Job summary
Ace Centre is a national charity that works with people of all ages who use or need Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC) to communicate.
We have a vacancy for a Rehabilitation Engineer or Clinical Engineer to join our friendly and supportive multidisciplinary team and work with them to identify, produce and provide simple, practical and innovative engineering solutions to meet identified client goals.
The role would suit an enthusiastic and highly motivated individual with experience of working with people with a range of disabilities, and an interest in, and preferably experience of, working with AAC and Assistive Technology (AT).
Main duties of the job
You will work in our multidisciplinary team including Engineers, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Teachers and Technicians completing assessments, developing solutions, and installing equipment across a variety of environments, and liaising with professionals from other services, clients, their families and other carers.
You will also contribute to the development and delivery of a programme of accredited and non-accredited training related to AAC and AT, particularly on technical or engineering issues.
We typically work weekdays, 9am to 5pm, although you may be required to work occasional flexible hours, including overnight stays.
This is a very friendly, supportive and dynamic team with regular appraisal, CPD, use of outcome measures and in service training.
About us
Ace Centre is a national charity offering a range of AAC and AT services for people with physical and communication impairments and those who support them.
We operate from 2 regional offices, one in Oldham, Greater Manchester, and one in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, and we have a contract with NHS England to deliver AAC services across both of these regions.
This post is based in our Abingdon office. We will consider candidates living in South Oxfordshire, Berkshire and North Hampshire with the potential for flexible working. This role will require you to work at the Abingdon office for at least two days of the week, with the rest of the time spent carrying out activities in a variety of locations and different settings across the Thames Valley and Wessex area.
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will work as a member of Ace
Centres multidisciplinary service delivery team, involved in the development,
delivery and coordination of the Charitys services and projects. You will
develop innovative and effective engineering solutions.
Key Tasks
Assessments
- To work independently, and as part of the
service delivery team, within the assessment process to identify appropriate
Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC) and Assistive Technology
(AT) solutions to allow clients access to communication and other technologies
that will significantly reduce the gap between their potential and performance.
This will require an understanding of the clients complex needs.
- To work independently, and as part of a team, to
install and provide simple, practical, and innovative engineering solutions to
meet identified goals.
- To investigate commercially available solutions
and specify and source products to meet the needs identified in the assessment.
- Where commercial solutions are not available, to
specify, design and manufacture a bespoke alternative (this may require
electrical, electronic, manufacturing, mechanical engineering, and computer
skills).
- To estimate the cost of any proposed solutions.
- To develop and specify integrated solutions that
could allow a client combined access to AAC, mobility, Environmental Controls
(EC) and/or computer access and to plan the management, support and implementation
of these solutions when provided by multiple agencies.
- To use basic tools and machinery to manufacture
bespoke solutions to commercial standards within tight deadlines.
- To complete relevant documentation.
- To plan and co-ordinate assessment activity in a
timely manner.
Training- To assist with the research, development, and
delivery of a programme of accredited and non-accredited training related to
AAC and AT.
- To contribute to the training and development of
the Ace Centre service delivery team and other external services, particularly
on technical or engineering issues.
- To instruct users, carers, and others in the use
of devices and accessories, identifying manual handling, environmental and
health and safety risks.
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will work as a member of Ace
Centres multidisciplinary service delivery team, involved in the development,
delivery and coordination of the Charitys services and projects. You will
develop innovative and effective engineering solutions.
Key Tasks
Assessments
- To work independently, and as part of the
service delivery team, within the assessment process to identify appropriate
Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC) and Assistive Technology
(AT) solutions to allow clients access to communication and other technologies
that will significantly reduce the gap between their potential and performance.
This will require an understanding of the clients complex needs.
- To work independently, and as part of a team, to
install and provide simple, practical, and innovative engineering solutions to
meet identified goals.
- To investigate commercially available solutions
and specify and source products to meet the needs identified in the assessment.
- Where commercial solutions are not available, to
specify, design and manufacture a bespoke alternative (this may require
electrical, electronic, manufacturing, mechanical engineering, and computer
skills).
- To estimate the cost of any proposed solutions.
- To develop and specify integrated solutions that
could allow a client combined access to AAC, mobility, Environmental Controls
(EC) and/or computer access and to plan the management, support and implementation
of these solutions when provided by multiple agencies.
- To use basic tools and machinery to manufacture
bespoke solutions to commercial standards within tight deadlines.
- To complete relevant documentation.
- To plan and co-ordinate assessment activity in a
timely manner.
Training- To assist with the research, development, and
delivery of a programme of accredited and non-accredited training related to
AAC and AT.
- To contribute to the training and development of
the Ace Centre service delivery team and other external services, particularly
on technical or engineering issues.
- To instruct users, carers, and others in the use
of devices and accessories, identifying manual handling, environmental and
health and safety risks.
Person Specification
Knowledge and skills
Essential
- Able to develop simple, creative ideas to solve complex problems quickly and efficiently.
- Able to use a range of workshop machinery and hand tools to manufacture bespoke solutions.
- Able to communicate at all levels in a clear and informative manner on the telephone, face-to-face and in writing.
- Able to work effectively with a range of people and as a member of a team.
- Able to manage time, prioritise & re-prioritise tasks, and work to tight deadlines where required.
- Knowledge of integrating assistive technologies sometimes involving several agencies.
- Able to improvise using available resources to provide appropriate solutions when working in the field.
Qualifications
Essential
- BSc or BEng degree in engineering discipline
Experience
Essential
- Significant practical experience in engineering within a healthcare, social care or education setting.
- Experience in a relevant assistive technology service which could include Augmentative & Alternative Communication, Environmental Control, Wheelchair Service, Special Seating or relevant manufacturer.
Personal attributes
Essential
- Has significant personal drive and a desire to get things done.
- Self-motivated, active team member.
- Methodical, with excellent attention to detail.
- Full driving licence, and access to own car with relevant (business) insurance.
- Able to work occasional flexible hours, including overnight stays, as required.
Person Specification
Knowledge and skills
Essential
- Able to develop simple, creative ideas to solve complex problems quickly and efficiently.
- Able to use a range of workshop machinery and hand tools to manufacture bespoke solutions.
- Able to communicate at all levels in a clear and informative manner on the telephone, face-to-face and in writing.
- Able to work effectively with a range of people and as a member of a team.
- Able to manage time, prioritise & re-prioritise tasks, and work to tight deadlines where required.
- Knowledge of integrating assistive technologies sometimes involving several agencies.
- Able to improvise using available resources to provide appropriate solutions when working in the field.
Qualifications
Essential
- BSc or BEng degree in engineering discipline
Experience
Essential
- Significant practical experience in engineering within a healthcare, social care or education setting.
- Experience in a relevant assistive technology service which could include Augmentative & Alternative Communication, Environmental Control, Wheelchair Service, Special Seating or relevant manufacturer.
Personal attributes
Essential
- Has significant personal drive and a desire to get things done.
- Self-motivated, active team member.
- Methodical, with excellent attention to detail.
- Full driving licence, and access to own car with relevant (business) insurance.
- Able to work occasional flexible hours, including overnight stays, as required.
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.
