Job summary
Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust are recruiting for Bank Speech and Language Therapist across our Speech and Language Therapy teams in Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Knowsley. We have opportunities to recruit to the bank for Band 7 level based on individual experience and service needs across Community Division.
Our SALT teams are well-established consisting of skilled and experienced clinicians. We have a senior AHP leadership team visible across all areas and are working collaboratively to develop and invest in SALT services and career opportunities from apprenticeships to advanced clinical practice posts. We also have an established preceptorship programme which is highly valued by our new starters and supervision is available from our highly specialist therapists.
Within Speech and Language Therapy, and other professions, bank staff can help to temporarily fill vacancies whilst permanent recruitment is underway. In some cases, bank staffing may facilitate ongoing service provision when needed and short-term pilot, audit or project opportunities without the commitment to a permanent contract.
Main duties of the job
To provide evidence-based speech and language therapy assessment, treatment and intervention to service users who have communication and/ or eating and drinking difficulties, as a consequence of a range of physical and mental health conditions such as: Motor Neuron Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Dementia. To apply competences in core speech and language therapy skills to the role. The caseload may cover the whole spectrum of communication disorders and dysphagiaas applicable to the service.
The role will be Integrated within the therapy Team and will work with the team to develop person centred care plans.
About us
Mersey Care is one of the largest trusts providing physical health and mental health services in the North West, serving more than 1.4 million people across our region and are also commissioned for services that cover the North West, North Wales and the Midlands.
We offer specialist inpatient and community services that support physical and mental health and specialist inpatient mental health, learning disability, addiction and brain injury services. Mersey Care is one of only three trusts in the UK that offer high secure mental health facilities.
At the heart of all we do is our commitment to 'perfect care' - care that is safe, effective, positively experienced, timely, equitable and efficient. We support our staff to do the best job they can and work alongside service users, their families, and carers to design and develop future services together. We're currently delivering a programme of organisational and service transformation to significantly improve the quality of the services we provide and safely reduce cost as we do so.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Work as part of the speech and language therapy team and be responsible for assessment and management of a clinical caseload of patients with speech and language therapy needs.
Undertake comprehensive speech and language therapy assessment of patients using investigative and analytical skills, to formulate an appropriate hypothesis and to determine a diagnosis and to determine a therapy management plan.
Work with the individual and their care team to develop Communication Care plan, Dysphagia care plans and risk assessments within competency level identified within supervision.
Develop communication profiles with individuals and their care teams to support them to improve access to therapy.
Promote health and reduce inequalities for all patients accessing the speech and language therapy service, so that they may be able to maximise their potential in terms of health education and social well-being.
Contribute to training and development programmes as appropriate to the knowledge and skills of the individual, delivering to other professionals and service users.
Be responsible for own continuing professional development and maintaining own professional registration and meet HPC registration requirements, maintain a professional portfolio and demonstrating evidence of reflective practice.
Undertake mandatory training as in line with MCFT policy and attend updates and study days as appropriate to the post.
Bank working allows you to negotiate your working patterns with your employer, ensuring flexibility, especially for those who wish to work reduced hours, those who wish to work term time only, those studying, approaching retirement or travelling. You may wish to pick up bank hours whilst you are undergoing recruitment checks in other organisations, ensuring you can continue to develop your knowledge, skills and experience and have a continued source of income.
Successful candidates will enter a bank pool of Speech and Language Therapists and will undergo mandatory training, so you are ready to start if any bank posts become available. If a job opportunity arises, our bank team will contact you to see if you are interested in any of the posts. If you are offered a bank post, you will receive a warm welcome and local induction to the team.
Have in depth knowledge of HPC standards and guidance, understand implications for and be able to apply to practice, e.g., HPC Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics/HPC Standards of Proficiency.
Please see attached Job Description for full list of duties and responsibilities.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Work as part of the speech and language therapy team and be responsible for assessment and management of a clinical caseload of patients with speech and language therapy needs.
Undertake comprehensive speech and language therapy assessment of patients using investigative and analytical skills, to formulate an appropriate hypothesis and to determine a diagnosis and to determine a therapy management plan.
Work with the individual and their care team to develop Communication Care plan, Dysphagia care plans and risk assessments within competency level identified within supervision.
Develop communication profiles with individuals and their care teams to support them to improve access to therapy.
Promote health and reduce inequalities for all patients accessing the speech and language therapy service, so that they may be able to maximise their potential in terms of health education and social well-being.
Contribute to training and development programmes as appropriate to the knowledge and skills of the individual, delivering to other professionals and service users.
Be responsible for own continuing professional development and maintaining own professional registration and meet HPC registration requirements, maintain a professional portfolio and demonstrating evidence of reflective practice.
Undertake mandatory training as in line with MCFT policy and attend updates and study days as appropriate to the post.
Bank working allows you to negotiate your working patterns with your employer, ensuring flexibility, especially for those who wish to work reduced hours, those who wish to work term time only, those studying, approaching retirement or travelling. You may wish to pick up bank hours whilst you are undergoing recruitment checks in other organisations, ensuring you can continue to develop your knowledge, skills and experience and have a continued source of income.
Successful candidates will enter a bank pool of Speech and Language Therapists and will undergo mandatory training, so you are ready to start if any bank posts become available. If a job opportunity arises, our bank team will contact you to see if you are interested in any of the posts. If you are offered a bank post, you will receive a warm welcome and local induction to the team.
