3-5.
• CDA or related degree strongly preferred.

Equal employment opportunity employer

Ascension provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all associates and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, lactation, breastfeeding, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, all as defined by applicable law, and any other legally protected status or characteristic in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. For further information, view the EEO Know Your Rights (English) poster or EEO Know Your Rights (Spanish) poster.

Fraud prevention notice

Prospective applicants should be vigilant against fraudulent job offers and interview requests. Scammers may use sophisticated tactics to impersonate Ascension employees. To ensure your safety, please remember: Ascension will never ask for payment or to provide banking or financial information as part of the job application or hiring process. Our legitimate email communications will always come from an @ascension.org email address; do not trust other domains, and an official offer will only be extended to candidates who have completed a job application through our authorized applicant tracking system.

E-Verify statement

Employer participates in the Electronic Employment Verification Program. Please click here for more information.