Assistant Speech & Language Therapist

Assistant Speech & Language Therapist

Job description

Job summary

If you are passionate about communication and would relish the challenge of working in a blended role in Stroke rehabilitation and Acute inpatients we would like to meet you!

We are looking for an assistant to join our Acute Team and multi-disciplinary Stroke Rehabilitation Team based at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Hospitals to help in the delivery of our Speech and Language Therapy Service.

We are looking for a flexible individual with an empathetic nature, who is keen, conscientious and fast learner. You must enjoy working on your own and as part of multiple teams.

You will be helping to perform early assessments and deliver therapy to patients under the direction of the Speech and Language therapy team.







Some will have lost the ability to understand or use the spoken and or written word, whilst others may have difficulty swallowing.

Main duties of the job

Your input will help support patients to regain these skills or, where this is not possible, to learn alternative ways of communicating, for example through gesture or drawing.

In addition, you will be required to help with admin tasks, including the making of therapy resources to use with patients, inputting data and administering therapy groups.

We have an established assistant teaching programme to develop your knowledge and understanding. However, it would be beneficial to have had some previous experience as a Health Care Assistant, Clinical Support Worker, Therapy Assistant or Volunteer in a hospital or other health care environment, though this is not essential.

Good communication and organisational skills are essential, and an engaging and creative outlook for delivering care highly desirable.

As part of the multi-disciplinary team,





you will work closely with therapists, nurses, doctors, the patient, their friends, carers and family.

Please note that this role may often attract a high level of applications. Please note this role may close earlier than the original closing date so please ensure you submit your application as soon as possible.

About us

MTW is a large acute hospital trust in the south-east of provide a full range of general hospital services and some aspects of specialist and complex care to around 600,000 people living in west Kent and East Sussex.

We have a team of over 8,000 full and part-time staff. We also provide specialist cancer services to around 2 million people across Kent and East Sussex via the Kent Oncology Centre.

In the 2024 NHS staff survey,





our employees ranked MTW among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and the second-best Trust to work for in the South East.

Would you like to work flexibly? In the NHS, we are reminded every day of how important life is. As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us, for our patients and for you.

Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Once your pre-employment checks have been completed you will be contacted by Recruitment to arrange your start date which will be in line with one of our Corporate Inductions.

Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure & Barring Service Check at Enhanced Level.







Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children).

At MTW, we seek to develop a culture where everyone can reach their full potential with opportunities to grow and develop their career.

We recognise and value the unique contributions that each of our staff bring, delivering the best quality care and service to our patients.

We are committed to being a diverse employer and strive to reflect everyone in our local communities. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences and celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints and ideas that will make our Trust the best place to work.

We support our staff with disabilities to ensure they have the adjustments they need to be the best they can be in the workplace.







Collaborating with Access to Work means that our staff are assessed by experts in the workplace and we ensure that their recommendations are implemented as quickly as possible.

You can find out more here : Access to Work : get support if you have a disability or health condition : What Access to Work is - (

Interview Date : To be confirmed.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Level 3 NVQ qualification or equivalent

Skills

Essential

- Excellent organisational skills
- Ability to prioritise between tasks
- Excellent verbal communication skills to include the delivery of sensitive information
- Good documentation skills

Desirable

- Adapting activities based on patient's performance using own initiative and creative methods
- Ability to manage own time effectively

Experience / Knowledge

Essential







- Previous experience working in a health care setting
- Working flexibly in a team environment

Desirable

- Experience of running a group
- Experience of working in speech and language therapy

▶️ Assistant Speech & Language Therapist
🖊️ Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust
📍 Maidstone