UHWS Speech & Language Therapy Assistant

************PLEASE COMPLETE THE APPLICATION FORM FULLY, CV'S ARE NOT ACCEPTED************

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

The Speech and Language Therapy Assistant will:

Clinical

• Manage own caseload in accordance with the needs of the post.
• Collaborate with service users, family, careers and other staff in treatment / intervention planning and in the provision of support and advice.
• Follow treatment plans as determined and delegated by a Speech and Language Therapist including assisting in the provision of education and advice to service users on the use of enabling equipment.
• Carry out duties related to the planning, organisation and maintenance of Speech and Language Therapy programmes as directed by the Speech and Language Therapist.
• Carry out generic programmes and groups for service users to the specifications agreed with the Speech and Language Therapist Supervisor and treating Speech and Language Therapists.
• Liaise with other staff and agencies in the provision of therapeutic programmes as directed by Speech and Language Therapist Supervisor.
• Prepare resources for assessment / intervention for Clinic appointments, home visits and group interventions.
• Prepare the environment for group or 1:1 interventions according to service user needs and therapeutic goals, as directed by the Speech and Language Therapist.
• Work directly with service users under the direction of a Speech and Language Therapist.
• Observe the general performance, behavior and ability of individuals during therapeutic interventions.
• Record intervention observations and outcomes as appropriate and report outcomes to the Speech and Language Therapist.
• Maintain accurate records of service user assessments and interventions. Maintain clinical notes relating to clinical work in service user files in accordance with local service protocols.
• Maintain professional standards in relation to consent, confidentiality, ethics and legislation.

Administrative:

• Carry out the administrative and clerical duties required to support the Speech and Language Therapy staff and the Speech and Language Therapy department e.g. the scheduling of appointments.
• Assist in the organisation, maintenance and / or ordering of equipment and materials used in assessment and treatment, in conjunction with the Speech and Language Therapists.
• Develop therapy resources and materials under the direction of the Speech and Language Therapist.
• Comply with department procedures with regard to recommendation and provision of all assistive equipment / custom made devices.
• Keep up-to-date statistics and other administrative records as required within the Speech and Language Therapy department.
• Maintain / clean equipment and treatment areas, as requested.
• Contribute to the planning and development of the Speech and Language Therapy Service and participate in service improvements, in conjunction with the Speech and Language Therapists.

Education and Training

• Attend induction and mandatory in-service education relevant to the role.
• Participate in the induction of new staff as directed
• Engage in the HSE performance achievement process in conjunction with your Line Manager and staff as appropriate.
• Participate in team based development, education training and learning.

Health & Safety

• Observe all rules relating to Health and Safety and Conduct at Work and use any equipment provided in a safe and responsible manner.
• Report any incident or potential incident which may compromise the health and safety of others and take appropriate action. Report any accidents, near misses to the person in charge and ensure completion of incident / near miss forms.
• Adequately identify, assess, manage and monitor risk within their area of responsibility.
• Do not undertake any duty related to patient / service user care for which they are not trained.
• Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, hygiene Standards etc. and comply with associated HSE protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.
• Support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.

The above Job Specification is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to them from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.