Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity to join a highly specialist, multi-disciplinary team providing diagnostic assessments and post-diagnostic interventions for adults with suspected/diagnosed autism. Our team are passionate about delivering person-centred, strengths-based assessments and specialist post-diagnostic interventions for neurodivergent individuals. We pride ourselves on being a supportive and inclusive team, including staff with lived-experience of autism and ADHD.
We would welcome applications from AHPs with a special interest and significant experience of working with autistic individuals. Experience of working in an adult mental health setting is also desirable. Full training in our assessment process will be offered within the induction period.
SAANS is a well-established service and has been providing diagnostic assessments for both Sheffield and National residents for over 10 years. We are situated in the leafy suburb of Nether Edge, with free on-site parking and within walking distance of bus services. We have good links with both Sheffield Universities and voluntary services and support research and training placements to students in AHP, Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry.
While the role will be primarily clinic based, we do offer opportunities for flexible/remote working with options for online assessments in some cases.
Main duties of the job
This post will involve providing specialist assessments to ascertain whether referred clients meets the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Assessments will be based upon the appropriate use, interpretation and integration of complex data from a variety of sources particularly, but not exclusively, semi-structured interviews and self-report measures. This will also involve identifying alternative or co-occurring neurodevelopmental and mental health conditions. Our standard assessments involve a one-off appointment of up to 3 hours, with the option of MDT discussion and further appointment in complex cases. In this way, the post-holder must be able to work autonomously and have the ability to sustain concentration for extended periods and have excellent communication, time management and organisational skills to ensure diagnostic reports are prepared in a timely manner following assessment.
While the role will be primarily assessment-based, there may also be opportunities to deliver specialist interventions relevant to your professional background and to contribute to the delivery of training, consultation and supervision of staff within the trust to promote autism-inclusive ways of working.Relevant experience and skills in delivering specialist interventions, consultation and training is therefore also desirable.
About us
At SHSC, we prioritise the well-being and safety of both our service users and employees. It is our policy and a condition of employment that all employees must join the DBS Update Service. This service carries an annual fee, which employees are responsible for paying up front. However, employees may claim this cost back through the Trust's Employee Expenses Reimbursement Policy. For those requiring a Basic DBS check, it is necessary to register for a DBS Online Account.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical
- To provide specialist assessments to ascertain whether referred clients meet the diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This will be based upon the appropriate use, interpretation and integration of complex data from a variety of sources particularly, but not exclusively, semi-structured interviews and self-report measures.
- To exercise autonomous professional responsibility for the assessment, intervention and discharge of clients.
- To provide specialist advice, guidance and consultation to other professionals contributing directly to clients formulation, diagnosis and treatment plan.
- To contribute directly and indirectly to an evidence-based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all clients of the service, across all settings and agencies serving the client group.
- To undertake risk assessment and risk management for individual clients.
- To communicate in a skilled and sensitive manner, information concerning the assessment, formulation and treatment plans of clients under their care.
Teaching training and supervision
- To receive regular clinical, management and professional supervision appropriate to role.
- To maintain knowledge and skills for continuous professional development.
- To develop skills in professional teaching, training and supervision and to provide supervision to other MDT staff as appropriate.
- To provide advice, consultation and training to staff working with the client group across a range of agencies and settings, where appropriate.
Service development & delivery
- To contribute to the development, evaluation and monitoring of the teams operational policies and services, through the deployment of professional skills in research, service evaluation and audit.
- To interpret policies and evidence-based guidelines concerning professional good practice for the provision of services to neurodivergent people.
Research and service evaluation
- To utilise theory, evidence-based literature and research to support evidence-based practice in individual work and work with other team members.
- To contribute to project management, including complex audit and service evaluation, with colleagues within the service to help develop service provision.
General
- To contribute to the development and maintenance of the highest professional standards of practice, through active participation in internal and external CPD training and development programs, in consultation with the post-holders professional and service manager(s).
- To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping including electronic data entry and recording, report writing and the responsible exercise of professional self-governance in accordance with professional codes of practice of the HCPC and Trust policies and procedures.
- To maintain up to date knowledge of legislation, national and local policies and issues in relation to both the specific client group and mental health.
- To attend and contribute to relevant professional and team meetings.
- To develop and maintain good working relationships with colleagues within Sheffield Health and Social Care Trust and in the statutory and voluntary services with the aim of promoting high standards of care and clinical practice.
- To undertake necessary travel as required.
- To maintain registration with the Health & Care Professions Council.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical
- To provide specialist assessments to ascertain whether referred clients meet the diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This will be based upon the appropriate use, interpretation and integration of complex data from a variety of sources particularly, but not exclusively, semi-structured interviews and self-report measures.
- To exercise autonomous professional responsibility for the assessment, intervention and discharge of clients.
