Speech and Language Therapy Assistant | Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
| Posting date: | 11 April 2024 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | Not specified |
| Additional salary information: | £30,279 - £33,116 p.a. inclusive of HCA |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 11 May 2024 |
| Location: | London, SE1 7EH |
| Company: | Guys and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 6153968/196-LIS8359 |
Summary
We are looking for a full time Band 4 Speech and Language Therapist Assistant to join us in the Acute Speech and Language Therapy Service at Evelina London Children’s Hospital. Evelina London is part of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, the hospital provides an extensive range of specialist services for children with rare and complex conditions across south London, Kent, Surrey, Sussex and further afield. The Acute Speech and Language Therapy service supports patients across the age range from neonates to adolescents, on the wards and in specialist tertiary outpatient clinics. Our aim is to assess and manage the dysphagiaandcommunication needs of the patients we work with. We are a large, diverse and supportive team, passionate about what we do. We promote Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, everyone is welcomed.
The role requires knowledge of paediatric dysphagia/ feeding, complex communication disorders and alternative and augmentative communication which you will then build on in a Children’s Hospital setting. The post holder will be required to provide support in the video fluoroscopy clinics, to carry out direct therapy programmes, working with individual patients and or groups, and to assist in the organisation/preparation of clinical/training/education resources. Good interpersonal and team-working skills, ability to work flexibly and responsively in a busy environment are essential.
To assist Speech and Language Therapists in providing a high standard Speech and Language Therapy service to patients within the Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and to undertake duties to support the smooth functioning of the Speech and Language Therapy department and service.
To work as a Speech and Language Therapy assistant under the direction and supervision of a member of the Acute Paediatric Speech and Language Therapy team.
To carry out therapy programmes designed by the Speech and Language Therapist with patients who have communication or swallowing disorders working with individual patients or with groups as appropriate.
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 to support the smooth functioning of the department and service.
To conduct administrative tasks including making and receiving calls to parents and other tasks assigned by clinicians.
Contributes to clinical governance/audit projects within local service as requested
To order supplies and monitor stock for the Acute SLT team
Guy’s and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
Guy’s and St Thomas’ is one of the largest hospital trusts in the country, with around 12,500 staff; an annual turnover of more than £1 billion; and 1.6 million patient contacts a year. Our hospitals have a long and proud history, dating back almost 900 years, and have been at the forefront of medical progress and innovation since they were founded. We continue to build on these traditions and have a reputation for clinical, teaching and research excellence.
We provide a full range of hospital services for our local communities and - from April 2011 – have integrated community services in Lambeth and Southwark into the Trust. We also provide specialist services for patients from further afield, including cancer, cardiac, kidney, women’s and orthopaedic services, and we are home to theEvelina Children’s Hospital. See www.evelinalondon.nhs.uk
As an organisation we are committed to developing our services in ways that best suit the needs of our patients. This means that some staff groups will increasingly be asked to work a more flexible shift pattern so that we can offer services in the evenings or at weekends. We also have a positive approach to corporate social responsibility and are keen to engage our staff in an agenda that ranges from promoting environmental sustainability to the creation of local employment opportunities.
Clinical
• To carry out direct therapy programmes designed by the Speech and Language Therapist for patients with communication disorders and indirect therapy programmes for patients with swallowing difficulties under the direction of the Speech and Language Therapist.
• To provide support to Speech and Language Therapists during Videofluroscopy clinics and other clinics
• To work with individual patients and / or groups of patients on therapy tasks as required.
• To assist in the organisation/preparation of training/education sessions internally and externally
• To give clear feedback of the results of each therapy session to the relevant Speech and Language Therapist 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 Speech and Language Therapist.
• To conduct administrative tasks assigned by the Speech and Language Therapist and maintain accurate statistical records.
• To develop and maintain a library of therapy resources and therapy equipment held within the department and help to ensure equipment is complete and tidy.
• To be responsible for competent use and maintenance of all equipment used, to report defects in equipment in a timely manner
• To maintain equipment stock and advise seniors on resources necessary to implement treatment programme
• To prepare and clean equipment used in treatment in accordance with infection control guidelines.
• To be able to work with minimal or no immediate supervision – using initiative.
• To use own clinical judgement and knowledge in regards to progressing and/or adapting treatment programmes within agreed clinical protocols and parameters.
• To be able to recognise change in the condition or reaction of a patient with guidance from therapists and to watch the patient response to any treatment undertaken
• To demonstrate an awareness and an ability to manage clinical risk
• To comply with the Health and Safety Regulations
• To be able to cope with occasional, potentially, stressful, upsetting or emotional situations in an empathetic manner.
Professional
• To be an active member of the Speech and Language Therapy team attending relevant departmental business and professional meetings.
• To be a member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists Assistant Membership and Support Group.
• To strictly observe patient confidentiality, departmental standards and Trust infection control policies.
• To participate in an annual personal development plan and six monthly appraisal meetings plus regular supervision sessions.
• To attend any relevant internal or external training programmes for Assistant Speech and Language Therapists.
Communication
• To be able to motivate and persuade patients through effective communication skills
• Ability to communicate information where there may be barriers to communication and or understanding
• To report regularly to clinical team lead
• To liaise with members of the MDT (multi disciplinary team) with regard to patient care
• To liaise with patients/ caregivers, hospital and community staff as appropriate
• To be responsible to and report regularly to either the occupational therapist or senior occupational therapist in the clinical area.
• To liaise with other occupational therapists or health professionals as necessary with regard to patient care.
• To liaise with managers, other administrative and support staff as necessary to ensure the smooth running of the department
• To attend any meetings and seminars/case conferences as appropriate
Education
• To be responsible for personal CPD (continuous personal development)
• To be responsible for non-clinical induction of assistants, volunteers and students as required.
• To participate in the supervision and teaching of assistants, volunteers students as required
The post holder may be required to undertake any other duties as required by Clinical Lead appropriate to grade
This advert closes on Thursday 18 Apr 2024