Job summary
AAC WEST is the NHS England funded specialist Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) center for the South West region. We are commissioned to support adults and children who need access to technology in order to interact and participate in the world around them.This post is based in the Plymouth office (Derriford Business Park) and supports patients living in the Devon and Cornwall areas.
The role will be supported by an experienced team if clinicians based in both Plymouth and Deon AAC WEST team both in Plymouth and Bristol.
Main duties of the job
The role of the Assistant Practitioner within the AAC WEST team is to:
- Prepare equipment as directed by the MDT for assessment and loan
- Programme specialist AAC software as directed by MDT
- To deliver software training sessions to those using AAC
- To deliver 1:1 support sessions to patients and their support team as directed by MDT
About us
North Bristol NHS Trust employs over 12,000 staff providing healthcare to the residents of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset from our award-winning hospital building at Southmead. We are the regional Major Trauma Centre, and an internationally recognised centre of excellence in a range of services and major specialities. Our vision is that by enabling our teams to be the best that they can be, we will provide exceptional healthcare, personally delivered.
We commit to treating each patient as an individual with respect and dignity, aiming to deliver excellent clinical outcomes and a first-class experience for everyone who uses our services.
North Bristol NHS Trust values all people as individuals. We aim to be an anti-discriminatory organisation and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We welcome applicants from all underrepresented groups.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Assistant Practitioner Role involves:
During Assessments
- Input into the assessment planning sessions by sharing knowledge of the software, hardware and vocabularies contained within the various AAC devices used
- Prepare equipment as requested by the MDT in equipment planning sheets
- Programme equipment with relevant information as directed by MDT
- Provide basic technical support during assessments to support MDT
- Write clinical observations during assessments to feed back to MDT
- Support the MDT with admin during assessments
- To contribute in the driving to and from patient visits with MDT
Equipment Programming
- With guidance, prepare equipment for use during trial loan period. This will involve personalising AAC vocabularies and occasional programming basic EAT operations
- Liaise with local teams to collate relevant vocabularies
- A broad knowledge of each of the commonly used specialist AAC software packages
Training
- To provide training to patients and their carers on the care and programming of communication aids prior to the short term loan of equipment.
- Contribute to the rolling programme of software training in conjunction with departmental peers
- Support in the admin of delivering a rolling programme of AAC training
- To deliver bespoke training on AAC where requested
Support
- To support patients and their carers through the assessment process and provide feedback to the MDT re: the progress of targets.
- To provide basic technical support to individuals during an equipment evaluation loan period.
- Where required, partake in communication partner work to model good practice
- To independently run support clinics either face to face or via remote platforms
Job description
Job responsibilities
Assistant Practitioner Role involves:
During Assessments
- Input into the assessment planning sessions by sharing knowledge of the software, hardware and vocabularies contained within the various AAC devices used
- Prepare equipment as requested by the MDT in equipment planning sheets
- Programme equipment with relevant information as directed by MDT
- Provide basic technical support during assessments to support MDT
- Write clinical observations during assessments to feed back to MDT
- Support the MDT with admin during assessments
- To contribute in the driving to and from patient visits with MDT
Equipment Programming
- With guidance, prepare equipment for use during trial loan period. This will involve personalising AAC vocabularies and occasional programming basic EAT operations
- Liaise with local teams to collate relevant vocabularies
- A broad knowledge of each of the commonly used specialist AAC software packages
Training
- To provide training to patients and their carers on the care and programming of communication aids prior to the short term loan of equipment.
- Contribute to the rolling programme of software training in conjunction with departmental peers
- Support in the admin of delivering a rolling programme of AAC training
- To deliver bespoke training on AAC where requested
Support
- To support patients and their carers through the assessment process and provide feedback to the MDT re: the progress of targets.
- To provide basic technical support to individuals during an equipment evaluation loan period.
- Where required, partake in communication partner work to model good practice
- To independently run support clinics either face to face or via remote platforms
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- GCSEs and A Levels including English and Maths.
- Full UK driving license which has been held for over a year
Desirable
- Apprenticeship, City and Guilds diploma or Foundation degree in relevant field - desirable
Skills
Essential
- Confident computer user with a current and working knowledge of Microsoft Word/Access/Excel/ email/internet and social networking
- Confident in the use of technology
- Accurate record keeping skills
- Excellent communiaciton skills
- Time management skills
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with people with disability, especially communication impairment
- Experience of working with technology
- Experience of working in an MDT
Desirable
- Understanding of the difficulties encountered by people with severe communication and physical or other impairments
- Experience of working with assistive technology
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of fault finding on computer equipment is desirable
Desirable
- Knowledge of equipment management principles
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- GCSEs and A Levels including English and Maths.
- Full UK driving license which has been held for over a year
Desirable
- Apprenticeship, City and Guilds diploma or Foundation degree in relevant field - desirable
Skills
Essential
- Confident computer user with a current and working knowledge of Microsoft Word/Access/Excel/ email/internet and social networking
- Confident in the use of technology
- Accurate record keeping skills
- Excellent communiaciton skills
- Time management skills
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with people with disability, especially communication impairment
- Experience of working with technology
- Experience of working in an MDT
Desirable
- Understanding of the difficulties encountered by people with severe communication and physical or other impairments
- Experience of working with assistive technology
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of fault finding on computer equipment is desirable
Desirable
- Knowledge of equipment management principles
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).
