Job summary
Ace Centre is a national charity offering a range of Assistive Technology (AT) and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) services for people with physical and communication impairments and those who support them.
A vacancy has arisen for an AAC Consultant based in our Oldham office to contribute to the delivery of assessments, training and advice and information services.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a small and friendly multi-disciplinary team offering excellent CPD opportunities.
The role would suit an HCPC registered Speech and Language Therapist who is either newly qualified or already has experience in the field. We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic and highly motivated individual with experience of, or interest in working with AT and AAC.
Main duties of the job
Key Responsibilities (included but not limited to):
· Assessments
To support the NHS assessment process for individuals who meet the
eligibility criteria.
This involves:
- planning and preparing prior to the assessment
- contributing to the assessment to reach appropriate recommendations
- complete the required assessment report and other documentation in a
timely manner
· Training
To assist with the research and development of a variety of training
activities planned by Ace Centre or requested of them by others. To support the
delivery of this programme of training across a range of platforms to a variety
of audiences.
· Advice and Information
To provide impartial advice and up to date information related to
professionals, parents and individuals through appropriate channels as
required.
· Projects and Service Development
Ace Centre is involved in a variety of projects on an ongoing basis, and
you may be involved in contributing to these. Ace Centre regularly reviews the
services it offers, and you will be expected to contribute to this process as
appropriate.
About us
ACE Centre is a national charity offering a range of Assistive
Technology (AT) and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) services
for people with physical and communication impairments and those who support
them.
Ace Centre operates from 2 regional offices, one in Oldham, Greater
Manchester and one in Abingdon, Oxfordshire. Ace Centre has a contract with NHS
England to deliver AAC and AT services across these regions.
This role is based in the Oldham office and involves supporting clients
in a range of settings and locations across the north West of England and
involves travel and occasional overnight stays.
Ace Centre offers excellent CPD opportunities, a competitive salary and
membership of a generous pension scheme with Greater Manchester Pension Fund.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Job Title Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
Consultant
Description The AAC Consultant will contribute to the
development and delivery of Ace Centre’s AAC and Assistive Technology (AAC)
services as a member of a multi-disciplinary team.
Key Tasks
· Assessments
To support the NHS assessment process for individuals who meet
the eligibility criteria.
This involves:
- planning and preparing prior to the assessment
- contributing to the assessment to reach appropriate
recommendations
- complete the required assessment report and other
documentation in a timely manner
Following assessments, you may be required to contribute to any
follow up including organizing and setting up loan equipment/resources and
providing training.
Throughout the assessment process you will be required to liaise
with appropriately with the team supporting the client at a local level. This
may include families, carers, teachers, speech therapists and other
professionals.
· Training
To assist with the research and development of a variety of
training activities planned by Ace Centre or requested of them by others. To
support the delivery of this programme of training across a range of platforms
to a variety of audiences.
· Advice and Information
To provide impartial advice and up to date information related
to professionals, parents and individuals through appropriate channels as
required.
· Projects and Service Development
Ace Centre is involved in a variety of projects on an ongoing
basis, and you may be involved in contributing to these. Ace Centre regularly
reviews the services it offers, and you will be expected to contribute to this
process as appropriate.
IT Skills and Data Management
You will need to be proficient with:
- MS Office
- Maintaining client information on a database
You must also:
- Demonstrate compliance with current data protection
legislation
Supervision
- Supervision and support given by Senior AAC Consultant
- Supervision and support given to AAC Assistants
Requirements
You will be required to:
- Maintain and develop your knowledge of AT and AAC resources
and strategies in order to deliver Ace Centre services
- Travel across the geographical area covered by Ace Centre to
deliver assessment and training activities
- Have your own vehicle and relevant insurance
- Perform some manual handling to safely transport equipment
- Comply with all Ace Centre policies and procedures
- Work occasional flexible hours, including overnight stays.
- Attend appropriate CPD opportunities as identified in your
annual PDR review
- Complete an enhanced DBS certificate.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Job Title Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
Consultant
Description The AAC Consultant will contribute to the
development and delivery of Ace Centre’s AAC and Assistive Technology (AAC)
services as a member of a multi-disciplinary team.
