Assistive Technology Officer (SC074)

Applications are invited for the above Full Time temporary position.

The Organisation:

Stewarts Care is a long-established voluntary organisation providing comprehensive community-based services to people with intellectual disabilities.

We support people across a wide range of services within residential settings, day services, supported independent living, job advocacy and vocational training.

Purpose of the Post:

Stewart's Care recognises the need to develop its ability to support service users with Assistive Technologies (AT). It has designed a role to optimise AT to support human rights, independence, safety, and cost-effective care. Developing an AT service in Stewarts Care will also help deliver on aspirations of the HSE's Transforming Lives and New Directions initiatives to ensure people with intellectual disabilities live their life based on choice and for services to promote a person-centered approach to service provision.

Candidates must meet the following criteria relevant to the role:

• 5 years post qualification experience, of which 4 are in area of disability or assistive technology

• Significant experience in the field of applying assistive technology in clinical practice

• Highly developed specialist knowledge in the field of assistive technology

• Highly specialist knowledge in either provision of Environmental Controls or Communication Aids and AAC.

• Understanding of research theory.

• Significant relevant clinical skills gained during a postgraduate period.

• Ability to carry out complex assessments of client needs and provide and monitor technological solutions. This may involve specialist assessment for mobility, communication, computer access and environmental control access for clients with severe disabilities.

• Ability to problem solve complex (assistive technology) clinical problems.

• Skills to promote the service to the public and other health, education and social service professionals.

• Ability to apply research methods.

• Have a high level of computer literacy.

• Respect for confidentiality.

• Awareness of health and safety requirements.

• Can manage own caseload, organise joint meetings and share in the planning of workload for the technical team.

• Good communication skills required to carry out assessments as part of a multidisciplinary team and to train other professionals in Assistive Technology.

• To communicate with service users, family, carers and other health professionals, often discussing sensitive issues with skill and compassion.

• A commitment to apply technology to solve clinical problems.

• Temperament and ability to remain calm under stressful conditions.

• Enthusiastic about assistive technology.

• Hard working and conscientious.

• Consistent and punctual attendance.

• Access to own vehicle for work purposes.

Salary and qualifications are in accordance with Department of Health consolidated pay scales OT/SLT Clinical Specialist. Current Salary Scale: €64,821 – €75,220

Detailed job description is available on our careers page here https://www.stewartscare.ie/about/careers. Campaign Ref: SC074

Applications should include a CV and cover letter demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria.

Email: recruitment@stewartscare.ie or by Post: HR Dept., Stewarts Care, Mill Lane, Palmerstown, D20 XT80.

Closing date: 26th May 2023

Applications will be short-listed based on the information supplied.

A panel may be formed, from which future permanent and temporary positions may be filled.

Stewarts Care is an Equal Opportunities Employer

Job Description Assistive Technology Officer

Role

Assistive Technology Officer

Duration

Temporary Full Time (35 hours per week) 12 month contract

Location

Operating from Stewarts Care main office at Palmerstown and may be required to visit any Stewarts Care site.

Reporting Relationship

Clinical Director of HSCP and Research Office (or delegate)

Job Purpose

Stewart's Care recognises the need to develop its ability to support service users with Assistive Technologies (AT). It has designed a role to optimise AT to support human rights, independence, safety, and cost-effective care. Developing an AT service in Stewarts Care will also help deliver on aspirations of the HSE's Transforming Lives and New Directions initiatives to ensure people with intellectual disabilities live their life based on choice and for services to promote a person-centered approach to service provision.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

To lead and manage the provision of the Assistive Technology (AT) service, including:

• Provide clinical leadership and expertise to development and provision of an assistive technology service, that integrates with internal and external systems.

• Develop a clear assistive technology assessment and prescription pathway for service users.

• Make appropriate, reasonable clinical and financial recommendations for the purchase of assistive technology equipment throughout Stewarts Care adults services.

• Independently manage a caseload of clients for provision of equipment, with safe and equitable prioritisation of service.

• Undertake and participate in research projects, audit outcomes and publish information in collaboration with strategic partners.

• Contribute to device evaluations, equipment management and other tasks required to ensure effective provision of these services.

