Neurodevelopmental Practitioner (Autism)

1. Hywel Dda University Health Board is the planner and provider of NHS healthcare services for people in Carmarthenshire.
2. We are seeking to employ professional registrant’s (Nurse, Allied Health Professional, Qualified Teacher (with QTS) or Social Worker), to join the team.
3. Your work will predominantly involve diagnostic assessment of autism and full training will be provided.

If you are a Hywel Dda University Health Board employee and are applying for this post as a secondment, agreement for the secondment is needed from your current manager prior to application.

There are exciting times ahead for Neurodevelopmental Services in West Wales and we would like to appoint enthusiastic and motivated band 6 Neurodevelopmental Practitioner’s to join our friendly and inclusive West Wales Integrated Autism Service. 

We are seeking to employ professional registrant’s (Nurse, Allied Health Professional, Qualified Teacher (with QTS) or Social Worker), to join the team.

We are looking for individuals with a genuine interest in the field of neuro-divergence and a passion for improving the lives of neuro-divergent adults. 

You will have a range of transferrable skills and a desire for developing your skills and knowledge around autism and neuro-divergence. You will be able to work under pressure in order to provide high quality, collaborative care and support to autistic individuals with or without mental health and or learning difficulties. 

Main Duties Of The Job:

Your work will predominantly involve diagnostic assessment of autism and full training will be provided. The role also requires you to work with autistic adults to help identify and address support needs individually and in a group situation - both virtually and via a face to face. The role requires you to work in partnership with individuals, family members and partner organisations. 

West Wales integrated Autism service caters for the Hywel Dda University Health Board region, offering diagnostic assessment of autism in adults who do not meet eligibility criteria for statutory services such as mental health and learning disabilities. The service also offers time-limited support and professional consultation and engagement with every sector, in addition to delivering training around autism.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Interviews to be held on 13/11/2024

Working For Our Organisation:

Hywel Dda University Health Board is the planner and provider of NHS healthcare services for people in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and its bordering counties. Our 12,000 members of staff provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services for around 384,000 people across a quarter of the landmass of Wales. We do this in partnership with our three local authorities and public, private and third sector colleagues, including our volunteers, through:

Four main hospitals: Bronglais General in Aberystwyth, Glangwili General in Carmarthen, Prince Philip in Llanelli and Withybush General in Haverfordwest;

Seven community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron, Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire Hospital Health and Social Care Resource Centre in Pembrokeshire;

47 general practices (6 of which are managed practices), 45 dental practices (including 4 orthodontic), 96 community pharmacies, 44 general ophthalmic practices (43 providing Eye Health Examination Wales and 34 low vision services) and 17 domiciliary only providers and 11 health centres;

Numerous locations providing mental health and learning disabilities services;

Highly specialised and tertiary services commissioned by the Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee, a joint committee representing seven health.

Person Specification:

Qualifications & Knowledge:

Essential Criteria:

• Relevant degree in professional specialism (Nursing/Allied Health Professional/Social Worker/Education)
• Registered member of Professional body (NMC, HCPC,ECW,CCW,RCOT)
• Post-registration qualification or demonstrable equivalent experience to post-graduate diploma level
• Demonstrates an understanding of National and Local Autism policy and legislation
• Willingness to train in the use of specific autism diagnostic assessment instruments
• Demonstrates an understanding of the needs of autistic individuals and their families/carers/partners
• Has insight into the changing needs of those with autism across the lifespan
• Has knowledge of multi-agency partnership working and/or provision of multidisciplinary care/support for autistic people.
• Has knowledge of standards of record keeping
• Has an understanding of the impact of local, cultural, linguistic and demographic factors which influence service delivery in own clinical specialism

Desirable Criteria:

• Evidence of attendance on advanced and specialist post graduate courses pertaining to neurodiversity
• Can demonstrate a professional interest in ASD
• Has knowledge of a range of specialist assessment and intervention tools relevant to the client group.

Experience:

Essential Criteria:

• Has knowledge of working with autistic adults and/or children and their families
• Willingness to develop knowledge and experience in working with ASD across the life span
• Experience of multi-agency partnership working and ability to promote multi-disciplinary/multi-agency and collaborative practice with a wide range of stakeholders and partners
• Ability and experience in developing, planning implementing and delivering a range of training packages to others
• Experience in using information gathering/reporting systems and is IT literate in the use of appropriate software

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience of working with both autistic adults and/or children Experience of working with people with learning disability and/or mental ill health
• Knowledge and experience of strategies and approaches that support autistic people and their families
• Demonstrates experience of supporting, supervising and developing skills of less experienced staff

Language Requirements:

Desirable Criteria:

• Welsh Speaker (Level 1)h boards across Wales.

Contract: 8 months (Fixed term / Secondment until 30.06.2025)

Hours: Full time, Part time, 37.5 hours per week (There are various full and part time hours are available)

Site: Ty Gwili