Guy’s and St Thomas’ is among the UK’s busiest and most successful NHS foundation trusts. We provide a full range of hospital and community services for people in south London and as well as specialist care for patients from further afield including cancer, renal, orthopaedic, respiratory and cardiovascular services. Guy’s is home to the largest dental school in Europe and a £160 million Cancer Centre opened in 2016. As part of our commitment to provide care closer to home, in 2017 we also opened a cancer centre and a kidney treatment centre at Queen Mary’s Hospital in Sidcup. St Thomas’ has one of the largest critical care units in the UK and one of the busiest emergency departments in London. It is also home to Evelina London Children’s Hospital. Evelina London cares for local children in Lambeth and Southwark and provides specialist services across south east England including cardiac, renal and critical care services. We lead a number of specialist service networks aiming to ensure children are treated locally where possible, but have access to specialist expertise when they need it. Our community services include health visiting, school nursing and support for families of children with long-term conditions. Our adult community services teams deliver care at the heart of the local communities we serve, working in partnership with GPs, local authorities and other healthcare and voluntary sector organisations. Working with our partners in Lambeth and Southwark, we are focusing on new ways of working to improve care for local patients. In February 2021 the Royal Brompton and Harefield joined Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, bringing together world-leading expertise in the care and research of heart and lung disease. Our merger provides a once in a generation opportunity to build a lasting, world-renowned heart and lung centre, providing the highest quality care for patients and conducting world-leading research. We have a reputation for clinical excellence and high quality teaching and research. We are part of King’s Health Partners, one of eight accredited UK academic health sciences centres. In partnership with King’s College London we have dedicated clinical research facilities including an MHRA accredited Phase I clinical trials unit. Patients are at the heart of everything we do and we pride ourselves on ensuring the best possible patient experience as well as safe, high quality care. We are proud to have one of the lowest mortality rates in the NHS. Following a comprehensive Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection in 2019 we maintained our overall rating of ‘good’. Our adult community services achieved a rating of ‘outstanding’. The commitment of our 23,500 staff is key to our success. We are one of the largest local employers and we aim to develop and support all our staff so they are able to deliver high quality, safe and efficient care. The 2019 NHS staff survey results show that we have one of the most engaged and motivated workforces in the NHS. We know this has a positive impact on the care provided to our patients. We have one of the most ambitious capital investment programmes anywhere in the NHS. Job overview The Assistive Communication Service (ACS) is a dynamic and supportive multi- disciplinary team made up of Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Technician, Rehabilitation Engineering and Admin. We are looking for an enthusiastic individual with skills in working with windows and apple software and hardware and an interest in working in a healthcare setting to join our team as a Therapy Technician. The post would be a fantastic move for someone currently working as an IT Technician who would like to use those skills in the field of Assistive Technology or alternatively for someone who would like to gain skills to work towards a healthcare career and is also technically skilled with IT. We support adults and children with complex physical and/or communication disabilities in North East and South East London. We are one of only twelve services in England commissioned by NHS England to provide a specialised Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) service. Main duties of the job To be responsible for the overall management of specialist assistive communication software and equipment (tablets inc. peripheral equipment) for the service. To undertake visits to patients across north and south east London with other team members or alone as required. To communicate with patients who may have communication barriers and difficulties with speech or little spoken English with patience and courtesy. To be aware of and use strategies to support patients communication. To keep accurate records in the most appropriate place (clinical notes, equipment inventory, Access database) To be responsible for the preparation of devices; installing, programming and customizing software for patients specific needs in accordance with the Therapist’s requirements Please see the attached job description for full duties and responsibilities. Working for our organisation We are part of the Regional Specialist Rehabilitation Services which manufacture and provide specialist equipment and rehabilitation in the management of people of all ages with long term physical disabilities. It comprises 4 main services; Amputee Rehabilitation (Prosthetics), Orthotics, Wheelchairs & Special seating and Assistive Communication Services. The services are Allied Health professional