[ref. a86281221] Specialist Autism Practitioner - NHS
West London NHS Trust provides a full range of mental health, community and physical healthcare services for children, adults and older people living in the London boroughs of Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham and Hounslow.
We also provide some specialist services that are commissioned regionally, such as our medium secure services; and nationally, such as the Cassel Hospital for people with complex and severe personality disorder and our high secure services at Broadmoor Hospital.
Job overview
West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.
Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham).We employ 4,500 staff, of whom 56% are BME. Our turnover for 2023-24 is £426m.
The Trust is rated as ‘Good’ overall by the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as ‘Outstanding’.
The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.
Main duties of the job
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached.
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Working for our organisation
The Hounslow Adult Autism Assessment and Diagnostic Service (HAAADS) has a key mission to:
‘Provide compassionate, person centred assessment and diagnosis for adults with autism, providing clarity and support throughout the assessment process.'
We are therefore really excited to offer this opportunity to a forward thinking and proactive Specialist Autism Practitioner to join our expanding service here in Hounslow.We are looking for an individual from an array of different clinical backgrounds that can fulfil the role as a specialist autism practitioner. We will consider applications from OT/SaLT/Registered Nurses (and PBS Practitioners) with the right clinical skills, experience and knowledge to fulfil the role.
Our central focus is to have the Service User at the core of what we do. We are deeply committed to delivering on an equality agenda that delivers robust clinical assessments in reducing the health inequalities experienced by this population group and improve health and social outcomes.
If you want to make a practical difference to people’s lives and join an expanding service, then make that application, we want to hear from you.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
You will work as an integral member of the Team and contribute to specialist autism assessments and post-diagnostic support of service-users referred to the service, using appropriate data from a variety of sources.
This will include the use of specialist assessment tools (e.g., ADOS-2, ADI-R etc.), clinical observations and interviews where appropriate. You will hold responsibility for a designated caseload (with support/steer from the Lead Clinical Psychologist).
The post holder will be expected to work with individuals in a way that maximises their participation (and ease) in the assessment process. In addition, you will actively liaise with partners, families, friends, including health and care professionals in order to provide a person centred assessment process.
You will help to plan, support and facilitate time limited post diagnostic work with service users who have undergone an autism diagnostic assessment with the service and received a confirmed ASD diagnosis. This would include groups and workshops, individual or family/support network support where appropriate.
Your work will lead to practical formulations and recommendations to the service user and other professionals, such as GPs/health and care professionals about intervention options for service users on discharge from the service.
As an expanding service, we are looking for a driven, creative and empathetic person to join the team which makes a difference to people’s live.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria- Registered with HCPC or NMC (relevant to professional body and professional discipline)
- Competencies in core autism assessment tools (e.g. ADOS-2, ADI-R)
- Nurse/OT/SALT: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
- PGDip/Masters in nursing/OT/SaLT/ healthcare/Autism (and/or relevant equivalent experience
- Qualification in teaching or mentoring
- Further training and qualification in autistic spectrum conditions (e.g. DISCO)
- CPD related to Autism
Experience
Essential criteria- Ability to support autistic people on an individual and group basis
- Knowledge of evidence-based practice
- Exercising full clinical responsibility for service users on caseload and caseload management
- Experience of risk assessment and risk management planning
- Experience of working as part of an MDT and having a clear understanding of roles and responsibilities
- Working with people who have autism across settings and contexts (including community)
- Experience of liaising and joint working with statutory, voluntary and 3rd sector organisations (care without boundaries)
- Experience of conducting research and audit
- Experience of quality improvement (QI) initiatives and other service development work
- Experience of teaching training and clinical supervision
Knowledge
Essential criteria- Knowledge (and skills) in the use of specialist assessment and interventions with individuals with autism, learning disabilities or both
- Awareness (and application) of legislation that impacts on people with Autism, such as:
- Autism Act 2009
- Autism Strategy 2010 & subsequent updates
- Valuing People (2001)
- Valuing People Now (2009)
- Equality Act (2010)
- Mental Capacity Act (2005)
- Mental Health Act (2007)
- Commitment to continuing professional development (as required by HCPC, NMC, Trust)
- Knowledge and ability to deliver on conducting audit, QI or research methodologies
Skills
Essential criteria- Skilled in methods of assessment and intervention
- Well-developed communication skills (oral and written)
- Able to demonstrate a commitment to the Trusts values
- Communicate complex and sensitive (and contentious) information effectively to a wide range of people
- Ability to apply evidence based for interventions for service users with autism/communication difficulties/ learning disabilities
- Multiagency working and liaise with multiple systems effectively
- Excellent time keeping, time management and priority skills
- Fully conversant (and competent), with a full range of Microsoft software, Excel, and other software mediums (e.g. Attend Anywhere)
- Well-developed skills in providing and receiving clinical supervision (and in dealing with practice standards/challenges)
- Experience of ADOS-2 and ADI-R assessments
- Awareness of research methods
Other Requirements
Essential criteria- Ability to work through distressing circumstances and taking appropriate actions in a timely manner
- Recognition of own limitations and strengths and ability to seek advice when needed
- Willingness to work flexible hours on occasions in response to service user/service needs
- General willingness to learn new IT and broader skills
- Able to engage with vulnerable people and work effectively in highly distressing and challenging circumstances
- Able to work flexibly, cooperatively as an equal member of the clinical team and respecting difference
- Able to use own initiative and make decisions independently
- Ability to work flexibly and creatively and be a positive catalyst for change in driving service quality forwards
- Experience of working within a multicultural framework
- Car driver and access to a car
As an employee of West London NHS Trust, you have a responsibility to maintain a sound understanding of, and a commitment to uphold the National Health Service values and principles set out in the NHS Constitution.
We reserve the right to close adverts prior to the closing date stated should we receive a high volume of applications.
By applying for this post you are agreeing to West London NHS Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, you will be required to undergo a pre-employment checks which can take between 4-8 weeks .After which your information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system (ESR ).
Please ensure you include email addresses for your referees which MUST be at supervisory or managerial capacity covering the last 3 years of employment to date to avoid delay in the recruitment process.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
West London NHS Trust is committed to safeguarding all children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.