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Job Overview
AAC WEST is an NHS-funded service providing Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) solutions for individuals who need technology to communicate.
We are seeking an enthusiastic Paediatric Occupational Therapist to join our specialist MDT in supporting children with complex physical, sensory, and cognitive needs.
In this role you will provide an assessment pathway working closely with families, SLTs, educators, and other professionals across the South West. You’ll contribute to both clinical work and service development, supporting the delivery of a responsive and holistic AAC pathway.
This role involves regional travel to homes and schools. A valid UK driving licence is essential; pool cars are available.
You Will Have
- RCOT and HCPC registration
- Significant experience with children with complex needs
- A passion for assistive technology
- Experience in supervision and service development
- Strong communication and teaching skills
Why join us?
- Work in a fast-evolving, tech-driven field
- Join a knowledgeable, supportive team
- Help improve lives through communication access
- Job security in a unique, meaningful role
Main duties of the job
Main Duties Of The Role
- 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
- Support the ongoing development and delivery of personalised AAC interventions through joint goal-setting and shared decision-making.
- As a Band 7 clinician, play a key role in shaping and developing the service, contributing to team leadership, service planning, and maintaining a positive and effective workplace culture.
Working for our organisation
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.
Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
Clinical responsibilities
- Highly specialist AAC assessment to children that have severe communication difficulties resulting from acquired, progressive or congenital disorders
- Highly specialist AAC assessment to patients with physical, cognitive, and /or sensory, difficulties to ascertain the most effective form of access to assistive technology
- Ability to draw upon previous experience working in early years and education setting to apply this knowledge to AAC assessments
- Highly specialist equipment mounting service to establish how to attach prescribed AAC devices to wheelchairs
- Highly specialist advice in the areas of cognition, vision, positioning and access to AAC devices
- Bespoke, integrated equipment solutions
- Strong working links with the multi disciplinary team to facilitate joint decision making regarding the most suitable communication equipment to be supplied
Leadership Responsibilities
- To provide clinical support supervision and appraisals to Band 6 OT’s within the tea
- To provide line management, specialist support and training to the other OTs in the AAC team.
- To lead on the development of OT element of clinical pathways
Other Responsibilities
- To act as an expert resource for information for all OTs in the SW area who have responsibility for AAC.
- To provide AAC training to staff within the AAC WEST team, the wider AAC community, patients and carers
- To nurture strong working links with AAC suppliers and have a good working knowledge of the range of products available
- Initiate and take part in audit and research in clinical field
Person specification
Education
Essential criteria
- Recognised OT degree level qualification
- Health & Care Professionals Council (HCPC) Licence to Practicse
Desirable criteria
- Postgraduate Training in assistive technology
Work Expereince
Essential criteria
- 5 years of wokring as an OT
- Post qualification experience working with children with congenital and neurological conditions (including CP)
- Experience of working in education settings (early years and school)
Desirable criteria
- Experience of working with children with assistive technology needs
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- In depth knowledge of congenital and acquired neurological conditions that result in severe communication and physical difficulties
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge of a range of solutions used to access technology
Skills
Essential criteria
- Precise physical skills needed to work with communication aids, including mounting aids to wheelchairs; environmental control and computer access equipment, and dismantling and reassembling equipment
- Skills in delivering clinical pathways that are holistic and patient centred
- Excellent organisational skills – including independently managing and prioritising complex OT caseload
- Skilled in the use of a range of technologies and IT skills
Abilities
Essential criteria
- Ability to work as a member of multidisciplinary teams
- Ability to create SMART goals
Personal
Essential criteria
- A full UK driving licences with at least one years experience
- A passion for implementing assistive technology solutions
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 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.
Please note that stringent pre-employment checks are undertaken on all successful applicants prior to commencement in post.
