Job summary
Speech & Language Therapy Assistant - Adult Acute Inpatient Team
Band 3 0.9 WTE Permanent
An exciting position has arisen within our acute Speech and Language Therapy team at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust. We are looking for a pro-active, enthusiastic team-player to join our busy department, based at St Thomas' Hospital, in a Band 3 Assistant role.
You will join a friendly and supportive team, dedicated to delivering high-quality multidisciplinary care to adult inpatients with communication and/or swallowing difficulties. The majority of the role sits within the Stroke service, however daily input across the entire hospital is required, therefore suitable applicants will be organised and flexible within a varied working day, and will enjoy a fast-paced working environment.
Due to the complex nature of the patients we work with, applicants will need to demonstrate a compassionate and caring nature, with excellent communication skills. The position involves independent working (following appropriate in-house training) and the ability to problem-solve everyday issues.
Main duties of the job
To work as a Speech and Language Therapy assistant under the direction and supervision of a Speech and Language Therapist (SLT)
To carry out therapy programmes designed by SLTs with patients who have communication or swallowing disorders, working with individual patients or with groups as appropriate. Therapy interventions will support all areas of the hospital service, with a greater proportion of the post-holder's time being dedicated to the Stroke and Neuro Rehab service (0.6 WTE for Stroke/Neuro Rehab and 0.3 WTE for other inpatient groups).
To design and develop appropriate low tech communication and therapy aids with the support of SLTs. To support organisation and maintenance of departmental communication aids.
To assist in the provision of a high quality speech and language therapy service to patients within the Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital Trust and to undertake duties, including some administration, to support the smooth functioning of the department and service.
About us
The Adult Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) Department at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital consists of 26.2 WTE SLTs and 1.4 WTE SLT Assistants. We have considerable expertise within the team with members representing the profession on a number of regional and national groups as well as contributing to both local and national guidance and research.
The service is able to offer you excellent supervision and support, with a strong emphasis on team working and professional development.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To carry out direct therapy programmes designed by SLTs for patients with communication disorders and indirect therapy programmes for patients with swallowing difficulties under the direction of SLTs.
To work with individual patients and / or groups of patients on therapy tasks as required and to manage own time effectively, following support regarding task prioritisation from the SLTs.
To give clear feedback of the results of each therapy session to the relevant SLT and keep a clear and concise written record of the session in the medical notes.
To design and develop low tech communication and therapy aids including picture communication charts / word charts and talking books for individual patients with the support of the SLT. To use and maintain therapy apps for patient benefit on the department iPads as advised by the SLTs.
To attend daily multidisciplinary stroke ward meetings as an SLT representative and disseminate relevant clinical updates and new referrals to the SLT team.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To carry out direct therapy programmes designed by SLTs for patients with communication disorders and indirect therapy programmes for patients with swallowing difficulties under the direction of SLTs.
To work with individual patients and / or groups of patients on therapy tasks as required and to manage own time effectively, following support regarding task prioritisation from the SLTs.
To give clear feedback of the results of each therapy session to the relevant SLT and keep a clear and concise written record of the session in the medical notes.
To design and develop low tech communication and therapy aids including picture communication charts / word charts and talking books for individual patients with the support of the SLT. To use and maintain therapy apps for patient benefit on the department iPads as advised by the SLTs.
To attend daily multidisciplinary stroke ward meetings as an SLT representative and disseminate relevant clinical updates and new referrals to the SLT team.
Person Specification
Qualifications/Education
Essential
- Completed appropriate NVQ Level 3 or Part 1 City and Guilds certificate (with prior healthcare experience) or assessed satisfactory completion of an equivalent training course OR Relevant experience in a healthcare or education setting
Desirable
- Attendance at courses/completion of learning relevant to role
Previous Experience
Essential
- Previous experience of supporting people or patients in a caring or education capacity
- Previous experience of working within a healthcare setting
- Experience of working in a team and independently with own initiative
Desirable
- Previous experience as a therapy assistant
- Experience of performing administrative duties, including use of NHS IT systems
Skills/Knowledge/Ability
Essential
- Demonstrates a basic knowledge of the role of the speech and language therapist and SLT assistant
- Ability to work under pressure, manage time effectively and organise and prioritise tasks effectively
- Fluent English speaker who can read and write in English proficiently
- Ability to liaise and build a rapport with differing groups of people
Person Specification
Qualifications/Education
Essential
- Completed appropriate NVQ Level 3 or Part 1 City and Guilds certificate (with prior healthcare experience) or assessed satisfactory completion of an equivalent training course OR Relevant experience in a healthcare or education setting
Desirable
- Attendance at courses/completion of learning relevant to role
Previous Experience
Essential
- Previous experience of supporting people or patients in a caring or education capacity
- Previous experience of working within a healthcare setting
- Experience of working in a team and independently with own initiative
Desirable
- Previous experience as a therapy assistant
- Experience of performing administrative duties, including use of NHS IT systems
Skills/Knowledge/Ability
Essential
- Demonstrates a basic knowledge of the role of the speech and language therapist and SLT assistant
- Ability to work under pressure, manage time effectively and organise and prioritise tasks effectively
- Fluent English speaker who can read and write in English proficiently
- Ability to liaise and build a rapport with differing groups of people
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
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).
