This job advert will close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Please apply for this job as soon as you can, if interested
An exciting opportunity has arisen for this new Clinical Support Worker post to develop knowledge and skills with the Access to Communication and Technology Service.
Access to Communication and Technology is a specialist electronic assistive technology service, which is based at the West Midlands Rehabilitation Centre, Selly Oak, Birmingham B29 6JA. We are a service made up of clinicians (Occupational Therapist, Speech and Language Therapists, Health Care Scientists and assistants), technicians, stock and admin staff providing specialist assessment, set up, provision and maintenance of electronic assistive technology to meet the needs of children and adults who require Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and Environmental Control (EC).
You will be supervised by an Occupational Therapist and work alongside another clinical support worker and Assistant Practitioners.
The post holder will need to work independently and travel widely within the West Midlands region and therefore being a car driver with a full UK driving licence is essential.
To support the clinical team in their planning, preparation and implementation of assessment and provision and follow up of clients for a range of Assistive Technologies and/or low tech techniques. Clients have a range of conditions which include complex physical and/or learning disabilities, life limiting diagnoses and challenging behaviours.
Prepare resources for demonstration and for provision to clients, as requested by a Clinician. This will include the creation of symbol communication books using appropriate software (e.g. The Grid /Boardmaker/Communicate in Print), and programming of vocabulary onto Voice Output Communication Aids as well as resources to support environmental control.
To set up and amend the electronic assistive technology to meet the clinician’s prescription.
To follow instruction to produce resources for individual patients and generic use to support communication and environmental control.
To support the smooth running of the department by supporting device/stock management functions.
To assist in the organisation of a wide range of training events and courses offered and hosted by Access to Communication and Technology as an NHSEI provider of specialist assessment and assistive technology
To assist the clinical team in providing a wide range of training regarding techniques and Assistive Technology to local professionals and occasionally clients
Be Part of Our Team…
BCHC has more than 5000 staff working across Birmingham and the West Midlands in a wide range of community nursing and specialist healthcare roles. BCHC delivers over 100 clinical services, in people’s homes, health centres, clinics and inpatient facilities. We deliver a wide range of services for children, young people and families as well as adults and community services, two community hospitals, services for people with learning disabilities, the internationally recognised West Midlands Rehab Centre. We deliver all of this with a commitment to integrated, personalised care that is rooted in our local communities. We have an ambition to deliver outstanding, integrated care as one of the key NHS providers in the West Midlands.
If you want to ‘Be Part of Our Team’ and work with a Foundation Trust which is continuously striving for best care and healthy communities, we want to hear from you.
Please ensure you check your Trac account regularly as this is how we will communicate with you during the shortlisting and selection process.
Please ensure all sections of the application form are completed fully. Please particularly ensure that you provide full details of all referees including business email address, telephone contact details and postal address.
Support the Clinicians with the provision to clients of complex Voice Output Communication Aids and Environmental Control systems in terms of preparation and during provision appointments occasionally. This will involve interpreting the clinicians requirements and inputting clients choices and preferences.
Prepare resources for demonstration and for provision to clients, as directed by a clinician. This will include the production of symbol communication books using appropriate software (e.g. The Grid /Boardmaker/Communicate in Print), and programming of vocabulary onto Voice Output Communication Aids as well as resources to support environmental control .
To have a basic understanding of communication impairment and Augmentative and Alternative Communication systems including sign language, gestures and non-verbal communication methods
To have a basic understanding of the impact of disability on functioning
To communicate effectively with local and ACT team members using all methods of communication (phone, email, face to face).
To support collection and delivery of equipment from the local environments of the clients. This will sometimes involve meeting with carers and families of deceased clients and communicating in a sensitive manor and will require the post holder to travel to locations anywhere within the West Midlands region.
To undertake driving throughout the West Midlands as required which may mean driving the trust pool cars
Request stationery and other equipment required to support assessment and provision.
Work with the ACT technical, stock and clinical support teams to ensure that equipment (for demonstration and provision to clients) is well-maintained including completing the necessary regular software updates.
Support limited stock control functions for ACT equipment including decontamination, preparation and deliveries and collections.
While recognising own limitations in experience and knowledge, work independently and as part of a team seeking assistance as required.
Keep accurate and contemporaneous clinical records in accordance with professional and Trust standards.
Demonstrate emotional resilience when working with clients with life limiting conditions, including end of life care, clients with significantly impaired communication difficulties and the resulting frustrations, and clients with extreme physical disabilities
Contribute to the development of client care by attending relevant team related meetings.
Develop and maintain own skills and knowledge to achieve and maintain a high standard of care. This includes actively participating in regular supervision sessions with a senior clinician, yearly appraisal and performance review in order to identify personal development plans and training needs.
Attend mandatory and any other training identified in personal development plans and individual performance review.
Support the facilitation and hosting of training courses within ACT and in other venues across the West Midlands ,including room bookings, ordering lunches (as required), preparing resource packs, setting rooms up/down on the day, meeting and greeting course participants etc.
Have good organisational skills to ensure that course and follow-up to courses are delivered in a timely and professional way
Support ACT clinical teams to make course materials, resources and packs
Support the advertisement and marketing of courses offered by ACT, including on BCHC website
Manage all course bookings including incoming payments, where applicable using established information systems. Monitor and review bookings and ensure colleagues delivering the training receive appropriate information relating to course attendees
Work with the ACT technical teams to set up demonstration equipment e.g. software and hardware products for courses and demonstrations. Support the training team to demonstrate key features and methods of altering equipment features to meet the needs of people with disabilities.
Liaise with Assistive Technology companies and other related companies/organisations to host training led by them
Support the booking and running of product demonstrations and other updates by Assistive Technology and related companies/organisations to ACT team
Use appropriate computer software packages (e.g. Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook) to manage bookings manage training resources create course packs, manage the training calendar.
Work with the ACT team to collect, collate and input statistical data, record and manage training outcomes /evaluation
Work with the ACT Technical team to ensure that equipment (for demonstration, training events and provision to clients) is well-maintained.
Load and unload heavy / bulky computer equipment into / out of vehicles and subsequently transport into a variety of settings (including client’s homes which may not be easily accessible with equipment)

Please refer the Job description for details