Job summary
We are looking for an AAC Assistant Practitioner to join our friendly
and supportive multi-disciplinary team of therapists, teachers, engineers, and
technicians.
This role would suit a Speech and Language Therapy Assistant, Occupational Therapy Assistant or Teaching Assistant. It is an exciting opportunity to develop your knowledge and
skills in relation to augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) across a
wide range of settings. We work closely with colleagues in health, education,
and social care to provide a genuinely person-centred service in a variety of
locations, including hospitals, community locations, peoples own homes,
schools, and colleges.
You will work closely with our AAC Consultants (therapists and teachers) and independently with a small caseload. You will play a key role in supporting children and adults with communication difficulties, helping them to achieve specific goals using AAC tools and strategies to solve communicative challenges.
You will develop paper-based communication resources
using specialist software, set up and personalise voice output communication
equipment, support individuals in their use of that equipment, and train others
in how to do this.
Main duties of the job
As an AAC Assistant Practitioner you will:
- work
as part of our Service Delivery Team.
- work
under the indirect supervision of an AAC Consultant on
specified tasks, in specified contexts with support, supervision and direction
provided primarily through discussion.
- deliver independent
working with a small caseload and/or workload recognising the need
for evidence based practice and carrying out delegated tasks with a negotiated
level of support, direct supervision, and direction.
About us
Ace Centre is a national charity offering a range of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and Assistive Technology (AT) services
for people with physical and communication impairments and those who support
them.
Ace Centre operates from 2 regional offices, one in Oldham, Greater
Manchester and one in Abingdon, Oxfordshire. Ace Centre has a contract with NHS
England to deliver AAC services across both of these regions.
This role is based in the Abingdon office. You will support clients
in a range of settings and locations across the Thames Valley & Wessex region and the role will involve travel and occasional overnight stays.
Ace Centre offers excellent CPD opportunities, a competitive salary and
membership of a generous pension scheme with Greater Manchester Pension Fund.
Job description
Job responsibilities
As an AAC Assistant Practitioner, you will assist in the delivery of Ace Centre's assessment,
training, and information services as directed by AAC Consultants or AAC
Engineers.
Your key tasks will include:
- Preparing communication equipment and materials for demonstration and loan to clients as part of the assessment process.
- Providing training for clients and carers on programming and maintenance of communication equipment.
- Assisting with the installation of client equipment and training following assessment.
- Providing onsite/telephone and remote implementation support to clients following initial assessment.
- Making required modifications/adaptations to resources and take backups following adaptations.
- Developing and delivering assessment-related, client-focused training materials.
- Creating bespoke resources as requested.
- Maintaining client and equipment records on all relevant databases.
- Providing general AAC advice and information as requested/required.
You will be required to:
- Maintain and develop your knowledge of AAC and AT resources
and strategies in order to deliver Ace Centre services.
- Travel across the geographical area covered by Ace Centre to
deliver your role.
- Have your own vehicle and business insurance.
- Perform some manual handling to safely transport equipment.
- Comply with all Ace Centre policies and procedures.
- Work occasional flexible hours, including overnight stays.
- Attend appropriate CPD opportunities as identified in your induction, supervisions and annual PDR reviews.
- Complete an enhanced DBS certificate.
Job description
Job responsibilities
As an AAC Assistant Practitioner, you will assist in the delivery of Ace Centre's assessment,
training, and information services as directed by AAC Consultants or AAC
Engineers.
Your key tasks will include:
- Preparing communication equipment and materials for demonstration and loan to clients as part of the assessment process.
- Providing training for clients and carers on programming and maintenance of communication equipment.
- Assisting with the installation of client equipment and training following assessment.
- Providing onsite/telephone and remote implementation support to clients following initial assessment.
- Making required modifications/adaptations to resources and take backups following adaptations.
- Developing and delivering assessment-related, client-focused training materials.
- Creating bespoke resources as requested.
- Maintaining client and equipment records on all relevant databases.
- Providing general AAC advice and information as requested/required.
You will be required to:
- Maintain and develop your knowledge of AAC and AT resources
and strategies in order to deliver Ace Centre services.
- Travel across the geographical area covered by Ace Centre to
deliver your role.
- Have your own vehicle and business insurance.
- Perform some manual handling to safely transport equipment.
- Comply with all Ace Centre policies and procedures.
- Work occasional flexible hours, including overnight stays.
- Attend appropriate CPD opportunities as identified in your induction, supervisions and annual PDR reviews.
- Complete an enhanced DBS certificate.
Person Specification
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Essential
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Familiar with the use of ICT, including MS Office.
Personal attributes
Essential
- Empathy/understanding with Ace Centre client group.
- Able to work flexibly when required.
- Car driver with own use of own car and appropriate business insurance.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in an education, health or social care setting.
Desirable
- Experience of working with individuals with physical and/or communication disabilities, their families and professionals who support them.
- Knowledge of a range of AAC and AT solutions and applications.
Qualifications
Essential
- Minimum NVQ level 4 or equivalent knowledge, training and experience.
Desirable
- Qualified in education, health or social care.
Person Specification
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Essential
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Familiar with the use of ICT, including MS Office.
Personal attributes
Essential
- Empathy/understanding with Ace Centre client group.
- Able to work flexibly when required.
- Car driver with own use of own car and appropriate business insurance.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in an education, health or social care setting.
Desirable
- Experience of working with individuals with physical and/or communication disabilities, their families and professionals who support them.
- Knowledge of a range of AAC and AT solutions and applications.
Qualifications
Essential
- Minimum NVQ level 4 or equivalent knowledge, training and experience.
Desirable
- Qualified in education, health or social care.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
