Dietetic & Speech Therapy Assistant

Job summary

We are looking for a confident and enthusiastic Dietetic & Speech Therapy Assistant to join our Dietetic and Speech Therapy Team at The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

The role involves supporting, implementing, and monitoring communication therapy programmes, nutrition care plans, as well as working closely with supervising staff. You will champion the importance of good nutrition on the wards and will assist ward staff with nutrition screening and implementation of ward base actions to improve nutritional care. You will lead on monitoring of distribution of dietary products, and will review the administration of oral nutritional supplements. Under the guidance of Speech and Language Therapists you will produce high quality, tailored communication resources and assist patients with their use.

You will need to be highly motivated and able to work flexibly in a busy environment. You will need good spoken and written English and excellent communication skills. You will liaise with multidisciplinary teams across the Hospital and the Catering Department. You will need to have experience of working with adult patients in the hospital setting or other experience relevant to the post. An awareness of the Therapy role and a caring and empathetic approach are essential.

We will offer a supportive working environment with in-house training and supervision to help you develop the relevant skills and knowledge for the post.

An interview date is yet to be confirmed.

Main duties of the job

• To work under the supervision of qualified Dietitians and Speech & Language Therapists (SLT), to undertake a variety of clinical and non-clinical duties to support the delivery of Dietetic & Speech Therapy Service to patients.
• To be involved in the practical implementation of treatment plans designed by SLT/ Dietitians, monitoring patient response, adapting the programme within an agreed framework and reporting on progress.
• Undertake own patient caseload under supervision of the Dietitians/SLT on designated wards.
• To help patients during treatment, individually and in groups, preparing the environment and equipment.
• Be an active part of the multidisciplinary team, including joint working where appropriate.
• To monitor and maintain stock and equipment e.g. nutritional products on the wards.
• To act as lead for the monitoring of distribution of dietary products, and diet kitchen snacks/meals.
• To participate in departmental audits, journal club and training sessions.

About us

The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is the only acute hospital in the London Borough of Hillingdon and offers a wide range of services, including accident and emergency, inpatient care, day surgery, outpatient clinics, and maternity services. The Trust's services at Mount Vernon Hospital include routine day surgery, delivered at a modern treatment centre, a minor injuries unit, and outpatient clinics.

Our friendly team consists of 12 Dietitians, 7 Speech & Language Therapists, 3 Administrators, and a job-share Service Manager. This post will provide clinical and administrative support to clinical staff. The post holder will be based at Hillingdon Hospital and will fill a vital role working with adult inpatients across a range of specialities, supporting the provision of a holistic, high quality, evidence-based, efficient, and effective Dietetic & Speech Therapy Service.

We have over 3,500 members of staff that are proud to care for nearly half a million people, with a vision to be an outstanding provider of healthcare through leading health and academic partnerships, transforming services, to provide the best care where needed.