Job overview
AAC WEST, based at the Bristol Centre for Enablement (BCE), is an NHS funded department that provides technological solutions for individuals 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.
AAC WEST are looking to recruit an Associate Assistant Practitioner to join their busy clinical team to support in the preparation of communications that have been prescribed for active patients on the service caseload.
This role will be based from the Bristol Enablement Service (BCE) and as a development post, will be fully supported by a team of experienced AAC assistants and registered clinicians. It is a non patient facing role. The successful candidate will be a confident computer user who enjoys managing their own workload.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Clinical Support
* 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 and emergency appointments as part of patient’s pathway through AAC WEST
* 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 be responsible for the processing of equipment following appointments
* 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
Training Support
* To assist in the co-ordination of incoming training requests from local teams
* To prepare equipment for training sessions
* To collate feedback following training sessions
General Support
* To assist in standard technical support scenarios where directed by a senior member of the team
* To support in the general organisation of the busy clinical office ensuring communication aids are returned to their correct location at the end of each working day
* Support in the ongoing maintenance of the departmental vans
* To participate in departmental clinical governance projects by providing evidence/ data as requested
* To assist in the induction process of new members of staff
* To provide support to the Equipment Manager as necessary to:
* Input data into the departmental computer system - BEST
* Ensure that all equipment is safety checked and cleaned according to the relevant procedures
Person specification
Education
* GCSE/O levels including English and Maths
Employment
* Experience of using computer packages in work
* Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team
* Experience of working in an environment where assistive technology is used.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
* Confident computer user with a current and working knowledge of Microsoft Office and social networking.
* Ability to work on own initiative but also as part of a team.
* Demonstrable experience of learning new computer software skills
* Excellent communication skills both verbal and written
Personal Qualities
* Interest in technology
* Physically able to manually handle equipment
* Flexible and enthusiastic approach to work and colleagues
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.
At North Bristol Trust (NBT), we know diverse and inclusive environments lead to happier and healthier teams and improved patient care and outcomes. 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.
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.
North Bristol NHS Trust does not reimburse travel expenses relating to interview attendance.
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.
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.
Please note that stringent pre-employment checks are undertaken on all successful applicants prior to commencement in post.
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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