Job summary Are you enthusiastic, motivated and looking for an opportunity to develop clinical and professional skills? Do you have a desire to support individuals with complex communication and swallowing needs? If so we have an exciting opportunity for you to join our service Following recent investment in our ever expanding Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) service, we are seeking to appoint a SLT Assistant (SLTA) to join our Mental Health Inpatient team based at The Harbour Hospital in Blackpool. This role will give the successful applicant opportunities to work within specialist inpatient services to support adults with mental health conditions. We are looking for a highly motivated and creative individual with excellent interpersonal and communication skills. At The Harbour, we work with adults with communication and/ or swallowing difficulties who are experiencing mental illness with well-developed and evidenced based pathways covering the needs of this client group. We are part of a wider network of SLTs based throughout LSCFT who form a virtual team of experienced and supportive therapists. We can offer clinical and management supervision, specialist support by experienced senior staff, continuing professional development and specialist SLT Forums. The successful candidate must be able to effectively manage their own time, and demonstrate excellent communication skills. A commitment to completing the Assistant Practitioner programme of study is desirable. Main duties of the job As a Band 4 (SLTA) you will work closely with patients, their families, friends and staff and make a meaningful contribution to how people experience inpatient services. You will be expected to be kind and responsive, as well as professional and informative, contributing to the quality of the services we provide. You will contribute to our SLT team achieving its' objectives by working closely with and drawing support from the registered clinician and other health care professionals, whilst working autonomously and with initiative to meet the requirements of the role; providing therapy for communication and swallowing impairments to people with a range of mental and physical health needs, supporting with administration for the SLT team, and supporting service development by engaging in education, training and professional development. About us Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust provides a range of services including secondary mental health care across this area. Specialist provision comprises inpatient child and adolescent mental health services, perinatal mental health and forensic services including low and medium secure care. The Trust also provides a range of physical health and well-being services in the community alongside a range of partners in the Lancashire, Cumbria and Sefton area. Lancashire & South Cumbria Foundation Trust encourages flexible working, we believe that a positive work/life balance benefits NHS employees through improved health and wellbeing. We would consider working patterns such as; term time, part time, compressed hours, flexi-time and career breaks. We encourage applicants to state clearly on their application forms this re-quest and discuss these options at interview. For more information please visit our website via Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS FT Date posted 04 March 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 4 Salary £26,530 to £29,114 a year per annum Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 351-FYL589-CLK Job locations The Harbour Blackpool FY4 4FE Job description Job responsibilities Please see attached the job description and person specification for more information about this role Job description Job responsibilities Please see attached the job description and person specification for more information about this role Person Specification Education Essential GCSE/level 5 or above in English and Maths or equivalent. Ability to undertake PAS training Desirable Qualification in health or care e.g. NVQ LEVEL 4, Training to Diploma or foundation level, Assistant practitioner qualification or willingness to complete the course Knowledge Essential Ability to demonstrate understanding of: SLT, the client group with which the post holder will work e.g. Mental health difficulties, Learning Disabilities Desirable Adult and social learning theories Experience Essential An understanding of the roles of other professions within the multi-disciplinary team Experience of working without direct supervision, including monitoring and reviewing the person's progress Desirable Experience of working with people with a broad range of Mental Health conditions and/or people who have cognitive, physical, learning disability or challenging behaviour. Person Specification Education Essential GCSE/level 5 or above in English and Maths or equivalent. Ability to undertake PAS training Desirable Qualification in health or care e.g. NVQ LEVEL 4, Training to Diploma or foundation level, Assistant practitioner qualification or willingness to complete the course Knowledge Essential Ability to demonstrate understanding of: SLT, the client group with which the post holder will work e.g. Mental health difficulties, Learning Disabilities Desirable Adult and social learning theories Experience Essential An understanding of the roles of other professions within the multi-disciplinary team Experience of working without direct supervision, including monitoring and reviewing the person's progress Desirable Experience of working with people with a broad range of Mental Health conditions and/or people who have cognitive, physical, learning disability or challenging behaviour. 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. Employer details Employer name Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust Address The Harbour Blackpool FY4 4FE Employer's website https://www.lscft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)