led (AHP) with a consultant in rehabilitation medicine .Each team is made up of administrative, clinical staff, rehabilitation engineers as well as workshop technicians and an IT technician who all work together to provide excellent services to our patients. We are based in Crystal Palace, between the over land stations of Crystal Palace and Gipsy Hill, we provide specialist regional outpatient services for children and adults who need buggies and wheelchairs, assistive communication aids, orthotics, prosthetics (for arms and legs) and counselling. Patients are visited in their home or work environment as appropriate. The GSTT ACS provides a holistic interdisciplinary approach; offering assessment, advice, review, and purchasing of specialist communication technologies for individuals requiring specialist support. NHS England has set robust eligibility criteria for our service and prioritization frameworks, which all Specialist Services must adhere to. Detailed job description and main responsibilities The post holder will be primarily responsible for the programming and updating of communication software on the communication devices. This will include the service and maintenance of the communication devices, as well as conducting software / equipment review clinics with clients. The post holder will also have to monitor stock levels of devices, accessories, and consumables, and order replacements as necessary. Please see the attached job description for full duties and responsibilities. Person specification Knowledge / Qualifications Essential criteria Relevant Degree or NVQ Level 5 equivalent education in IT or NVQ level 5 equivalent education GCSE Math’s & English Desirable criteria A recognized qualification in at least one IT discipline (e.g. MCSE / ITIL) A wide range of formal training to demonstrate broad knowledge of computer systems, hardware & software at an advanced level Experience Essential criteria Substantial experience of using a wide range of IT applications, Windows / Office, including Windows 8 & IOS at an advanced user level Substantial experience of installing, uninstalling, configuring & troubleshooting software Desirable criteria Previous experience working directly with patients with communication needs Experience of improving work procedures and practices Experience of specialist communication software and/or communication aids Skills / Knowledge / Ability Essential criteria Excellent communication / interpersonal skills and ability to liaise effectively with patients and staff at all levels face to face and on the telephone. Clear written communication Understanding of the purpose of Communication Aids and Assistive Technology Ability to work flexibly in various roles within a team environment Able to work independently and on own initiative Able to prioritise workload in response to changing demands and requirements Confident in knowing when an issue should be escalated Desirable criteria Knowledge of using electronic clinical systems Knowledge and skills in facilitating communication with patients with communication difficulties Understanding of the ITIL Framework Ability to demonstrate / train in the use of software packages and equipment to clients and carers Guy’s and St Thomas’ celebrates, respects and values the diversity of its staff and patients. We review our policies, procedures and practices to ensure that all employees, patients and carers are treated equitable according to their needs. We are actively committed to ensuring that no one who applies for a job, works or study’s at the Trust, or accesses our services is discriminated against on the grounds of race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, religion or belief, age, gender identity , gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity/paternity, or marital/civil partnership. Applications are welcomed from applicants with a disability. We can make reasonable adjustments and offer support and advice in a variety of ways throughout the application process. Equality of opportunity is our policy. As an organisation we are committed to developing our services in ways that best suit the needs of our patients. This means that some staff groups will increasingly be asked to work a more flexible shift pattern so that we can offer services in the evenings or at weekends. Flexible working We are committed to supporting all employees to achieve a healthy work life balance and to work in a way that is best for them and our patients. We will consider all requests to work flexibly, taking in to account the individual’s personal circumstances as well the needs of the service. We encourage all prospective applicants to discuss their individual circumstances with the recruiting manager as part of the on-boarding process. Your e-mail address is important to us - We communicate to all job applicants via the e-mail address which has been provided on the application form. Please ensure that you check your e-mail on a regular basis. Please apply for this post by clicking "Apply Online Now." 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. Further details / informal visits contact Name Charlotte Sax Job title Clinical Specialist Speech and Language Therapist Email address [email protected] Telephone number 0203 049 7751 Additional information For more information about the post please contact Charlotte Sax, Clinical Specialist Speech and Language Therapist on 0203 049 7751 email: [email protected] Monday – Thursday.