Exciting Specialist Occupational Therapist Opportunity in AAC
This is a unique opportunity for a Specialist Occupational Therapist to work clinically with both adults and children in the dynamic field of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).
AAC WEST supports some of the most complex patients across the South West region, providing high-tech communication aid solutions that empower individuals to communicate autonomously.
As an OT within the team, you will collaborate closely with our multidisciplinary department, which includes Speech and Language Therapists, Teachers, Rehabilitation Engineers, and Assistant Practitioners. You will also work alongside external colleagues from wheelchair services, AHPs in schools, nursing homes, hospices, and other community settings.
The role is well supported by experienced colleagues, and as a team, we are committed to continuing professional development (CPD) to ensure our members stay up to date with the latest advancements in AAC and broader clinical practice.
In our team - we value, support and encourage flexible working arrangements (taking into consideration individual and service level requirements). We recognise the value of work life balance for our staff and although we are looking to recruit for 30hrs, we appreciate there can be requests for a different number of hours. If this is the case for yourself, please do get in touch with us and we can discuss further (contact details below)
Main duties of the job
* Hold and manage a clinical caseload, delivering high-quality assessment and intervention services for children and young people as part of the AAC WEST clinical pathway.
* Collaborate closely with a supportive, multi-disciplinary team (MDT) to provide assessment, equipment provision, and review sessions.
* Work directly with children, families, local Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs), educational staff, and other professionals to deliver holistic and tailored AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) assessment pathway
* Participate in departmental projects, audits and meetings
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.
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 responsibilities
* To undertake complex and evidence based AAC assessments with a clinical focus of identifying suitable access and mounting solutions for a paediatric and adult caseload
* To competently conduct appointments at all stages of the AAC WEST clinical pathway; Assessments, Equipment Provision, Training and Support sessions. These appointments may be face to face or remote.
* To provide assessment, clinical advice, support and care plans to patients referred to AAC WEST, which include analysis of facts and a comparison of a range of technology options for appropriate intervention.
* Where appropriate, to refer patients on to other services and agencies, and to liaise with members of voluntary organisations concerned with the patient group.
* To provide written and/or verbal reports that present specialist clinical information, which is accessible for carers and/or patients and other professional colleagues
* To work with clinical scientist/ technologists to design and manufacture bespoke access and/or mounting systems for people where an off the shelf solution is not suitable.
* To establish and maintain relationships with other professional groups (eg rehab engineers, wheelchair services etc) to ensure the best outcome for patients.
* To maintain up to date and accurate case notes and records in line with Professional Standards and Trust Policy.
* To adhere at all times to the relevant professional bodys Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.
* To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of own work including management of patients, recognising own professional boundaries and seeking advice and supervision as necessary
Person Specification
Education
* Recognised degree level qualification in Occupational Therapy
* Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration.
* Proven CPD in Assistive technology and /or AAC
Experience
* Minimum of 2 years post registration experience
* Variety of experience as undergraduate Occupational therapist i.e. musculoskeletal, paediatrics and/or neurological across acute, community and/or intermediate care settings, educational settings, dealing with a wide range of patients with differing needs
* Experience of managing own workload and working autonomously
* Experience of working within an equipment provision service
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
* Evidence of well-developed clinical practice
* Advanced interpersonal communication skills both written and verbal and to adapt all medium to support the needs of patients coming through the service
* Confident in the use of electronic assistive technology and or AAC
* IT skills to include Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook.
* Knowledge of positioning patients to facilitate access to electronic devices for communication
* Confident in the use of electronic assistive technology and or AAC
Personal Qualities
* Have the ability to meet the travel requirements of the post - has a full UK driving license held for over 2 years
* To have a passion for technology and the role it plays in healthcare
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.
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