Job summary
Ace Centre is a national charity that works with people of all ages who have physical and communication impairments, their families and those who support them. Ace Centre provides a range of Assistive Technology (AT) and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) services to enable all individuals to achieve their potential.
A vacancy has arisen in our Oldham office for a Rehabilitation/AAC Engineer to join the team and contribute to the delivery of assessments, training, advice and information services.
The role would suit an enthusiastic and highly
motivated individual, with an interest in, and preferably experience of, working with AT and AAC and experience of working with people with a range of disabilities.
Salary is dependent on knowledge, qualifications and experience.
Main duties of the job
You will work in
our multidisciplinary team including Engineers, Occupational Therapists, Speech
and Language Therapists, Teachers and Technicians completing assessments,
developing innovative and effective engineering solutions, and installing
equipment across a variety of environments, and liaising with professionals
from other services, clients, their families, and other carers.
You will also
contribute to the development and delivery of a programme of accredited and
non-accredited training related to AAC and AT, particularly on technical or
engineering issues.
We typically work
weekdays, 9am to 5pm, although you may be required to work occasional flexible
hours, including overnight stays.
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.
We operate from 2 regional offices, one in Oldham, Greater Manchester, and one in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, and we have a contract with NHS England to deliver AAC services across both of these regions.
This post is based in our Oldham office carrying out activities in a variety of locations and different settings across the North West region.
Job description
Job responsibilities
As a Rehabilitation/AAC Engineer, you will work as a member of Ace Centre's multidisciplinary service delivery team, involved in the development, delivery and coordination of the Charity's services and projects. You will develop innovative and effective engineering solutions.
The main duties of the role are:
Engineering
- To work independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary to identify appropriate mounting and access solutions to allow clients access to communication and other technologies. This will require an understanding of the clients complex needs.To identify, provide and install effective engineering solutions to meet identified goals.
- To investigate commercially available solutions, and specify and source products to meet the needs identified in the assessment.
- Where commercially available solutions are not available, to specify, design and manufacture a bespoke alternative (this may require electrical, electronic, manufacturing, mechanical engineering, and computer skills).
- To estimate the cost of any proposed solutions.
- To develop and specify integrated solutions that could allow a client combined access to AT, AAC, mobility, Environmental Controls (EC) and/or computer access, and to plan the management, support and implementation of these solutions when provided by multiple agencies.
- To use basic tools and machinery to manufacture bespoke solutions to commercial standards within tight deadlines.
Assessment
- To contribute to the assessment process for individuals as appropriate, including:
- To coordinate pre-assessment arrangements and resources.
- To lead or assist at the assessment as required.
- To document the assessment and recommendations in an accurate and timely manner.
- To implement recommendations - developing, providing and installing kit, and ensuring the client and their local support has the appropriate training to use it effectively and safely.
- To provide follow-up support as appropriate.
Training
- To assist with the research, development, and delivery of a programme of accredited and non-accredited training related to AT and AAC.
- To provide training and development to the wider Ace Centre staff team on technical or engineering issues.
- To instruct clients, carers, and other external parties in the use of mounts, access devices and accessories, identifying manual handling, environmental and health and safety risks.
Advice and Information
- To provide impartial advice and up to date information related to AT and AAC to clients, families, carers, and the local professionals supporting them.
Continuous Professional Development
- To develop and update skills and knowledge in the field of AT and AAC.
- To attend supplier training events for new hardware and software.
- To participate in local, regional, national, and international conferences and networking events related to AT and AAC.
Job description
Job responsibilities
As a Rehabilitation/AAC Engineer, you will work as a member of Ace Centre's multidisciplinary service delivery team, involved in the development, delivery and coordination of the Charity's services and projects. You will develop innovative and effective engineering solutions.
The main duties of the role are:
Engineering
- To work independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary to identify appropriate mounting and access solutions to allow clients access to communication and other technologies. This will require an understanding of the clients complex needs.To identify, provide and install effective engineering solutions to meet identified goals.
- To investigate commercially available solutions, and specify and source products to meet the needs identified in the assessment.
