Speech and Language Therapy AssistantinSouthamptoninSouthamptonPUBLISHED FRI 21 MAR 2025

We have an exciting opportunity for a Band 3 Speech and Language Therapy Assistant to be based in our in-house rehabilitation setting.

This is an excellent opportunity to join the rehabilitation team, working as a discipline-specific assistant alongside the Speech and Language Therapist and other multi-disciplinary team members, including Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Psychology teams. We will offer a supportive working environment in which to develop your clinical and interpersonal skills, and structured in-service training programme with direct support to complete multidisciplinary competencies. Previous experience of care and/or rehabilitation of adults is desirable.

The care team at Peartree House provides a 24 hour care approach, with support from the therapy team across a 5 day service, covering the hours of 8am 4pm with opportunities for weekend working. The successful applicant must be able to meet these core requirements but reasonable flexibility can be discussed.

The team provides an intensive, client-centred rehabilitation service and complex nursing care to adults following acquired brain injuries, which covers strokes, road traffic accidents, seizures or brain tumours or other neurological conditions. There is a high level of patient contact while working primarily in support with occupational therapy, nursing and physiotherapy and psychology. As part of the team, you will be required to participate in the therapy management of a varied brain injury clinical caseload and facilitating discharge into the community where appropriate.

Some of the tasks you will be expected to do:

- Ensure good communication is maintained across services

- Support with the provision of therapy plans for the in-house speech and language therapy clients, in alignment with their rehabilitation or management goals

- Support the in-house speech and language therapy service in delivering dysphagia (swallowing difficulties) education and training in accordance with IDDSI

- Create necessary resources to support patients, families and staff to follow communication, dysphagia and oral hygiene recommendations

We will offer a supportive working environment in which to develop your clinical and interpersonal skills, a structured in-service training programme, and appraisal, supervision system. Extensive training will be provided in order to gain or develop the required skills and competencies, including some housekeeping and equipment maintenance duties.

About us

Under the guidance and supervision of qualified therapists:

Assist with the assessment and treatment of patients on an individual and group basis.

Carry out delegated therapeutic activities/rehabilitation programmes as part of the patients designated treatment plan, observing patients response to the treatment being received, liaising with the speech and language therapist.

Supervise patients in practicing and following through their rehabilitation programmes.

To teach and demonstrate use of equipment and techniques to optimise function, independence and safety.

To assist in motivating patients to participate in their treatment regime using appropriate communication strategies.

To undertake a basic assessment of each patients condition prior and during intervention or as a response to any treatment, by observing any significant change or analysing variations and accurately reporting these to the primary therapist

To be responsible for maintaining accurate written records using SOAP recording system and use of computerised data collection including using electronic record system.

To demonstrate an awareness of clinical risk and to manage clinical risk within own caseload, including observing patients in all situations ensuring safety and security at all times.

To develop therapeutic relationships with patients and carers, communicating in a way respecting their views, autonomy and culture.

To be able to cope with occasional, potentially stressful, upsetting or emotional situations in an empathetic manner.

To ensure appropriate precautions are taken to maintain patient dignity and respect at all times