Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

NHS; St Helens, Knowsley; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000

Job description

Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a dynamic, person-centered speech and language therapist with a passion for rehabilitation.

This new partnership between the Stroke Rehabilitation Unit at Whiston Hospital and Seddon Specialist Rehabilitation Unit at St Helens Hospital will provide opportunities to develop skills in complex rehabilitation. Working three days on Seddon and two days on Stroke Rehabilitation, this is an excellent development opportunity to join our motivated team of speech and language therapists at MWL.

Seddon Specialist Rehabilitation Unit is part of the Cheshire and Merseyside Rehabilitation Network (CMRN) and is led by a Consultant in Rehabilitation Medicine. Across both sites we provide individually tailored intervention programmes to suit the need of patients who have suffered traumatic and life-changing diagnoses, working within forward-thinking interdisciplinary teams that include physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dietitians, rehabilitation assistants, clinical psychologists, rehabilitation coordinators, social workers and rehabilitation nurses.

You will be expected to demonstrate a strong commitment to training and support of students, rotational therapists, rehabilitation assistants and nursing colleagues.

Main duties of the job

The role involves working with adults with acquired and progressive neurological conditions and requires an excellent knowledge and understanding of the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of communication disorders.

The role also involves a complex dysphagia caseload therefore the successful candidate will have completed dysphagia competencies and be able to manage dysphagia patients with senior support. Opportunities to develop skills in videofluoscopy will also be provided.

The successful candidate will be an effective communicator with a commitment to delivering outstanding patient care and ability to think outside of the box to deliver creative rehabilitation. A flexible approach to day-to-day tasks is essential in order to meet the demands of the service. You will be keen to develop your assessment and intervention skills for patients with complex communication and swallowing disorders and be able to work as an integral part of the interdisciplinary team across a 7-day service.

We offer an excellent staff supervision system, enabling our team to develop both personally and at service level. Support from senior colleagues will be provided in addition to opportunities for CPD within MWL and across CMRN.

Job responsibilities

KEY DUTIES

• To be professional and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of your own work including the management of patients/clients in your care.
• To ensure a high standard of clinical care for the patients/clients under your care, and support more junior staff to do likewise.
• To undertake a comprehensive assessment of patients/clients including those with diverse or complex presentations/multi pathologies; use specialist clinical reasoning skills and appropriate assessment techniques to provide an accurate diagnosis of their condition.
• Formulate and deliver an individual treatment programme using assessment, reasoning skills and treatment skills based on a sound knowledge of evidence based practice and treatment options.
• Evaluate patient progress, reassess and alter treatment programmes as required.
• To communicate effectively with patients and carers to maximise potential and to ensure understanding of their condition.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Degree in Speech and Language Therapy
• HCPC registration
• Clinical Educators Certificate
• Post Grad accredited study e.g. MSc in relevant health studies

Knowledge & Experience

• Up to date Clinical Knowledge relevant to the Care Environment and evidence of Evidence Based Practice in relevant health setting.
• Experience of line managing a team including setting objectives, conducting appraisals and effective delegation and co-ordination.
• Evidence of effective working within an MDT.
• Demonstrate experience of problem solving approaches.
• Audit and research in a clinical area.

Skills

• Demonstrates ability to motivate team performance to achieve objectives.
• Ability to prioritise and work to deadlines.
• Ability to communicate effectively in a variety of settings.
• Accurate record keeping, report writing and IT skills.
• Have a flexible approach to working with good time management.

Other

• Ability to travel various hospital locations by own car/assisted driver.

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.