Last updated: / 13 December 2017

JOB DESCRIPTION

Post title: / BSL Interpreter and Deaf Services Adviser
Academic Unit/Service: / University of Southampton Auditory implant Service (USAIS)
Faculty: / Faculty of Engineering and the Environment(Enterprise)
Career Pathway: / Education, Research and Enterprise (ERE) / Level: / 4 (FTE 0.6)
*ERE category: / Enterprise pathway
Posts responsible to: / Director and Associate Directors of University of Southampton Auditory Implant Service
Team Lead
Posts responsible for: / NA
Post base: / Office-based and Non Office-based (see job hazard analysis)
Job purpose
To provide sign language interpretation, communication support and advice for the University of Southampton Auditory Implant Service
Key accountabilities/primary responsibilities / % Time /
1.  / To support the patients and or their families/parents/carers attending the Service to fully access the service by interpreting and translating spoken English into British Sign Language or Sign Supported English, and sign language into spoken English. / 60 %
2.  / To provide a range of interpreting support, to a variety of clients. e.g. children/young people, professionals, parents, to enable communication between patients and clinical staff. Such support may be required on site or off site and occasionally outside normal working hours. / 10%
3.  / To provide training and advice to clinical and administrative staff on appropriate communication strategies to use when working with deaf clients. / 5%
4.  / To develop materials to enhance the USAIS service in a variety of media including videos/social stories and online resources / 5%
5.  / To develop this specialist role in liaison with USAIS staff, clients and other specialists external to the University working in this field / 5%
6.  / To work together with clinicians to ensure that information shared in appointments is understood by the patient and clinician, particularly in relation to consent for procedures. This will include making preparations before an appointment – researching specialist vocabulary and finding out about the subject and the people involved. / 5%
7.  / To maintain a thorough knowledge of USAIS guidelines and procedures / 3%
8.  / Utilise specialist techniques and strategies in order to maintain and develop the ability to support a wide range of patients and staff / 3%
9.  / Participate in impact and public engagement activities / 2%
10.  / To participate in or organise research projects involving your specialist area
11.  / Any other duties as allocated by the line manager following consultation with the post holder. / 2%
Internal and external relationships /
Responsible via Head of AIS to Associate Dean for Enterprise
Multi professional working on and off site including hospitals, other services and patients’ homes.
Liaison with national interest groups
Special Requirements /
The post holder will have an excellent understanding of Deaf awareness and of the Deaf community and Deaf culture. The post holder will have good communication skills with people with all types of hearing loss and respect for the different needs and views of patients.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Criteria / Essential / Desirable / How to be assessed
Qualifications, knowledge and experience / Signature Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Sign Language Interpreting, or equivalent diploma or degree (see NRCPD website for a list of equivalent qualifications)
Registered as a Registered Sign Language Interpreter (RSLI) with the NRCPD
Experience of interpreting for a range of adults and children across a variety of settings eg home, health, educational and community environments including medical.
Demonstrable experience of managing difficult and emotive situations
Substantial knowledge and understanding of deaf culture and deaf related issues
Able to apply a range of strategies when interpreting to ensure effective and accurate communication between all parties.
Able to interpret complex information
Experience of quickly building rapport to enable service users to assimilate complex and unfamiliar information / data
/ Educated to degree level or equivalent
Experience of interpreting for children and young people
Experience of interpreting in audiology settings
Member of The Association of Sign Language Interpreters (ASLI)
Planning and organising / Able to manage time effectively and organise own research/consultancy activities to deadline and quality standards
Problem solving and initiative / Able to understand complex issues relating to your role and apply in depth knowledge to address them
Able to adapt to user/client needs to ensure effective communication and access to information
Management and teamwork / Able to contribute to management and administrative processes
Work effectively in a team, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of others to help teamwork development
Appreciate and understand the needs, objectives and constraints of those in other disciplines and functions. / Experience in working as part of a multidisciplinary team
Able to advise managers of the service about future appropriate service development and training needs within the team in relation to meeting the needs of sign language users
Communicating and influencing / Able to understand and communicate new and complex information effectively in sign language and English (written and spoken)
Able to adjust to differing social registers and language needs of users
Able to assist with the presentation of research results at group meetings and conferences
Able to assist with writing up of research results for publication in leading peer-viewed journals
Work proactively with colleagues in other work areas/institutions, contributing specialist knowledge to service development
To be able to establish and maintain professional boundaries
To be flexible, empathetic and patient
Able to work as a supportive team member / Able to present research results at group meetings and conferences
Able to write up research results for publication in leading peer-viewed journals
Other skills and behaviours / Excellent interpersonal skills
Positive attitude to colleagues and students
Able to work impartially when providing interpreting services
Adherence to relevant University of Southampton and USAIS policies including Health and Safety, Information Governance and Safeguarding
Commitment to diversity and equality
Commitment to developing own knowledge and understanding in relation to auditory implants and related specialist vocabulary and concepts
Develop knowledge and skills in relation to the role including undertaking appropriate Continuing Professional Development
Take part in the University appraisal system
Special requirements / Substantial knowledge and understanding of Deaf culture and Deaf related issues
Excellent skills in both BSL and English (spoken and written)
Adherence to the National Register of Communication Professionals for the Deaf (NRCPD) Code of Conduct
Able to support Auditory Implant Service teaching/training activities as required in relation to meeting the needs of sign language users
Able to travel to meet the requirements of the role / Able to attend national and international conferences to present research results

JOB HAZARD ANALYSIS

Is this an office-based post?

☐ Yes / If this post is an office-based job with routine office hazards (eg: use of VDU), no further information needs to be supplied. Do not complete the section below.
☐ No / If this post is not office-based or has some hazards other than routine office (eg: more than use of VDU) please complete the analysis below.
Hiring managers are asked to complete this section as accurately as possible to ensure the safety of the post-holder.

## - HR will send a full PEHQ to all applicants for this position. Please note, if full health clearance is required for a role, this will apply to all individuals, including existing members of staff.

ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES / Occasionally
(<30% of time) / Frequently
(30-60% of time) / Constantly
(> 60% of time)
Outside work
Extremes of temperature (eg: fridge/ furnace)
## Potential for exposure to body fluids
## Noise (greater than 80 dba - 8 hrs twa)
## Exposure to hazardous substances (eg: solvents, liquids, dust, fumes, biohazards). Specify below:
Frequent hand washing / yes
Ionising radiation
EQUIPMENT/TOOLS/MACHINES USED
## Food handling
## Driving university vehicles(eg: car/van/LGV/PCV)
## Use of latex gloves (prohibited unless specific clinical necessity)
## Vibrating tools (eg: strimmers, hammer drill, lawnmowers)
PHYSICAL ABILITIES
Load manual handling
Repetitive crouching/kneeling/stooping
Repetitive pulling/pushing
Repetitive lifting
Standing for prolonged periods
Repetitive climbing (ie: steps, stools, ladders, stairs)
Fine motor grips (eg: pipetting)
Gross motor grips
Repetitive reaching below shoulder height
Repetitive reaching at shoulder height
Repetitive reaching above shoulder height
PSYCHOSOCIAL ISSUES
Face to face contact with public / yes
Lone working / yes
## Shift work/night work/on call duties

Job Description for BSL Deaf Services Adviser ERE Level 4 – Enterprise Pathway – Enterprise Fellow6