Speech and Language Therapist, Acute Medicine

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

Job description

Speech and Language Therapist, Acute Medicine

Ashford & St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

We are looking for a Band 6 Speech and Language Therapist to join our thriving Medical and ICU team for a fixed term period of one year. We are looking for somebody who is committed to providing a high standard of care to patients within acute medical wards. The successful candidate will have experience working in dysphagia and communication, ideally in an acute setting. However we would welcome an application from anybody with relevant transferable skills. You will be well supported within this role and will be able to access our exciting training programs. We have a CPE SLT within our teams as well as access to FEES and VF.

Delivering excellence in patient care and patient experience is our driving force. We are committed to personal development through supervision and appraisal, as well as internal/external training. Staff involvement in research and development is encouraged, with opportunities for service evaluation, audit and quality improvement initiatives.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will join our Medical and ICU team and work mainly on the medical wards.

1. Undertake advanced assessments, clinical diagnosis and treatment of patients with acute or sub-acute conditions. These patients often have complex and/or chronic presentations.
2. Work as an autonomous practitioner to undertake a significant specialist clinical caseload, working without direct supervision.
3. Take a role in supervision and teaching of Speech and Language Therapists within clinical speciality and participate in multi-disciplinary team teaching.
4. Demonstrate leadership skills and contribute to service development and monitoring of standards of practice and developing multidisciplinary management of patients.
5. The Trust is moving towards 7 day working and this post holder will be expected to participate in providing a seven day service as part of their contracted hours on a rota system.

About us

Ashford and St. Peters Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust serves a population of more than 410,000 people living in North-West Surrey, parts of Hounslow and beyond.

Over 3,700 highly trained doctors, nurses, midwives, therapists, healthcare scientists and other support staff make up our workforce, providing a wide range of services across our two hospital sites, Ashford, Surrey and St Peter's, Chertsey, Surrey.

We also run many specialist clinics in the community and local community hospitals and other healthcare facilities.

Our vision is to be one of the best healthcare Trusts in the country. There has never been a better time to join us in the NHS at ASPH. We are committed to providing continuous professional development and flexibility to shape our workforce around our patient care.

We are expanding our theatres at Ashford Hospital and moving towards this becoming our dedicated elective centre. We want to create a state-of-the-art centre for excellence for planned surgical procedures.

We can offer you the full range of NHS benefits/discounts and in addition:

• Excellent pension scheme and annual leave entitlement
• On-site Nurseries
• On-site staff cafes
• On-site parking
• Salary Sacrifice schemes including wage stream, lease cars, Cycle to Work schemes and home electronics

Adverts may close early, so applicants are encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible.

For more information about a career at ASPH please visit: www.asph-careers.org

Job responsibilities

Planning and organisational tasks / duties

1. To plan effectively the daily management of a caseload of patients by prioritising clinical work, responding to urgent referrals and occasionally unpredictable work patterns.
2. To be able to prioritise clinical work and managerial work, and balance other patient related and professional activities as the department requires.

Patient Care Responsibilities

1. To undertake specialist assessments of patients including those with diverse or complex presentations/multipathologies and to assess patients jointly with other members of the multidisciplinary team.
2. To use sound clinical reasoning skills, assessment techniques and diagnostic procedures to assess and develop treatment programmes.
3. To devise individualized Speech and Language therapy management and/or treatment plans, using a range of treatment/management options, to include patient education.
4. To formulate accurate prognoses and recommend best course of intervention, developing comprehensive, timely discharge plans, liaising with ESD and community rehabilitation teams.
5. To evaluate patient progress, reassess and alter treatment programmes if required.
6. To evaluate the outcomes of your interventions.

Communication / Relationship Skills

1. To communicate effectively with all disciplines involved in a patients care, both those from within the organisation and those outside, to ensure effective multidisciplinary working. This will include discussion of patient care, patient progress and involvement in discharge planning.
2. To communicate complex and sensitive information to patients, carers and other staff including imparting unwelcome news relating to their rehabilitation potential and gaining consent for treatment.
3. To communicate any changes in care plan or treatment approach to the multi disciplinary team as necessary.
4. To ensure timely and effective communication with the Band 7 Speech and Language Therapist and senior staff on all professional matters.
5. To maintain accurate records in line with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapy standards and Trust and service standards and policies.
6. To attend relevant board rounds, meetings and case conferences as appropriate in order to ensure appropriate management and effective and timely discharge of patients.
7. To attend staff meetings and actively participate ensuring understanding of information imparted.
8. Assess patients understanding of treatment proposals, gain valid consent and have the capacity to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment.
9. To use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients in order to progress rehabilitation and treatment programmes. This may include patients who will have difficulties in understanding or communicating, e.g. patients who may be deaf, blind, or be unable to accept diagnosis or presenting condition or who have cognitive and behavioural problems.
10. To appreciate cultural differences and take these into account when agreeing treatment plans with patients.
11. To manage frequently highly stressful conditions.
12. To manage patients who maybe occasionally aggressive or confused.
13. To be able to manage potentially stressful, upsetting or emotional situations in an empathetic manner.

