Job overview
An exciting secondment / fixed term opportunity for a skilled Occupational Therapist to join the Communication Aid Service East of England (CASEE) has arisen.
You would join our specialist multi-professional team comprising Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, a Healthcare Scientist, a Rehabilitation Engineer, an Advisory Teacher, Clinical Technicians and administrative support on a 12 month secondment. This is a unique opportunity to develop a raft of specialist skills and experience in the exciting field of assistive technology, specifically alternative and augmentative communication (AAC).
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to engage in invaluable supportive professional development and learn a multitude of transferable skills to bring back to their substantive role and add to their professional repertoire.
Ideally, you will be experienced in working with people with complex needs. You will be familiar with high level assessment, working as part of a multi-professional team and bringing your unique professional expertise to meet service user goals. You will also be confident in providing training to professionals and families and be able to communicate effectively with a broad range of individuals.
Whilst experience and high level AAC/AT skills are desirable, we welcome applications from Occupational Therapists who have an interest in AAC/AT and who are committed to developing the necessary specialist knowledge and skills.
Main duties of the job
To contribute to the provision of the Regional Specialised AAC services within the East of England. To provide highly specialist clinical input to children and adults with complex disability including severe communication problems who need to use alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) as described in NHS England Service Specification for AAC/Communication Aids D01/S/B.
To carry out assessments across the region, as a member of the Multi-disciplinary team (MDT) and make recommendations for AAC provision including providing training and overseeing assessment trials with local teams.
To lead/contribute to the development and delivery of AAC training, to a wide range of audiences.
To actively contribute to the development of the service within the area of specialism, and act as a resource for other therapists and members of the multidisciplinary team in the area of expertise.
To take delegated responsibility for aspects of service development and monitoring as required.
Applicants interested in part-time opportunities are also welcomed.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.
Please note:- Internal applicants on permanent contracts can apply for this post as a secondment or fixed term contract. For secondments you must have the approval of your line manager before applying. If you are an internal applicant currently on a fixed term contract you are able to apply for this as a fixed term position.
This vacancy will close at midnight on…
Interviews are due to be held on…
Benefits to you
At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.
On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only café, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.
CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.
Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.
We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.
Person specification
Skills
Essential
- Advanced interpersonal skills, including observation, listening and empathy skills.
- Ability to develop policies, procedures for specialist area.
- Advanced negotiation and problem solving skills.
- Advanced analytical and reflective skills.
- Advanced prioritisation and organisational skills.
- Computer skills for clinical documentation, presentations and AAC/ assessment materials.
- Flexibility and adaptability in all aspects of clinical, managerial, administrative and organisation activity.
- Problem solving approach to clinical and service delivery issues.
- Collaborative approach to all aspects of patient care and to multi-disciplinary working.
- Able to communicate very effectively with patients with communication problems where difficulties in understanding exist, using observation, listening and empathy.
- Able to present and convey highly complex information clearly to patients, carers and other professionals both in verbal and written form.
- Advanced presentation skills, both written and verbal
Desirable
- Ability to contribute to the development and implementation of regional AAC policies in negotiation with Lead Clinician.
Knowledge
Essential
- Highly specialist level of specialist knowledge to inform evidence based practice across all age groups and specialist difficulties.
- Highly specialist level of current knowledge of national issues and developments in accessibility and research in the field.
- In depth understanding of the principles of clinical governance/audit and research methodology.
- Awareness of demand and capacity issues.
- Knowledge of standards of record keeping.
Desirable
- Theoretical knowledge at highly specialist level sufficient to teach OTs and other professionals.
- Experience of undertaking collaborative research/departmental audit initiatives.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of carrying out complex assessment as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
- Experience of planning and carrying out very highly specialist assessment of the client’s abilities.
- Experience of developing and delivering training in own highly specialist area.
- Awareness of range of seating systems, access methods and mounting systems and their application to clients with complex disability.
- Knowledge and experience of the impact of client's disability on occupational performance and the family / carers.
- Experience of working with clients with complex needs and long term conditions.
- In-depth knowledge of a broad range of assessment tools relevant to highly specialist area.
- Highly specialist knowledge of trends and best practice within highly specialised area.
- Experience in developing and delivering training to parents, education and other clinical specialities.
- Experience of supervising work of Therapy staff, assistants, Technicians, students.
Desirable
- Line management experience
- Post qualification experience in the field of AAC.
- Clinical and technical experience of working with high and low technological communication aids.
- Experience of planning and carrying out very highly specialist assessment of the client’s potential to access technology.
- Highly specialist knowledge of seating systems, access methods and mounting systems and their application to clients with complex disability.
- Experience in teaching and/or research.
Qualifications
Essential
- BSc in OT/Diploma in OT
- HCPC Registration
- Registered with RCOT
- Evidence of attendance at relevant non-assessed short courses.
- Active member of Specialist Interest Groups
Desirable
- Evidence of attendance on specialist short courses and advanced training up to Masters level equivalent in clinical specialism
Additional Requirements
Essential
- The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of safe, kind and excellent.
- Clean driving licence and able to move and transport communication aids/ICT and assessment equipment to a wide range of venues across the East of England Region.
Desirable
- Authorship in published research/articles in peer review journals.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Advanced Specialist Occupational Therapist with Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Cambridge, East of England, England. It is listed as a Band 7 Occupational Therapist role. The advertised salary is £49,387 - £56,515 pro rata per annum. The contract type is 12 months (Secondment or fixed term maternity cover). The application deadline is 15 Jul 2026.
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