Job summary
Our Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) team is passionate about supporting individuals with communication and swallowing in the acute hospital setting. Our team vision is:
- To proactively and consistently offer high quality, responsive, person-centred care and intervention
- To ensure every patient feels cared for, supported and empowered
- To maximise quality of life by enabling each patient to optimise their communication, swallowing function and well-being
We are looking for like-minded SLTs to join our growing team!
We offer a full package of benefits, including a car lease scheme; on-site childcare; generous annual leave in line with NHS terms and conditions; high street and public transport discounts; a 24/7 staff support service - and the little things that make life easier, like on-site Amazon lockers and fresh fruit and veg stalls.
Main duties of the job
Our SLT team at William Harvey Hospital (WHH) provides specialist inpatient services to acute medical, geriatric, respiratory, gastroenterology, critical care, trauma and orthopaedic and general surgical wards. In addition, we provide FEES and videofluoroscopy services to inpatients and we are actively involved in the care of patients with tracheostomies. We are working towards offering sEMG biofeedback to improve our dysphagia rehabilitation service and we are involved with the Accessible Information Standards Trust-wide working group.
Our desired candidate has specialist skills or is working towards obtaining these and is responsible for managing a clinical caseload of patients and maintaining accurate records of work. As a specialist SLT, you will assist in the supervision and training of more junior team members, assistants and students. This post is based at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, Kent.
As part of the role, we are pleased to be able to offer varied clinical opportunities, quality improvement projects and highly skilled supervision and mentoring.
We are able to offer exciting learning opportunities to help you reach your goals and meet the needs of the service.
About us
Our WHH team structure consists of:
- Head of Service and Clinical Lead for Adult Speech and Language Therapy (working clinically in critical care and across sites)
- Two Highly Specialist SLT team leads
- Four Specialist SLTs
- One Newly Qualified SLT
We work closely with the wider SLT team based at Kent and Canterbury Hospital and the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother (QEQM) Hospital and share specialism and learning across the Trust. Additionally, we are actively involved in the Therapies Department and work closely with our Dietetic, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy colleagues.
SLT and Therapies at EKHUFT are a kind and welcoming team, with a positive and inclusive workplace culture. Our leaders take feedback from the team and are always looking for opportunities to improve the experience of our staff and patients.
Job description
Job responsibilities
We are focused on providing outstanding, safe patient care, and a positive working culture that benefits staff and patients alike. This is why we ask you to:
- maintain the confidentiality of information about patients, staff and other health service business and adhere to data protection law
- comply with the Trusts policies and procedures, including infection prevention and control, risk management, health and safety, safeguarding children and adults, financial management and use of resources
- act at all times in accordance with the professional Codes of Conduct and Accountability relevant to your role
- participate in annual mandatory training
Please see attached job description for this specific Band 6 SLT role.
Job description
Job responsibilities
We are focused on providing outstanding, safe patient care, and a positive working culture that benefits staff and patients alike. This is why we ask you to:
- maintain the confidentiality of information about patients, staff and other health service business and adhere to data protection law
- comply with the Trusts policies and procedures, including infection prevention and control, risk management, health and safety, safeguarding children and adults, financial management and use of resources
- act at all times in accordance with the professional Codes of Conduct and Accountability relevant to your role
- participate in annual mandatory training
Please see attached job description for this specific Band 6 SLT role.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Hold a diploma/degree in Speech and Language Therapy with appropriate HCPC Registration.
- Evidence of completion of post graduate RCSLT Dysphagia Competencies/or equivalent.
- Registered member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT).
Knowledge
Essential
- Broad knowledge of a range of assessment tools relevant to the patient group, (acquired communication and swallowing disorders).
- Knowledge of national policies and procedures (relevant to acute setting).
- Evidence based knowledge of a wide variety of treatment techniques and strategies relevant adult acquired communication and swallowing disorders
- Knowledge of the principles of clinical governance/audit.
- Understanding of the roles of other professionals (relevant to role).
Personal/professional attributes
Essential
- Ability to work under pressure
- Flexible and adaptable
Clinical skills and experience
Essential
- Independently able to manage a busy caseload
- Independent in the field of dysphagia
- Experience within specialist area of adults with acquired communication and swallowing disorders
- Experience of delivering training
- Excellent interpersonal and counselling skills, including observation, listening and empathy skills
- Highly developed negotiating and problem-solving skills
- Demonstrates excellent analytical and reflection skills
- Developing skills in specialist dysphagia management
- Developing specialist skills in the assessment and treatment of complex communication difficulties
- High levels of verbal and non-verbal communication skills
- Basic IT skills
- Willingness and ability to be a good team player
- Excellent organisational skills
- Good auditory discrimination skills and ability to transcribe speech phonetically
- Ability to manage difficult, complex situations and seek support if necessary
Desirable
- Competencies in videofluoroscopy, FEES, tracheostomy or critical care
- Experience of working within an acute hospital setting
- Experience of videofluoroscopy/FEES
- Membership at relevant CENs
Other requirements
Essential
- Awareness of Trust Vision, Mission and Values
- Able to travel between sites
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Hold a diploma/degree in Speech and Language Therapy with appropriate HCPC Registration.
- Evidence of completion of post graduate RCSLT Dysphagia Competencies/or equivalent.
- Registered member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT).
Knowledge
Essential
- Broad knowledge of a range of assessment tools relevant to the patient group, (acquired communication and swallowing disorders).
- Knowledge of national policies and procedures (relevant to acute setting).
- Evidence based knowledge of a wide variety of treatment techniques and strategies relevant adult acquired communication and swallowing disorders
- Knowledge of the principles of clinical governance/audit.
- Understanding of the roles of other professionals (relevant to role).
Personal/professional attributes
Essential
- Ability to work under pressure
- Flexible and adaptable
Clinical skills and experience
Essential
- Independently able to manage a busy caseload
- Independent in the field of dysphagia
- Experience within specialist area of adults with acquired communication and swallowing disorders
- Experience of delivering training
- Excellent interpersonal and counselling skills, including observation, listening and empathy skills
- Highly developed negotiating and problem-solving skills
- Demonstrates excellent analytical and reflection skills
- Developing skills in specialist dysphagia management
- Developing specialist skills in the assessment and treatment of complex communication difficulties
- High levels of verbal and non-verbal communication skills
- Basic IT skills
- Willingness and ability to be a good team player
- Excellent organisational skills
- Good auditory discrimination skills and ability to transcribe speech phonetically
- Ability to manage difficult, complex situations and seek support if necessary
Desirable
- Competencies in videofluoroscopy, FEES, tracheostomy or critical care
- Experience of working within an acute hospital setting
- Experience of videofluoroscopy/FEES
- Membership at relevant CENs
Other requirements
Essential
- Awareness of Trust Vision, Mission and Values
- Able to travel between sites
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).