- Where commercially available solutions are not available, to specify, design and manufacture a bespoke alternative (this may require electrical, electronic, manufacturing, mechanical engineering, and computer skills).
- To estimate the cost of any proposed solutions.
- To develop and specify integrated solutions that could allow a client combined access to AT, AAC, mobility, Environmental Controls (EC) and/or computer access, and to plan the management, support and implementation of these solutions when provided by multiple agencies.
- To use basic tools and machinery to manufacture bespoke solutions to commercial standards within tight deadlines.
Assessment
- To contribute to the assessment process for individuals as appropriate, including:
- To coordinate pre-assessment arrangements and resources.
- To lead or assist at the assessment as required.
- To document the assessment and recommendations in an accurate and timely manner.
- To implement recommendations - developing, providing and installing kit, and ensuring the client and their local support has the appropriate training to use it effectively and safely.
- To provide follow-up support as appropriate.
Training
- To assist with the research, development, and delivery of a programme of accredited and non-accredited training related to AT and AAC.
- To provide training and development to the wider Ace Centre staff team on technical or engineering issues.
- To instruct clients, carers, and other external parties in the use of mounts, access devices and accessories, identifying manual handling, environmental and health and safety risks.
Advice and Information
- To provide impartial advice and up to date information related to AT and AAC to clients, families, carers, and the local professionals supporting them.
Continuous Professional Development
- To develop and update skills and knowledge in the field of AT and AAC.
- To attend supplier training events for new hardware and software.
- To participate in local, regional, national, and international conferences and networking events related to AT and AAC.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Engineering degree or equivalent relevant knowledge and experience.
Experience
Desirable
- Experience of working with AT or AAC, this could include within an AAC, AT or Environmental Control Service, Special Seating or Wheelchair Service, other health, education or social care setting, or a relevant role with an AT/AAC manufacturer.
- Experience of working with children and adults with a range of disabilities.
Knowledge and skills
Essential
- Able to diagnose and resolve complex technical problems quickly, efficiently, and safely.
- Able to improvise using available resources to provide appropriate solutions when working in the field.
- Able to communicate at all levels in a clear and informative manner on the telephone, face to face and in writing.
- Able to work effectively with a range of people and as a member of a team.
- Able to manage time and prioritise tasks, and work to tight deadlines where required.
- Sensitive to/aware of the needs of individuals with disabilities.
- Able to work occasional flexible hours as required.
- Full driving licence, use of own car for work purposes and business class insurance.
Desirable
- Able to use a range of workshop machinery and hand tools to manufacture bespoke solutions.
- Knowledge of integrating assistive technologies sometimes involving several agencies.
Personal attributes
Essential
- Self-motivated and enthusiastic team member.
- Methodical, with excellent attention to detail.
- Enhanced DBS certificate.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Engineering degree or equivalent relevant knowledge and experience.
Experience
Desirable
- Experience of working with AT or AAC, this could include within an AAC, AT or Environmental Control Service, Special Seating or Wheelchair Service, other health, education or social care setting, or a relevant role with an AT/AAC manufacturer.
- Experience of working with children and adults with a range of disabilities.
Knowledge and skills
Essential
- Able to diagnose and resolve complex technical problems quickly, efficiently, and safely.
- Able to improvise using available resources to provide appropriate solutions when working in the field.
- Able to communicate at all levels in a clear and informative manner on the telephone, face to face and in writing.
- Able to work effectively with a range of people and as a member of a team.
- Able to manage time and prioritise tasks, and work to tight deadlines where required.
- Sensitive to/aware of the needs of individuals with disabilities.
- Able to work occasional flexible hours as required.
- Full driving licence, use of own car for work purposes and business class insurance.
Desirable
- Able to use a range of workshop machinery and hand tools to manufacture bespoke solutions.
- Knowledge of integrating assistive technologies sometimes involving several agencies.
Personal attributes
Essential
- Self-motivated and enthusiastic team member.
- Methodical, with excellent attention to detail.
- Enhanced DBS certificate.
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).
