Job summary
We are looking for an AAC Technician to join our team in Oldham on a permanent, full-time, basis.
This role would suit an enthusiastic and highly motivated individual with:
- experience of providing telephone, remote and in person technical support for Windows, iOS and Android devices, and
- an interest in, and preferably experience of, working with people with a range of disabilities and supporting their use of AT/AAC.
Interviews will be held in Ace Centre's north office in Hollinwood Business Centre, Albert Street, Oldham OL8 3QL on 22nd & 23rd August 2024.
Main duties of the job
Working from our office base in Hollinwood Business Centre, the successful applicant will:
- be responsible for the set-up and maintenance of all assessment, client and free stock equipment.
- provide technical support by telephone, remotely, and face-to-face.
- travel across the North West region to fulfil their role.
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 communication and physical impairments and those who support them.
We operate from two 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 those regions.
This role is based in our Oldham office. You will support clients in a range of settings and locations across the North West region of England and the role will involve 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
- To receive and check deliveries of
incoming client and assessment equipment, ensuring deliveries are in good
order, complete, and match the relevant purchase order.
- To update the client database for
incoming equipment and label the assets accordingly.
- To action messages and works orders
allocated on the client database, either to the individual technician or to the
technical team.
- To prepare client equipment for issue to
clients as prescribed by Ace Centre clinicians' specification sheets and
complete the quality assurance check list with the individual technician's
initials.
- To provide telephone or remote support
for technical enquiries related to clients' equipment, ensuring the AAC service
desk is manned Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.
- To provide technical support
face-to-face, both in Ace Centre's office and off-site in the client's daily
living environment, where appropriate.
- To maintain and update assessment
equipment with current software and updates as they become available, ensuring
all equipment is always fully charged and in good working order.
- To maintain a clean and tidy environment
in the client equipment room and the assessment equipment room assisting
clinicians to pack/unpack equipment.
- To assist with the installation and
collection of client devices as directed by the Senior AAC Technician.
- To be responsible for the reconditioning
and decontamination of all returned client devices and to ensure all client
data is removed in compliance with GDPR.
- To carry out PAT testing as appropriate
on assessment/client/office equipment.
- To contribute to the development and
maintenance of an operational/training manual detailing the procedures required
of the role.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To receive and check deliveries of
incoming client and assessment equipment, ensuring deliveries are in good
order, complete, and match the relevant purchase order.
- To update the client database for
incoming equipment and label the assets accordingly.
- To action messages and works orders
allocated on the client database, either to the individual technician or to the
technical team.
- To prepare client equipment for issue to
clients as prescribed by Ace Centre clinicians' specification sheets and
complete the quality assurance check list with the individual technician's
initials.
- To provide telephone or remote support
for technical enquiries related to clients' equipment, ensuring the AAC service
desk is manned Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.
- To provide technical support
face-to-face, both in Ace Centre's office and off-site in the client's daily
living environment, where appropriate.
- To maintain and update assessment
equipment with current software and updates as they become available, ensuring
all equipment is always fully charged and in good working order.
- To maintain a clean and tidy environment
in the client equipment room and the assessment equipment room assisting
clinicians to pack/unpack equipment.
- To assist with the installation and
collection of client devices as directed by the Senior AAC Technician.
- To be responsible for the reconditioning
and decontamination of all returned client devices and to ensure all client
data is removed in compliance with GDPR.
- To carry out PAT testing as appropriate
on assessment/client/office equipment.
- To contribute to the development and
maintenance of an operational/training manual detailing the procedures required
of the role.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- BTEC Higher National Certificate (HNC) or higher qualification in a related computer, software or electronic engineering subject or equivalent relevant experience.
Desirable
Knowledge and skills
Essential
- Able to communicate 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.
- Practical approach to problem solving.
- Able to manage time and prioritise and re-prioritise tasks.
- Able to diagnose and resolve technical problems.
- Able to implement systems to manage technical resources.
- Car driver with own use of own car and appropriate business insurance.
Desirable
- Technical knowledge of a range of AT and AAC resources, including apps such as Grid 3, Nuvoice, and NovaChat.
- Able to set up and maintain systems for short term loan of equipment.
- Knowledge of legislative and policy requirements relating to equipment management and maintenance.
Personal attributes
Essential
- Aware of, and sensitive to, the needs of individuals with disabilities.
- Self-motivated.
- Enthusiastic team member.
- Methodical with excellent attention to detail.
- Willing to work flexibly when required.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of providing technical support for Windows, iOS, and android devices.
- Experience of working with mobile device management systems.
- Experience of providing remote technical support for mobile devices.
- Experience of supporting hardware, software, and peripherals in a networked computer environment.
Desirable
- Experience of working with a range of AAC and AT resources, including hardware, software, and apps.
- Experience of working with individuals with physical or communication disabilities.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- BTEC Higher National Certificate (HNC) or higher qualification in a related computer, software or electronic engineering subject or equivalent relevant experience.
Desirable
Knowledge and skills
Essential
- Able to communicate 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.
- Practical approach to problem solving.
- Able to manage time and prioritise and re-prioritise tasks.
- Able to diagnose and resolve technical problems.
- Able to implement systems to manage technical resources.
- Car driver with own use of own car and appropriate business insurance.
Desirable
- Technical knowledge of a range of AT and AAC resources, including apps such as Grid 3, Nuvoice, and NovaChat.
- Able to set up and maintain systems for short term loan of equipment.
- Knowledge of legislative and policy requirements relating to equipment management and maintenance.
Personal attributes
Essential
- Aware of, and sensitive to, the needs of individuals with disabilities.
- Self-motivated.
- Enthusiastic team member.
- Methodical with excellent attention to detail.
- Willing to work flexibly when required.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of providing technical support for Windows, iOS, and android devices.
- Experience of working with mobile device management systems.
- Experience of providing remote technical support for mobile devices.
- Experience of supporting hardware, software, and peripherals in a networked computer environment.
Desirable
- Experience of working with a range of AAC and AT resources, including hardware, software, and apps.
- Experience of working with individuals with physical or communication disabilities.
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
