Speech and Language Therapy Assistant, Neurological Rehabilitation FTC

Job overview

Speech & Language Therapy Assistant (SLTA) – Neurorehab

Orpington Neurorehab Units & PRUH SRU

Band 3, 1.0 wte (37.5 hours per week)

Fixed Term Contract  9 Months

We are seeking a SLTA to work in Neuro Rehabilitation at Orpington Hospital, on the Neurorehab Units and on PRUH Stroke Unit for a fixed termt of 9 months.

With proven clinical skills, knowledge and experience in working as a SLTA in the area of post-acute Neuro Rehab, you must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.  You will be encouraged and supported to develop your clinical skills further within both SLT and the wider multidisciplinary team.  Essential skills, experience and knowledge are detailed further in the person specification.

The Neuro Rehab SLT team work closely with SLTs on all KCH sites.  Led by the Head of Speech & Language Therapy and Band 8A/B Clinical Leads, the service offers an established supervision system opportunities for learning and participation in both self and service development.

Closing Date:                      2 weeks

Interview Date:                 available after shortlisting

For further information please contact,  Lisa Edwards  Clinical Lead Speech and Language Therapist - PRUH ([email protected])  01689 863000 Direct line: 66030 / 66031 / 64551 and  Annabel Davies, Clinical Lead Speech and Language Therapist Neurorehabilitation([email protected] 01689 866395).  We are unfortunately unable to offer informal visits to the Units.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will assist and carry out clinical and administrative duties delegated by a qualified speech and language therapists within the neurorehabilitation speech and language therapy team on Ontario Ward, Frank Cooksey Rehabilitation Unit and the PRUH SLT Stroke Team for a fixed term of 9 months.

The aim of delegated duties will be to increase the patient experience and support the departmental management of communication and swallowing difficulties on the wards. The post holder would be fully supervised by an identified qualified speech and language therapist, participate in in-service training, team and departmental meetings.

The post would include the following; carrying out of therapeutic programmes, assisting with administrative tasks such as sharing of swallowing / communication recommendations, assisting with running of therapy groups, providing advice and training others, administering equipment and communication aids.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

CLINICAL

Patient Care

• Once inducted, to work with minimal or no direct supervision of a speech and language therapist (SLT).
• To carry own caseload of patients if clinically indicated with pre-prescribed treatment plans by the ongoing speech and language therapist with appropriate monitoring from the delegating SLT regarding the most appropriate SLT technique to achieve the goals
• To carry out general administrative and communication / documentation tasks related to the effective and timely hand over of patient communication and swallowing advice following assessment by the speech and language therapist
• To assist with the care of patients including receiving them, transporting to treatment area, preparing drinks, supervising or assisting with drinking, facilitating communication as part of their treatment programme.
• To provide treatment to patients following a pre-prescribed treatment plan utilising a variety of basic therapy techniques.
• To be able to recognise change in the condition of a patient, decide whether to treat or monitor and document the patient response/reaction to any treatment undertaken.
• To monitor patients’ physical and cognitive function whilst undertaking a range of activities and report changes to the therapist(s).
• To assist the therapist(s) with individual/group treatments progressing to independent routine treatment sessions and supervision of groups where maintenance of function is the objective or progression of activity is not required.
• To demonstrate to the patient and carers safe provision of modified food/drinks/utensils. Develop clinical judgement skills using a protocol or instruction from a therapist(s).
• To assess the safety of patients’ communication and/or swallowing in activities of daily living in line with agreed protocol, documenting safety in patients’ clinical notes.
• To collect data from patients for recognised outcome measures and document for the therapist(s) to interpret.
• To organise delegated work tasks and activities being flexible to the needs of the service as indicated by the therapist(s).

