An exciting development opportunity has arisen within Chailey Communication Aid Service (CCAS). The post is for a motivated leader and team player with specialist Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and/or Electronic Assistive Technology (EAT) knowledge and with experience in leadership or management roles.
Chailey Communication Aid Service is one of 15 centres nationally who have been commissioned by NHS England (NHSE) to provide a Specialised AAC Service. The service provides communication aid assessment and equipment to adults and children with complex disability in the geographical area of Sussex (incl. Brighton and Hove) and Surrey. Travel will be required within this area.
The successful applicant will be leading a team of Speech & Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Clinical Scientists (including trainees), Therapy Assistants, Healthcare Science and Administration staff who assess, provide and maintain communication aids and associated equipment for those who meet the NHSE specification.
We have a strong training and continuing professional development programme to grow and develop our own experienced team. We are looking for an enthusiastic individual who is keen to join us and lead the CCAS team, to develop the service and maintain the high standard of care we provide to our clients.
You will undertake and where relevant lead highly specialised assessments, handovers and follow-up appointments of children, young people and adults with diverse or complex communication disabilities and use specialist analysis, clinical reasoning, and listening skills to determine their requirements. Clinics and interventions will take place at Chailey Clinical services and across East and West Sussex, Surrey, Brighton and Hove as required.
You will lead on the strategic development within the department in accordance to the Service Specification set out by NHSE, maximising human and financial resources and the delivery of key performance indicators identified. This will be supported by high-quality communications with all groups of staff.
You will maintain highly developed specialist knowledge and practical experience of the working practices and theory underpinning the assessment and provision of AAC/EAT to provide expert advice both internally and externally to the service.
You will have the opportunity to develop and maintain professional links nationally and locally appropriate to the specialist clinical field and present work undertaken in CCAS at multi-disciplinary meetings and conferences.
We are the main provider of NHS community services across East and West Sussex, with 6,000 staff serving 1.3 million people. We deliver essential care to adults and children, helping them manage their health, avoid hospital admissions, and reduce hospital stays.
Our Trust vision is to provide excellent care at the heart of the community. We offer opportunities across medical, clinical, support, and corporate services.
Why work for us?
* Positive 2023 NHS Staff Survey results, highlighting compassionate leadership and wellbeing
* Varied environments: community hospitals, patients’ homes, and bases across Sussex
* Flexible working options: part-time, flexi-time, annualised hours, and flexi-retirement
* Excellent training, development, and research opportunities
* Cost-effective workplace nurseries in Crawley, Hove, and Brighton
* Active EMBRACE, Disability & Wellbeing, LGBTQIA+, and Religion & Belief networks
* Level 3 Disability Confident Leader and Veteran Aware Trust
* Beautiful Sussex location near the South Downs and coast
Our values—Compassionate Care, Working Together, Achieving Ambitions, Delivering Excellence—guide everything we do.
We embrace diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds, particularly from ethnically diverse, disabled, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. We aim to create an inclusive environment and support reasonable adjustments during recruitment.
This post may close early if sufficient applications are received.
For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Alice Wintergold Job title: Clinical Head of Service (Healthcare Science) Email address: alice.wintergold@nhs.net Telephone number: 01825724705 #J-18808-Ljbffr