About this role
Job summary We are seeking an enthusiastic Therapy Assistant Practitioner with experience and skills in assistive technology to join our team. This role is suitable for an experienced therapy assistant who meets the requirements to start at Band 4, or as a developmental role for someone wishing to work towards this band. Developmental post holders will begin at the appropriate entry band and progress to a Band 4 TAP following successful completion of the Level 5 Foundation degree in health studies and development of relevant knowledge, skills and competencies related to the role of AAC TAP.
The Electronic Assistive Technology (EAT) Service is a specialised centre for the assessment and provision of AAC, Environmental Controls (EC) and Computer Access within the East Midlands. We are a multi-disciplinary team based in North Hykeham but travelling across the East Midlands including Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes. We work with both adults and children in a range of settings including patient's homes, day centres, schools, colleges.
Main duties of the job
The main roles of the post will be:
To independently install prescribed AAC systems with patients and deliver standardised training packages to the patient, their carers, family and others in a range of community settings. This will be under indirect supervision of the EAT clinician.
To provide feedback to the supervising clinician to monitor effectiveness of the use of the device.
To independently deliver and monitor training programmes devised by qualified team members including speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and clinical scientists.
To demonstrate good practice in the delivery of a variety of training programmes, either in a 1:1 or group situation.
To understand limits of own practice and refer back to supervising clinician as required to ensure safe and effective practice.
To prepare equipment and resources, making use of IT where appropriate.
About us
Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust is in the top 25 per cent of all community trusts for overall staff engagement in the 2021 NHS National Staff Survey.
At LCHS, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in LCHS' workforce.
LCHS recognises the increasing demand for more flexibility in working practices in order to accommodate the personal goals and commitments that employees experience at different stages during their working lives. Flexible working opportunities such as part-time working, compressed hours, job shares, and hybrid working models can help staff to balance their personal and work commitments. Arrangements can be put in place if it can be shown that the needs of the individual can be balanced with those of the service and the impact on other team members, enabling the Trust to recruit and retain skilled staff, raise staff morale, reduce absenteeism and respond to changing service needs more effectively.
We are an ambassador of a learning culture that will support the right individual to progress in their chosen career through an 'earn while you learn' apprenticeship programme. Visit our Learning and Development page to find out more https://www.lincolnshirecommunityhealthservices.nhs.uk/join-us/learning-and-dev
Job description Job responsibilities
Please review attached job description and person specification for detailed job duties and responsibilities.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
5 GCSEs at grade C or above, including English and Maths, or equivalent Foundation Degree in Care Studies
Desirable
Evidence of training in a related area
Skills Essential
Excellent communication / interpersonal skills Basic IT skills, preferably modules 2 & 7 of the ECDL Concentration skills Good organisational and time management skills Negotiation/problem solving skills Awareness of a variety of assistive technology systems.
Desirable
Excellent IT skills including use of programmes such as 'Boardmaker' and use of digital camera/ clipart Good understanding of a variety of assistive technology systems
Knowledge Essential
Knowledge of the NHS Knowledge of Clinical Governance activities Basic understanding of the multi-disciplinary team in AAC assessment and implementation.
Desirable
Relevant knowledge of health/social care generally Relevant knowledge of communication difficulties/strategies for maximising communication
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship 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).
Employer details Employer name Lincolnshire Community Health Service NHS Trust
Address Fen House
Fen Lane
North Hykeham
LN6 8UZ
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.lincolnshirecommunityhealthservices.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)