JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Ref No
Job Title: Associate Practitioner in Speech and Language Therapy (Recruitment use only)
(Oral Healthcare)
Place of Work:
Hours of work: Full Time
Band: 4 Musgrove Park Hospital
(37.5 hours per week)
Immediate Supervisor:
Head of Department:
Deputy Head of SLT Directorate:
Head of Speech and Language
( Lead Manager West) Provider Services
Therapy Service
Special Conditions: (e.g. Fixed term/temporary contract; on-call etc) Fixed term
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Main Contacts:
External Contacts
Ambulance Services - weekly/monthly - telephone as required - transport booking
Carers - daily/weekly as required - face to face, telephone, letter - supporting discharge plans
Patients - weekly - face to face, letter, telephone - therapy discussion/support/planning
appointments
Internal Contacts
Patients - daily - face to face - advising on therapy plan, progress and timetable
Speech and Language Therapists - face to face, telephone, email, written - training,
supervision/support
Ward Manager/Registered Nurses - face to face, telephone, written - to communicate patient
care details
Speech and Language Therapy Administrators - face to face, telephone, email, written,
liaison - to inform on timetable location and support Administrator regarding patient related
clinical administration
Dental Service - face to face, telephone, email, written - for support in oral healthcare of
patients
Head of Department - daily/weekly, face to face, email, telephone - line management, clinical
support and supervision
Carers - face to face, written, liaison - to inform of patient progress/therapy programme
Members of multi disciplinary team - face to face, telephone, email, liaison - to inform of
patient progress/therapy programme
Other clinical administration staff - face to face/telephone - following up any enquiries
Medical staff as appropriate - face to face, liaison - update on patient progress therapy plan
Maintenance staff - face to face/telephone - responsible for arranging equipment maintenance
and collection
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Main Purpose of Job:
1. To carry out work with clients on a 1:1 basis, or small group basis, delivering an oral healthcare
training programme to Healthcare Assistants for the duration of the project as agreed with the
Specialist Speech and Language Therapist.
2. To work with the Speech and Language Therapy Service on collating audit information to
establish an evaluation of before and after the Healthcare Assistants training in oral healthcare.
3. To work in partnership with Speech and Language Therapy and Dental Services when needing
specific guidance on moving the project forward.
Financial & Physical Responsibilities of the Post holder:
4. To ensure that all patients have a mouth care pack at the bedside. That this is clean and regularly
replenished with appropriate equipment.
5. That the individual liaises on a regular basis with their line manger regarding required resources
and equipment needed to support the delivery of the training programme and ensures that this
equipment is maintained in a good and workable condition.
Supervisory/Human Resources Responsibilities of the Post holder:
6. None
Specific tasks:
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Summary of Tasks
7. Assists in the development of oral healthcare training packages under the supervision of the
Clinical Specialist Speech and Language Therapist.
8. Delivers oral healthcare training to Healthcare Assistants.
9. To discuss the results of weekly intervention and to plan and agree the week ahead with the
specialist Speech and Language Therapist to modify programmes of care to meet requirements
of patients.
10. Circulates training flyers to In Patient wards in community hospitals and acute wards, addressed
to ward Matrons, Sisters and Hospital Managers.
11. Sets up a formal system of recording course applicants, which will include confirming date,
time and venue of training to the course applicant and their manager.
12. Liaises with the Training Departments for the PCT and the Local Acute Trusts to notify them of
this training. Working in partnership with them to use joint resources to support the efficient
running of the training.
13. Maintains a monthly record of trained staff.
14. Co-ordinates a peer competency checking programme of oral healthcare practices.
15. Prepares certificates of attendance and distributes this to course attendees.
16. Prepares a peer review checklist for oral healthcare competency checking. Co-ordinates the
administration of this and monitors the returns of this record.
17. Carries out a pre-audit oral healthcare on the In patient wards.
18. Carries out a post training audit of oral healthcare.
19. Works with the Clinical Lead Speech and Language Therapist in preparing an evaluation report
of the audits and hence the outcome of the project.
