Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust

Speech and Language Therapy Assistant

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Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 4 Speech and Language Therapy Assistant within Ashworth High Secure Hospital in Liverpool working with service users who have a primary diagnosis of a mental illness and/or personality disorder.

We are looking for a highly motivated and creative individual with excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

You should have good organisational and time management skills.

You will be proactive in supporting the development of easy read information, work as part of the integrated approach modelling communication strategies, deliver communication assessment, therapy and training; and input into the eating, drinking and swallowing clinical pathway.

You will be providing interventions with a range of clients on a 1:1 basis and in groups.

You will be part of a well established Speech and Language Therapy Team where regular support and supervision will be provided. You will also have the opportunity to work collaboratively as part of the MDT within the hospital.

Main duties of the job

The assistant will support the work of the Qualified Speech and Language Therapists working with adults with a primary diagnosis of mental illness or personality disorder in the high secure forensic setting.

The post holder will work under the direction of the Lead Speech and Language Therapist within the service.

The assistant will be required to work in a number of roles:

To develop and complete easy read documents in consultation with service users (including skilling up support staff).

To work directly with patients and other clinical staff, modelling communication approaches and ensuring these are embedded into day to day communication and interactions.

To work as part of a team delivering all aspects of communication assessment (including use of creative and meaningful activities with patients to assess their strengths and needs).

To provide structured, planned communication therapy sessions as directed by Qualified Speech and Language Therapist, on a 1:1 and/or group basis.

To support with training of others.

To develop resources to support assessment, training and therapy.

The post holder will accept an agreed range of clients and manage a delegated caseload.

About us

Mersey Care is one of the largest trusts providing physical health and mental health services in the North West, serving more than 1.4 million people across our region and are also commissioned for services that cover the North West, North Wales and the Midlands.

We offer specialist inpatient and community services that support physical and mental health and specialist inpatient mental health, learning disability, addiction and brain injury services. Mersey Care is one of only three trusts in the UK that offer high secure mental health facilities.

At the heart of all we do is our commitment to 'perfect care' - care that is safe, effective, positively experienced, timely, equitable and efficient. We support our staff to do the best job they can and work alongside service users, their families, and carers to design and develop future services together. We're currently delivering a programme of organisational and service transformation to significantly improve the quality of the services we provide and safely reduce cost as we do so.

Flexible working requests will be considered for all roles.

Date posted

23 August 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£26,530 to £29,114 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

350-SC6585775

Job locations

Ashworth High Secure Hospital

Parkbourn

Magull

L31 1HW

Job description

Job responsibilities

Key Relationships

Individuals, families, carers

Ward Staff

Wider MDT

Specialist SLT/other SLT and SLTAs

Communication and Relationship Skills

The post holder will :

Communicate effectively with all members of the speech therapy team and carry out work as outlined within professional competency frameworks for assistants.

Work under direction from a qualified and registered Speech and Language Therapist.

Work directly with individuals with a mental illness and/or personality disorder and have related difficulty with communication therefore will need to use skilled communication techniques to overcome these barriers.

The post holder will work routinely with people who may also experience additional communication barriers relating to language, mental health conditions, physical health, disability and challenging behaviours.

The Assistant will need to ensure that communication is accessible and person centred and support others to communicate with the individual effectively.

Develop and advise others within MDT on the development of accessible information for service users.

Complete client records and client sensitive information according to professional guidance and MCFT Trust policy.

Be an integral member of the MDT.

To attend relevant professional meetings at the request of a senior Clinician.

To share and disseminate information in a professional manner with other members of the broader multi-disciplinary and uni-disciplinary speech therapy team.

Maintain and develop competency in IT skills.

Clinical duties

To carry own designated caseload (under supervision) and meet regularly with supervising clinician to review work.

To work independently with individuals with a mental illness and/or personality disorder in the high secure setting.

To highlight individuals changing needs or wider service issues affecting an individuals care to the Lead Speech and Language Therapist.

Identify and proactively develop accessible information in addition to developing material on request

To develop systems for storing and developing symbols/easy read materials to increase use across the trust

Support clients to achieve optimum potential by promoting independence and self-care as appropriate.

To provide support and assist in the preparation and running of Integrated Therapy Groups.

To act as an advocate to facilitate views and choices expressed by clients.

To develop rapport with clients and to encourage their interest and participation in specified therapeutic activities.

To contribute to the assessment of and adhere to risk management measures under direction of therapist.

To work within the Mental capacity act framework.

Analytical and Judgmental Skills

To make appropriately detailed observations in regard to physical health, communication, behaviour and emotional presentation to contribute to therapy assessment and assess progress in relation to therapy goals.

To observe general behaviour, functional ability and responses of patients when engaged in therapy activities to make routine records of the information following each intervention and to report to the appropriate member of the multi-disciplinary team.

Following appropriate training respond appropriately to changes in the persons condition or needs and make changes to care plans within own area of competence, as delegated by the registered Speech and Language Therapist

To understand the scope of their own role and when to refer to the Speech and Language Therapist

Planning and Organisational Skills

To organise own time and prioritise workload with support from supervising Speech and Language Therapist.

To deliver therapy programmes in the most appropriate setting for the person and in a timely manner

To provide individual activity and performance data in a timely manner on request

Responsibilities for Policy and Service Development

To support a learning environment within the Speech and Language Therapy service through practical assistance and input into the education and development of student health professionals who are undertaking training within the service. This at the request and guidance of the Lead Speech and Language Therapist.

Make a key contribution to the multi-professional team to ensure the continued development of the service and maintain a knowledge and understanding of current legislation, policies, procedures, codes of practice and guidelines relevant to role

Participate in audit, quality projects and research as appropriate

Participate in changes in clinical practice as directed by the Lead Speech and Language Therapist

To adhere to MCFT Policies and procedures

To engage in MCFT PDR process ensuring objectives are met and a personal development plan is maintained and evaluated

To attend mandatory training and relevant courses/ training deemed appropriate for role

To maintain CPD portfolio and work to Assistants competency framework

To participate in service development, research and audit as required

Responsibilities for HR

The post holder will actively participate in their own PDR and appraisals maintain a CPD portfolio in line with professional standards

Responsibility for Information Resources

To keep client records in accordance with professional standards and Trust policies