Speech & Language Therapy Assistant

Job summary

1 x hour per week

Youwill join our team of speech and language therapists and clerical officers asan assistant. You will be part of afriendly and supportive team who hold regular team meetings, supervision, mentoringand are committed to pastoral care.

You will work with individuals who have avariety of speech, language, communication and eating and drinking difficulties.This may include people with complex health needs stroke, progressiveconditions such as Motor Neurone Disease, and those receiving palliative care.This role may be of interest to people who have experience of working withadults in a health care setting.

You will work in a variety of settings such ashealth centres, the patients own home and care homes.

Our Trust is committed tosafeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults, expecting allcolleagues to be the same.

We would be very happy todiscuss this role with you; please contact , providing a contact number.

Main duties of the job

Your role will be to supportthe speech and language therapy team with a variety of tasks including:

Independently carrying out therapyactivities under the guidance and supervision of a Speech and Language therapist.

Running communication therapy groups.

Working with individuals toimprove or maintain their communication and/or eating and drinking skills.

Adapting programmes of workand reporting on patient progress to the Speech and Language therapist.

Creating therapy materials tohelp the delivery of therapy programmes.

Using computer-based Microsoftand other specialist programmes.

Developing and supportingpaper- and computer-based communication aids.

Training and support in thisrole will be provided.

As with all health care, thereis a requirement to maintain high quality, accurate and timely healthrecords.

All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect patients.

About us

Weare a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental healthand learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale,Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and arethe lead for the west Yorkshire secure provider collaborative.

Our mission isto help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, we do thisby providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employstaff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make adifference to the lives of service users, families and carers.

We encourageand welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we valuediversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.

Beinga foundation Trust means were accountable to ourmembers, who can have a say in how were run. Around 14,300 local people(including staff) are members of our Trust.

Joinus and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improvingthe mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet andhelp each year.

Weare committedto safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people andvulnerable adults and expects all colleagues and volunteers to share thiscommitment.

We do reserve to right to close vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.

Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB SUMMARY

To support speech and language therapists to provide effective, high quality services through the delivery and adaptations of treatment programmes to clients individually and / or in groups and through general clinical and administrative support in the Department

This job description is an outline of the main duties of the post. The post holder will be required to undertake other duties commensurate with the grade as directed.

The content of this post will be reviewed in consultation with the post holder when necessary and in line with the service developments.

KEY RESULT AREAS:

To provide and deliver packages of care to individual clients under the guidance and supervision of the qualified speech and language therapist. To independently carry out therapy programmes as directed by SLTs, which require close physical contact with patients, using knowledge and skills to adapt programmes as appropriate and to report on progress and observations to supervising SLT after each intervention To assist speech and language therapists in the running of groups and the delivery of the agreed elements of the group and to be responsible for the associated administrative duties. To prepare, maintain, initiate and develop therapy materials and equipment and assist in the preparation of programmes of therapy. To use knowledge and skills to assess the need for therapy and to feedback/discuss with speech and language therapist. To contribute towards the adaptation and development of individual programmes of therapy, by using knowledge, skills and awareness of the clients needs, gained through specific episodes of care, discussing any developments/changes to therapy programmes after each intervention, and gaining agreement and direction from the supervising SLT for future sessions. To participate in service delivery within a variety of locations clinics, patients home, care homes. To represent the department as first point of contact when necessary. To undertake training and be proficient with a variety of IT and therapy based computer packages boardmaker, internet, word, exel, powerpoint and communication aids To undertake appropriate training relevant to the role, to support continuous professional development To write and record accurate, concise and timely clinical notes after each intervention, accessible to SLTs and other members of the multi-disciplinary team To provide training for professionals and members of the multi-agency team regarding the use of computer based packages in relation to communication support To adhere to the Speech and Language Therapy and Trust Policies and Procedures. To work as part of a multi-disciplinary team. To carry out administrative /clerical duties associated with the role for the department. Other duties commensurate with the grade.

