Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 3 / Band 4 (dependent upon experience) speech and language therapy assistant to join the Adult Speech and Language Therapy Team at West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds for a fixed term contract for 12 months.
The post holder will work alongside Speech and Language Therapists in West Suffolk Hospital to support delivery of therapy programmes to adults who have communication and/or swallowing difficulties in a variety of ward settings. This may include carrying out prescribed speech/ language and/or swallowing exercises, conversation practise, and family/carer support. There will also be some administrative aspects to the role.
The West Suffolk Hospital speech and language therapy team is a high performing team with a strong focus on rehabilitation and delivering high quality care and intervention. We work closely with our therapy colleagues and the whole multidisciplinary team.
We are a friendly, supportive and dynamic team and offer regular individual supervision, opportunities for CPD, annual appraisals, training and regular MDT in-service training. The successful post holder will be fully supported by the team
Main duties of the job
We are looking for a approachable person with skills and experience of working with adults who have communication and/or swallowing difficulties on our acute wards.
You will be required to work independently under the supervision of a Speech and Language Therapist based on our acute wards at West Suffolk Hospital. This job will also entail resource preparation and some administration tasks.
Whilst no previous Speech and Language Therapy training or experience is essential, it is desirable and previous experience in a caring profession or other relevant experience is required. You will need to demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills and a positive attitude to self-directed learning. Training and ongoing supervision will be provided.
About us
#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community
We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.
The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.
Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.
We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.
With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.
We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.
Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see job descriptions attached to view main responsibilities of role.
STAFF CAR PARKING
Staff Car Parking on the West Suffolk Hospital Site is eligible for individuals working outside of the core hours, 07:00 18:30.
For individuals working within the core hours, the Trust offers parking off site at the Bury St Edmunds Rugby Club, which is serviced by a regular shuttle bus to and from the Hospital. Details of the bus timetable can be found in the on-line starter pack on the West Suffolk Hospital website.
This parking restriction does not apply if an individual is required to work on a weekend or if they are required to complete on call duties within their role.
The closing date for this vacancy may change if we receive a strong response. Please ensure that you apply for any post you are interested in as soon as possible.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see job descriptions attached to view main responsibilities of role.
STAFF CAR PARKING
Staff Car Parking on the West Suffolk Hospital Site is eligible for individuals working outside of the core hours, 07:00 18:30.
For individuals working within the core hours, the Trust offers parking off site at the Bury St Edmunds Rugby Club, which is serviced by a regular shuttle bus to and from the Hospital. Details of the bus timetable can be found in the on-line starter pack on the West Suffolk Hospital website.
This parking restriction does not apply if an individual is required to work on a weekend or if they are required to complete on call duties within their role.
The closing date for this vacancy may change if we receive a strong response. Please ensure that you apply for any post you are interested in as soon as possible.
Person Specification
Education & Qualification
Essential
- Education to GCSE or equivalent including English and Maths
- LSVT trained
Desirable
- Foundation degree OR Level 3 qualification and willingness to undertake a Foundation degree
- OR Completion of Generic Worker Programme and willingness to undertake a Foundation degree
Experience & Knowledge
Essential
- Experience of working with people who have communication difficulties
Desirable
- Experience working in an acute/primary healthcare setting
- Experience working with the public
- Experience of working in a multidisciplinary environment
- Experience of working in a rehabilitation environment
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Good listening skills
- Good written and verbal skills
- Good interpersonal skills
- Excellent organisation skills/time management
- Ability to work to clear protocols/guidelines within role boundaries
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Team Player
- Flexible approach to working hours and duties
- Occupational Health clearance to carry out the duties of the role
- Ability to motivate others
Desirable
- Commitment to delivering a consistent high professional standard throughout interventions
- Ability to work and challenge within a multidisciplinary team
- Able to prioritise and work under pressure
- Able to work both on own initiative and also within a team
- Commitment to continuing personal and professional development
Other
Essential
- Ability to travel to other locations to carry out post as required
Person Specification
Education & Qualification
Essential
- Education to GCSE or equivalent including English and Maths
- LSVT trained
Desirable
- Foundation degree OR Level 3 qualification and willingness to undertake a Foundation degree
- OR Completion of Generic Worker Programme and willingness to undertake a Foundation degree
Experience & Knowledge
Essential
- Experience of working with people who have communication difficulties
Desirable
- Experience working in an acute/primary healthcare setting
- Experience working with the public
- Experience of working in a multidisciplinary environment
- Experience of working in a rehabilitation environment
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Good listening skills
- Good written and verbal skills
- Good interpersonal skills
- Excellent organisation skills/time management
- Ability to work to clear protocols/guidelines within role boundaries
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Team Player
- Flexible approach to working hours and duties
- Occupational Health clearance to carry out the duties of the role
- Ability to motivate others
Desirable
- Commitment to delivering a consistent high professional standard throughout interventions
- Ability to work and challenge within a multidisciplinary team
- Able to prioritise and work under pressure
- Able to work both on own initiative and also within a team
- Commitment to continuing personal and professional development
Other
Essential
- Ability to travel to other locations to carry out post as required
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details
Employer name
West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Address
West Suffolk Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Hardwick Lane
Bury St Edmunds
IP33 2QZ
Employer's website
https://www.wsh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)
