Speech and Language Therapy Assistant

Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust; Metropolitan Borough of Solihull; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare trust is seeking a motivated individual to join their Learning Disability team as a Clinical Support Worker. This role involves supporting Speech and Language Therapists by implementing therapy programs for individuals with communication difficulties. You will need to work flexibly, have experience with learning disabilities, and hold a relevant qualification in health or social care. Training and supervision will be provided to ensure you succeed in this role, contributing positively to the clients' welfare.

Benefits

Generous annual leave

Excellent learning and development opportunities

Salary sacrifice schemes

Qualifications

• Experience of working with individuals with learning disabilities is essential.
• Knowledge of speech and language therapy is preferable.
• Must be able to drive and have own transport.

Responsibilities

• Support speech and language therapists by preparing resources and implementing therapy programs.
• Maintain clinical records and case notes.
• Participate in training and development opportunities.

Skills

Experience with learning disabilities

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Education

Relevant qualification in health or social care

Tools

Assistive and Augmentative communication systems

Job description

The successful candidate will support the work of the Speech and Language Therapists and the wider Learning disability team. The post holder will work under the direction and supervision of the Lead Speech and Language Therapist to complete administrative duties; prepare therapy resources and implement therapy programmes for adults with communication difficulties and learning disabilities. To provide clinical and non-clinical support to speech and language therapists (SLTs). To implement speech & language therapy programmes, devised by a speech & language therapist, for groups and individuals with a learning disability, under the supervision of a speech and language therapist. To modify approaches and activities within programmes to meet the needs of individuals with learning disabilities/groups, in order to meet defined intervention needs.

Experience of working with people with learning disabilities or within a community learning disability team is essential.

Experience/knowledge of Speech and language therapy/ communication needs is preferable.

Car Driver with own transport essential.

We are a hardworking, forward-thinking team looking for a motivated and capable individual to join us.

You will be fully supported with training and supervision necessary for you to carry out this role.

We work flexibly so the successful applicant will also be required to carry out some flexible working.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification before applying.

Organisational Values

• Compassion in Action – We listen, are respectful and respond with empathy, humanity and kindness to the emotions and needs of our patients, service users and carers.
• Working Together – We put patients at the centre of everything we do. We communicate with and involve patients, service users, families, carers, and the communities we serve and respond to their feedback.
• Respect for Everyone – We provide person‑centred care and treat everyone with dignity and compassion at all times. We see each person as unique and valuable. We respect the contribution everyone makes.
• Seeking Excellence – We work in partnership with patients, service users and carers to agree and achieve the best possible outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• To work with individual adults (or groups) as directed by the Speech and Language Therapist.
• To liaise with professionals, clients and carers.
• To plan, run and record SLT sessions. This could be independently, with another assistant or with a therapist or other member of the MDT.
• To plan the delivery of an intervention programme written by the speech and language therapist – independently where appropriate.
• To work independently across a variety of settings e.g. individuals’ homes, day centres, workplaces, leisure facilities etc under the guidance of a speech and language therapist, undertake observational and informal assessments.
• To undertake in‑service training and other training courses as identified and agreed.
• To maintain up‑to‑date clinical records/case‑notes.
• To be involved in supporting AAC users alongside speech and language therapists as appropriate.
• To write individual communication profiles with therapist supervision as appropriate.
• To attend case conferences following discussion with supervisory therapist.
• To participate in student placements following discussion with therapist.
• To attend staff and team meetings.
• To devise and develop resources for group and individual work including communication books/symbols/training materials.
• To prepare and organise resource materials.
• To participate in clinical supervision.
• To maintain quality standards of the Speech and Language Therapy Service in Learning Disabilities.
• To comply with the NHS Code of Conduct and any other professional code of conduct relevant to the post.
• To liaise with clients, SLTs, professionals, parents and carers.
• To use a range of communication systems e.g. face‑to‑face, telephone, written, which may include Assistive and Augmentative communication (AAC).
• To communicate factual information to families and professionals, using persuasion, reassurance, tact and sensitivity to overcome barriers to understanding.
• To communicate with individuals with learning disabilities and speech, language and communication difficulties, using an appropriate method of communication.
• To exchange information regarding clients with colleagues.
• To work within service and trust guidelines.
• To use own initiative when delivering a package of care under the guidance and supervision of a speech and language therapist (SLT).
• To make judgements regarding modifications to therapy programmes to suit individuals and their circumstances and discuss any modifications with the speech & language therapist.
• To organise individual and group clinical interventions following discussions with the SLT.
• To plan the sequence of activities to be delivered within therapy sessions (short term).
• To organise the equipment and prepare resources to deliver therapy sessions for own and SLTs work.
• To maintain client records and information/data systems, in accordance with service/trust policies.
• To raise concerns about timetabling with the appropriate SLT/Team Lead.
• To use standard keyboard skills e.g. for writing reports, letters, accessible info, inputting data.
• To travel across a range of settings as & when required to transport clinical equipment and case‑records following service/trust policies and procedures as when required.
• To use auditory perception and processing skills to underpin clinical work.
• To use, as appropriate and following training, Makaton or other relevant signing communication systems.
• To employ, as appropriate, following training, any physical management strategies as and when required.

Contract & Working Conditions

• Annual salary and benefits will be discussed during the interview.
• Flexible working is required.
• Carer support and additional training will be provided.
• Annual performance appraisal and objectives setting as part of job review.
• No smoking policy applicable.

Benefits and Development

• Generous annual leave entitlement which increases during your time with us.
• Excellent learning and development opportunities, including apprenticeship frameworks, distance learning, internal training, coaching and mentoring, and much more.
• Salary sacrifice schemes for lease car/vehicle, Cycle to Work, home and electronics, gym membership and more.
• Discounts with a range of retailers, restaurants and entertainment venues through our Employee Assistance Programme and NHS discount schemes.
• Wellbeing support, including an in‑house counselling service, external helpline and more.
• Staff networks and support group.

Equal Opportunities

The Trust is committed to Equal Opportunities and welcomes applications regardless of age, gender, race, disability or sexual orientation. Guidance and criteria on the filtering criminal cautions and convictions can be found on the Disclosure and Barring Service website.

Personal Data

For more information on how our Trusts handles your data please view the 'Privacy Notice - Staff - V1.0 May 2018.pdf' at https://www.covwarkpt.nhs.uk/privacy.

Safeguarding

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of individuals and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.