- To provide specialist advice, guidance and consultation to other professionals contributing directly to clients formulation, diagnosis and treatment plan.
- To contribute directly and indirectly to an evidence-based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all clients of the service, across all settings and agencies serving the client group.
- To undertake risk assessment and risk management for individual clients.
- To communicate in a skilled and sensitive manner, information concerning the assessment, formulation and treatment plans of clients under their care.
Teaching training and supervision
- To receive regular clinical, management and professional supervision appropriate to role.
- To maintain knowledge and skills for continuous professional development.
- To develop skills in professional teaching, training and supervision and to provide supervision to other MDT staff as appropriate.
- To provide advice, consultation and training to staff working with the client group across a range of agencies and settings, where appropriate.
Service development & delivery
- To contribute to the development, evaluation and monitoring of the teams operational policies and services, through the deployment of professional skills in research, service evaluation and audit.
- To interpret policies and evidence-based guidelines concerning professional good practice for the provision of services to neurodivergent people.
Research and service evaluation
- To utilise theory, evidence-based literature and research to support evidence-based practice in individual work and work with other team members.
- To contribute to project management, including complex audit and service evaluation, with colleagues within the service to help develop service provision.
General
- To contribute to the development and maintenance of the highest professional standards of practice, through active participation in internal and external CPD training and development programs, in consultation with the post-holders professional and service manager(s).
- To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping including electronic data entry and recording, report writing and the responsible exercise of professional self-governance in accordance with professional codes of practice of the HCPC and Trust policies and procedures.
- To maintain up to date knowledge of legislation, national and local policies and issues in relation to both the specific client group and mental health.
- To attend and contribute to relevant professional and team meetings.
- To develop and maintain good working relationships with colleagues within Sheffield Health and Social Care Trust and in the statutory and voluntary services with the aim of promoting high standards of care and clinical practice.
- To undertake necessary travel as required.
- To maintain registration with the Health & Care Professions Council.
Person Specification
Training & Qualifications
Essential
- Professional qualification in Occupational Therapy or Speech and Language Therapy
- Professional Registration with the HCPC
Desirable
- Further post-qualification training/qualification in Autism. Including training in the use of standardised assessment models/sensory integration etc.
- Training in assessment of other neurdevelopmental conditions, such as ADHD or DCD
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Knowledge of how to work to good effect with autistic people.
- Ability to carry out complex assessments using semi-structured interview techniques and utilising detailed historical information.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to adapt information and communication to meet the needs of clients.
- Ability to manage own workload and determine priorities, including preparing diagnostic reports in a timely manner.
- Ability to build effective working relationships and work as part of a team.
Desirable
- Knowledge of legislation and theory in relation to the client group.
- Knowledge of and skills in identifying mental health conditions which may commonly-co-occur with autism
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience of working with autistic individuals
- Experience of carrying out highly complex assessments by means of semi-structured interviewing and utilising complex historical information.
Desirable
- Experience of working with autistic adults without a learning disability
- Experience of working with adults with other neurodevelopmental conditions
- Experience of providing consultation, to other professional and non-professional groups.
- experience of teaching and training others, using a variety of complex multi-media materials suitable for presentations within public, professional and academic settings.
- Experience of research in the area of autism
Person Specification
Training & Qualifications
Essential
- Professional qualification in Occupational Therapy or Speech and Language Therapy
- Professional Registration with the HCPC
Desirable
- Further post-qualification training/qualification in Autism. Including training in the use of standardised assessment models/sensory integration etc.
- Training in assessment of other neurdevelopmental conditions, such as ADHD or DCD
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Knowledge of how to work to good effect with autistic people.
- Ability to carry out complex assessments using semi-structured interview techniques and utilising detailed historical information.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to adapt information and communication to meet the needs of clients.
- Ability to manage own workload and determine priorities, including preparing diagnostic reports in a timely manner.
- Ability to build effective working relationships and work as part of a team.
Desirable
- Knowledge of legislation and theory in relation to the client group.
- Knowledge of and skills in identifying mental health conditions which may commonly-co-occur with autism
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience of working with autistic individuals
- Experience of carrying out highly complex assessments by means of semi-structured interviewing and utilising complex historical information.
Desirable
- Experience of working with autistic adults without a learning disability
- Experience of working with adults with other neurodevelopmental conditions
- Experience of providing consultation, to other professional and non-professional groups.
- experience of teaching and training others, using a variety of complex multi-media materials suitable for presentations within public, professional and academic settings.
- Experience of research in the area of autism
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Sheffield Adult Autism and Neurodevelopmental Service (SAANS)
Michael Carlisle Centre (Lyndhurst Road site)
Sheffield
S11 9BF
Employer's website
https://www.shsc.nhs.uk/working-us (Opens in a new tab)
