Skip to main content

This site is independent of the NHS and the Department of Health.

Please wait, loading

Job summary

Main area
Speech and Language Therapy
Grade
Band 4
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Monday - Friday, 8-4pm)
Job ref
339-NMSK2614-CCC
Employer
North Bristol NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Bristol Centre for Enablement - Highwood Pavilions
Town
Patchway, Bristol
Salary
£28,392 - £31,157 per annum (FTE) or pro-rata for part time roles
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
25/06/2026 23:59

Employer heading

North Bristol NHS Trust logo

Assistant Practitioner

Band 4

Thank you for your interest in this vacancy. We highly recommend reading our Tips on how to apply page to give you an insight on how applications are scored & shortlisted by our Recruiting Managers. These tips have been provided to give you a better chance of being shortlisted for our vacancies.

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) are working towards merging as one organisation from July 2026. 

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.

Should you join NBT as an employee prior to our organisations merging, your employment will be automatically transferred across to UHBW. Should your employment begin after our two Trusts merge, you will be employed directly by UHBW and therefore UHBW terms and conditions of service will apply 

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

We're looking for an Assistant Practitioner to join our team at AAC WEST. You will work alongside a highly experienced multi disciplinary team to deliver AAC services to people with service communication difficulties living in the South West region.

AAC WEST is funded by NHS England to provide specialist Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) assessments and equipment for clients who meet the service specification living in the South West region.

The multidisciplinary team at AAC WEST provide an AAC service to both adults and children who have sever communication, physical, sensory and cognitive impairments.

Please note - you must have a valid UK driving license for this post.

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

  • To deliver software training sessions to those using AAC

  • To deliver 1:1 support sessions with patients as directed by MDT

Working for our organisation

North Bristol NHS Trust employs over 12,000 staff providing high quality healthcare to the population we support. Our vision is that by enabling our teams to be the best that they can be, we will provide exceptional healthcare, personally delivered.

We commit to treating each patient as an individual with respect and dignity, aiming to deliver excellent clinical outcomes and a first-class experience for everyone who uses our services.

North Bristol NHS Trust values all people as individuals. We aim to be an antidiscriminatory organisation and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We welcome applicants from all underrepresented groups

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Duties within this role will include:

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
  • A broad knowledge of each of the commonly used specialist AAC software packages

Training

  • To 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
  • To deliver bespoke training on AAC where requested

Support

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

 General

  • To participate in and attend departmental meetings
  • To participate in appraisal process in line with Trust policies
  • To 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
  • To bring to the attention of the BCAS lead clinicians any issues appropriate to the post and the department
  • Bring to the attention of line manager any service improvement suggestions
  • To maintain up to date and accurate case notes and records in line with Trust Policy, as needed.
  • To gather activity data accurately and to record this in line with Trust Policy

Person specification

Education/Training/Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • GCSE grade A- C (grade 4 and above) or equivalent in Maths and English
  • Level 3 qualification ie A levels grade D & above / NVQ3 / T Level
Desirable criteria
  • Completion of Apprenticeship, City and Guilds diploma or Foundation degree

Knowledge/ Skills / 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.
  • Excellent communication skills both verbal and written
  • 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
  • Ability to manage own time and prioritise tasks
Desirable criteria
  • Ability to reflect on own performance

Work 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 - held a driving license for over a year
  • Ability to manage the emotional pressures of working with clients with complex disabilities and terminal illnesses.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyAge positiveArmed Forces Covenant (Silver Award)Care quality commission - GoodMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerBECHappy to Talk Flexible Working

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
Victoria Styles
Job title
Clinical Manager
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
0117 414 5850
Apply online nowAlert me to similar vacancies