Speech & Language Therapy Assistant

at  CSH Surrey

Job Description Post Title: Speech and Language Therapy Assistant Department: Paediatric Speech and Language Therapy Pay Band: Band 3 Business Unit: Children & Families Responsible to: Speech and Language Therapy Clinical Team Lead Accountable to: Clinical Services Manager Purpose The post holder will carry out programmes of individual and group speech and language therapy under the direction of a qualified speech and language therapist To carry out child centred therapy plans using evidence based practice to ensure that the individuals full potential is developed or maintained. As part of the paediatric therapy team to manage a caseload of children with a range of varied and complex needs. To undertake training and supervision as required. Principal duties to include: Under the guidance of the Speech and Language Therapist, to provide support and advice for the childs family and parents about all aspects of their care that relate to their therapy needs, adjusting your use of language to allow for their level of comprehension to understand.
To provide and receive complex and sensitive information with regard to a childs difficulties and expectations. To attend meetings where requested in order to provide specialist advice about the therapy needs of the child. To be able to demonstrate empathy and sensitivity in response to parents and children. To work closely with parents who are themselves dealing with anger, grief and frustration as they come to terms with the impact of their childs condition.
To contribute to specialist reports of therapists for use within inter-agencies, e.g. educational documentation relevant to the practice setting, standards and guidelines To ensure that up to date written electronic records and activity are maintained in accordance with the professional and organisation standards To contribute to the childs diagnosis by communicating assessment findings to the childs paediatrician, parents/carers and other involved professionals. To make referrals to other professionals and agencies if required to address the childs global needs. To provide training to parents/carers and educational staff.
To undertake presentation of paediatric therapy related talks both internally and externally. To participate in the delivery of the therapy development plan. To demonstrate ongoing personal development through participation in internal and external development opportunities To deputise for the Speech and Language Therapist when required. To effectively plan the daily management of a caseload of children To respond to urgent referrals/ requests and occasionally unpredictable work patterns.
To prioritise clinical work and balance other patient related and professional activities as the department requires. To assess clients, carers and other professionals understanding of treatment proposals, gain valid consent and have the capacity to work within a legal framework with clients who lack capacity to consent to treatment. To implement therapy plans for each child incorporating individual or group therapy sessions and programmes for use at home and/or in education settings. To contribute to the re-evaluation and progress therapy programmes depending on the needs of each child and the outcomes expected in conjunction with the Speech and Language Therapist.
To use investigative and analytical skills, and where unsure to seek guidance from senior staff. To implement a range of specialist child-centred individual and/or group interventions, using clinical reasoning skills. To ensure that clinical boundaries are maintained where appropriate training has been given and competencies have been assessed. To not attempt any procedure without appropriate training and having been deemed competent.
To advise therapist of any therapeutic equipment/materials needed for the service To be responsible for equipment used in carrying out Speech and Language Therapy duties and to adhere to departmental policies and guidelines to ensure safe use of equipment by self and others. To share responsibility for departmental tidiness, maintenance and administration To be involved in service projects and developments This job description is not exhaustive and the post holder may be required to undertake such other duties from time to time as are consistent with the responsibility of the grade. This job description is subject to review and development from time to time in liaison with the post holder. As an employee of CSH/FCHC you will be required to adhere to all the organisations policies and procedures.
Standards of Business Conduct The post holder will be required to comply with the organisations Standing Orders and Standing Financial Instructions and, at all times, deal honestly with the organisation, with colleagues and all those who have dealing with the organisation including patients, relatives and suppliers. Confidentiality To ensure confidentiality in all matters relating to clients, to staff personnel issues and to information obtained during the course of employment. To not release such information to anyone else other than acting in an official capacity. To comply with the regulations of the Data protection Act and Freedom of Information Act.
Safeguarding of children and child protection and adults at risk It is the responsibility and duty of all staff to safeguard children and adults at risk and promote their welfare. Any identified safeguarding issues or concerns surrounding child protection and adults at risk must be referred by you promptly in accordance with CSH/ FCHC policy and procedures. Details of Leads on Safeguarding are detailed in procedure. Please ask your line manager or HR for details.
Performance Review This job description only covers the key result areas and as such does not intend to provide a comprehensive list of objectives. Specific objectives will be subject to annual review in consultation with the post holder and may develop to meet changing needs of the service. Equal Opportunities The organisation aims to maintain the goodwill and confidence of its own staff, service users and the general public. To assist in achieving this objective, it is essential that at all times employees carry out their duties in accordance with the organisations Equal Opportunities Policy respecting the differing backgrounds of colleagues and clients.
Infection Control and Prevention CSH/FCHC is committed to minimising any risks of healthcare associated infection to patients, visitors and staff. All employees are required to be familiar with and comply with Infection Prevention and Control policies and procedures relevant to their area of work. Health and Safety The post holder will be required to observe local Health and Safety arrangements and take reasonable care of him/herself and persons that may be affected by his/her work ensuring compliance with the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974). Health and Safety To follow and promote safe working practices and to comply at all times with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, and Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, and CSH policies and procedures To assist in the regular monitoring and maintenance of equipment in accordance with health and Safety regulations.
To act immediately on safety notices, hazard warning notices and any other notifications in relation to equipment used/prescribed by the Speech and Language Therapy Service. To take reasonable care of the health and safety of yourself and other persons who may be affected by your acts or omissions at work and to co-operate with CSH /FCHC to ensure that statutory and departmental regulations are adhered to. To report all clinical and non-clinical incidents or near misses promptly and when required to co-operate with any investigations undertaken. Security It is a condition of employment that identification badges be worn at all times.
All staff have a responsibility for security and the proper care of property. In accordance with standing financial instructions all managers have a particular responsibility for security and loss prevention arrangements in their areas of responsibility. Continuous Improvement The organisation has adopted a strategy for Continuous Improvement and all members of staff employed by the organisation are expected to play an active role in development and improving services to the benefit of service users. In-service training and development programmes are provided including the NVQ process.
Clinical supervision Clinical Supervision is an ongoing process between clinical supervisor and clinical supervisee which aims to develop and sustain a high level of quality patient care by reflecting on clinical practice and provides encouragement for personal and professional growth. All Clinicians are expected to undertake clinical supervision in line with CSH/FCHC policy Registered Health Professional All co-owners/shareholders who are members of a professional body must comply with standards of professional practice/conduct. It is the post holders responsibility to ensure they are both familiar with and adhere to these requirements and maintain their professional membership to the relevant body

Please refer the Job description for details