Speech and Language Therapist

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

Job description

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

We are looking for an enthusiastic, hardworking and motivated Speech and Language Therapist with an interest in working with acquired speech, language and communication impairments and dysphagia to join our dynamic, friendly and welcoming team.

We are based in Whiston Hospital which is easily accessible by car or train from Liverpool (11 miles), Manchester (25 miles) Warrington (9 miles) and Wigan (12 miles) surrounding areas.

The successful candidate will:

• Deliver high standard evidence-based care
• Perform therapy assessments of patients, providing a diagnosis to develop and deliver an individualised treatment programme
• Hold responsibility for their own caseload, working under supervision
• Demonstrate a flexible approach to day-to-day tasks

In order to fulfil the role of Speech and Language Therapist you will need to have HCPC registration, be a member of RCSLT and have evidence of appropriate CPD activity and experience of working with adult patients.

Main duties of the job

Our team offer:

• Regular support and supervision from experienced Speech and Language Therapists (You will be supported to complete RCSLT competencies including the Newly Qualified Practitioner and Dysphagia.)
• An established programme of In-Service Training to promote clinical excellence and evidence-based practice.
• Options to develop experience of working in Stroke, Acute Neurology, Voice, Dementia, Long Term Conditions (e.g. Parkinson's disease, MND, MS and Huntington's disease) Frailty, Respiratory, Early Supported Discharge teams in the community and outpatient clinics.
• Strong links with the wider MDT and opportunities for interprofessional working.
• Links to the Research and Innovation department and opportunities to contribute to National and Local research studies.
• Consideration of flexible working.

This post will be suitable for a Newly Qualified Speech and Language Therapist or someone already working as a Speech and Language Therapist. We have regular developmental opportunities for staff to progress from Band 5 to Band 6.

We are committed to providing student education and you will be required to contribute to clinical education for speech and language therapy students and contribute as part of the multidisciplinary team to the education of students across the trust.

About us

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 10,500 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites.

We strongly believe that the communities we serve should all have access to Five Star Patient Care.

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 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.
• To take delegated responsibility from a senior clinician for managing patients/clients with particular conditions and be responsible for providing specialist assessment and treatment plans for patients with these conditions.
• Evaluate patient progress, reassess and alter treatment programmes as required, reporting back to senior clinician with regular support and advice.
• To have the ability to undertake self-directed/lone working in a variety of locations.
• To participate in weekend, evening working and seven day working rotas. Following training, to work without direct supervision on out of hours rota.

CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• To maintain Professional Registration.
• To work within Trust clinical guidelines, HCPC and RCSLT guidelines and to have a working knowledge of national and local standards and monitor own and others quality of practice against these.
• To establish, maintain and develop professional working relationships with colleagues.
• To be responsible for a designated area of work, as delegated by a senior clinician. Plan and organise efficiently and effectively patient/client caseload and use of time for self.
• To be responsible for equipment used in carrying out clinical duties, and to adhere to policy, including competence to use equipment and to ensure the safe use of equipment by others through teaching, training and supervision of practice.
• To provide spontaneous and planned advice, teaching and instruction to relatives, carers and other professionals to promote understanding of the aims of treatment and to ensure a consistent approach to patient care.
• To provide clinical advice to colleagues working within other clinical areas.
• To train, supervise more junior staff and students. This will include the use of formal appraisal documentation.
• To communicate effectively with patients and carers to maximise potential and to ensure understanding of their condition.
• To assess capacity, gain valid informed consent and have the ability to work within a legal framework with patients/clients who lack capacity to consent to treatment.
• To communicate effectively and work collaboratively with the multi-disciplinary team (MDT team) to ensure delivery of a co-ordinated multidisciplinary service. This will include participating in a variety of MDT internal and external agency meetings and forums plus other forms of verbal/written communication as necessary including report writing and referrals to other agencies.
• To communicate highly sensitive information effectively with all patient groups/clients/carers where there may be difficulties in accepting or understanding information.
• To maintain tact and diplomacy and use highly developed communication skills when working in situations which may become hostile/antagonistic including potential complaints as per Trust Policy.
• To be aware of and to be responsive to the changing nature of the trust and adopt a flexible and pro-active approach to work.

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

• To maintain accurate, comprehensive and up to date documentation, in line with legal and local requirements and communicate assessment and treatment results to the appropriate disciplines in the form of reports and letters.
• To undertake as directed the collection of appropriate data and statistics for the use of the department.

TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES

• To maintain own clinical professional development (CPD) by keeping abreast of any new trends and developments, and incorporate them as appropriate into your work. To support other staff to do likewise.
• To be an active member of relevant training programmes attending, delivering presentations, training sessions at staff meetings, tutorials and by attending external courses and being a reflective practitioner.
• To participate in the supervision scheme as supervisor and supervisee when appropriate.

LINE MANAGEMENT/SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

To demonstrate leadership by means of:

• Effecting change within sphere of practice when and where indicated, to improve service delivery.
• Motivating, supporting and enabling others to contribute towards the effectiveness and success of the Therapy Team.
• To take responsibility for own decision making and the decisions of their team which affect service delivery.
• To undertake any other duties that might be considered appropriate by senior staff.

CLINICAL GOVERNANCE, RESEARCH & AUDIT

• To adhere to the RCSLT code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and comply with local and national standards of practice.
• Implement policy and service development changes as directed.
• To demonstrate a sound understanding of clinical governance and risk management and apply to work situation.
• To undertake the measurement and evaluation of your work and current practices through the use of evidence based practice projects, audit and outcome measures under direct guidance.
• To comply with the organisational and departmental policies and procedures and to be involved in the reviewing and updating as appropriate.
• To support research activity within the Service.
• To engage actively in practice development, evaluation, audit and research activities relevant to service to promote evidence based practice.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Degree in Speech and Language Therapy
• HCPC registration
• Clinical Educators Certificate

Knowledge & Experience

• Ability to demonstrate a good level of knowledge and skills in Speech and Language Therapy
• Awareness of own strengths and limitations
• Able to work under supervision and as part of a team
• Evidence of effective working within an MDT
• Experience of Service development
• Demonstrate experience of problem solving approaches
• Demonstrates continuous Professional Development
• Audit and research in a clinical area

Skills

• 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.