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Job summary

Main area
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 3
Contract
Fixed term: 12 months (Maternity leave cover)
Hours
Part time - 18.75 hours per week
Job ref
339-RUH4759
Employer
North Bristol NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
AAC WEST
Town
Plymouth
Salary
£22,816 - £24,336 Pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
11/07/2024 23:59

Employer heading

North Bristol NHS Trust logo

Associate Assistant Practitioner/ Speech Therapy Assistant in AAC

NHS AfC: Band 3

 

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Job overview

***JOB LOCATION: PLYMOUTH***

AAC WEST is an NHS funded specialist department that provides high tech solutions for patients that require alternative methods to communicate. The service is commissioned by NHS England to provide Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) assessments and equipment to people living in the South West region who meet nationally agreed referral criteria.

AAC WEST are looking to recruit an Associate Assistant Practitioner to join their busy clinical team to support in the preparation of communications aids.  This is a fixed term contract to cover a maternity leave

If you are looking for a role that will invest in your personal development and be supported by a friendly and experienced team, this could be the post for you!

Main duties of the job

The post will require the successful candidate to undertake duties in the following key areas:

  • Communication Aid Programming- Preparing both high and low tech communication resources using specialist software to create unique content for each patient we support
  • Equipment Preparation – Preparing equipment for the clinical team to take to assessments and training sessions
  • To offer telephone support to patients and carers regarding equipment they have been loaned
  • To assist in the delivery of training sessions

Working for our organisation

AAC WEST is comprised of a multi disciplinary team made up of Speech and Language Therapist, Occupational Therapists, Teachers, Technology Assistants and an admin team

The team is spread across two sites (Bristol and Plymouth) but we all have the same goal of supporting people with sever and complex communication difficult to use technology to aid their independence. 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical Support

  • To manage and organise own clinical workload with the support of senior Assistant Practitioner and departmental manager
  • To be responsible for the preparation of communication equipment and materials for demonstration at assessments as guided by clinical team
  • To be responsible for the personalisation/ programming of communication aid as directed by clinical team
  • To be highly familiar in the specialist AAC software packages used in the department
  • To assist in the setting up of iPads for triage loans
  • To assist in the management of software accounts on communication devices
  • To provide basic technical support for equipment during an evaluation loan period as directed by senior colleagues
  • To support in the development of low tech resources as guided by departmental clinical team
  • To maintain accurate clinical notes regarding any interventions relating to client based activities
  • All activities will be delegated by a member of the clinical team or a more senior assistant. Support and advice will be available to assist in the delivery of allocated tasks

 

Person specification

Education/Training/Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • GCSE/O levels including English and Maths

Work Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of working in an environment where assistive technology is used.
  • Experience of working with people with communication or other disabilities

Knowledge Skills and abilities

Essential criteria
  • Demonstrable experience of learning new computer software skills
  • Confident computer user with a current and working knowledge of Microsoft Word/Access/Excel/ email/internet and social networking.
  • Excellent communication skills both verbal and written
Desirable criteria
  • A basic understanding/ an aptitude of electronics
  • Ability to give technical instructions both face to face and remotely

Personal Qualtities

Essential criteria
  • Interest in technology
  • Hold a driving licence
  • Physically able to manually handle equipment

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyAge positiveArmed Forces Covenant (Silver Award)Care quality commission - GoodMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerBECHappy to Talk Flexible Working

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Vicky Styles
Job title
Clinical Lead, AAC WEST
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
0117 414 5850
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