Job summary
Do you bring passion and commitment to delivering high quality care? Do you understand the clinical needs of people with a Learning Disability and Autistic People? If so, this role will provide you with a rare and exciting career opportunity.
We are looking for a Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) Assistant Practitioner to join the new Kingfisher Service, a specialist inpatient acute mental health inpatient service, and associated outreach team, for people with a learning disability and autistic people. This role will form a key part of the Allied Health Professional team, including working closely with Occupational Therapy, Dietetics, and Psychology, as well as sitting within a developing Speech and Language Therapy service across AWP.
You will work with the Speech and Language Therapist to develop your competencies in several different areas using the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapy Framework and the AHP competency framework for support workers. Your role will include supporting communication assessments, therapy, and training, as well as development of accessible information and resources to support communication. There will be opportunities for developing competencies around eating, drinking, and swallowing. You will have a delegated caseload and responsibilities in line with your developing competencies.
Main duties of the job
Speech and Language Therapy Assistant will work with adults and older people with mental health conditions in our new Learning Disability and Autism inpatient service. You will be proactive in supporting the development of Easy Read and accessible information, deliver communication assessment, therapy and training and input into the eating, drinking, and swallowing clinical pathway.
You will be part of a developing Speech and Language Therapy service and part of the wider Allied Health professions team, which includes Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, and Dietetics. You will work with the Speech and Language Therapist to develop your competencies in a number of different areas using the Royal College of Speech and Language Framework and the AHP competency framework for support workers.
This will include the areas of communication including assessment, therapy and training which will include the development of Easy Read and the production of other materials to support communication, and upskilling other staff. With developing competence, you will have a delegated caseload. Competency around eating swallowing and drinking will also be developed.
For a full list of duties and responsibilities please see attached job description.
About us
We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust):a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care.
We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset.
Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.
AWP is committed to support and create a positive research and evidence-based environment and culture, which can have a beneficial impact on everyone who works for the organisation and the care we provide to those who use our services.
At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Communication and relationship skills
- Communicate effectively with all members of the speech therapy team to carry out work as outlined within the professional competency framework for assistants.
- Work under the direction of a HCPC registered Speech and Language therapist.
- Work directly with individuals with mental health conditions and difficultly with communication and therefore will need to use skilled communication techniques to overcome these barriers. Working with people who experience additional communication barriers relating to language, social communication, physical health, neurodiversity and learning disability.
- Ensure that the communication is accessible and person centred and support carers to support the individual effectively.
- Develop and advise others within the MDT on the development of accessible information for service users.
- Complete service user records in accordance with Trust policy.
- Attend relevant professional meetings.
- Be an integral member of the AHP team and wider multi-professional team.
- Maintain and develop increased competency across all IT programmes and Microsoft packages.
Clinical Duties
- Carry delegated caseload and regularly review with professional supervisor.
- Work with people in an acute inpatient setting and the community where appropriate.
- Identify and proactively develop accessible information in addition to developing materials on request.
- Support service users to achieve optimum potential by promoting independence and self-care as appropriate.
- To provide support and assist in the preparation and running of therapy groups.
- Act as an advocate to facilitate views and support their inclusion in care.
- Develop a rapport with clients and encourage their interest and participation in therapy activities.
- Contribute to the assessment of and adherence to all risk management policies in relation to Speech and language therapy assessment and intervention.
- Work with the relevant legislation including The Mental health Act and Mental Capacity Act.
- Analytical and Judgement Skills involving facts or situations regarding eating, drinking or communication, some requiring analysis. Assesses patients and clients response to intervention.
- Make appropriately detailed Observations in regard to physical health, communication, eating and drinking, behaviour and mental health presentation and participation in therapy activities.
- Following training respond appropriately to changes in the service users presentation and amend therapy interventions accordingly.
- Contributes to the development of screenings (to be carried out by other professionals e.g. ward staff) for early identification of difficulties or risk factors (e.g. language and communication difficulties, swallowing difficulties, choking risk).
- Trains other professionals in developing the skills to carry out screening procedures.
- Carries out assessment activities within agreed scope of practice. E.g. observational schedule, informal activities, collecting information including discussion with service user/carer and colleagues. Administering/discussing specified (allowable) formal assessments.
- Employs core skills of rapport making, putting others at ease, listening to the service users story, asking relevant questions and strategies such as introducing/adjusting/cueing/ demonstrating activities.
- Competent in utilising a wide range of strategies/approaches to meet the communication/eating and drinking difficulties of service users.
