Skip to main content
Please wait, loading

Job summary

Main area
Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Grade
Band 3
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Part time - 18.75 hours per week
Job ref
339-NMSK3995-DY
Employer
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Bristol Centre for Enablement
Town
Bristol
Salary
£25,760 - £27,476 pa pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
18/11/2026 23:59

Employer heading

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust logo

Associate Assistant Practitioner

Band 3

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This will create an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.

Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Considering this, if you are interested in this role, please do apply as soon as you can.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content-based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.


 

Job overview

AAC WEST, based at the Bristol Centre for Enablement (BCE), is an NHS funded department that provides technological solutions for individuals that require alternative methods to communicate. The service is commissioned by NHS England to provide Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) assessments and equipment to people living in the South West region who meet nationally agreed referral criteria.

AAC WEST are looking to recruit an Associate Assistant Practitioner to join their busy clinical team to support in the preparation of communication aids that have been prescribed  for active patients on the service case load. 

This role will be based from the Bristol Enablement Service (BCE) and as a development post, will be fully supported by a team of experienced AAC assistants and registered clinicians. It is a non patient facing role. The successful candidate will be a confident computer user who enjoys managing their own workload.

Main duties of the job

The main duties of the job are as follows:

  • Communication Aid Programming- Preparing both high and low tech communication resources using specialist software to collate vocabularies which are provided by and on behalf of patients on the caseload
  • Equipment Preparation – Preparing equipment for clinical team to take to assessments and training sessions
  • To offer telephone support to patients and their support teams in the region on devices which have been loaned
  • To assist in the delivery of training sessions

Working for our organisation

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston.  

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer. 

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge. 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For a more detailed job description and main responsibilities, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.

Person specification

Education and qualifications

Essential criteria
  • GCSEs including English and Maths
  • NVQ level 2 in Health and Social Care

Knowledge, skills and abilities

Essential criteria
  • Basic knowledge of Augmentative Alternative Communication principles
  • Excellent communication skills in order to communicate factual information to patients, their families, carers, and professionals using persuasion, reassurance, tact and sensitivity
  • To be able to overcome barriers to understanding when communicating with clients with communication impairments
  • Ability to engage and negotiate with suppliers regarding technical issues and feed this information back to team members and service users in an accessible manner.
  • Excellent written skills in order to write clear and concise clinical notes and compose letters and short reports as necessary.
  • Confident computer user with a current and working knowledge of Microsoft Word/Access/Excel/ email/internet and social networking
  • Demonstrable experience of learning new computer software skills
Desirable criteria
  • Basic knowledge of speech and language and occupational therapy procedures

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience of working in a care or educational setting is desirable
  • Technically able with experience of using technology
  • Understanding of the difficulties encountered by people with severe communication and physical or other impairments
Desirable criteria
  • Familiar with medical and electronic terms
  • Knowledge of and adherence to the Trust and AAC WEST policies and procedures

Personal qualities

Essential criteria
  • Effective team working
  • Exceptional organisation skills
  • Highly developed interpersonal skills
Desirable criteria
  • UK driving license held for over a year

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Trust IDDisability Confident - two yearsVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyAge positiveCare quality commission - GoodMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerNHS Pastoral CareStep into healthMenopause Workplace PledgeDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - GoldPride In Veterans

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Application numbers

Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Considering this, if you are interested in this role, please do apply as soon as you can.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Vicky Styles
Job title
AAC WEST Clinical Lead
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
0117 414 5850
Apply online nowAlert me to similar vacancies