Service Technician

Guys and St Thomas Assistive Communication Service 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 experience working with people with disabilities, skills in working with windows and apple software and hardware and a passion for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).

The post would be a fantastic move for someone already working in a health, education or social care setting in a patient facing role who is also proficient with technology and would like to develop their skills in working with Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and Assistive Technology.

The Assistive Communication Service (ACS) supports 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. As part of this service, we assess adults and children with complex needs, provide electronic communication devices and on-going support and maintenance for the equipment. We also provide support and training to local community teams who are working with AAC., The GSTT Assistive Communication Service (ACS) provides a specialist multi-disciplinary therapy service for children and adults with complex communication disabilities.

We work with people who have difficulties communicating due to disability. We assess and provide long term loans of high tech communication devices for clients who meet our criteria and for whom communication is enhanced by the provision of a device.

Our team consists of a Head of Service, Service Manager, Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation Engineering, Technician and Administration.

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.

The GSTT ACS is one of 14 Specialist AAC Services across the UK. Specialist AAC services are commissioned directly by NHS England. The GSTT ACS provides specialist assessment, prescription, initial training and provision of communication equipment for children and adults with complex disabilities across the North and South East of London. We support 11 London Boroughs (spokes). These include: Lambeth, Lewisham, Southwark, Bromley, Bexley, Greenwich, Newham, Barking and Dagenham, Havering, Redbridge, and Waltham Forest.

Assistive communication incorporates a broad range of devices, which can be low or high tech. The GSTT ACS focuses on high tech communication aids, including access and mounting.

As a specialist team, we are able to keep up to date with exciting developments in specialist communication technology, which enables us to open up new opportunities for our clients.

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.