Communication

• To take and relay messages accurately on the telephone and face to face with patients, relatives, health care professionals and others
• To provide and receive information from patients, carers and other professionals regarding a patient’s condition and treatment progress.
• To develop skills in participating in meetings and handovers, taking and receiving therapy information.
• To be able to motivate and persuade patients through effective communication skills, utilising verbal and non-verbal skills. Communication will be tailored to the patients’/carers’ level of comprehension or cognition, including the use of interpreters
• To liaise with health care professionals on a day-to-day basis in clinical area of work, with regard to patient care.
• To liaise with managers, other administrative and support staff as necessary to ensure the smooth running of the department, both clinically and administratively.
• To maintain confidentiality of patient information at all times in line with Trust and departmental policies

MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION

Information Management

• To maintain accurate and timely patient notes and activity records in accordance with departmental policy and to ensure the safekeeping and confidentiality of these records.
• To use departmental/Trust software e.g. EPIC, therapy apps and programs.

Human resources

• To undertake non-clinical induction of assistants and students as required.
• To be an active team member by supporting other members, offering assistance, being flexible and approachable particularly during changing service demands and staffing levels.

Physical resources

• To be responsible for competent use and maintenance of all equipment used eg AAC, ICT, to report defects in equipment in a timely manner to the Clinical Lead(s) in the area and locate missing items.
• To understand the function and use of departmental equipment and be able to use safely jointly with therapy staff or independently with own patients.
• To undertake routine light cleaning/tidying tasks of clinical equipment e.g. ICT, AAC, electrical equipment (BioZoon, sEMG)
• To administer any equipment loan monitoring system and liaise with maintenance engineers where appropriate.
• To undertake administrative tasks particularly related to photocopying, record keeping, filing, errands and making appointments
• To be responsible for stock control within clinical areas ensuring consistent supply and request new orders from the departmental secretary, including using catalogues for new equipment.
• To collect, unpack and store new supplies
• To administer appropriate systems for the managing the petty cash and stock control in relevant place of work.
• To monitor levels, condition, date of contents in resuscitation trolley or first aid box, in relevant areas, on a regular basis, and ensure that new supplies are requested as required.

Service Development

• To follow Therapy department and Trust policies
• To comment on changes to departmental policies, procedures and service development as required.

TRAINING, EDUCATION AND RESEARCH

• To demonstrate capability in rehabilitation assistant skills, by completing the tasks listed in the Assistant Induction Checklist, within the first 3 months of employment.
• To participate in the King’s College Hospital LEAP system and to fulfil its requirements for maintaining competencies to the required level.
• To undertake in-service training to improve patient care and for personal development and organise programme on a rotational basis.
• To be responsible for personal LifeLong Learning (LLL),and ensure that LLL is reflective in clinical and non-clinical practice.
• To participate in the department’s ongoing audit programme as required.

General

• The post holder has a general duty of care for their own health, safety and well-being and that of work colleagues, visitors and patients within the hospital, in addition to any specific risk management or clinical governance accountabilities associated with this post.
• To observe the rules, policies, procedures and standards of King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust together with all relevant statutory and professional obligations.
• To observe and maintain strict confidentiality of personal information relating to patients and staff.
• To be responsible, with management support, for their own personal development and to actively contribute to the development of colleagues.
• This job description is intended as a guide to the general scope of duties and is not intended to be definitive or restrictive. It is expected that some of the duties will change over time and this description will be subject to review in consultation with the post holder.
• All employees must hold an 'nhs.net' email account which will be the Trust's formal route for email communication.  You are therefore required to check this regularly and to deal with such communication promptly.

This post requires a flexible approach to working and may require the post holder to work as part of a rota’d seven day working pattern as necessary.

Staff may be required to work across multiple sites dependent upon the needs of the service.  This includes both static and rotational posts.

Any changes, now or in future, relating to changes to either a member of staff’s shift pattern and/or work base will be subject to a minimum of 12 weeks’ notice. This is to enable staff time to adjust to the new working pattern and for the new rota’s to be agreed.  Where indicated by staff a minimum 14 day formal consultation will run concurrently within this 12-week notice period

Infection Control Statement

• The post holder has an important responsibility for and contribution to make to infection control and must be familiar with the infection control and hygiene requirements of this role.
• These requirements are set out in the National Code of Practice on Infection Control and in local policies and procedures which will be made clear during your induction and subsequent refresher training.  These standards must be strictly complied with at all times.