Job summary
The Deaf Adult Community (DACT) and Inpatient services are looking to recruit a highly specialist Speech and Language Therapist.
We are a national tertiary service committed to providing, across the south of England, a high-quality integrated health and social care engagement for Deaf adults in collaboration with the clients' locality community mental health team. Our inpatient unit provides 14 specialist beds to accommodate referrals from across the south of England. The Services engagement includes supporting local services with specialist assessment and treatment interventions for Deaf adults with a severe and enduring mental health presentation and if assessed to be necessary, supporting an inpatient admission for the most acutely unwell deaf adults within a full communication environment. These assessments will also include working with challenging behaviour, learning disability, neurodiversity presentations including autism and ADHD, working with trauma/EUPD, psychiatric interventions, psychological interventions including CBT, MBT, EMDR, specialist social work, occupational therapy and speech and language assessment.
Our Team includes consultant psychiatrists, specialist CPN and inpatient Nurses, specialist Occupational therapists, specialist social worker, specialist psychological therapists, specialist clinical neuropsychologist.
The service also works with highly experienced BSL interpreters who are specialists in working in the mental health field.
Main duties of the job
The expectation is that you will bring a minimum of three years post qualification experience to the role primarily within a health care setting and that you will be able to demonstrate clinical experience working with deafness, language deprivation and mental health disorders.
There is an expectation that you will achieve a minimum of level 2 BSL within 3 years and Level 3 within 5 years with the objective that you will be able to hold 1 to 1 assessments in sign language with your clients. In the interim interpreters are there to support communication. British Sign Language training is provided.
The work involves taking the lead role in assessment, diagnosis, treatment and management of disorders of language and language deprivation and communication for this specialist caseload. This will include the medical assessment of clients who have difficulties eating , drinking and swallowing.
You will be expected to work independently but also with external professionals to deliver a fully collaborative approach and support for the client. You will also need to work collaboratively with professional deaf colleagues in the Team who are native BSL sign language users, to enable the most linguistically and culturally accurate assessments.
About us
We are Proud to Belong at South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust.
We have expert services, a rich history and a clear commitment to providing the best quality care for those with mental ill-health. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as 'good' - we aspire to be 'outstanding'.
This is a great time to join us. We are transforming the way we care for our communities to support our mission of Making Life Better Together. We have built two brand new mental health facilities at Springfield University Hospital, which are amongst the best in the world. More developments are planned across our sites and services.
We are inclusive and diverse and strive to be actively anti racist. We want to attract people from all backgrounds and experiences to enrich the work we do together. We are proud to co-produce and involve our local communities in all that we do.
We offer flexible working, career development and a variety of benefits to enable a positive, welcoming environment in which our people and their careers can thrive. Come and join our inclusive teams and help our patients on their recovery journey.
About our locations:
Springfield University Hospital, Tooting
Our largest, 19-ward site is in Springfield Village, created following our £150m investment into two new world class mental health facilities.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To provide a tertiary level speech and language service to deaf adults with a mental health diagnosis whose first language is primarily British Sign Language (BSL).
To use specialist knowledge to independently assess and offer a different diagnosis on clients speech, language and communication in relations to their deafness, mental health problem and any other diagnoses (i.e LD, ASD, LDS, etc)
To use holistic, client centred approach, gathering and synthesis information from other professionals and relatives/carers to ensure a full understanding of the person's communication need is obtained.
To plan, develop and provide specialist SLT advice, recommendations and interventions programmes for this highly specialist caseload using to create innovative ways of working to promoting and maximise individual potential as well as plan for and advise others regarding communication need within the context of an MDT and in consultation with the client and relatives/carers
To utilise different ways of offering intervention (individual, group and multidisciplinary) including collaborative working with Deaf and hearing colleagues.
To demonstrate specialist expertise in the management of adult deaf client including support with relevant audiological equipment including hearing aid and cochlear implants and help arrange clinical referrals for this purpose when necessary.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To provide a tertiary level speech and language service to deaf adults with a mental health diagnosis whose first language is primarily British Sign Language (BSL).
To use specialist knowledge to independently assess and offer a different diagnosis on clients speech, language and communication in relations to their deafness, mental health problem and any other diagnoses (i.e LD, ASD, LDS, etc)
To use holistic, client centred approach, gathering and synthesis information from other professionals and relatives/carers to ensure a full understanding of the person's communication need is obtained.
