Speech & Language Therapist (Rotational)

NHS; Torquay; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 37,000

Job description

Job summary

This is a rotational role which moves between our acute hospital wards, stroke services and community on 3 different rotations.

You will provide a service as appropriate to hospitals, nursing, residential homes and patients own homes, using own car to travel between relevant locations for clinic visits, meetings etc.

You will function as part of a multi-disciplinary team including doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social care and dietitians.

Weekend working and home working may be required to provide a service model that meets future requirements.

Main duties of the job

1. To provide a speech and language therapy service to adults with speech, language and communication needs and to adults with acquired dysphagia (with access to advice from more experienced and specialist speech & language therapists) in an inpatient and/or community setting.
2. To be responsible for assessment, diagnosis and development and implementation of treatment programmes for personal/shared caseload with access to clinical supervision and advice from senior colleagues and relevant others.
3. To assist in the setting up and running of training courses for hospital staff, other professionals, patients and carers.
4. To be responsible for own case notes, writing in the medical and ward notes, and report writing for a range of purposes and contributing to the multidisciplinary goal planning process.
5. To participate in a rotation with other band 5 SLTs.
6. To be responsible for the supervision and support of SLT assistants and volunteers.
7. To deliver a specialist service to people in their local area, engaging with the individual and the extended teams working alongside them.
8. Enabling people to make their own choices about what matters to them.

About us

Why Work With Us

The Adult Speech and Language Therapy Team in South Devon have an exciting opportunity for a motivated and dynamic Band 5 Therapist to join our friendly and supportive team in a full time, permanent post with the opportunity to rotate across our Acute, Community and Stroke Teams.

We are an innovative and motivated team within a supportive and collaborative environment that offers:

• An opportunity to work with a varied caseload, including Parkinson's Disease, dementia, stroke and MND.
• Access to instrumental swallowing assessment - in particular our well developed Fees service.
• 1:1 regular management supervision.
• Access to clinical supervision 1:1 and in peer groups.
• Joint working and second opinions with our clinical specialists.

Date posted: 28 March 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 5

Salary: £29,970 to £36,483 a year per annum

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: 388-7078276-AHP

Job locations

Torbay Hospital

Newton Rd

Torquay

TQ2 7AA

Job description Job responsibilities

• Maintain close collaboration with other members of the multidisciplinary team through joint working and effective communication regarding treatment aims, progress and discharge planning (providing written reports and referrals as appropriate) under the supervision of more experienced specialist speech & language therapists.
• Provide appropriate and timely information to all relevant members of the healthcare team regarding patients rehabilitative requirements and changes in progress and communicate condition-related information to clients, carers, families and members of the MDT in a way that is accessible and easily understood. This will include the use of facilitative strategies for people with communication and/or cognitive disorders and other barriers to understanding.
• Responsible for updating notes within the patients care setting, departmental notes, and a range of report writing for dissemination of findings to appropriate professionals and relevant others.
• Contribute to clinical teams, both multi and uni-disciplinary, by discussing and negotiating own and others input around patients needs, ensuring a well-coordinated care plan and pathway.
• To ensure patients and families are aware of voluntary and support agencies.
• Identify, collect, analyse, and interpret complex case related information and data from medical notes, patients, carers and other relevant sources to reach an accurate diagnosis with access to support from more experienced specialist Speech & Language therapists.
• Undertake a range of formal and informal assessments, including analysis of swallowing, understanding and use of voice, grammar, vocabulary, speech sounds, fluency, social use of language, patient/carer interaction and non-verbal communication, and make judgements from these concerning prioritisation and future management.
• Reach differential diagnoses based on assimilated evidence from formal and informal assessments including psychological and social factors (some of which may be conflicting) and with reference to normal and abnormal functioning and research evidence.
• Seek second opinions and support from more experienced colleagues as and when necessary, and be aware of the need to refer on for further medical investigations.
• Autonomy for prioritisation, management and discharge of patients in relation to complex caseload.
• To be aware of extended assessment techniques i.e. video fluoroscopy (X ray) examination/FEES and to seek support from more experienced specialist SLTs in determining the appropriacy of these investigations to plan appropriate SLT treatment.
• To decide on appropriate treatment programmes for individuals or groups, matched to individual patient/family need and to adapt and modify management options based on developing clinical expertise and discussion with more experienced specialist colleagues, ensuring that patient/carers/multi-disciplinary team are fully involved in the decision-making process.
• To assess the need for alternative and augmentative means of communication and to create personalised low-tech communication systems such as communication booklets and charts, and train and support patients and carers in their effective use.
• To be aware of high-tech electronic communication systems with developing knowledge of when these are required to meet patient needs. To provide training of patients, carers, other members of MDT in the effective use of the highly complex equipment under the supervision of the AAC specialist.
• To use highly developed communication skills and reassurance when explaining complex and sensitive information to the full range of levels in understanding of patients and carers.

Person Specification

Qualifications and training

Essential

• Degree or equivalent in speech and language therapy.
• HCPC Registration.
• RCSLT Registration.
• RCSLT Level C dysphagia competencies.
• Experience of working (or placement) in NHS settings.

Desirable

• RCSLT accredited post-graduate dysphagia training.
• Experience of waiting list management.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Demonstrate excellent knowledge of SLCD differential diagnosis in adult neuro client group.
• Demonstrate an understanding of multidisciplinary team working and individual roles.
• Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills ability to communicate complex information to meet a range of levels of understanding of clients and carers.
• Ability to reflect on practice to identify own strengths and development needs.

Desirable

• Evidence of special knowledge/interest in aphasia and/or motor speech disorders.
• Knowledge and understanding of Clinical Governance.

Specific skills

Essential

• Autonomous practitioner with experience of managing patients independently.
• Experience in cognitive neuropsychological assessment and treatment planning.
• Experience in dysphagia management.
• Evidence of CPD.

Desirable

• Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team in a rehabilitation setting.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration.

Employer details

Employer name: Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

Address: Torbay Hospital, Newton Rd, Torquay, TQ2 7AA

Employer's website

https://www.torbayandsouthdevon.nhs.uk