Key Tasks
· Assessments
To support the NHS assessment process for individuals who meet
the eligibility criteria.
This involves:
- planning and preparing prior to the assessment
- contributing to the assessment to reach appropriate
recommendations
- complete the required assessment report and other
documentation in a timely manner
Following assessments, you may be required to contribute to any
follow up including organizing and setting up loan equipment/resources and
providing training.
Throughout the assessment process you will be required to liaise
with appropriately with the team supporting the client at a local level. This
may include families, carers, teachers, speech therapists and other
professionals.
· Training
To assist with the research and development of a variety of
training activities planned by Ace Centre or requested of them by others. To
support the delivery of this programme of training across a range of platforms
to a variety of audiences.
· Advice and Information
To provide impartial advice and up to date information related
to professionals, parents and individuals through appropriate channels as
required.
· Projects and Service Development
Ace Centre is involved in a variety of projects on an ongoing
basis, and you may be involved in contributing to these. Ace Centre regularly
reviews the services it offers, and you will be expected to contribute to this
process as appropriate.
IT Skills and Data Management
You will need to be proficient with:
- MS Office
- Maintaining client information on a database
You must also:
- Demonstrate compliance with current data protection
legislation
Supervision
- Supervision and support given by Senior AAC Consultant
- Supervision and support given to AAC Assistants
Requirements
You will be required to:
- Maintain and develop your knowledge of AT and AAC resources
and strategies in order to deliver Ace Centre services
- Travel across the geographical area covered by Ace Centre to
deliver assessment and training activities
- Have your own vehicle and relevant insurance
- Perform some manual handling to safely transport equipment
- Comply with all Ace Centre policies and procedures
- Work occasional flexible hours, including overnight stays.
- Attend appropriate CPD opportunities as identified in your
annual PDR review
- Complete an enhanced DBS certificate.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Professional Degree or equivalent.
Desirable
- HCPC or equivalent professional registration AAC and AT training
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Essential
- Familiarity with the use of ICT, including MS Office specifically MS Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook and MS PowerPoint
- Familiarity with a range of Assistive Technology and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) resources and strategies.
- Ability to communicate in a sensitive and informed manner to a wide variety of people, including face-to-face, telephone and in public speaking contexts
- Excellent written communication skills, including the preparation of formal reports, presentations and training materials
- Ability to support the delivery of training appropriate to a variety of audiences in a range of settings
- To be sensitive to and aware of the needs of people with a range of disabilities
- To identify the needs of individuals with disabilities within a multidisciplinary assessment team context
Desirable
- Competency in using data management systems
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with individuals with physical and/or communication disabilities, their families and professionals who support them.
- To have worked as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Desirable
- Experience of delivering AAC / AT assessment, training, advice and information services.
Personal attributes
Essential
- Able to work flexibly when required
- Empathy/understanding with Ace Centre client group
- Car driver with own use of own car and appropriate business insurance
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Professional Degree or equivalent.
Desirable
- HCPC or equivalent professional registration AAC and AT training
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Essential
- Familiarity with the use of ICT, including MS Office specifically MS Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook and MS PowerPoint
- Familiarity with a range of Assistive Technology and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) resources and strategies.
- Ability to communicate in a sensitive and informed manner to a wide variety of people, including face-to-face, telephone and in public speaking contexts
- Excellent written communication skills, including the preparation of formal reports, presentations and training materials
- Ability to support the delivery of training appropriate to a variety of audiences in a range of settings
- To be sensitive to and aware of the needs of people with a range of disabilities
- To identify the needs of individuals with disabilities within a multidisciplinary assessment team context
Desirable
- Competency in using data management systems
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with individuals with physical and/or communication disabilities, their families and professionals who support them.
- To have worked as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Desirable
- Experience of delivering AAC / AT assessment, training, advice and information services.
Personal attributes
Essential
- Able to work flexibly when required
- Empathy/understanding with Ace Centre client group
- Car driver with own use of own car and appropriate business insurance
Additional information
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
