Speech and Language Therapy Assistant | Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust

An exciting opportunity has arisen for Band 4 Speech and Language Therapy Assistant roles within our Community Learning Disability Team based in Solihull CLDT. The post serves the local population of adults with learning disabilities in Solihull. The successful candidate will support the work of the Speech and Language Therapists and the wider Learning Disability team.

The post holder will work under the direction and supervision of the Lead Speech and Language Therapist to complete administrative duties, prepare therapy resources, and implement therapy programmes for adults with communication difficulties and learning disabilities. Experience of working with people with learning disabilities or within a community learning disability team is essential.

To provide clinical and non-clinical support to speech and language therapists (SLTs). To implement speech & language therapy programmes, devised by a speech & language therapist, for groups and individuals with a learning disability, under the supervision of a speech and language therapist. To modify approaches and activities within programmes to meet the needs of individuals with learning disabilities/groups, in order to meet defined intervention needs. Experience/knowledge of Speech and language therapy/communication needs is preferable. Car Driver with own transport essential.

We are a hardworking, forward-thinking team looking for a motivated and capable individual to join us. You will be fully supported with training and supervision necessary for you to carry out this role. We work flexibly so the successful applicant will also be required to carry out some flexible working.

At Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust (CWPT), we deliver a wide range of physical, mental health, learning disability and autism services, and are proud to serve communities across Coventry, Warwickshire and beyond. We put ‘people at our heart’; this ethos is at the centre of everything we do and how we do it. We care for our staff and colleagues as much as they care for others and offer a wide range of benefits and development opportunities:

• Generous annual leave entitlement which increases during your time with us
• Excellent learning and development opportunities, including apprenticeship frameworks, distance learning, internal training, coaching and mentoring, and much more
• Salary sacrifice schemes for lease car/vehicle, Cycle to Work, home and electronics, gym membership and more
• Discounts with a range of retailers, restaurants and entertainment venues through our Employee Assistance Programme and NHS discount schemes
• Wellbeing support, including an in-house counselling service, external helpline and more
• Staff networks and support group

We’re always on the lookout for people who share our passion for improving the lives and wellbeing of people in our community, as well as our values of compassion, collaboration, excellence, integrity and respect.

The post holder will:

• Work with individual adults (or groups) as directed by the Speech and Language Therapist
• Liaise with professionals, clients and carers
• Plan, run and record SLT sessions
• Plan the delivery of an intervention programme written by the speech and language therapist – independently where appropriate
• Work independently across a variety of settings e.g. individual’s homes, day centres, workplaces, leisure facilities etc under the guidance of a speech and language therapist
• Undertake observational and informal assessments
• Maintain up-to-date clinical records/case-notes
• Support AAC users alongside speech and language therapists as appropriate
• Write individual communication profiles with therapist supervision as appropriate
• Attend case conferences following discussion with supervisory therapist
• Participate in student placements following discussion with therapist
• Attend staff and team meetings
• Devise and develop resources for group and individual work including communication books/symbols/training materials
• Prepare and organise resource materials
• Participate in clinical supervision
• Maintain quality standards of the Speech and Language Therapy Service in Learning Disabilities
• Comply with the NHS Code of Conduct and any other professional code of conduct relevant to the post

To liaise with clients, SLTs, professionals, parents and carers. To use a range of communication systems e.g. face to face, telephone, written, which may include Assistive and Augmentative communication (AAC). As appropriate, to communicate factual information to families and professionals, using persuasion, reassurance, tact and sensitivity to overcome barriers to understanding. To communicate with individuals with learning disabilities and speech, language and communication difficulties, using an appropriate method of communication. To exchange information regarding clients with colleagues.

To work within service and trust guidelines. To use own initiative when delivering a package of care under the guidance and supervision of a speech and language therapist (SLT). To make judgements regarding modifications to therapy programmes to suit individuals and their circumstances. To discuss any modifications with the speech & language therapist.

To organise individual and group clinical interventions following discussions with the SLT. To plan the sequence of activities to be delivered within therapy sessions (short term). To organise the equipment and prepare resources to deliver therapy sessions for own and SLTs work. To maintain client records and information/data systems, in accordance with service/trust policies. To raise concerns about timetabling with the appropriate SLT/Team Lead.

To use standard keyboard skills e.g. for writing reports, letters, accessible info, inputting data. To travel across a range of settings as & when required to transport clinical equipment and case records following service/trust policies and procedures. To use auditory perception and processing skills to underpin clinical work. To use, as appropriate and following training, Makaton or other relevant signing communication systems. To employ, as appropriate, following training, any physical management strategies as and when required.

To work directly with individuals with LD (or groups) as directed by the Speech and Language Therapist. To liaise with professionals, clients and carers as appropriate for each individual case as part of a care package. To be involved in the planning, running and recording of SLT sessions independently/with another assistant/with a therapist. To plan the delivery of an intervention programme written by the SLT. Under the guidance of a speech and language therapist, undertake observational and informal assessments. In conjunction with the SLT to modify programmes, activities and/or strategies to suit client’s circumstances during the implementation of a package of care. To maintain up-to-date clinical records/case-notes. To be involved in supporting AAC users alongside speech and language therapists. To attend case conferences following discussion with supervisory therapist. To devise and develop resources for group and individual work including communication books/symbols. To prepare and organise resource materials to meet client’s needs.

To follow service and trust policies as appropriate to own role. To comment on policies/procedures as appropriate to own role where policy/procedure might compromise patient care or enhance service delivery.

To contribute to the maintenance of clinical resources by alerting team lead to inappropriate levels of easily accessible resources. To contribute to the physical maintenance of resources. To contribute to the cost-effective use of resources.

To provide peer support for newly appointed assistants. To provide observation sessions for students under the direction of a SLT. To assist with the delivery of training alongside a SLT.

To maintain up-to-date clinical records/case-notes, recording own observations. To complete standard reports/letters as appropriate to patient care. To record activity for trust and service data collection systems. To contribute information, from own role, for the annual service report.

To assist in clinical audit appropriate to own role. To participate in SLT research projects within own role responsibilities.

Light physical effort e.g. sitting at difficult angles and at wheelchair height for a moderate percentage of time, every day. Moderate physical effort e.g. transporting large, wheeled cases of clinical equipment, and case-notes, several times across several locations, on a daily basis, lifting these cases in/out of cars as & when required.

Concentration is required when delivering therapy. Work pattern is predictable with infrequent interruptions.

Occasional requirement to receive and process sensitive information from parents/carers/other professionals and inform appropriate SLT/Team Lead. Occasional work with clients who present with challenging behaviour, complex mental and physical needs. Occasionally providing therapy to individuals in emotionally demanding families.

Travelling to several locations during each day using driving. Frequent use of a computer to make resources, type letters/reports and enter data. Occasional encounters with unpleasant smells, verbal/physical aggression or body fluids.

The post holder will be required to use a computer, either a stand alone or as part of a networked system, and will be responsible for the quality of information. The amount of time spent on this type of work will depend on the job. The Trust embraces the principles of Improving Working Lives and all staff will be required to adhere to the standards laid down in this initiative. The post holder will be required to take part in an annual performance appraisal, where this job description will be reviewed, and objectives set. The Trust has a No Smoking Policy that prohibits any smoking whilst at work. To follow and adhere to the Trust’s Health and Safety Policies and instructions and be responsible for your own and others health and safety in the workplace. The post holder is expected to contribute to the creation of a working environment where everyone feels respected, valued and treated with dignity.