Speech Therapy Assistant

NHS; Leeds; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Leeds is looking for a Speech and Language Therapy Assistant to support the Speech and Language Therapy team in inpatient and outpatient settings. The role involves assisting with therapy programs, working closely with patients, and maintaining clear communication with the therapy staff. Candidates should hold a Level 3 qualification in health or social care and have strong interpersonal skills. The job requires flexibility in working hours, including potential weekend shifts.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level III or equivalent.
• Experience in a healthcare environment.
• Experience working within a team.

Responsibilities

• Assist qualified Speech and Language Therapists.
• Carry out Speech and Language Therapy Programs.
• Produce materials and resources as directed.

Skills

Typing and word processing skills

Organizational skills

Excellent interpersonal skills

Ability to give clear advice

Flexibility

Education

Level 3 qualification in relevant health/social care related subject

GSCE English and Maths (grade C minimum)

Job description

Overview

We are searching for caring, creative and self-motivated individual for an exciting opportunity to work alongside Speech and Language Therapists. Speech & language therapy assistants provide a key role within the Adult Speech & Language Therapy Team at Leeds Teaching Hospitals. We have a vacancy for a speech & language therapy assistant within the stroke team.

This diverse role will involve supporting the Speech and Language Therapists working across inpatient stroke care pathways, with a high degree of direct patient contact including group work and implementing individual therapy programmes. The role will involve working closely with the nursing and housekeeper teams and undertaking ward based duties and providing patient care to support these teams as required. The role will require shift patterns to support mealtimes and potential for weekend working alongside nursing and speech & language therapy colleagues.

About us

When you’re working with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, you’ll enjoy a strong performance management culture where everyone is clear about their responsibilities, works to the values of the organisation and is empowered to embrace continuous personal and professional improvement. We’ve created a culture where people take a real pride in their work, respect each other and all work together to deliver the most exceptional standards of patient care. We have a happy, productive work environment where everyone in every role plays their own important part in our success.

For further information on the above post please contact:

Orla Hayes (Speech & Language Therapy Stroke team lead) Telephone [phone] or [e-mail] ; OR email the department: [e-mail]

Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any questions.

Job responsibilities

JOB PURPOSE

2.1 To work alongside and assist qualified Speech and Language Therapists in individual and group settings to aid the rehabilitation of patients.

2.2 To work unsupervised to carry out specific Speech and Language Therapy Programs for a range of speech, language, communication and swallowing disorders in hospital and outpatient settings, reporting back patient progress and informing the Speech and Language Therapist of any non-routine problems and enquiries.

2.3 To produce materials and resources as directed by qualified Speech and Language Therapists.

2.4 To use computer technology to create resources and deliver therapy using Aphasia software as directed by the Speech and Language Therapist.

2.5 To undertake administrative activities as required.

3. JOB DIMENSIONS

The post holder will work flexibly across the patient pathway in both in-patient and out-patient settings.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

5.1 Qualifications

5.1.2 NVQ Level III or equivalent

5.1.3 RSA/OCR Word/Text processing stage II or equivalent

5.2 Experience

5.2.1 Worked in a healthcare environment

5.2.2 Working within a team

5.2.3 Administrative or secretarial procedures

5.3 Skills

5.3.1 Typing and word processing skills

5.3.2 Ability to organise and priorities and work in a busy environment where priorities frequently change

5.4.3 Ability to give clear advice, instruction and training to patients, carers and other professionals in relation to communication and swallowing disorders.

5.4.4 Excellent written and verbal skills

5.4 Knowledge

5.4.1 Knowledge and full use of the Microsoft Office package

5.4.2 Knowledge of the role of a Speech and Language Therapist

5.5 Personal attributes

5.5.1 Excellent interpersonal skills, compassionate, caring and empathetic listener

5.5.2 Flexible and adaptable

5.5.3 Enthusiastic and self-motivated

Core behaviours, knowledge and responsibilities

7. CORE BEHAVIOURS AND SKILLS

7.2 Organisational skills

7.3 IT Skills

8. CORE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

8.1 An understanding of the principles of patient-centred care

8.2 Ability to use technology to create resources and carry out therapy

Principal duties & areas of responsibility

9.1 Clinical

9.1.1 Assist the Speech and Language Therapy staff in the treatment/ rehabilitation of patients using a range of delegated therapy treatments / tasks.

9.1.2 To manage the treatment/ rehabilitation of patients as delegated by the therapist often working without direct supervision. This will involve monitoring patients progress, taking account of their environment, and adjusting own clinical interventions accordingly.

