Speech and Language Therapy Assistant, Neurological Rehabilitation FTC

The post holder will assist and carry out clinical and administrative duties delegated by a qualified speech and language therapist within the neurorehabilitation speech and language therapy team on the 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 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.

Main Duties:

• Carry out therapeutic programmes and assist with running therapy groups.
• Assist with administrative tasks such as sharing of swallowing/communication recommendations.
• Provide advice and training to others.
• Administer and maintain equipment and communication aids.
• Assist with safe provision of modified food, drinks and utensils.
• Collect and record data for recognised outcome measures.

Responsibilities:

• Clinical: Work independently or with minimal supervision under the delegation of a speech and language therapist. Manage own caseload of patients with prescribed treatment plans. Carry out general administrative and communication/documentation tasks following assessment by the therapist. Assist with patient care: receiving, transporting, preparing drinks, supervising drinking, facilitating communication. Provide treatment using basic therapy techniques. Recognise patient condition changes, decide on treatment or monitoring, and document responses. Monitor physical and cognitive function during activities and report changes. Assist therapist with individual/group treatments progressing to independent routine sessions. Assist with modified food/drinks/utensils provision and develop clinical judgement using protocols. Assess safety of patients’ communication and/or swallowing in activities of daily living. Collect data for recognised outcome measures. Organise delegated work tasks flexibly as per therapist's needs.
• Communication: Take and relay messages accurately on the telephone and face‑to‑face with patients, relatives, other professionals. Provide and receive information regarding patient condition and treatment progress. Develop skills in meetings, handovers, and information exchanges. Motivate and persuade patients with effective communication, adapting as required. Liaise with health care professionals daily on patient care. Liaise with managers and other support staff to ensure smooth operation. Maintain confidentiality of patient information.
• Management and Administration: Maintain accurate and timely patient notes and activity records. Use departmental/Trust software such as EPIC, therapy apps and programmes. Conduct non‑clinical induction of assistants and students when required. Support team members and remain flexible during changing service demands. Competently use and maintain all equipment; report defects. Understand equipment functions and use safely. Perform routine light cleaning and tidying of clinical equipment. Administer equipment loan monitoring system and liaise with maintenance engineers. Perform administrative tasks: photocopying, filing, errands, appointments. Ensure stock control of clinical areas, order new items via departmental secretary. Maintain petty cash and stock systems. Monitor resuscitation trolley and first‑aid box supplies.
• Service Development: Follow Trust policies and programmes. Comment on policy changes and service development requirements.
• Training, Education and Research: Complete the Assistant Induction Checklist within first 3 months. Participate in King's College Hospital LEAP system for competency maintenance. Organise in‑service training sessions on a rotational basis. Engage in personal lifelong learning. Participate in department audit programme.
• General: Be responsible for own health, safety and well‑being of colleagues, visitors and patients. Observe Trust rules, policies and statutory obligations. Maintain confidentiality of personal information. Be responsible for personal development and contribute to development of colleagues. Role may require flexible shift patterns and working across multiple sites. Commit to infection control standards as outlined in national code and local policies.

Person Specification:

• 5 GCSEs including Maths and English.
• Knowledge of the role of a speech and language therapist within post‑acute inpatient neuro‑rehabilitation.
• Experience working with patients and families; IT skills.
• Awareness of Health & Safety policy and trust regulation compliance.
• Experience delivering speech & language therapy programmes to patients in Level 2b, 2a and 1b neuro‑rehabilitation settings.
• Knowledge of NHS structure.
• NVQ Level 3, BTEC, HND or equivalent qualifications.
• Experience working with patients with complex long‑term cognitive communication disorders.
• Experience in multidisciplinary teams collecting patient/family experience.
• Experience managing group sessions.

Communication and Relationship Skills: Written and verbal communication in English. Adapt communication in varied environments. Motivate patients. Demonstrate sensitivity and compassion towards patients’ changes in ability. Accurate message relay. Scope awareness and responsibility boundaries. Team working skills, conflict management. Trustworthy with confidential information. Respect and value equality and diversity. Skills with people who have difficulty communicating.

Analytical Skills: Decision‑making ability relative to qualified SLTs and MDT.

Planning and Organisational Skills: Punctual and manage workload efficiently, prioritise work. Work with minimum supervision. Recognise and take responsibility for training needs. Flexible approach, able to work weekends.

Physical/Personal Skills: Professional image. Motivated, enthusiastic and friendly. Participation in personal development opportunities. Manual dexterity and ability to sustain moderate to high physical effort, including manual handling.

Contact Information:

Lisa Edwards – Clinical Lead Speech and Language Therapist (PRUH) – lisa.edwards3@nhs.net – 01689 863000

Annabel Davies – Clinical Lead Speech and Language Therapist Neurorehabilitation – annabel.davies@nhs.net – 01689 866395