Trust Values:

The Trust is committed to ensuring the highest standards of care and treatment and expects that all staff treat people , service users, their carers, relatives, friends, colleagues, visitors etc, with dignity and respectat all time. The post holder must all time act in accordance with the Trusts Values:

Honest, open, transparent

Respectful

Person first and in the centre

Improve and be outstanding

Relevant today, ready for tomorrow

Families and carers matter

Safeguarding:

Report any concerns regarding the safety or wellbeing of children, adults service users, members of their families etc, in accordance with Trust Policy.

Prevent and respond appropriately to abuse and understand own role in this by undertaking Safeguarding training.

Trust policies and commitments to be read in line with the relevant Trust Policy:

All staff employed by the Trust must comply with the Trusts policies and procedures, undertake appropriate training required for their role and commit to:

ensure they are aware of the Whistleblowing Policy and how they raise concerns;

maintain confidentiality, in line with the Trusts Confidentiality Policy and Code of Conduct;

understand their personal responsibilities with regards to data quality for any information which they create, use or process in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and Trust Data Protection Policy;

comply with the provisions of The Trusts Health and Safety Policy and Protocol. Ensuring their own safety and that of colleagues, service users and visitors. Know the action to be taken in the event of a fire and must undertake fire training annually;

receive supervision in line with the Trusts Supervision Policy and an annual Appraisal in line with the Trusts Appraisal Policy, during which mandatory, role specific and personal development needs should be identified and agreed;

understand their responsibilities under the Trusts Equal Opportunities in Employment Policy and ensure that they adhere to the provisions of the policy;

recognise, respect and support the equality diversity of staff, colleagues, service users, carers and the public. Contribute to a working environment which promotes and responds positively to difference and diversity;

ensure they carry out their duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people under the age of 18 years, as issued under Section 11 of The Children Act 2004, by being familiar with and adhering to Trust safeguarding policies and participatingin relevanttraining;

comply with their professional responsibilities to develop their practice and deliver care through a Clinical Governance framework ( CPD, Audit, Supervision);

demonstrate, through practice and practical understanding, the importance of the continual development of individual, team and service wide quality improvement;

abide by relevant codes of professional practice, with the organisation taking action when codes of conduct are breached;

work flexibly to meet the needs of the service/organisation, whilst working within a culture of progressive employment practices and commitment to the Investors in People (IiP) Standards.

adhere to the Trusts smoke free policies, which prohibits smoking anywhere on Trust grounds;

being socially responsible by complying with measures that support the Trust in reducing or offsetting our environmental impact;

Identify and report risks, hazards, incidents, accidents and near misses promptly;

In addition to the Trusts own responsibilities under the Health and Social Care Act 2008, Code of Practice on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance, for your safety, ALL staff (and contractors) are responsible for ensuring their work adheres to this Code in the delivery of safe patient care.

This job description is an outline of the main duties of the post. The postholder will be required to undertake other duties commensurate with the band as directed. The content of this post will be reviewed in consultation with the postholder when necessary and in line with the service developments.

For full details of the role please see the supporting documents attached.

Person Specification

PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES

Essential

Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post. A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where the sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy). Appointment subject to Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau Current driving licence and access to a car during the working day is essential (reasonable adjustments will be considered for any applicants who are unable to drive due to a disability).

Qualifications

Essential

GCSE English or equivalent. NNEB/NVQ3 or equivalent.

Desirable

Within the first year to achieve competency in: Assessment of communication skills. Identify appropriate therapy. Commence appropriate Therapy in the absence of a Speech and Language Therapist.

SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS

Essential

Understanding of confidentiality within the context of health care.

Desirable

Understanding and knowledge of the role of Speech and language Therapy. Awareness of the roles of other professionals/agencies relating to their identified client group.

Experience

Essential

Substantial experience working with adults and or children with speech needs and communication difficulties. knowledge and experience of a variety of computer software.

Desirable

Admin and clerical experience.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

Essential

Good Written and verbal communication skills. Ability to work effectively both individually and as part of a team. Ability to follow instructions but to show initiative where appropriate. Proven organisational skills. Flexible working practices. Reliable. Enthusiastic.

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