Clinical Support Worker

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)., + 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, 1. 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.
2. 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 .
3. To have a basic understanding of communication impairment and Augmentative and Alternative Communication systems including sign language, gestures and non-verbal communication methods
4. To have a basic understanding of the impact of disability on functioning
5. To communicate effectively with local and ACT team members using all methods of communication (phone, email, face to face).
6. 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.
7. To undertake driving throughout the West Midlands as required which may mean driving the trust pool cars
8. Request stationery and other equipment required to support assessment and provision.
9. 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.
10. Support limited stock control functions for ACT equipment including decontamination, preparation and deliveries and collections.
11. While recognising own limitations in experience and knowledge, work independently and as part of a team seeking assistance as required.
12. Keep accurate and contemporaneous clinical records in accordance with professional and Trust standards.
13. 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
14. Contribute to the development of client care by attending relevant team related meetings.
15. 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.
16. Attend mandatory and any other training identified in personal development plans and individual performance review.
17. 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.
18. Have good organisational skills to ensure that course and follow-up to courses are delivered in a timely and professional way
19. Support ACT clinical teams to make course materials, resources and packs
20. Support the advertisement and marketing of courses offered by ACT, including on BCHC website
21. 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
22. 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.
23. Liaise with Assistive Technology companies and other related companies/organisations to host training led by them
24. Support the booking and running of product demonstrations and other updates by Assistive Technology and related companies/organisations to ACT team
25. 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.
26. Work with the ACT team to collect, collate and input statistical data, record and manage training outcomes /evaluation
27. Work with the ACT Technical team to ensure that equipment (for demonstration, training events and provision to clients) is well-maintained.
28. 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).

We are looking for someone with a keen interest in technology for enabling people with disabilities to have an enhanced quality of life. This might include adapting the settings on a phone or PC to enable someone to access it.
We are a friendly, enthusiastic, experienced and supportive team who work collaboratively as part of a national network of similar services, all funded by NHS England.
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 is essential.

Birmingham is a fantastic place to live and we serve a wide range of people and communities. BCHC are an advocate of diversity and strive to mirror the community we serve as much possible.

We are committed to and actively promote equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals from all areas of the community who meet the specific criteria are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage/civil partnerships.
Promoting Workforce Equality
In response to data held by BCHC which demonstrates that individuals from particular protected characteristics are under-represented, BCHC are striving to redress these imbalances. In order to do this, the Trust is committed to the employment and career development of individuals with these protected characteristics. As part of this commitment and given this under-representation, the Trust guarantees an interview to any applicants from under-represented groups for positions at Band 8a and above whose application meets the essential criteria for the post as detailed on the Person Specification.
The Trust is currently under-represented in terms of people who identify as Black, Minority Ethnic (BME) and welcomes applicants from these communities. Selection will be on the basis of merit. In order to ensure the diversity of our workforce and understand the differing needs of our communities, the Trust is committed to the principles of Positive Action.
Flexible Working
Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (BCHC) supports a variety of flexible working practices and, where possible (given our range of services and community settings) dependent upon the requirements associated with the role, will actively consider requests made and support these where practically possible. This may include hybrid patterns of working to enable colleagues to request the flexibility of a mixture of home/base working.
In accordance with the NHS People Promise, the Trust is committed to facilitating a healthy work/life balance that is essential to health and wellbeing and to making BCHC a 'Great Place to Work'. We will be happy to discuss and consider all requests relating to working patterns and hours at your interview so please do ask!
Benefits of working for us:
+ Full NHS terms and conditions including extensive holidays, Agenda for Change pay with enhancements
+ Attractive relocation payment if you relocate to the local area.
+ Discounts for local and national retailers
+ Dedicated well-being services for all employees
+ Flexible working where possible