Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Job Title                                     : Speech and Language Therapy Support Worker

Base                                                   : Oxford Centre for Enablement

Grade                                                  : Band 3

Hours of work                                   : 22.5 hours per week (0.6 WTE)

Directorate                                         : Acute Medicine and Rehabilitation

Responsible to                                  : Speech and Language Therapy Service Manager

Accountable to                                  : Matron for Stroke and Neurorehabilitation

Job Summary

The post holder will work across inpatient neuro-rehabilitation / acquired brain injury and outpatient services under the supervision of a Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) in order to:

• Carry out routine therapeutic interventions with patients who have communication and/or eating and drinking difficulties, under direct supervision of the SLT.
• Follow departmental guidelines and standards to independently support the work of SLTs, e.g. jointly planning and running therapy groups.
• Provide clinical administrative support to SLTs, including preparation of therapy materials, data collection and analysis.

Main Tasks and Responsibilities

Patient Care

• Under the supervision of the SLT, to carry out routine therapy activities following programmes set by the SLT with patients who have a range of complex impairments as a result of acquired or progressive neurological illnesses.
• To carry out specified observation and information gathering to contribute to the SLTs assessment and intervention.
• To work with guidance from the SLT to modify and progress therapy intervention programmes in response to the patient’s needs.
• To demonstrate SLT interventions to members of the multi-disciplinary team and to the patient’s family and carers.
• To facilitate multi-disciplinary therapy groups under the supervision of the SLT / multi-disciplinary team.
• To access IT support effectively to develop personalised SLT programmes and resources.

Policy / Service Development and Implementation

To be aware of and to adhere to Trust, Service and Team plans and policies, including:

• Recording accurate and timely activity data in keeping with Trust and team requirements.
• To collate and analyse teams activity data on a regular basis.
• Maintaining high quality clinical records in accordance with Service and Trust Guidelines and within data protection guidelines.
• Ensuring understanding and adherence to Trust and Department Health and Safety requirements, including compliance with mandatory training courses.
• Compliance with the Trust incident reporting and risk management procedures.
• Work within Infection Control and Health and Safety guidelines in order to deal appropriately with unpleasant conditions related to patient contact as they arise, e.g. exposure to bodily fluids, infectious conditions.
• To participate in service development initiatives and projects within the team.
• To participate in implementation of service / Trust clinical governance plans.

Financial and Physical Resources

• To support SLTs in monitoring of stock levels in own service area and requesting new equipment as appropriate.
• To be responsible for the security, care and maintenance of equipment ensuring standards of infection control and safety are maintained, including equipment loaned to patients.

Human Resources

• To prepare and organise materials, information and accommodation for presentations by the SLT team.

Information Resources

• To maintain timely and accurate case notes in line with Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists professional standards and local Trust policies.
• To share information with others in accordance with data protection guidelines.

Research and Development

• To participate in clinical governance / audit projects within the local service, with support from the SLT.
• To collect and provide research data as required.

Freedom to Act

• To be accurate for own professional action and recognise own professional boundaries, working within a clear supervisory framework, with direct supervision from an SLT.
• To support the administrative work of the SLT and initiate appropriate administrative tasks.
• To work independently within defined departmental and national protocols / policies and professional code of conduct.
• To access appraisal within an Individual Performance Framework at pre-determined intervals.

Knowledge and Skills

Communication and Relationships

• To liaise with other professionals, support staff, family and carers, ensuring they understand the SLT intervention, with support from SLT.
• To provide direct feedback to family/carers, other professionals and supervising SLTs on therapy sessions delivered.
• To form productive relationships with others who may be under stress and/or have challenging communication difficulties and motivate them to engage in therapy programmes.

Knowledge, Training and Experience

• To identify, with support, personal/professional development evidenced by Personal Development Plan, developed within an appraisal framework.
• To participate in appraisal, ensuring that objectives set reflect the service and Trust plans.
• To attend relevant training and development in order to further develop therapeutic skills and enhance knowledge of the role of the SLT.
• To be aware of relevant procedures / statutory requirements including: safeguarding children, working with vulnerable adults and other legal frameworks.

Analytical and Judgemental Skills

• To recognise potential breakdown and conflict when it occurs and seek advice and support from supporting SLTs to resolve it.
• To discuss with treating SLT the review of therapy programmes following analysis of patient’s performance.

Planning and Organisational Skills

• To manage a prioritised and specified caseload with support from SLT.
• To manage and prioritise own workload.

Physical Skills

• To apply skills in handling clients with disabilities with support and appropriate training.