20. Attends six weekly supervisions with the Clinical Lead Speech and Language Therapist.
21. Arranges training venues and co-ordinates resources needed to support the training.
22. Keeps an attendance record of attendees at the course.
23. Develops an information resource base under the guidance of the Speech and Language
Therapist for stroke and neurology services.
24. Contributes to the supervision and training of Speech and Language Therapy Assistants working
in the department.
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25. Applies competency training into clinical practice.
26. Assists the Speech and Language Therapist with swallowing assessments.
27. Adheres to professional guidance for delivery of patient care.
28. Assists in manoeuvring patients in wheelchairs and into sitting positions for therapy, e.g. lifting
limbs.
29. Photocopies materials that support patient care, e.g. patient information, therapy programmes.
30. Contributes to clinical administrative duties as required, relating to patient care, e.g. inputting
ICS for Speech and Language Therapists, filing, photocopying.
31. Provides statistical data as required by Head of Department/Clinical Lead Speech and Language
Therapy - Adults, Head of Speech and Language Therapy.
32. Recognises professional boundaries and confidentiality issues.
33. Prepares for, attends and actively contributes to meetings.
34. Completes single assessment process paperwork after receiving consent from patient to do so.
35. Undertakes anything else as required in relation to Speech and Language Therapy Patient Care.
36. Complies with Health and Safety as required.
37. Demonstrates a commitment to developing knowledge and skills and actively participate in
supervision meetings with Speech and Language Therapy.
38. Write up patient care in the Speech and Language Therapy notes, nursing care plan and the
medical notes following oral healthcare.
39. Adheres to clinical protocols for universal precautions, e.g. gloves, gowns, in cases of D&V,
MRSA.
40. Provides observation sessions for staff interested in working as a Speech and Language Therapy
Assistant and/or work experience observation.
41. Provides mouth care as patient requires and/or directed by Speech and Language Therapist.
42. Uses initiative when working in situations where unexpected circumstances arise.
43. Uses judgement skills in deciding when to refer back to supervising Speech and Language
Therapist for direction, advice and information.
44. Travels to community hospitals as required by the Speech and Language Therapy team.
45. Liaises on a daily basis with registered nursing staff regarding treatment regimes and changes to
prescribed care.
46. Monitors patients response to oral healthcare programmes and seeks advice from Speech and
Language Therapists, as appropriate.
47. Contributes to face to face discussion with Speech and Language Therapists, patients and carers,
e.g. when a problem arises.
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48. Develop areas of clinical expertise as required by the service needs.
49. Gives support to patients/carers when they are in distress to discuss with Speech and Language
Therapist.
50. Uses positive interpersonal skills to work to achieve effective partnership working with multi-
disciplinary colleagues.
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Working Environment
51. Weekly exposure to unpleasant working conditions and daily exposure to highly unpleasant
working conditions, e.g. regular contact with bodily fluids, salvia, sputum.
52. Potential exposure to aggressive/violent behaviour from patients, e g. patient hitting out, abusive
language.
Somerset Primary Care Trust operates a Smoke Free Policy and is an Equal Opportunities Employer
Changes to the Job
This post may be subject to changes/review as the needs of the service/department/unit change. Any changes will be made following
consultation with the individual before the changes are made.
Health and Safety at Work
It is the responsibility of all staff to be aware of their duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act and under specific local or departmental
Health and Safety Policies. The Trust operates a Smoke Free working environment for all staff.
In order to protect the safety of the public, patients and staff safety, all employees are responsible for:
1. Completing an Adverse Event form every time an incident or potential incident occurs.
2. Reporting both clinical and non-clinical adverse incidents.
3. Reporting all defects.
4. Reporting all complaints.
5. Communicating a dangerous situation to anyone who could be at risk.
6. Attending mandatory and statutory training.
7. Within their own area of competence, assessing risk and appropriate reporting to their manager, in accordance with the Trust's Risk
Management Strategy.