• Provide specialised AT assessment intervention to include Environmental Control and Communication Aid (Complex Disability Equipment) services to adults with complex disabilities to improve their independence, quality of life, safety and participation. The post holder will provide an occasional advisory service to staff within CDNT’s and propose a framework for how Stewarts CDNTs can support children’s AT needs.

• Manage the provision of AT services throughout the organisation.

• Provide some other assistive technology services as appropriate.

• Adapt equipment as required to meet the individual and changing needs of the individuals.

• Provide the service in an independent, unbiased, cost effective and accountable way.

• To network within the field to assure a high quality of care.

• Promote the development and application of assistive technology products.

• Promote the Stewarts Care AT service within the field of AT and ID.

• Other management duties as appropriate.

Service leadership and provision and clinical practice:

• Lead the development of AT provision pathways, policies and procedures. To influence and contribute to whole service development.

• To be a source of advice and expertise and contribute to the development of strategy on the introduction of assistive technology. To initiate and contribute to design of innovative custom made equipment where appropriate.

• Work with HSCP Service Leads and other colleagues to provide specialist Assistive Technology services. This requires provision of a specialist clinical technical service including specialised advice contributing to the care, education or rehabilitation of clients.

• Postholders would be expected to have expertise in one area of service delivery (i.e. either Communication Aids, or Environmental Control) but would be expected to develop their competencies to work across services to a less specialist level, within their scope. To maintain specialist knowledge and skills within the appropriate areas of service provision and to provide relevant clinical expertise to the multi-disciplinary team to inform their decision making.

• To work independently and with significant autonomy and discretion in the delivery of the service.

• To liaise with technical staff (internal and external) to ensure that equipment provision, including bespoke equipment, is of a high standard and good ‘fit’ to the context.

• Work with medical and clinical colleagues and clinical scientists to achieve a need based individualised recommendation for the installation of assistive technology including environmental controls and communication aids within professional and local policies and procedures.

• Co-ordinate the assessment, supply and installation of electronic assistive technology with contractors, in-house technologists and technicians and equipment suppliers.

• To maintain specialist knowledge and skills within the appropriate areas of service provision and to provide relevant clinical expertise to the multi-disciplinary team to inform their decision making.

• To work closely with local multi-disciplinary teams.

Education and facilitation of learning

• To serve local educational and training needs, including training therapists, technical staff and others in assistive technology,

• To contribute to the development and delivery of specialised training packages for staff, family members, assistants, carers and other professional groups.

• To provide appropriate mentoring, clinical supervision, peer support and joint visits for advice to HSCP colleagues at all levels.

• To be involved in the promotion of the service through training and other events and use of other techniques (e.g., blog posts, case studies and writing in academic and non-academic journals and media).

• To be involved in the provision of student placements in accordance with professional guidelines.

Research, evidence and development

• To reflect on practice, demonstrate Continuing Professional Development and to maintain a portfolio or equivalent in line with CORU, professional and organisational guidelines.

• Understands and promotes the 5 steps of evidence based practice: ask, acquire, appraise, apply, assess, (evaluate).

• To promote an evidence based, research environment, taking an active role in following research in relevant fields and sharing research findings and developments with the team and other professionals.

• Collaborate in research projects with staff, universities and industry as appropriate. Develop and maintain contacts and collaborations with external research institutions.

• Maintain accurate and detailed clinical and research records. Write research, clinical, technical and management reports as necessary.

• Have knowledge of and comply with the requirements of policies on research governance and intellectual property and the Department of Health’s Research Governance Framework.

Communications And Working Relationships

Internal:

• HSCP team and other Stewarts Care staff as appropriate

External:

• Service Users and their assistants/families

• Local health service providers

• Local Education Authorities

• School Teachers and Teaching Assistants

• Social Services staff

• Local voluntary and charity organisations

Senior managers, managers and staff across different agencies

Staff from suppliers and contractors, including installation engineers.

Presentation of papers to peers at interest groups and national and international conferences as appropriate.

Other forms of sharing best practice and dissemination – e.g. social media, academic and non-academic journal articles

Other specialised service provider staff outside the region

Researchers in partner institutions

The above Job Specification is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

Qualifications & Experience

The successful candidate will meet the following essential criteria:

• 5 years post qualification experience, of which 4 are in area of disability or assistive technology

• Significant experience in the field of applying assistive technology in clinical practice

• Highly developed specialist knowledge in the field of assistive technology

• Highly specialist knowledge in either provision of Environmental Controls or Communication Aids and AAC.

