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Job summary

Main area
Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Grade
Band 4
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
339-NMSK7524-KL
Employer
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Bristol Centre for Enablement
Town
Bristol
Salary
£28,392 - £31,157 pa pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
19/11/2026 23:59

Employer heading

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust logo

Assistant Practitioner - AAC

Band 4

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 is a specialist Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) service commissioned to provide comprehensive AAC assessments and specialist communication equipment for individuals with complex communication needs.

The multidisciplinary team (MDT) at AAC WEST supports both children and adults across the South West region who present with severe communication difficulties, often alongside physical, sensory, and cognitive impairments.

Working as an Assistant Practitioner within the team offers a unique opportunity to combine direct, face-to-face work with patients and their families with the use of innovative communication technologies. Assistant Practitioners play a key role in the team enabling individuals to communicate more effectively, participate in everyday activities, and achieve greater independence.

Main duties of the job

The role of the Assistant Practitioner within the AAC WEST team is to
- Prepare equipment as directed by the MDT for assessment and loan
-  Programme specialist AAC software as directed by MDT
- Deliver software training sessions to those using AAC
- Deliver 1:1 support sessions to patients as directed by MD

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

During Assessments

·       -  Input into the assessment planning sessions by sharing knowledge of the software, hardware and vocabularies contained within the various AAC devices used
- Prepare equipment as requested by the MDT in equipment planning sheets
- Programme equipment with relevant information as directed by MDT
- Provide basic technical support during assessments to support MDT
- Write clinical observations during assessments to feed back to MDT
- Support the MDT with admin during assessments
- To contribute in the driving to and from patient visits with MDT 

 

Equipment Programming

·       - With guidance, prepare equipment for use during trial loan period. This will involve personalising AAC vocabularies and occasional programming basic EAT operations
- Liaise with local teams to collate relevant vocabularies 

·   Training 
- Provide training to patients and their carers on the care and programming of communication aids prior to the short term loan of equipment.
- Contribute to the rolling programme of software training in conjunction with departmental peers
- Support in the admin of delivering a rolling programme of AAC training bespoke training on AAC where requested 

 Support
- Support patients and their carers through the assessment process and provide feedback to the MDT re: the progress of targets.
- Provide basic technical support to individuals during an equipment evaluation loan period.
-Where required, partake in communication partner work to model good practice
- Independently run support clinics either face to face or via remote platforms

General 

·   - Pasticipate in and attend departmental meetings
- Participate in appraisal process in line with Trust policies
- Identify own training needs and to participate in appropriate training accordingly
- To assist with the planning and delivery of awareness raising events and training courses to professionals and members of the public as appropriate
-Bring to the attention of the AAC WEST lead clinicians any issues appropriate to the post and the department
- Bring to the attention of line manager any service improvement suggestions
- Maintain up to date and accurate case notes and records in line with Trust Policy, as needed.
- Gather activity data accurately and to record this in line with Trust Policy

Person specification

Education and qualifications

Essential criteria
  • GCSE/O levels including English and Maths
  • A levels
  • Full UK driving licence
Desirable criteria
  • Apprenticeship, City and Guilds diploma, foundation degree

Knowledge, skills and abilities

Essential criteria
  • Demonstrable experience of learning new computer software skills
  • Confident computer user with a current and working knowledge of Microsoft Word/Access/Excel/ email/internet and social networking.
  • Ability to manage own time and prioritise tasks
  • Experience of data inputting
  • Excellent observational skills
  • Ability to reflect on own performance
  • An understanding of the meaning of confidentiality and the requirement for this to be maintained
  • An understanding of the importance of keeping written records
  • Ability to work on own initiative but also as part of a team
  • Ability to work within specified standards and timescales
Desirable criteria
  • Ability to identify own professional development needs within the appraisal framework

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience of working with people with disabilities, especially communication impairment
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of working in an environment where assistive technology is used.
  • Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team

Personal qualities

Essential criteria
  • Physically able to manually handle equipment
  • Ability to meet the travel requirements of the post
  • Interest in technology.
  • Flexible and enthusiastic approach to work and colleagues
  • Ability to manage the emotional pressures of working with clients with complex disabilities and terminal illnesses

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

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

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 Manager
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
0117 414 5850
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