Job summary
A new and exciting opportunity has arisen in the inpatient mental health Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) team in Sheffield. We are delighted to be expanding our small team to include an assistant post.

SLTs working in the mental health team help service users on inpatient wards to manage swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) and communication needs. We support people to understand and express themselves, so they can meaningfully participate in treatment decisions and therapeutic activities on the wards. We support staff training in dysphagia awareness and communication adaptations. As an SLT assistant, you will be supporting our SLTs to deliver a range of interventions which will include directly working with service users and indirect interventions such as developing accessible resources. On the job training will be provided to ensure you are appropriately skilled to deliver interventions within the remit of the role.

The successful candidate will work across all working-age adult wards, including a Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), as well as older adult wards and 2 nursing homes. Wards are located over 3 sites (Michael Carlisle Centre, Longley Centre and Grenoside Grange); nursing homes are situated in Chapeltown and Norton.

The role of SLTs in acute mental health settings is an evolving area of practice and so genuine interest and compassion for this client group, a willingness to learn and adaptability skills are highly valued qualities in a candidate.

Main duties of the job

• Under the direction of a registered Speech and Language Therapist the post holder will deliver an effective, high quality Speech and Language Therapy service.
• They will use professional and creative skills to assist in the provision of client centred therapeutic interventions for individuals/groups of clients who have communication needs.
• The post holder will give support to adults with communication difficulties, working as a member of the multidisciplinary inpatient mental health service.
• The post holder will support qualified Speech and Language therapists to carryout their professional role in a timely and effective manner including the production of resources and specified administration tasks.
• Under the guidance of a qualified Speech and Language Therapist the post holder will support carers and relevant others regarding the individual client's communication strategies and enhancing communication environments.
• The post holder will ensure the recording of service users' information regarding screening/ waiting lists and allocation is accurate and up to date
• To support qualified clinicians in the planning and implementation of training where appropriate

About us
We are passionate about providing the very best care to the people we support, and we're looking for amazing people who share this passion to join us.

What is it that makes our Trust such a special place to work? Well, it's all about the people. Our staff, service users, carers and families all come from such diverse backgrounds and all have expertise and stories to share.

It's important that you feel supported in your role, that the people who you work with are as passionate as you are and that your health and wellbeing is taken care of

If you're interested in developing your career, you'll have access to a range of training and education opportunities, including apprenticeships, work experience and placements, as well as the chance to get involved in research.

We are very proud of the difference we make to people's lives each and every day and if that's something that you'd like to be part of we'd love to have you with us.

Job responsibilities
Please see the attached job description and person specification files for detailed information about the nature of the role.

Person Specification
Knowledge and Skills
Essential

• Excellent communication skills including good command of written english
• Good organisational and time management skills and ability to prioritise tasks
• Knowledge of the role of a Speech and Language Therapist

Desirable

• Knowledge of communication assessment tools and therapeutic interventions for adults with learning disabilities and mental health difficulties

Training and qualifications
Essential

• Relevant foundation degree or equivalent level 5 qualification; plus A levels and GCSEs or equivalent(s)

Desirable

• Successful completion of relevant short course, including signing, intensive interaction, dysphagia awareness

Experience
Essential

• Experience of working in a health care or educational setting
• Experience of working with adults with communication difficulties.

Desirable

• Experience of interacting with adults with learning disabilities, autism and mental health difficulties

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.