• Understanding of research theory.

• Significant relevant clinical skills gained during a postgraduate period.

• Ability to carry out complex assessments of client needs and provide and monitor technological solutions. This may involve specialist assessment for mobility, communication, computer access and environmental control access for clients with severe disabilities.

• Ability to problem solve complex (assistive technology) clinical problems.

• Skills to promote the service to the public and other health, education and social service professionals.

• Ability to apply research methods.

• Have a high level of computer literacy.

• Respect for confidentiality.

• Awareness of health and safety requirements.

• Can manage own caseload, organise joint meetings and share in the planning of workload for the technical team.

• Good communication skills required to carry out assessments as part of a multidisciplinary team and to train other professionals in Assistive Technology.

• To communicate with service users, family, carers and other health professionals, often discussing sensitive issues with skill and compassion.

• A commitment to apply technology to solve clinical problems.

• Temperament and ability to remain calm under stressful conditions.

• Enthusiastic about assistive technology.

• Hard working and conscientious.

• Consistent and punctual attendance.

• Access to own vehicle for work purposes.

Desirable criteria:

• Relevant MSc or PhD

• Clinical educator accreditation

• Experience of project management

• Knowledge of disability legislation.

• Have electronic instrumentation and mechanical engineering experience and the skills to manipulate fine tools for the adjustment of electronic and mechanical devices.

• Have IT skills necessary for software programming, creating novel IT applications, configuration of software appropriate to client needs.

• Flexible attitude to working hours.

Statutory Registration, Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc

(a) Candidates for appointment must:

(i) Be registered, or be eligible for registration, on the Occupational Therapists/ Speech and Language Therapists Register

maintained by the Occupational Therapists or Speech and Language Therapists Registration Board at CORU.

AND

(ii) Have five years full time (or equivalent) years post qualification clinical experience of which four years full time (or equivalent) must be consecutive in the required area

of specialism.

AND

(iii) Demonstrate a proven record of clinical excellence.

AND

(iv) Professional Development and Practice Candidates must demonstrate evidence of continuing professional development

relevant to the required area of specialism, in the form of post-graduate qualifications or relevant courses.

AND

Candidates must demonstrate achievement in the areas of clinical audit, quality improvement initiatives, practice development, teaching and research.

AND

(v) Have the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability, management, leadership and professional ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office.

AND

(vi) Provide proof of Statutory Registration on the Occupational Therapists or Speech and Language Therapists Register maintained by the relevant Registration Board at CORU before a contract of employment can be issued.

2. Annual registration

(i) On appointment practitioners must maintain annual registration on the Occupational Therapists or Speech and Language Therapists Register maintained by the relevant Registration Board at CORU

AND

(ii) Practitioners must confirm annual registration with CORU to the HSE by way of the annual Patient Safety Assurance Certificate (PSAC)

This job description is a guide to the general range of duties assigned to the post holder. It is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive and is subject to periodic review with the employee concerned

Remuneration

• Current Salary Scale: €64,821 – €75,220. Aligned to DOH consolidated pay scale OT/SLT Clinical Specialist. Your salary is paid monthly (16th unless when 16th falls on Saturday or Sunday you are paid on the Friday prior to the 16th) by direct credit transfer into any Bank or Building Society of your choice where the paypath system operates.

• Salaries and increments are paid in accordance with DOH salary scales pro-rata.

Annual leave

• 29 calendar days

Working week

• The hours allocated to this post are 35 hours per week, exclusive of lunch breaks.

• The allocation of these hours will be at the discretion of the Clinical Director and in accordance with the needs of the service.

Probation

• All employees will be subject to a probationary period of 6 months, with an extension if required to 9 months. This probationary period applies to all employees irrespective of their role or type of role.

Garda Vetting

• Stewarts will carry out Garda vetting on all new employees. An employee will not take up employment with the organisation until the Garda Vetting process has been completed and the organisation is satisfied that such an appointment does not pose a risk to the service users and employees.

References

• Stewarts will seek up to two written references from current and previous employers, educational institutions or any other organisation with which the candidate has been associated. Stewarts reserves the right to determine the merit, appropriateness and relevance of such references and referees.