9.1.3 To treat patients individually or in a group in a variety of settings without direct supervision of the therapist (e.g. on a ward or in the department)

9.1.4 To record patient progress with treatment / interventions and report back to the referring Therapist, in particular highlighting any variations to expected outcomes from treatment programmes that you deliver, and contribute to the assessment process by reporting on observations in a range of contexts, under the guidance of the Speech and Language Therapist

9.1.5 To use effective verbal and non-verbal communication during delivery of treatment programmes to patients who may have barriers to understanding or communicating in order to maximise rehabilitation potential and ensure understanding of the condition

9.1.6 To frequently use skills of motivation, reassurance, negotiation and explanation to overcome difficulties encountered, which may include visual or hearing impairment, receptive and expressive speech and language impairment, altered perception, cognitive problems, diminished mental capacity, pain, fear, language barriers and cultural differences.

9.1.7 To inform patients of appointments and cancellations.

9.1.8 To use low and high tech AAC (alternative and augmentative communication) systems (e.g. gesture, signs, picture symbols, electronic communication aids) when these are being used as part of the treatment programme to help clients to understand and express themselves.

9.1.9 To be responsible for planning, making and sourcing appropriate therapy materials which are matched to an individual or group need, in consultation with the Speech and Language Therapist

9.1.10 To undertake community visits (e.g. visits to local shops / cafes) to promote carryover of communication skills into functional situations.

9.1.11 To communicate and liaise with patients, relatives, carers, social and health care professionals and other voluntary organisations to assist the Speech and Language Therapist in ensuring an integrated, holistic approach to patient care.

9.1.12 To liaise with nursing, medical and multidisciplinary team members when applicable, attending relevant meetings and reporting back to the Speech and Language Therapist as required.

9.1.13 To contribute to the development of service provision and clinical care by attending meetings as directed.

9.1.14 To maintain and utilise up to date computer skills in order to maintain patient records, input onto the team data base, email, download information from the internet, utilise digital media, produce electronic documentation and resources and assist with Speech and Language software programs and apps (training provided)

9.2 Education and Training

9.2.1 Upon appointment, the post-holder is required to attend a period of induction which will be supplemented with on the job training, including formal teaching and supervised practice, working towards specific Speech and Language Therapy Assistant competencies.

9.2.2 To attend mandatory and in-service training as required

9.2.3 To assist the Speech and Language Therapist in delivering training to patients, carers and members of the multidisciplinary team

9.2.4 To be responsible for passing on information e.g. office and software systems and procedures to new and existing staff e.g. supporting staff in acquisition of IT skills and use of Speech and Language software where the assistant has more skills and experience.

9.3 Professional and managerial

9.3.1 To form professional relationships, communicate effectively and collaborate with medical, nursing, therapy and social care colleagues to ensure delivery of an effective and coordinated multi-disciplinary service.

9.3.2 As a member of the clinical team you will be required to ensure that you comply with policy and service development changes

9.3.3 To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice as a SLTA through continued professional development activities and maintain a portfolio that reflects your own personal development.

9.3.4 To recognise the need for further advice, guidance and support as appropriate

9.3.5 To incorporate acquired knowledge into working practice as appropriate and following discussion with the Speech and Language Therapist.

9.3.6 To participate in the staff appraisal scheme as an appraisee and be responsible for complying with your agreed personal development objectives to meet set competencies.

9.4 Organisational

9.4.1 To be responsible for the safe use, security and maintenance of therapy equipment and resources by patients in your care through teaching, training and supervision of practice.

9.4.2 To make accurate written records of work undertaken and keep weekly statistics as required.

9.4.3 To contribute to audits and research as appropriate and directed by the Speech and Language Therapist

9.4.4 To be aware of Health and Safety aspects of your work and follow any relevant policies

9.4.5 To comply with the organisational and departmental policies and procedures

9.4.6 To undertake any other duties that might be considered appropriate by the Senior Specialist SLT or SLT manager

Person specification

Skills & behaviours

• Able to function well as part of a team
• Able to prioritise and organise own workload, dealing with peaks and troughs in workload
• Professional, enthusiastic and self-motivated
• Ability to work flexibly, with a positive attitude

Experience

• Experience of team and independent working
• An understanding of the role of the Speech and Language Therapist
• Experience of using email and administrative systems

Qualifications

• Level 3 qualification in relevant health / social care related subject
• GSCE English and Maths (grade C minimum) or Functional Skills equivalent (Level 2 minimum)
• Completion of CARE certificate. Otherwise will be mandatory training requirement during first 3 months of employment.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Speech & Language Therapy Stroke team lead