Speech and Language Therapy Assistant

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has become available for two Band 3 Speech and Language Therapy assistant posts to join the Neurosciences Speech and Language Therapy team at St Georges Hospital NHS trust.  It is desirable that the post holder will have experience working within the NHS and with people with disabilities.  The successful post holder will provide clinical support, as directed by the Speech and Language Therapists, to adults with neurological communication and swallow disorders who are inpatients at St Georges Hospital and Queen Mary’s Hospital.   The 0.6 WTE sits within the acute neurosciences team and the 1.0 WTE sits within the neurorehabilitation team.  The post holder will also provide administrative support to the department as required.  The post holder will be part of a progressive and supportive Speech and Language Therapy team.  Team working, excellent communication skills and experience of working in the NHS, public facing roles or  education is essential.   For further information please contact Louisa Gilpin, [email protected] & Chantelle Maxwell, [email protected] Speech and  Language Therapists in neurosciences.

Main duties of the job

-To assist the Speech and Language Therapy team in carrying out delegated rehabilitation duties under supervision.

-To treat own designated workload of patients and maintain associated patient records.

-To assist the Speech and Language Therapy team in the administration, clerical and domestic duties of the service.

-To assist in maintaining services and contribute to the development of services.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Under the guidance and supervision of qualified therapists:

• To undertake a basic assessment of each patient’s condition prior and during intervention or as a response to any treatment, by observing any significant change or analysing variations and accurately reporting these to the primary therapist
• To be responsible for maintaining accurate written records and use of computerised data collection including  using electronic patient record system.
• To demonstrate an awareness of clinical risk and to manage clinical risk within own caseload, including observing patients in all situations ensuring safety and security at all times.
• To develop therapeutic relationships with patients and carers, communicating in a way respecting their views, autonomy and culture.
• To be able to cope with occasional, potentially stressful, upsetting or emotional situations in an empathetic manner.
• To ensure appropriate precautions are taken to maintain patient dignity and respect at all times

• Assist with the assessment and treatment of patients on an individual and group basis.
• Carry out delegated therapeutic activities/rehabilitation programmes as part of the patients designated treatment plan, observing patient’s response to the treatment being received, liaising with the primary speech and language therapist.
• Supervise patients in practicing and following through their rehabilitation programmes.
• To teach and demonstrate use of equipment and techniques to optimise function, independence and safety.
• To assist in motivating patients to participate in their treatment regime using appropriate communication strategies.