Job summary
We have an exciting new opportunity to join our team of speech and language therapists in Gateshead as instrumental lead across inpatients and outpatients. This position will suit an experienced speech and language therapist looking to build their portfolio in carrying out instrumental swallowing assessments (videofluoroscopy and FEES) as well as supporting members of the team in their training and development. We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic and highly motivated individual into our supportive and friendly team. The team consists of ASLT clinical leads, clinicians of varying bands and assistants. The team base is in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and we sit within the Clinical Support and Screening Services arm of the organisation. Weekend/bank holiday working may be occasionally required. The Adult Speech and Language Team work very closely together and with other services. There are great opportunities to learn from each other. Support is offered through formal group and individual supervision alongside informal discussion within the team.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will work with other SLT colleagues in the team to provide a service to adults with dysphagia and communication disorders, resulting from a range of neurological conditions. Taking the lead on the development of instrumental clinics, you will also provide speech, language, communication and swallowing support to inpatients or outpatients depending on your area of expertise. The post will carry leadership expectations, for example service development and competency sign off. You will be involved in the clinical supervision and development of speech and language therapists as well as other members of the MDT e.g ward or care home staff in terms of dysphagia competency training. Attendance at clinical excellence networks and regional support groups are encouraged. There is opportunity to be involved in training other members of the wider MDT, including care/nursing staff. We offer full professional support including an appraisal system, regular team meetings, and close liaison with experienced therapists. There are regular opportunities for informal supervision and case discussion. Involvement in professional development is actively encouraged.
About us
Based in the North East of England we provide a range of hospital and community health services from our leading facilities, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blaydon urgent care centre and Bensham Hospital, all within Gateshead.
Established in 2005, we were one of the first foundation trusts in the country and since then have consistently achieved the highest levels of care for patients.
We now employ around 4,800 staff and currently provide 444 hospital beds across the Gateshead region.
Our values should be the 'golden thread' which runs through everything we do - they are the core of who we are. Our five values can easily be remembered by the simple acronymICORE; Innovation, Care, Openness, Respect, Engagement.
We have a number of staff networks including the Global Ethnic Majority (GEM) network, D-Ability network, LGBTQ+ Network and the Women's Network, to challenge us and help us to constantly improve. Our Armed Forces network is one of our emerging networks.
The health and wellbeing of our staff is one of our highest priorities, and we offer a range of support and initiatives as part of our 'Balance' programme balancegateshead.com to cater for our diverse workforce, so that your individual needs can be supported, allowing you a happy and healthy working experience with us.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To provide a specialist Speech and Language Service to adults who present with a range of swallowing/communication disorders including those who have complex and/or severe difficulties
- To develop pathways and protocols regarding instrumental assessment, linking in with key members of the MDT e.g. radiology, pharmacy, ENT
- To provide training to other members of the team for dysphagia, including development of their instrumental assessment, interpretation and reporting
- To develop and oversee clinician rotas for instrumental clinics
- To provide flexible and timely dysphagia and communication assessments and therapy to inpatients or outpatients
- To act as an autonomous practitioner providing assessment, diagnosis, treatment, opinion and evaluation of a range of eating, drinking and swallowing disorders
- To work in close collaboration with the wider multidisciplinary team in order to provide an integrated approach to care and develop skills e.g. enhancing carer/nurse dysphagia awareness
- To participate in research in specialist area as required
- To provide excellence in clinical care, working to achieve the highest level of patient safety
- To continuously develop the service and constantly strive to improve
- To provide appropriate clinical supervision, appraisal and in-service training
- To contribute towards service evaluation and demonstration of efficacy and efficiency
- To be a source of specialist advice for other professions
- To demonstrate effective communication with colleagues
- To liaise with MDT including GPs, consultants and other healthcare professionals/other agencies where appropriate
- See full job description
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To provide a specialist Speech and Language Service to adults who present with a range of swallowing/communication disorders including those who have complex and/or severe difficulties
- To develop pathways and protocols regarding instrumental assessment, linking in with key members of the MDT e.g. radiology, pharmacy, ENT
- To provide training to other members of the team for dysphagia, including development of their instrumental assessment, interpretation and reporting
- To develop and oversee clinician rotas for instrumental clinics
- To provide flexible and timely dysphagia and communication assessments and therapy to inpatients or outpatients
- To act as an autonomous practitioner providing assessment, diagnosis, treatment, opinion and evaluation of a range of eating, drinking and swallowing disorders
- To work in close collaboration with the wider multidisciplinary team in order to provide an integrated approach to care and develop skills e.g. enhancing carer/nurse dysphagia awareness
- To participate in research in specialist area as required
- To provide excellence in clinical care, working to achieve the highest level of patient safety
- To continuously develop the service and constantly strive to improve
- To provide appropriate clinical supervision, appraisal and in-service training
- To contribute towards service evaluation and demonstration of efficacy and efficiency
- To be a source of specialist advice for other professions
- To demonstrate effective communication with colleagues
- To liaise with MDT including GPs, consultants and other healthcare professionals/other agencies where appropriate
- See full job description
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Speech and Language Therapy degree or equivalent
- HCPC registration
- Enhanced level of dysphagia competency
- Minimum of RCSLT Level 2B FEES competency
- Minimum of RCSLT Level 3 VF competency
- Demonstrable CPD/training
Desirable
- MBSImP certified
- Evidence of IRMER training
- RCSLT Membership
- RCSLT Level 3 FEES competency
- Tracheostomy competencies
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team
- Experience of delivering dysphagia training
- Experience of managing a caseload in an acute hospital setting or community setting
- Experience of carrying out videofluorscopy
- Experience of carrying out FEES
- Experience of carrying out triage
- Extensive leadership experience including supervision
Desirable
- Experience of working with head and neck cancer patients
- Experience of working in critical care
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Speech and Language Therapy degree or equivalent
- HCPC registration
- Enhanced level of dysphagia competency
- Minimum of RCSLT Level 2B FEES competency
- Minimum of RCSLT Level 3 VF competency
- Demonstrable CPD/training
Desirable
- MBSImP certified
- Evidence of IRMER training
- RCSLT Membership
- RCSLT Level 3 FEES competency
- Tracheostomy competencies
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team
- Experience of delivering dysphagia training
- Experience of managing a caseload in an acute hospital setting or community setting
- Experience of carrying out videofluorscopy
- Experience of carrying out FEES
- Experience of carrying out triage
- Extensive leadership experience including supervision
Desirable
- Experience of working with head and neck cancer patients
- Experience of working in critical care
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).
