Speech and Language Therapy Assistant

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Speech and Language Therapy team as a Speech and Language Therapy Assistant based at the Irvine Unit at Bexhill. This post involves working across the Speech and Language Therapy service which covers Bexhill Irvine Unit and Rye Memorial Hospital. You will have the opportunity to work with a range of disorders arising from stroke, traumatic brain injury and neurological degenerative disorders within a specialist multidisciplinary team.

Main duties of the job

The role includes: Supporting the Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) working in East Sussex Healthcare Trust with the delivery of communication and swallowing services.

• Delivering communication and dysphagia (swallowing) therapy as directed by the SLTs.
• Preparation and maintenance of communication resources as requested by the SLTs.
• To help train, advise and/or support patients, carers and staff, on how to identify and prepare appropriate modified consistency diet and fluids.
• Supporting the triage of referrals into the speech and language therapy service in order to prioritise patients.
• Administration duties to support the running of the department and supporting the recording of contact data and outcome measures as directed by SLTs.
• Attendance at MDT meetings and feedback on patient progress on behalf of SLTs.

About us

A wide range of staff benefits are available to our staff including staff development, enrolment in the NHS pension scheme, auto-enrolment to our Temporary Workforce Service, access to onsite nurseries. staff restaurants and accommodation.

In addition to an internal Occupational Health department, all staff also have access to free psychological support through our confidential Employee Assistance Programme. Onsite parking is available from only £50 a year.

Qualifications

• Relevant NVQ 3 in health or social background or equivalent
• Customer Care Experience

Experience

• Experience of working in a health or social care setting
• Experience in use of computers ( e.g. word, internet, email)
• Able to undergo further training
• Experience of working with communication needs
• Experience of working in a healthcare setting

Knowledge

• Awareness of communication difficulties
• Awareness of dysphagia management
• Able to demonstrate good written and oral communication skills with people from a variety of backgrounds, without risk of misunderstanding
• Able to collect and record information accurately
• Organised with good time management
• IT skills (e.g. word and excel) to support clinical practice
• Willingness to learn new skills as required by the role

Other

• Able to safely carry objects
• Interested in communication and dysphagia therapy
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Interested in working in a healthcare setting
• Aware of own limitations and will seek advice from senior colleagues when required
• Committed to client centred non-discriminatory practice
• Committed to personal and professional development
• Professional appearance
• Able to be flexible about duties and role
• Ability to travel between site in a timely manner

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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.

£24,937 to £26,598 a yearper annum, pro rata