Speech and Language Therapy Assistant

at  Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust

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.
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.

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.
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.
Key Relationships
Individuals, families, carers
Ward Staff
Wider MDT
Specialist SLT/other SLT and SLTAs
Communication and Relationship Skills