Associate Assistant Practitioner/ Speech Therapy Assistant in AACJoin to apply for the

Associate Assistant Practitioner/ Speech Therapy Assistant in AAC

role at

North Bristol NHS Trust

Job OverviewAAC 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.

Main duties of the jobThe 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 organisationAAC 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

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

Please note, the use of generative AI to create applications is not permitted to submit applications for this role.

Person specificationEducation/Training/QualificationsEssential criteria

GCSE/O levels including English and Maths

Work ExperienceEssential criteria

Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team

Desirable criteriaExperience of working in an environment where assistive technology is used.Experience of working with people with communication or other disabilities

Knowledge Skills And AbilitiesEssential 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 electronicsAbility to give technical instructions both face to face and remotely

Personal QualitiesEssential criteria

Interest in technologyPhysically able to manually handle equipment

Desirable criteria

Hold a driving licence

If you apply for this vacancy and have not received a communication from North Bristol NHS Trust within three weeks of the closing date, please assume that on this occasion your application has been unsuccessful.

Please note that North Bristol NHS Trust does not reimburse travel expenses relating to interview attendance.

If you feel you meet the requirements of the Disability Act / Two Ticks scheme and require further support/advice, please contact us on tel 0117 414 1151.

North Bristol NHS Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

The successful applicant(s) will normally commence at the minimum of the scale unless they have previous NHS service at the same band. Progression through the scale is by annual increments.

At North Bristol NHS Trust we are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are currently underrepresented in NBT’s workforce at Band 8a and above. These include people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people and LGBTQIA+ people.

Please note that stringent pre-employment checks are undertaken on all successful applicants prior to commencement in post.

Seniority levelEntry level

Employment typeFull-time

Job functionHealth Care Provider

IndustriesHospitals and Health Care

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