To plan, develop and provide specialist SLT advice, recommendations and interventions programmes for this highly specialist caseload using to create innovative ways of working to promoting and maximise individual potential as well as plan for and advise others regarding communication need within the context of an MDT and in consultation with the client and relatives/carers
To utilise different ways of offering intervention (individual, group and multidisciplinary) including collaborative working with Deaf and hearing colleagues.
To demonstrate specialist expertise in the management of adult deaf client including support with relevant audiological equipment including hearing aid and cochlear implants and help arrange clinical referrals for this purpose when necessary.
Person Specification
Training & Qualifications
Essential
- Graduate Diploma / Degree in Speech and Language Therapy or equivalent
- Registered with Health Professions Council
- Member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
Desirable
- Master's degree, or related training and experience to master's level equivalent.
- British Sign Language Signature Level 2 or equivalent fluency.
- Membership of relevant professional groups eg CEN Deafness, SALTIBAD.
- Successful completion of highly specialist/expert short courses relevant to the field eg Deafness; Mental Health; learning disability, autistic spectrum disorder etc.
Experience
Essential
- Minimum 4 years postgraduate experience.
- Demonstrable post-graduate experience as a SLT including specialist level experience of deafness.
- Experience of multi-disciplinary teamwork
- Experience of working with clients with challenging behaviour.
- Experience of facilitating groups.
Desirable
- Experience of working with Deaf Adults and/or teenagers/children using a range of assessments and therapy techniques
- Training in management and/or leadership skills Experience of supervising other SALTs Supervision of students
- Experience of working with clients with mental health needs, autistic spectrum disorder, learning disability.
Knowledge and skills
Essential
- In depth knowledge of a range of communication options relevant to deaf adults with serious mental health conditions.
- Well established level of working knowledge regarding the various methods of communication, including the use of alternative and augmentative methods, e.g. pictures/ symbols, communication passports.
- To demonstrate skills in handling clients with disabilities.
- Knowledge of our business and how it supports patient care
- Specialist level skills in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.
- Knowledge and application of professional standards and code of conduct.
- Well established knowledge of national policies and procedures relevant to the client group.
- Understanding of the principles of clinical governance/audit.
- Experience in teaching and presentation.
Desirable
- Knowledge of evidence based therapeutic techniques used in Mental Health
- Knowledge of amplification interventions and auditory implants
Person Specification
Training & Qualifications
Essential
- Graduate Diploma / Degree in Speech and Language Therapy or equivalent
- Registered with Health Professions Council
- Member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
Desirable
- Master's degree, or related training and experience to master's level equivalent.
- British Sign Language Signature Level 2 or equivalent fluency.
- Membership of relevant professional groups eg CEN Deafness, SALTIBAD.
- Successful completion of highly specialist/expert short courses relevant to the field eg Deafness; Mental Health; learning disability, autistic spectrum disorder etc.
Experience
Essential
- Minimum 4 years postgraduate experience.
- Demonstrable post-graduate experience as a SLT including specialist level experience of deafness.
- Experience of multi-disciplinary teamwork
- Experience of working with clients with challenging behaviour.
- Experience of facilitating groups.
Desirable
- Experience of working with Deaf Adults and/or teenagers/children using a range of assessments and therapy techniques
- Training in management and/or leadership skills Experience of supervising other SALTs Supervision of students
- Experience of working with clients with mental health needs, autistic spectrum disorder, learning disability.
Knowledge and skills
Essential
- In depth knowledge of a range of communication options relevant to deaf adults with serious mental health conditions.
- Well established level of working knowledge regarding the various methods of communication, including the use of alternative and augmentative methods, e.g. pictures/ symbols, communication passports.
- To demonstrate skills in handling clients with disabilities.
- Knowledge of our business and how it supports patient care
- Specialist level skills in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.
- Knowledge and application of professional standards and code of conduct.
- Well established knowledge of national policies and procedures relevant to the client group.
- Understanding of the principles of clinical governance/audit.
- Experience in teaching and presentation.
Desirable
- Knowledge of evidence based therapeutic techniques used in Mental Health
- Knowledge of amplification interventions and auditory implants
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).
