Children's Speech & Language Therapy Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical

To independently undertake and timetable therapy programmes designed and directed by therapists with periodic liaison and direction as agreed.

To be responsible for the organisation and maintenance of therapy resources within the department.

To purchase and maintain technical equipment and library resources, including responsibility for inventories and booking systems.

To provide practical support with technical equipment for SLTs as required, including for meetings, interviews, etc.

To assist SLTs in the preparation and delivery of training packages to other SLTs, education staff, parents/ carers.

To assess childrens response to treatment.

To undertake day to day supervision of less experienced staff.

To organise and catalogue resources for the team.

To design and prepare therapy materials as required, using a variety of methods and materials, including computer-based programmes.

To be responsible for audio-visual equipment, including booking systems and maintenance.

To provide demonstration and training to SALTs in the use of audio-visual equipment.

Independently to prioritise and manage own workload in consultation with Team Co-ordinator.

Undertake individual therapy programmes with children designed by SLTs.

Undertake a range of group therapy programmes in clinic settings, either independently or supporting the therapist.

To demonstrate and advise educational settings on the use of communication support systems and strategies.

Manage childrens behaviour and motivate them to achieve positive therapy outcomes, including children who are challenging or have severe / complex difficulties.

Assess childrens response to treatment and judge when to progress therapy.

To notify SLT if programme is not going to plan and suggest modifications.

To maintain detailed written records of their observations of assessments and therapy sessions for feedback to SLTs.

To use well developed interpersonal skills in order to form productive relationships with families, recognising the need for and ensuring sensitivity and care where there may be emotional stress or there are potential barriers to communication.

To provide routine advice and support related to the therapy programme for parents as appropriate.

To video record / photograph and edit therapy sessions if required.

To design and prepare individualised therapy materials (eg. Books, charts, games), using IT, specific software and other media.

To undertake supervision of less appropriately experienced staff.

Professional

To maintain clinical and non-clinical standards and work within the policy frameworks laid down (e.g. N.H.S., Trust, Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, Health Professionals Council) through active participation in internal and external CPD training and development programmes.

To demonstrate ability to reflect on own practice, identify strengths and development needs and achieve goals set for personal and professional development.

To participate in the development of innovative clinical practice through member ship of working teams.

To disseminate newly acquired information to other team members.

To be accountable for own professional action and recognise own professional boundaries, seeking advice as appropriate.

To participate in clinical supervision in line with Department and Trust policy.

To deal with initial complaints sensitively, avoiding escalation where possible.

To be flexible to the demands of environments including unpredictable work patterns, deadlines and frequent interruptions.

To maintain highest standards of clinical records including up to date and accurate case notes, electronic data entry, recording and report writing in line with professional and Trust guidelines.

To monitor stock levels in own service area and request new equipment as appropriate.

To be responsible for the security, care and transporting of equipment ensuring standards of infection control and safety are maintained including equipment loaned to clients.

To organise suitable accommodation in clinics / schools.

To organise and transport treatment equipment required to work in locations. These may be unwieldy / heavy / bulky.

To work within a wide range of locations requiring careful calculation of driving time according to traffic and weather conditions in planning efficient work schedules.

To work within a wide range of environments with differing demands and expectation requiring the ability to modify personal and social approaches as required by environment.

To maintain the concentration required despite distractions.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• IT skills.
• Obtained an educational level of GCSE level A - C English and Maths or equivalent
• Minimum Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care or equivalent such as Higher Apprenticeship or willingness to work towards attaining it
• Care Certificate or willingness to work towards attaining it

Desirable

• PCIT/ACIT training.
• Basic Makaton.

Experience

Essential

• Significant experience of working with children with communication difficulties.
• Significant Knowledge and experience of using IT software to create high quality resources
• Experience of working with Speech & Language Therapists supporting children with a range of communication needs.
• Experience of working with groups of children.
• Experience of supervising other staff in the work place.
• Experience of preparing activities and materials appropriate for children.
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of child development
• Demonstrate knowledge of behaviour management techniques
• Experience of developing systems/processes for use by others

Desirable

• Experience of training others

Skills

Essential

• Demonstrate knowledge of speech and Language therapy procedures.
• Demonstrate well-developed communication skills and an ability to match communication skills and content to the needs of the situation.
• Demonstrate good time management and organisational skills.
• Demonstrate good prioritisation skills.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the attributes for team and collaborative working
• Demonstrate good presentation skills (written, verbal and using IT).
• Demonstrate knowledge of verbal vs non-verbal communication.
• Plan and prepare therapy activities to support the targets set by the therapist: group or individual
• Feedback progress to the therapist accurately with a good understanding of the factors that may be affecting progress

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Excellent communication skills: able to adapt language to overcome barriers to understanding with children or families with communication difficulties.
• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal abilities - observing, listening, diplomacy, sensitivity and empathy
• Demonstrate problem solving and negotiation abilities taking account of others perspectives and expectations.
• Demonstrate an ability to work independently.
• Demonstrate a realistic sense of own limitations and professional development needs.
• Demonstrate ability to motivate children.
• Demonstrate adaptability and ability to work flexibly.
• Monitors stock levels and will make necessary requests for purchases.
• Ability to work to tight deadlines
• Flexibility of working in a number of environments with a number of Speech and Language Therapists and other professionals
• Supervises others carrying out programmes
• Able to deal with distressing or emotional circumstances as they occur.

Other

Essential

• Car driver and current licence holder
• Police Check
• Pass Occupational Health Check
• Able to carry equipment and adapt to a range of physical environments and demands.
• Light physical effort required to sit on floor or small furniture in school and to carry equipment.
• Frequent need for travel between settings

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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

South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

SALT - SLT Assistants

Speech and Language Therapy Department, Acorn House, Station Avenue

Warwick

CV34 4RT

Employer's website

https://www.swft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)