Job summary We are looking for a qualified Occupational Therapist to join our multidisciplinary team. You will be working with children and adults who, due to physical and/or cognitive impairments, have difficulties communicating. You will work very closely with your colleagues to support these clients to identify their communication needs and meet their communication potential. This post would suit a newly qualified Occupational Therapist and, whilst we would like you to have an interest in supporting people to communicate, it is not essential that you have experience of working within this field as excellent supervision and training will be provided. You will bring your core clinical skills and enthusiasm to this position to support the assessment process, and in turn we will support you to develop your AAC knowledge and skills through a wide range of CPD opportunities. Closing date for applications: 26/02/25 Interviews will be held: 19th & 20th March 2025 Main duties of the job You will work jointly with a least one other colleague to: assess clients' communication needs, adopting a person-centred approach identify appropriate AAC solutions to support their communication install and set up recommended equipment deliver training to clients and those who support them regarding AAC provide general advice and information to wide audiences About us Ace Centre is a national charity offering a range of 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 services across both of these 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. Date posted 29 January 2025 Pay scheme Other Salary £30,559 to £39,513 a year NJC Pay Scale 6 to PO1 (depending on experience) Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number B0026-25-0000 Job locations Ace Centre North Albert Street Oldham OL8 3QL Job description Job responsibilities As an AAC Consultant, you will contribute to the development and delivery of Ace Centre's Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) services as a member of a multidisciplinary team. Your key tasks will include: AAC assessment of individuals : planning and preparing prior to the assessment contributing to the assessment to reach appropriate recommendations liaising with the team supporting the client at a local level (this may include families, carers, and other education, health and social care professionals) completing the required assessment report and other documentation in a timely manner contributing to any follow up action including organizing and setting up loan equipment/resources and providing training Training : assisting with the research and development of a variety of training activities planned by Ace Centre or requested of them by others supporting the delivery of Ace Centre's training programme across a range of platforms to a variety of audiences Advice and Information: providing impartial advice and up to date information relating to AAC to clients, families and professionals Projects and Service Development: contributing to projects and service reviews as required Data Management: maintaining comprehensive and confidential client records using a range of software and data management systems You will be required to: Maintain and develop your knowledge of 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 business insurance Perform some manual handling to safely transport equipment Comply with all Ace Centre policies and procedures Complete an enhanced DBS certificate Work occasional flexible hours, including overnight stays Attend appropriate CPD opportunities as identified in your induction, supervisions and annual PDR reviews Job description Job responsibilities As an AAC Consultant, you will contribute to the development and delivery of Ace Centre's Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) services as a member of a multidisciplinary team. Your key tasks will include: AAC assessment of individuals : planning and preparing prior to the assessment contributing to the assessment to reach appropriate recommendations liaising with the team supporting the client at a local level (this may include families, carers, and other education, health and social care professionals) completing the required assessment report and other documentation in a timely manner contributing to any follow up action including organizing and setting up loan equipment/resources and providing training Training : assisting with the research and development of a variety of training activities planned by Ace Centre or requested of them by others supporting the delivery of Ace Centre's training programme across a range of platforms to a variety of audiences Advice and Information: providing impartial advice and up to date information relating to AAC to clients, families and professionals Projects and Service Development: contributing to projects and service reviews as required Data Management: maintaining comprehensive and confidential client records using a range of software and data management systems You will be required to: Maintain and develop your knowledge of 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 business insurance Perform some manual handling to safely transport equipment Comply with all Ace Centre policies and procedures Complete an enhanced DBS certificate Work occasional flexible hours, including overnight stays Attend appropriate CPD opportunities as identified in your induction, supervisions and annual PDR reviews Person Specification Qualifications Essential Professional Degree or equivalent. HCPC or equivalent professional registration. Knowledge, skills and abilities Essential Ability to identify the needs of individuals with disabilities within a multidisciplinary assessment team context. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Familiarity with the use of IT, including MS Office. Desirable Ability to develop and deliver training appropriate to a variety of audiences in a range of settings. Personal attributes Essential Empathetic to, and understanding of, Ace Centre's client group. Ability to work flexibly when required. Car driver with own use of own car and appropriate business insurance. Experience Desirable Experience of working with individuals with physical and/or communication disabilities, their families and professionals who support them. Experience of delivering AAC assessment, training, advice and information services. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Professional Degree or equivalent. HCPC or equivalent professional registration. Knowledge, skills and abilities Essential Ability to identify the needs of individuals with disabilities within a multidisciplinary assessment team context. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Familiarity with the use of IT, including MS Office. Desirable Ability to develop and deliver training appropriate to a variety of audiences in a range of settings. Personal attributes Essential Empathetic to, and understanding of, Ace Centre's client group. Ability to work flexibly when required. Car driver with own use of own car and appropriate business insurance. Experience Desirable Experience of working with individuals with physical and/or communication disabilities, their families and professionals who support them. Experience of delivering AAC assessment, training, advice and information services. 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 Ace Centre Address Ace Centre North Albert Street Oldham OL8 3QL Employer's website https://acecentre.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)