Have in depth knowledge of HPC standards and guidance, understand implications for and be able to apply to practice, e.g., HPC Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics/HPC Standards of Proficiency.
Please see attached Job Description for full list of duties and responsibilities.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree level qualification in Speech and Language Therapy
- Current professional registration with HPC as Speech and Language Therapist and responsibility for maintaining this registration
- Masters module/post grad qualification in relevant field of clinical expertise (or working towards) / post-grad qualification/equivalent knowledge & experience to masters level
- Evidence of CPD in related field of clinical expertise
- Current accredited field work educator
Knowledge/ Experience
Essential
- In depth knowledge relevant to the post including dysphagia
- Understanding of clinical governance framework and implications for practice including audit and research governance
- In-depth understanding of current NHS/government policy/Public Health/NICE guidelines on organisational change and the ability to adapt these appropriately to local service needs through publication of documents
- Knowledge and appreciation of lone working risks - policy and procedure
- Demonstrable evidence of improving and developing service and practice
- Experience of managing patients with dysphagia
- Evidence of leading and implementing clinical change
- Supervision and/or mentoring of staff/students
- Multi-disciplinary /multiagency collaborative working
Skills
Essential
- Change management skills
- Excellent time management skills
- Highly advanced and specialised practice skills in field of expertise including dysphagia
- Ability to communicate highly complex pathologies and diagnostic reasoning to all levels in the medical and non-medical field at the appropriate level
- Sound knowledge of psycho-social problems and ability to gain patient confidence and cooperation
- Show initiative, enthusiasm and motivation for excellence and the development of self and others
- Experience of stakeholder negotiation and persuasion skills
- Sound understanding of Safeguarding agenda including MCA and DOLS
- Problem solving /Decision making in relation to clinical practice
- Able to work independently as lead specialist, demonstrating good leadership skills
- Demonstrable team worker
- Developing and providing health education and information in range of formats as appropriate for wide range of stakeholders
- Respond and adapt to frequent changes in circumstances
- Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills both written and verbal
- Ability to analyse and interpret data/complex evidence and apply to practice
- Good competent IT knowledge including ability to use range of Microsoft office products to fulfil role (e.g., Word and Excel)
Values
Essential
- Continuous Improvement
- Accountability
- Respectfulness
- Enthusiasm
- Support
- High professional standards
- Responsive to service users
- Engaging leadership style
- Strong customer service belief
- Transparency and honesty
- Discreet
- Change oriented
Other
Essential
- Awareness, understanding and competency to operate machinery and equipment according to local operating procedures and Medical Device regulations
- Ability to work flexibly across the Mersey Care footprint to meet business needs and service delivery objectives. e.g., delivery of 7 day working 8am - 8pm as required
- Must be assessed as having level of fitness to carry out duties/tasks after reasonable adjustments under DDA 1995 have been made
- Able to work under pressure and constantly
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree level qualification in Speech and Language Therapy
- Current professional registration with HPC as Speech and Language Therapist and responsibility for maintaining this registration
- Masters module/post grad qualification in relevant field of clinical expertise (or working towards) / post-grad qualification/equivalent knowledge & experience to masters level
- Evidence of CPD in related field of clinical expertise
- Current accredited field work educator
Knowledge/ Experience
Essential
- In depth knowledge relevant to the post including dysphagia
- Understanding of clinical governance framework and implications for practice including audit and research governance
- In-depth understanding of current NHS/government policy/Public Health/NICE guidelines on organisational change and the ability to adapt these appropriately to local service needs through publication of documents
- Knowledge and appreciation of lone working risks - policy and procedure
- Demonstrable evidence of improving and developing service and practice
- Experience of managing patients with dysphagia
- Evidence of leading and implementing clinical change
- Supervision and/or mentoring of staff/students
- Multi-disciplinary /multiagency collaborative working
Skills
Essential
- Change management skills
- Excellent time management skills
- Highly advanced and specialised practice skills in field of expertise including dysphagia
- Ability to communicate highly complex pathologies and diagnostic reasoning to all levels in the medical and non-medical field at the appropriate level
- Sound knowledge of psycho-social problems and ability to gain patient confidence and cooperation
- Show initiative, enthusiasm and motivation for excellence and the development of self and others
- Experience of stakeholder negotiation and persuasion skills
- Sound understanding of Safeguarding agenda including MCA and DOLS
- Problem solving /Decision making in relation to clinical practice
- Able to work independently as lead specialist, demonstrating good leadership skills
- Demonstrable team worker
- Developing and providing health education and information in range of formats as appropriate for wide range of stakeholders
- Respond and adapt to frequent changes in circumstances
- Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills both written and verbal
- Ability to analyse and interpret data/complex evidence and apply to practice
- Good competent IT knowledge including ability to use range of Microsoft office products to fulfil role (e.g., Word and Excel)
Values
Essential
- Continuous Improvement
- Accountability
- Respectfulness
- Enthusiasm
- Support
- High professional standards
- Responsive to service users
- Engaging leadership style
- Strong customer service belief
- Transparency and honesty
- Discreet
- Change oriented
Other
Essential
- Awareness, understanding and competency to operate machinery and equipment according to local operating procedures and Medical Device regulations
- Ability to work flexibly across the Mersey Care footprint to meet business needs and service delivery objectives. e.g., delivery of 7 day working 8am - 8pm as required
- Must be assessed as having level of fitness to carry out duties/tasks after reasonable adjustments under DDA 1995 have been made
- Able to work under pressure and constantly
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.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
