Job summary
We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Band 7 Speech and Language Therapist to join our well-established children's therapy team, based at Denmark Hill. The successful candidate will be responsible for clinical management of paediatric inpatients, including overseeing the neurosciences caseload with support from the Clinical Lead SLT. They will provide SLT leadership to the MDT inpatient neuro rehabilitation service, supervising junior SLTs working with this complex caseload, with support from the Clinical Lead SLT. They will also contribute to the running of the videofluoroscopy clinic and will have the opportunity to become involved in future instrumental service development.
Main duties of the job
Applicants must be able to demonstrate wide experience working with infants, children and young people with complex communication and eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties. This role will involve significant clinical work with children and young people with acquired neurological communication and swallowing impairments, therefore a willingness to learn and develop within this specialism is required.
About us
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of c£1.8 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 15,000 staff based across South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King's to another level.
We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.
King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical
- To manage and provide highly specialist assessment, treatment and management of infants, children and young people with acquired swallowing or developmental feeding difficulties on the childrens wards.
- To manage and provide highly specialist assessment treatment and management of children and young people with acquired neurological communication impairments e.g. aphasia, dysarthria and cognitive communication difficulties.
- To prioritise and manage risk of acute neurosurgical inpatients on the paediatric wards, demonstrating specialist knowledge of neuroanatomy and potential complications post-surgery and their impact on swallowing and communication.
- To work collaboratively within a large MDT to manage and support the rehabilitation needs of patients on the neuro rehab pathway, including key working where assigned.
- To take a supporting role in paediatric videofluoroscopy (VF) clinics and be willing to develop competencies further in paediatric VF.
- To instigate referrals, when appropriate, to internal/external agencies.
- To provide accurate appropriate and current information for families and carers to enable involvement and choice in therapy programmes and recommendations.
- To liaise effectively and work collaboratively with the relevant multidisciplinary teams to plan and facilitate appropriate management.
- To attend clinical meetings/ward rounds/case conferences where appropriate.
- To maintain an active liaison role, including SLT colleagues in the acute and community sector, members of the inpatient and community multidisciplinary teams, GPs, other members of the primary health care team, local authority services and voluntary organisations, ensuring consultation and feedback.
- To manage children and infants with a tracheostomy within own competencies in consultation with the paediatric Clinical Lead SLT.
- To provide highly specialist input into policies and protocols regarding the management of patients on the Speech and Language Therapy Paediatric Team and wider service.
- To assist with clinical cover in other paediatric areas as required.
- Promote childrens wellbeing, safeguarding them from harm, and working within agreed policies for reporting concerns including concerns about colleagues.
Leadership
- To provide clinical support and mentoring for the B6 SLT in the paediatric team.
- To take part in the clinical training for SLT students as agreed and appropriate and ensure they receive adequate supervision and support whilst on placement.
- To participate in managerial and clinical supervision, including annual appraisals.
- To be responsible for the training of staff from a range of professional groups.
- To disseminate and present on the work of the SLT in paediatric neurology and neuro rehabilitation locally and regionally.
- To be responsible, with management support, for own personal development and to actively contribute to the development of colleagues.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical
- To manage and provide highly specialist assessment, treatment and management of infants, children and young people with acquired swallowing or developmental feeding difficulties on the childrens wards.
- To manage and provide highly specialist assessment treatment and management of children and young people with acquired neurological communication impairments e.g. aphasia, dysarthria and cognitive communication difficulties.
- To prioritise and manage risk of acute neurosurgical inpatients on the paediatric wards, demonstrating specialist knowledge of neuroanatomy and potential complications post-surgery and their impact on swallowing and communication.
- To work collaboratively within a large MDT to manage and support the rehabilitation needs of patients on the neuro rehab pathway, including key working where assigned.
- To take a supporting role in paediatric videofluoroscopy (VF) clinics and be willing to develop competencies further in paediatric VF.
- To instigate referrals, when appropriate, to internal/external agencies.
- To provide accurate appropriate and current information for families and carers to enable involvement and choice in therapy programmes and recommendations.
- To liaise effectively and work collaboratively with the relevant multidisciplinary teams to plan and facilitate appropriate management.
- To attend clinical meetings/ward rounds/case conferences where appropriate.
- To maintain an active liaison role, including SLT colleagues in the acute and community sector, members of the inpatient and community multidisciplinary teams, GPs, other members of the primary health care team, local authority services and voluntary organisations, ensuring consultation and feedback.
- To manage children and infants with a tracheostomy within own competencies in consultation with the paediatric Clinical Lead SLT.
- To provide highly specialist input into policies and protocols regarding the management of patients on the Speech and Language Therapy Paediatric Team and wider service.
- To assist with clinical cover in other paediatric areas as required.
- Promote childrens wellbeing, safeguarding them from harm, and working within agreed policies for reporting concerns including concerns about colleagues.
Leadership
- To provide clinical support and mentoring for the B6 SLT in the paediatric team.
- To take part in the clinical training for SLT students as agreed and appropriate and ensure they receive adequate supervision and support whilst on placement.
- To participate in managerial and clinical supervision, including annual appraisals.
- To be responsible for the training of staff from a range of professional groups.
- To disseminate and present on the work of the SLT in paediatric neurology and neuro rehabilitation locally and regionally.
- To be responsible, with management support, for own personal development and to actively contribute to the development of colleagues.
Person Specification
Education & qualifications
Essential
- BSc or recognised postgraduate MSc or diploma in Speech & Language Therapy
- Registration with the HCPC
Desirable
- Postgraduate training and experience in the clinical specialities of paediatrics and/or infants.
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with infants, children and young people with communication and/or swallowing difficulties in an inpatient hospital setting
- Experience independently managing a complex infant and paediatric dysphagia caseload
- Experience of management of children with acquired neurological communication impairments
- Previous experience of clinical supervision of others (may include student SLTs)
Desirable
- Experience of providing MDT neuro rehabilitation to children following brain injury, including use of relevant assessments and outcome measures
- Training and experience in paediatric videofluoroscopy
- Experience of tracheostomy management
- Previous experience of supervising junior SLTs
- Membership of relevant CENs
Skills & Competencies
Essential
- Paediatric dysphagia competencies
- Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team
Desirable
- Neonatal dysphagia competencies
- Research and audit skills
Leadership
Essential
- Organisational and time management skills, including supporting other team members with day planning and prioritisation
Person Specification
Education & qualifications
Essential
- BSc or recognised postgraduate MSc or diploma in Speech & Language Therapy
- Registration with the HCPC
Desirable
- Postgraduate training and experience in the clinical specialities of paediatrics and/or infants.
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with infants, children and young people with communication and/or swallowing difficulties in an inpatient hospital setting
- Experience independently managing a complex infant and paediatric dysphagia caseload
- Experience of management of children with acquired neurological communication impairments
- Previous experience of clinical supervision of others (may include student SLTs)
Desirable
- Experience of providing MDT neuro rehabilitation to children following brain injury, including use of relevant assessments and outcome measures
- Training and experience in paediatric videofluoroscopy
- Experience of tracheostomy management
- Previous experience of supervising junior SLTs
- Membership of relevant CENs
Skills & Competencies
Essential
- Paediatric dysphagia competencies
- Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team
Desirable
- Neonatal dysphagia competencies
- Research and audit skills
Leadership
Essential
- Organisational and time management skills, including supporting other team members with day planning and prioritisation
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.
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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
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. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
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. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Denmark Hill
London
SE5 9RS
Employer's website
https://www.kch.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
