Clinical Scientist

Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust; North Chailey; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Clinical Scientist within a forward-thinking community service provider. This role focuses on facilitating communicative independence for individuals with complex communication needs, working collaboratively within a dedicated team. You will undertake specialized assessments, develop innovative equipment, and ensure the effective use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices. This position offers a chance to make a significant impact in the community while enjoying flexible working options and excellent training opportunities in a beautiful Sussex location.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Excellent training and development opportunities

Cost-effective workplace nurseries

Active diversity and wellbeing networks

Qualifications

• Experience in clinical assessments for communication disabilities.
• Ability to design and adapt equipment for individual needs.

Responsibilities

• Lead assessments for individuals with complex communication needs.
• Develop and manufacture equipment tailored to patient requirements.

Skills

Clinical knowledge

Engineering techniques

Communication skills

Clinical reasoning

Education

Degree in Clinical Science or related field

Tools

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Chailey Communication Aid Service (CCAS) for an experienced Clinical Scientist. We are seeking a candidate with a passion for clinical work and a commitment to facilitating communicative independence for our highly specialist and complex caseload.

We work with children, young people, and adults across Sussex (including Brighton and Hove) and Surrey, who have been referred due to complex communication and access challenges.

You will collaborate effectively as a member of the CCAS team to ensure the safe and efficient provision of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).

Your responsibilities include undertaking and leading highly specialised assessments of individuals with diverse or complex communication disabilities, utilizing specialist analysis, clinical reasoning, and listening skills to determine their needs. Clinics and interventions will be conducted at Chailey Clinical Services and across East and West Sussex, Surrey, Brighton, and Hove as required.

You must consider the medical, therapeutic, nursing, and other requirements relevant to the equipment and possess adequate clinical knowledge to understand the usage implications of the devices.

The Clinical Scientist should be capable of independently formulating, designing, developing, and manufacturing novel equipment or adapting existing equipment to meet individual needs where standard solutions are insufficient.

You will apply sound engineering techniques and other specialised practices to develop the required equipment and seek advice when necessary. You will be responsible for the engineering and functional competence of the equipment produced and for producing documentation on the technical aspects of the equipment’s use.

We are the main provider of NHS community services across East and West Sussex, with 6,000 staff serving 1.3 million people, delivering essential care to help manage health, prevent hospital admissions, and reduce hospital stays.

Our Trust’s vision is to provide excellent care at the heart of the community. We offer opportunities across medical, clinical, support, and corporate services.

Why work for us?

1. Positive 2023 NHS Staff Survey results, highlighting compassionate leadership and wellbeing
2. Varied environments: community hospitals, patients’ homes, and bases across Sussex
3. Flexible working options: part-time, flexi-time, annualised hours, and flexi-retirement
4. Excellent training, development, and research opportunities
5. Cost-effective workplace nurseries in Crawley, Hove, and Brighton
6. Active EMBRACE, Disability & Wellbeing, LGBTQIA+, and Religion & Belief networks
7. Level 3 Disability Confident Leader and Veteran Aware Trust
8. Beautiful Sussex location near the South Downs and coast

Our values

— Compassionate Care, Working Together, Achieving Ambitions, Delivering Excellence — guide everything we do.

We embrace diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds, especially from ethnically diverse, disabled, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. We aim to create an inclusive environment and support reasonable adjustments during recruitment.

This post may close early if sufficient applications are received.

For further details or informal visits, contact:

• Name: Samantha Mickelwright
• Job title: Clinical Scientist
• Email: [e-mail]
• Telephone: [phone]