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NHS Jobs; Hay Mills; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS foundation Trust in Birmingham is seeking a Band 3 Speech and Language Therapy Assistant to support the SLT team with learning disabilities, communication and eating and drinking difficulties, under supervision.

You will undertake patient assessments, implement treatments, write clinical records, and contribute to service evaluation, training carers and MDT members, and carry out admin tasks as required.

Responsibilities

• Undertakes patient assessments as advised by qualified staff.
• Implements a range of treatments with clients independently.
• Writes clinical records and letters independently and reports with support.
• Runs groups, both formal and informal, and individual treatment programmes.
• Manages infection risks on equipment and infection control measures.
• Carries out prescribed eating and drinking programmes written by a qualified SLT.

Job description

Band 3 Speech and Language Therapy Assistant

Main duties Clinical responsibilities

Deals with clients with learning disabilities and carers who may have complex needs and/or be under extreme stress. Using own initiative, carries out clinical work with people who have learning disabilities who have communication and eating and drinking difficulties under the supervision of the SLT (Speech and Language Therapist) on occasions by telephone. Observes clients with eating and drinking problems. Completes a screening checklist and informs the qualified SLT of the outcome. This will only be following training and assessment of competencies. Undertakes patient assessments as advised by qualified staff. Implements a range of treatments with clients independently. Contributes to evaluation and modification of communication environments, advising carers, residential homes, day centres etc. on communication timetables, communication passports and signing. Writes clinical records and letters independently and reports with support. Negotiates with professional, clients and carers in order to deliver routine clinical work. Uses keyboard skills and computer knowledge to produce customised assessments, therapy resources and training materials. Takes initiative for admin/clerical tasks to a maximum of 30% of the working week eg. Answering the telephone, collecting/distributing post, replenishing supplies of standard documentation. Manages infection risks on equipment. Works with clients whose behaviour may challenge so as to cause harm to self and others. Works with clients who may be at risk of potential/actual abuse. Runs groups, both formal and informal, as well as individual treatment programmes. Carries out prescribed eating and drinking programmes written by a qualified SLT and can modify these within set parameters. Manages infection control risks including those from bodily fluids. Carries out invasive procedures such as intensive interaction and sensory interaction. Uses highly developed communication skills to explain information from assessment/therapy plans to clients, carers and multidisciplinary team members.

Service evaluation/development

Contributes to local audit of own work. Contributes to the development of policies by proposing changes at local and team level. Contributes to service wide improvement projects.

Training/support

Assists SLTs to identify training needs in relation to LD caseload. Organises location, hospitality and materials as agreed with the SLT. Delivers training e.g. Makaton, communication passport, objects of reference, to other members of the MDT, carers/parents etc. Supports apprentices, work experience helpers and students acts as a mentor and identifies training needs. Assists in the induction of newly qualified therapists and provides observational experience for SLT students. Liaises with SLT on a regular basis and identifies when delegated treatment plans need revising. Participates in non-managerial clinical supervision. Participates in and receives peer support from other SLTAs, assistant and practitioners from other professional groups. Takes responsibility for fulfilling own professional training and development needs in consultation with line manager e.g. participation in clinical excellence networks.

Professional responsibility

Abides by the professional standards of the Royal College of Speech and Language Theraspists.

Research Activities

Contributes to clinical and managerial audits and undertakes audits of own and others work under direction. Participates in research within the SLT team and across the LD services.

Service Management

Monitors stock for the SLT staff across all SLT bases citywide. Maintains upkeep of the SLT equipment and completes equipment inventories. Produces therapy resources under the direction of an SLT e.g. communication timetables/passports/keyrings, formal training packs and activity books. Provides statistical information on own daily practice for service management purposes. Provides a service which is culturally, linguistically, gender and disability sensitive to meet the needs of the population of Birmingham. To undertake other duties commensurate with this grade of post in agreement with the relevant line manager.

Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS foundation Trust

Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS foundation Trust