Speech and Language Therapist

NHS; Runcorn; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job description

Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

We are looking to recruit a passionate and dedicated band 6, Speech and Language Therapist to work as part of the Halton Speech and Language Therapy Team. The post holder will be a specialist SLT within this field and carry a caseload in this area as well as contribute to wider caseload and service management.

Main duties of the job

The postholder will be expected to:

1. Provide specialist opinions on assessment, diagnosis and clinical management (in this field) within the trust and will assume responsibility for particularly difficult/complex cases, offering support to developing and more junior therapists.
2. Contribute to teaching/training, research and audit where service needs are identified and capacity allows.
3. Adhere to departmental guidelines around clinical governance and clinical supervision when developing services/ renewing policies.
4. Lead on the policy development within specialist field.
5. Provide leadership and support the planning of professional development within the integrated community services.
6. Work in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and senior management to support patients receive care at home and prevent hospital admission for residents.

Job responsibilities

Principle Duties and Responsibilities:

CLINICAL ROLE

1. To be recognised as a highly specialist SLT in adult acquired conditions and lead on the service delivery and development of this field.
2. To manage, plan and co-ordinate a highly complex and specialist caseload autonomously within a multidisciplinary context/team.
3. To implement highly developed specialist skill in the Speech and Language Therapy assessment, differential diagnosis and treatment interventions of clients.
4. To provide specialist SLT expertise within adult acquired conditions and videofluoroscopy within the SLT staff within Integrated Community Services. This includes responsibility for monitoring and developing this service and junior staff.
5. To use specialist diagnostic knowledge and clinical experience to develop highly specialist management care plans.
6. To provide a range of specialised flexible therapeutic approaches to interventions for clients with communication and swallowing disorders.
7. To employ excellent oral and written communication skills and presentation skills.

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

1. To provide training to other Speech and Language Therapists and other professionals in areas of clinical expertise.
2. To contribute to teaching and training in area of expertise within trust.
3. To supervise the work of more junior SLTs, assistants and volunteers.
4. To assist with the identification and management of training needs within the voice service and wider SLT team.

SERVICE DEVELOPMENT

1. To facilitate departmental business planning/strategic planning and local delivery planning within role as specialist lead in voice in liaison with Clinical Manager and Assistant Director.
2. To participate in departmental audits, statistic data collection and research projects.

PROFESSIONAL ROLE

1. To undertake and participate in Clinical Governance/audit activity and projects within local services appropriate to demands of post.
2. To work within defined departmental and national protocols/policies and professional code of conduct.
3. To have a working knowledge of relevant procedures including: Safeguarding Children, Working with Vulnerable Adults and other legal frameworks.
4. To have a working knowledge of the principles of Clinical Governance and their application to professional practice and teaching.

RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

1. To collect and provide research data as required.
2. To participate in departmental/local/national research as appropriate for post.
3. To participate in service and departmental clinical governance activities and standards and relevant audit projects.

Person Specification

Experience

• Experience and specialist knowledge of a range of complex clients - Autonomous management of dysphagia.
• Knowledge and experience of a range of assessment tools/therapeutic interventions.
• Experience of team working and evidence of being a proactive team player.
• Supervision and line management of staff.
• Experience of using videofluoroscopy within clinical caseload, leading clinics with radiography team and developing junior staff.
• Experience and developed skills in training and presenting to others.
• Caring and compassionate.
• Self-motivated and able to motivate others.
• Experience of leading on change and development within a clinical area.
• Experience of student clinical education in the NHS.
• Experience of inter-professional working and/or learning within community services.
• Experience of research and audit.
• Experience of working with at-risk groups to provide education in the prevention of voice disorders.

Skills & Attributes

• Knowledge of a range of general and complex adults with acquired conditions, both in assessment and therapeutic intervention including videofluoroscopy.
• An up to date knowledge of service delivery and intervention techniques and evidence based practice.
• Excellent analytical, reflection and problem solving skills.
• Excellent and highly developed auditory and perceptual discrimination skills.
• Excellent communication/interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge and experience of working with the MDT.
• Flexible therapeutic approach.
• Excellent organisational skills with ability to autonomously and independently manage caseloads, diary and patients.
• Experience and ability to support and develop more junior staff.
• Excellent oral and written communication & presentation skills.
• Excellent analytical and reflection skills.
• Demonstrable managerial, organisational and IT skills.
• Ability and experience of initiating and leading on project tasks and service development.
• An understanding of quality assurance mechanisms.
• Good analytical skills including Excel and Data collection.

Additional Criteria

• The ability to travel independently across the Trust.
• The ability to work flexibly in accordance with service needs.

Qualifications

• Evidence of successful completion of relevant specialist post graduate training up to masters degree or equivalent.
• Must be HCPC registered.
• RCSLT registration.
• Degree or Diploma in Speech and Language.
• Clinical educator.
• Clinical supervisor.

Right to Work

• Do you have the right to stay and work in the UK without sponsorship (share-codes will be checked if applicable).

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.