Therapy Assistant (SLT/OT)

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust; Southend-on-Sea; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

The Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a motivated individual to support Occupational Therapy and Speech and Language Therapy for patients with dementia in South-East Essex. The role involves assisting with assessments, providing training, and ensuring patients' independence at home. Ideal candidates will have experience in dementia care and a commitment to improving patients' quality of life.

Benefits

Season Ticket Loans

NHS discounts for staff

Excellent Training facilities

Buying and Selling annual leave scheme

Flexible Employer

Qualifications

• Experience in supporting patients with dementia.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Knowledge of equipment for daily living aids.

Responsibilities

• Support OT and SLT in patient assessments and reviews.
• Assist with the ordering of specialist equipment.
• Provide education and training to patients and families.

Skills

Experience with dementia

End of life care

Communication skills

Job description

Job Overview

In this exciting new role, the post holder will support Occupational therapy (OT) and Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) in the management of activities of daily living (ADLs) and swallowing/communication needs for people with dementia, in the South-East Essex area.

Working under the supervision of the OT, the post holder will assist with assessment/review of patients and with the ordering of specialist equipment to enable patients to maximise their independence, remain in their own home and prevent admission to hospital.

Working under the supervision of the SLTs, the post holder will assist with assessment/review of patients with swallowing/communication needs in order to support safer swallowing, maximise nutrition/hydration, prevent hospital admission and to help maintain quality of life.

The post holder will also provide education/training to patients, their families, care homes and care agencies when required.

Experience with dementia and end of life care would be an advantage.

Main duties of the job

• To take responsibility for a caseload as designated by the Clinical lead for OT or SLT, or their deputising senior.
• The role will be shared between caseloads for OT and SLT as needed.
• To work independently, facilitating individual work planned with registered OT/SLT.
• To carry out joint visits with OT/SLT as required
• To assess patients within their home environment and arrange provision of agreed equipment, or aids to daily living on behalf of OT.
• To review patients within their home environment (inc. care homes) regarding their tolerance of diet and fluid by observing patients, reviewing notes and liaising with family/carers.
• To review patients’ tolerance of diet and fluids via telephone by liaising with family/carers.
• To demonstrate to patients/carers the correct and safe use of the equipment and advise on safety in the home environment, as applicable.
• To demonstrate to patients/carers correct and safe eating and drinking advice
• To provide Communication Partner Training to families/carers as required
  
  
  

Working for our organisation

EPUT are looking for motivated staff who shares our Trust values of Care, Learn and Empower. In return, EPUT can offer you a range of benefits and development including;

• Season Ticket Loans
• NHS discounts for staff
• Excellent Training facilities and opportunities
• Buying and Selling annual leave scheme
• The opportunity to work bank shifts and expand knowledge and experience in other areas
• Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work
• Day One Flexible Employer
  
  
  

Join our Staff bank

What is Staff Bank?

Our EPUT NHS staff bank is an entity managed by the trust that hires clinical and non-clinical healthcare professionals to take on shifts at our trust hospitals and community settings. Here at EPUT we maintain our own bank of specialist staff to ensure that we are able offer safe and effective care at all times.

All our permanent staff are automatically enrolled onto the staff bank however this does not mean you have to work any additional shifts, but the option is there for you if you wish.

If you are joining our Trust in a fixed term role, please indicate on your New Starter Paperwork that you wish to join our staff bank.

Please note - staff who are formally at risk within the organisation will be given priority in securing alternative employment. Should it come to light that a post being advertised by the Trust is considered ‘suitable alternative employment’ to an individual who is at risk, the recruiting manager will be advised and the post will be withdrawn from NHS Jobs.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Applications for this role should be written by the applicant. If artificial intelligence (AI) programmes are used then the application may be rejected due to this document being an important part of the assessment process. This does not prevent applicants seeking appropriate support with applications should they need to for the purposes of any declared disability.

Important Professional References

Make sure that as a part of your application you have professional references with business contract information covering your last three year employment history. We are unable to accept personal or character references.

As a newly appointed employee you are responsible for incurring the cost of your initial DBS check relevant to your post, the amount will be deducted from your first salary with the Trust.

Applications for Job Share are positively welcomed.

Equal Opportunities Employer

Our Trust is an Equal Opportunities Employer. We particularly welcome applications from people with experience of using mental health services. We also hold the Disability two tick symbol and have made the pledge to commit to employing more people with learning disabilities, we encourage people with a disability to apply. If you require this application form in another format i.e. Braille or audio tape etc, please contact the Recruitment Department on 01375 364513 or email [e-mail] and we can arrange for this to be dispatched to you.

The Trust has the right to expire vacancies prior to the closing date if they so wish. The Trust makes every attempt to contact all applicants and we strongly advise that you check the email account which is registered with NHS Jobs regularly, we would advise however due to the high number of applications we receive that if you have not heard from us within three weeks of the closing date your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expect all staff to undertake this commitment. Applicants will be subject to robust safer recruitment processes.

Covid Vaccination

Although Covid vaccinations are no longer a mandatory requirement within the NHS we continue to encourage and support the vaccination uptake as this remains the best line of defence against Covid19. The safety of our staff and patients is a top priority for us at EPUT.

If you would like to book a Covid vaccination or would like more information please contact us by emailing [e-mail] .