8. Compliance with all Trust policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines.
In addition to these responsibilities managers and team leaders are responsible for considering the various activities of their department, so as to:
1. Manage risks within their area of influence.
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2. Implement control measures and contingency plans.
3. Report risk management activities, and concerns in line with the PCTs Risk Management Strategy.
Control of Infection
All employees will have an understanding of basic infection control principles and procedures during induction to the Somerset Primary Care
Trust. This will be supported through annual mandatory refresher training which is aimed at raising and maintaining awareness of infection
control principles.
Staff throughout the organisation will be proactive in promoting and securing the implementation of best practice in the prevention and control
of infection during their daily roles within the PCT.
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CONFIDENTIALITY/DATA PROTECTION
Any matters of a confidential nature, including particular information relating to patients, their treatment and diagnosis, individual staff records,
details of contract prices and terms must under no circumstances be divulged or made available to any unauthorised person(s).
Disclosures of confidential information or disclosures of any data of a personal nature can result in prosecution for an offence under the Data
Protection Act 1998 or an action for civil damages under the same Act in addition to any disciplinary action taken by the Trust which might
include dismissal.
You should consult your line manager if you consider that there is a need to breach such confidentiality. You are advised that throughout your
employment, the Trust will collate information to support Performance Management.
It is the responsibility of all staff to be aware of their obligations in respect of the Data Protection Act 1998.
Appraisal
Employees are entitled to an annual appraisal identifying learning needs and reflecting on performance. Each employee should agree a personal
development plan and ensure that they access mandatory training on an annual basis.
This role profile is designed to identify principal responsibilities only. The post holder is required to be flexible in developing the role in
accordance with changes in the Trust’s organisational objectives and priorities. This role profile will therefore be subject to periodic revision
following discussion with the post holder and in the light of any changes. It will be subject to major review when significant changes in staffing
occur.
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Speech and Language Therapy Service
Organisational Chart
Appendix A
Head of Speech and Language Therapy
Services Professional Leadership and Expert
PA to Speech and Language Therapy Clinical Advisor for Adult Services for:
Somerset PCT
Support Secretary
East Somerset team West Somerset team
County wide Clinical Lead County wide Clinical Leads
Speech and Language Therapists Speech and Language Therapists
Speech and Language Therapy Speech and Language Therapy
Assistants Assistants
Administrative Staff Administrative Staff
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APPENDIX B
ADULT TEAM MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE
Head of Adult Speech and Language Therapy Service
(Somerset PCT)
Line management responsibility for 14.85 wte
wte – 18 head count
Deputy Head of Adult Lead Manager for the
Speech and Language East of the County
Therapy.
Lead Manager for the
West of the County
Clinical Lead Clinical Lead for Clinical Lead Stroke Clinical Lead for
Clinical Lead Neurodisability
Cancer Services Dysfluency Dysphagia
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APPENDIX C
WEST SOMERSET ADULT TEAM
Deputy Head Adult Speech and Language Therapist
Lead Manager West
Clinical Lead Clinical Lead Clinical Lead
Cancer 1.0 wte Dysphagia 1.0 wte Stroke 1.0 wte
Specialist SLT Special SLT Specialist SLT Specialist SLT
Voice and Rehab Stroke/General Neurodisability/
Dysphagia 1.0 wte Adults General Adults
1.0 wte 1.0 wte 1.0 wte
Rehabilitation Dysphagia Associate Practitioner
Technician Assistant (Oral Healthcare)
1.0 wte 1.0 wte 1.0 wte (fixed term)
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APPENDIX D
EAST SOMERSET ADULT TEAM
Lead Manager
0.6 wte
Clinical Lead Clinical Lead Clinical Lead Clinical Lead
Neurodisability Dysfluency Voice/AAC Stroke
1.0 wte 0.6 wte 0.2 wte 1.0 wte
Specialist SLT
0.6 wte
Speech & Language Speech & Language Speech & Language
Therapist Therapist 1.0 wte Therapist 0.6 wte
0.8 wte
Associate Associate Practitioner
Practitioner 0.36 wte (Oral Healthcare)
1.0 wte (fixed term)
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