Analytical / Judgmental Skills

1. To undertake comprehensive assessments of patients including those with diverse or complex presentations/multipathologies.
2. To use investigative and analytical skills to assess complex patients and support other more junior Speech and Language therapy staff with their patients as required.
3. To devise individualised Speech and Language Therapy management and/or treatment plans, using clinical reasoning skills.
4. To keep up to date with developments, analysing current research and discussing and implementing changes to your clinical practice.

Personal and people development

1. To work as part of the Speech and Language Therapy team and Multi disciplinary team to provide an efficient and effective service.
2. To supervise junior Speech and Language Therapy staff where appropriate or therapy assistants.
3. To evaluate own and others practice and identify own and others development needs.
4. To participate in the appraisal scheme as an appraisee and appraiser.
5. Participate in the supervision of students.
6. Deputise for the team leader when required.
7. To provide training of junior staff, students, or assistants/technicians, other therapists, nursing staff and care workers within the clinical area.
8. To ensure professional competence is maintained by participating in all CPD opportunities and maintaining a portfolio.
9. To participate in training sessions as a recipient and facilitator.
10. To disseminate any training received to other staff and health care professionals.
11. To be responsible for and actively record your own personal development. This may include active participation in journal clubs, clinical reasoning and joint problem patient sessions.

Health, safety and security

1. To monitor and maintain health, safety and security of self and others.
2. Take responsibility for identifying and assessing potential risks involved in work activities and processes for self and others.
3. To ensure completion of relevant risk assessments and associated documentation.
4. To take appropriate action, reporting actual or potential problems that may put health and safety and security at risk.
5. To be aware of risks involved as part of delivering clinical care and manage this within own patients caseload.
6. To demonstrate a good understanding of clinical governance and clinical risk, actively participating in clinical governance groups.

Policy and Service Improvement/ Development

1. To implement, within your clinical practice, standards and policies in each specialty and where applicable propose changes to working practice.
2. To assist the Team Leader and Clinical Lead in setting and monitoring of standards and policies of clinical practice for the team and evaluate outcomes.

Audit/Research & Development

1. To participate in appropriate work related evaluation projects and to be aware of current research relevant to the specialty.
2. To undertake and present relevant evidence based projects.
3. To participate in any relevant clinical governance projects and audits.
4. To evaluate your own clinical effectiveness.

Quality

1. To maintain the high standards of the service by contributing towards individual, team and service objectives.
2. To maintain a high standard of clinical care using evidence-based practice by keeping up to date with clinical developments, analysing current research and discussing and implementing changes in your clinical practice.

Freedom to Act

1. To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of your professional activities working within the codes of practice and professional guidelines.
2. To work as an autonomous practitioner to undertake a significant clinical caseload, working without direct supervision. Access to a Band 7 Speech and Language Therapist is available if required and clinical work is not routinely evaluated.

Equality, diversity and rights

Responsible for supporting a culture which promotes equality and diversity.

Responsibility for financial and other physical resources

Responsible for the safe and effective use of equipment and resources that are used in the course of work.

Responsibilities for information resources

1. To maintain accurate and timely statistical information as required by senior staff and managers.
2. To be responsible for the accurate input of clinical information onto the Trust IT system.

Further information and general responsibilities:

1. To have responsibility for the health, safety and welfare of self and others at work. This includes being conversant with relevant trust safety policies and procedures. To report incidents and near misses at work; take part in the risk management process; attend all mandatory training courses in the agreed duration as defined by trust policy and carry out tasks and use equipment only when competent to do so.
2. To ensure confidentiality at all times, only releasing confidential information obtained during the course of employment to those acting in an official capacity. To comply with the requirements of the Data Protection act.
3. To support the department and organisation by carrying out any other duties as qualified and able.
4. To comply with the trusts corporate and local policies and procedures on such subjects and clinical management and human resources.
5. To ensure that patients, clients and members of the public are consulted and involved in decisions about local health service developments. As a trust employee to be mindful of this and do what is appropriate to the role and level meet this duty of responsibility.
6. To undertake such other duties as may be required from time to time and are consistent with the responsibilities of the role.
7. To comply with the trusts policies on equal opportunities, the consumption of alcohol and smoking.
8. To support the department and organisation by carrying out any other duties as qualified and able.

General responsibilities

To support the department and organisation by carrying out any other duties that reasonably fit within the broad scope of a job of this grade and type of work.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• BSc Hons or recognised degree equivalent qualification in Speech & Language Therapy
• HCPC
• RCSLT Dysphagia
• RCSLT Newly Qualified competencies
• Relevant Clinical Excellence Networks
• Additional training courses linked to role

Experience

• Experience of mentoring/supporting junior colleagues and/or students
• Experience of working in a team and contributing to team decisions
• Relevant experience working within acute setting
• Exposure to instrumental assessments

Skills

• Ability to competently assess, treat and manage patients independently.
• Effective time management and the ability to prioritise a busy caseload.
• Evidence of working as part of MDT
• Evidence of involvement in service improvements and audit

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.

Ashford & St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Interim Therapy Manager for SLT Medical and ICU