- Key role with service user/carer in undertaking intervention within local Care Pathway/specific speech and language therapy Care Plan (with negotiated level of support/supervision from qualified SLT). This could include supporting the service user in: resolving identified difficulty, maximising improvement of function, maximising the use of existing skills or coming to terms with difficulties where appropriate (e.g. in the context of a deteriorating condition).
- Key role in delivering universal strategies within ward environment for language & communication.
- Develops personalised communication aids/ bespoke accessible written information, based on patients needs, as identified within assessment process.
- Carries out therapy programmes, under the supervision of a qualified SLT. In preparation for sessions, competently adapts and modifies approach, activities and resources for patients needs and interests. Within sessions, independently and dynamically analyses an individuals performance, and makes online step-up/step-down modifications to facilitate the individuals ability to participate in the session.
- Confidently makes decisions about priorities for own designated caseload.
- Competently balances needs of service users and wider responsibilities (e.g. MDT liaison, meetings, supervision, CPD).
- Critically reflective - able to initiate and sustain a conversation about progression of individuals care plan.
- Supports service user/family in signposting to local network of wider services where there is a social/environmental impact on communication/EDS (eating, drinking, & swallowing).
- Confidently collaborates with SLTs in locally implemented system of outcome measures.
- Contributes collaboratively to case-managing therapists decision making about completion of an episode of care/intervention. Discusses end of care with service user. Talks through any discharge forms and demonstrates where they have reached goals. Supports service in carrying out discharge procedure, including providing information about referral back into the service.
Planning and organisational skills
- Organise and be accountable for own time and prioritise workload with support from supervising Speech and language therapist.
- Flexibly deliver therapy in most appropriate settings for service users in a timely way.
- Provide individual and performance data as requested.
- Responsibility for following policies in own role and may be required to comment on departmental policies and audit activities in support of service development.
- To support a learning environment through the practical assistance and input into the placements of a range of AHP students.
- Make a key contribution to the multi-professional team to participate in audit and quality ensure continued development.
- Adhere to AWP polices.
- Maintain a Continuing Professional Development portfolio and work towards greater competency, using the Assistant competency framework with your supervisor.
For a full list of duties and responsibilities please see attached job description.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Communication and relationship skills
- Communicate effectively with all members of the speech therapy team to carry out work as outlined within the professional competency framework for assistants.
- Work under the direction of a HCPC registered Speech and Language therapist.
- Work directly with individuals with mental health conditions and difficultly with communication and therefore will need to use skilled communication techniques to overcome these barriers. Working with people who experience additional communication barriers relating to language, social communication, physical health, neurodiversity and learning disability.
- Ensure that the communication is accessible and person centred and support carers to support the individual effectively.
- Develop and advise others within the MDT on the development of accessible information for service users.
- Complete service user records in accordance with Trust policy.
- Attend relevant professional meetings.
- Be an integral member of the AHP team and wider multi-professional team.
- Maintain and develop increased competency across all IT programmes and Microsoft packages.
Clinical Duties
- Carry delegated caseload and regularly review with professional supervisor.
- Work with people in an acute inpatient setting and the community where appropriate.
- Identify and proactively develop accessible information in addition to developing materials on request.
- Support service users to achieve optimum potential by promoting independence and self-care as appropriate.
- To provide support and assist in the preparation and running of therapy groups.
- Act as an advocate to facilitate views and support their inclusion in care.
- Develop a rapport with clients and encourage their interest and participation in therapy activities.
- Contribute to the assessment of and adherence to all risk management policies in relation to Speech and language therapy assessment and intervention.
- Work with the relevant legislation including The Mental health Act and Mental Capacity Act.
- Analytical and Judgement Skills involving facts or situations regarding eating, drinking or communication, some requiring analysis. Assesses patients and clients response to intervention.
- Make appropriately detailed Observations in regard to physical health, communication, eating and drinking, behaviour and mental health presentation and participation in therapy activities.
- Following training respond appropriately to changes in the service users presentation and amend therapy interventions accordingly.
- Contributes to the development of screenings (to be carried out by other professionals e.g. ward staff) for early identification of difficulties or risk factors (e.g. language and communication difficulties, swallowing difficulties, choking risk).
- Trains other professionals in developing the skills to carry out screening procedures.
- Carries out assessment activities within agreed scope of practice. E.g. observational schedule, informal activities, collecting information including discussion with service user/carer and colleagues. Administering/discussing specified (allowable) formal assessments.
