Speech and Language Therapy Assistant in Barnsley

Part time - 22.5 hours per week. You will join our team of speech and language therapists and clerical officers as an assistant. You will be part of a friendly and supportive team who hold regular team meetings, supervision, mentoring and are committed to pastoral care.

You will work with adults who have a variety of speech, language and communication difficulties. This may include people with complex health needs e.g. stroke, progressive conditions such as Motor Neurone Disease, and those receiving palliative care. This role may be of interest to people who have experience of working with adults in a health care setting. You will work in a variety of settings such as health centres, the patients' own home, care homes and via telehealth.

Our Trust is committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults, expecting all colleagues to be the same.

Main duties of the job:

• Independently carrying out therapy activities with patients.
• Responsibility for a small caseload.
• Running communication therapy groups.
• Working with individuals to improve or maintain their communication skills.
• Adapting programmes of work and reporting on patient progress to the Speech and Language therapist.
• Creating therapy materials to help the delivery of therapy programmes.
• Using computer-based Microsoft and other specialist programmes.
• Developing and supporting paper- and computer-based communication aids.
• Training and support in this role will be provided.
• Maintaining high quality, accurate and timely health records.

All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to have their up-to-date flu vaccination to protect staff and patients. At the time of advertising, this role does not meet the minimum requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration to sponsor candidates to work in the UK. For this reason, we are unable to sponsor anyone for a skilled worker visa for this role. We are happy to accept applications from candidates who can prove their right to work in the UK or via alternative visa routes. Such applications will be considered alongside all other applications.

About Us:

We are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health and learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and are the lead for the West Yorkshire secure provider collaborative. Our mission is to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, we do this by providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employ staff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make a difference to the lives of service users, families and carers. We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.

Being a foundation Trust means we're accountable to our members, who can have a say in how we're run. Around 14,300 local people (including staff) are members of our Trust. Join us and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improving the mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet and help each year. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment.

We do reserve the right to close vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.

Key Result Areas:

• To provide and deliver packages of care to individual clients under the guidance and supervision of the qualified speech and language therapist.
• To independently carry out therapy programmes as directed by SLTs, which require close physical contact with patients, using knowledge and skills to adapt programmes as appropriate and to report on progress and observations to supervising SLT after each intervention.
• To assist speech and language therapists in the running of groups and the delivery of the agreed elements of the group and to be responsible for the associated administrative duties.
• To prepare, maintain, initiate and develop therapy materials and equipment and assist in the preparation of programmes of therapy.
• To use knowledge and skills to assess the need for therapy and to feedback/discuss with speech and language therapist.
• To contribute towards the adaptation and development of individual programmes of therapy, by using knowledge, skills and awareness of the clients' needs, gained through specific episodes of care, discussing any developments/changes to therapy programmes after each intervention, and gaining agreement and direction from the supervising SLT for future sessions.
• To participate in service delivery within a variety of locations e.g. clinics, patients' home, care homes.
• To represent the department as first point of contact when necessary.
• To undertake training and be proficient with a variety of IT and therapy based computer packages i.e. boardmaker, internet, word, excel, powerpoint and communication aids.
• To undertake appropriate training relevant to the role, to support continuous professional development.
• To write and record accurate, concise and timely clinical notes after each intervention, accessible to SLTs and other members of the multi-disciplinary team.
• To provide training for professionals and members of the multi-agency team regarding the use of computer based packages in relation to communication support.
• To adhere to the Speech and Language Therapy and Trust Policies and Procedures.
• To work as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• To carry out administrative/clerical duties associated with the role for the department.

Person Specification:

Experience:

• Substantial experience working with adults and/or children with speech needs and communication difficulties.
• I.T. knowledge and experience of a variety of computer software.

Desirable:

• Admin and clerical experience.

Physical Attributes:

• Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post.
• A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where the sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).
• Appointment subject to Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau.
• Current driving licence and access to a car during the working day is essential (reasonable adjustments will be considered for any applicants who are unable to drive due to a disability).

Personal Attributes:

• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively both individually and as part of a team.
• Ability to follow instructions but to show initiative where appropriate.
• Proven organisational skills.
• Flexible working practices.
• Reliable and enthusiastic.

Qualifications:

• GCSE English or equivalent.
• NNEB/NVQ3 or equivalent.

Desirable:

• Within the first year to achieve competency in: Assessment of communication skills, Identify appropriate therapy, Commence appropriate therapy in the absence of a Speech and Language Therapist.

Special Knowledge/Skills:

• Understanding of confidentiality within the context of health care.

Desirable:

• Understanding and knowledge of the role of Speech and Language Therapy.
• Aware of the roles of other professionals/agencies relating to their identified client group.

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.

Employer details:

Employer name: South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust

Address: Kendray Hospital, Doncaster Road, Barnsley, S Yorkshire, S70 3RD, United Kingdom

Employer's website: https://www.southwestyorkshire.nhs.uk