Speech & Language Therapy Assistant

Job summary

To work with patients under the supervision and guidance of a qualified Speech and Language Therapist implementing swallowing/communication screens and programmes of care for individuals and groups with communication and swallowing difficulties, in a range of hospital and community settings.

To provide administration and clerical support for SLTs working within the adult service.

To create and develop therapy tools and resources, as requested.

Main duties of the job

To conduct initial screening of swallow function in identified patients.

To manage the risks associated with swallowing difficulties, in line with the Swallow Screening protocol.

To be responsible for recording the Swallow Screening findings and subsequent therapy management plan, in relevant clinical records.

To be responsible for ensuring that MDT colleagues are following safe feeding practices, by monitoring, advising and providing clinical information (both written and verbal). To assist carers to feed vulnerable clients at mealtimes.

To follow a speech and language therapy plan to assist adults to achieve communication and swallowing goals.

To help plan, design and develop therapy and intervention activities within the aims and objectives of the speech and language therapy treatment plan including use of computer-based therapy.

To communicate factual information to clients, related agencies and staff, ensuring that effective communication is achieved, particularly where barriers to understanding may exist.

To communicate client information to SLT colleagues.

To assist in the review of clients with swallowing difficulties and provide clear, factual feedback to SLT colleagues.

To be able to modify activities and approaches within a speech and language therapy programme to suit a particular client or situation.

About us

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a newly established organisation, bringing together expertise from across mental health, learning disabilities, community, and physical health services. We are dedicated to delivering compassionate, high-quality, and accessible care to the diverse communities of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

With over 13,000 dedicated staff working across more than 300 sites, we place patients and staff at the centre of everything we do. Our goal is to create an integrated healthcare system that improves accessibility and ensures more consistent care for patients. By working together, we aim to improve patient outcomes, drive innovation, and meet the unique needs of the populations we serve.

Our Trust unites services from Southern Health, Solent NHS Trust, Isle of Wight NHS Trusts community and mental health teams, as well as Hampshire CAMHS, originally part of Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. This transformation enables us to deliver more seamless care across the region, ensuring that patients receive the right support, in the right place, at the right time.

Join us as we embark on this exciting journey to shape the future of healthcare across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. We are deeply committed to our CARE values of compassion, accountability, respect, and excellence, and offer outstanding opportunities for career development, training, and collaborative working.

Employer details

Employer name

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Western Community Hospital

Walnut Grove

Southampton

Hampshire

SO16 4XE

Employer's website

https://hiowhealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

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Employer details

Employer name

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Western Community Hospital

Walnut Grove

Southampton

Hampshire

SO16 4XE

Employer's website

https://hiowhealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

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