- Employs core skills of rapport making, putting others at ease, listening to the service users story, asking relevant questions and strategies such as introducing/adjusting/cueing/ demonstrating activities.
- Competent in utilising a wide range of strategies/approaches to meet the communication/eating and drinking difficulties of service users.
- Key role with service user/carer in undertaking intervention within local Care Pathway/specific speech and language therapy Care Plan (with negotiated level of support/supervision from qualified SLT). This could include supporting the service user in: resolving identified difficulty, maximising improvement of function, maximising the use of existing skills or coming to terms with difficulties where appropriate (e.g. in the context of a deteriorating condition).
- Key role in delivering universal strategies within ward environment for language & communication.
- Develops personalised communication aids/ bespoke accessible written information, based on patients needs, as identified within assessment process.
- Carries out therapy programmes, under the supervision of a qualified SLT. In preparation for sessions, competently adapts and modifies approach, activities and resources for patients needs and interests. Within sessions, independently and dynamically analyses an individuals performance, and makes online step-up/step-down modifications to facilitate the individuals ability to participate in the session.
- Confidently makes decisions about priorities for own designated caseload.
- Competently balances needs of service users and wider responsibilities (e.g. MDT liaison, meetings, supervision, CPD).
- Critically reflective - able to initiate and sustain a conversation about progression of individuals care plan.
- Supports service user/family in signposting to local network of wider services where there is a social/environmental impact on communication/EDS (eating, drinking, & swallowing).
- Confidently collaborates with SLTs in locally implemented system of outcome measures.
- Contributes collaboratively to case-managing therapists decision making about completion of an episode of care/intervention. Discusses end of care with service user. Talks through any discharge forms and demonstrates where they have reached goals. Supports service in carrying out discharge procedure, including providing information about referral back into the service.
Planning and organisational skills
- Organise and be accountable for own time and prioritise workload with support from supervising Speech and language therapist.
- Flexibly deliver therapy in most appropriate settings for service users in a timely way.
- Provide individual and performance data as requested.
- Responsibility for following policies in own role and may be required to comment on departmental policies and audit activities in support of service development.
- To support a learning environment through the practical assistance and input into the placements of a range of AHP students.
- Make a key contribution to the multi-professional team to participate in audit and quality ensure continued development.
- Adhere to AWP polices.
- Maintain a Continuing Professional Development portfolio and work towards greater competency, using the Assistant competency framework with your supervisor.
For a full list of duties and responsibilities please see attached job description.
Person Specification
Essential
Essential
- GCSE Grade A-C in English and Maths or other relevant experience.
- Experience of working with adults in any of the following group mental health, learning disabilities, autistic people, dementia, acquired neurological conditions.
- Experience of working using a collaborative client centred approach.
- Experience using different and modifying communication to meet individual needs.
- Experience or knowledge of quality improvement in healthcare.
- Excellent communication skills oral and written.
- Ability to manage own workload, work independently and under supervision.
- Able to use a full range of Microsoft packages and have excellent IT skills.
- Ability to work professionally and understand the need for confidentiality.
- The ability to develop and grow as a practitioner to be constantly learning and open to new knowledge.
- Empathy for individuals who have experienced mental health problems and ability to cope with behaviour which may be challenging at times.
Desirable
- Speech and language therapy specific training modules.
- Relevant foundation degree.
- Experience as an AHP support worker.
- Experience of working with people with complex needs.
- Trained in provision of easy read.
- Knowledge of scope of speech and language therapy in MH.
- Experience of delivering training or education sessions.
Person Specification
Essential
Essential
- GCSE Grade A-C in English and Maths or other relevant experience.
- Experience of working with adults in any of the following group mental health, learning disabilities, autistic people, dementia, acquired neurological conditions.
- Experience of working using a collaborative client centred approach.
- Experience using different and modifying communication to meet individual needs.
- Experience or knowledge of quality improvement in healthcare.
- Excellent communication skills oral and written.
- Ability to manage own workload, work independently and under supervision.
- Able to use a full range of Microsoft packages and have excellent IT skills.
- Ability to work professionally and understand the need for confidentiality.
- The ability to develop and grow as a practitioner to be constantly learning and open to new knowledge.
- Empathy for individuals who have experienced mental health problems and ability to cope with behaviour which may be challenging at times.
Desirable
- Speech and language therapy specific training modules.
- Relevant foundation degree.
- Experience as an AHP support worker.
- Experience of working with people with complex needs.
- Trained in provision of easy read.
- Knowledge of scope of speech and language therapy in MH.
- Experience of delivering training or education sessions.
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.
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