Job summary
We have an exciting opportunity for a Speech & Language Therapist (Band 6) to join our supportive and experienced Speech & Language Therapy team at Wirral University Teaching Hospital. We are looking for a dedicated Speech & Language Therapist who is passionate about using their skills in dysphagia assessment along with the potential opportunity to utilise other skills to support service delivery across other parts of the service.
Providing specialist assessment and therapy focused on delivery to the wards within Arrowe Park Hospital.
The post-holder will have completed, or be nearing completion of the dysphagia skills course and their dysphagia competencies. There may also be some exposure to critical care, stroke and head and neck cancer.
Experience of working in a acute hospital environment would be beneficial, although further training can be provided e.g. in videofluoroscopy dependent on existing experience.
A recognised qualification in Speech & Language Therapy and HCPC registration are required, along with membership of the Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists.
Main duties of the job
oUtilise communication and motivation skills to engage in therapeutic process.
o To organise and carry out specialist Speech & Language Therapy in various settings.
o To ensure timely and comprehensive documentation.
o To maintain clinical professional development
o Utilise dysphagia skills to assess patients working closely with the MDT.
o Manage complex dysphagia caseload with support.
o Work closely with the multi-disciplinary team for the management of patients with communication and swallowing difficulties.
About us
All new colleagues can expect to receive a warm and friendly Wirral welcome from the very first time they make contact with us. We are described as "competent and caring staff" by our patients.
Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is situated on The Wirral peninsula which has a stunning coastline and beautiful countryside surroundings, with great activities for its residents.
We are one of the largest and busiest acute Trusts in the North West of England, comprising of the Wirral's only Emergency Department. We provide a high quality range of acute care services and employ over 6,000 staff, who serve a population of approximately 400,000 people across Wirral, Ellesmere Port, Neston, North Wales and the wider North West footprint.
We have approximately 855 beds trust-wide and our financial turnover is in excess of £337m.
The Wirral is easily accessible with excellent transport links including motorway, train, bus or ferry and within easy reach to the major cities of Liverpool, Chester and Manchester as well as neighbouring North Wales.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- As a skilled clinician, assess, plan and deliver individualised programme of intervention evaluating the effectiveness for patients presenting with diverse and complex problems. Giving advice to patients and their carers when required.
- Prioritise and plan own caseload according to needs of the patient and resources available. Gain advice and support from a Senior Speech and Language Therapistwhen required, clinical work is not routinely monitored by others.
- Working with the Team Leader proactively contribute to the discussions on service.and policy development and implement in the workplace as directed.
- Be responsible for the effective manual and computer recording of patientinterventions accurately and appropriately, following Service/ Trust Policy.
- Be responsible for the collection/input of clinical information and statistics for patients.
- Be responsible for producing timely, accurate and informative clinical reports for other agencies as required.
- Identify the current and potential future needs of the patient and be responsible for initiating appropriate referrals to a variety of internal and external agencies.
- Undertake evidence based audit projects making recommendations and where appropriate implement agreed, specific changes to practice within the team.
- Responsible for own competency to practice through CPD maintaining a professional portfolio, including reflective practice and participating in the supervision and appraisal process.
- Deputise for senior staff in their absence, taking responsibility for operational management of the team, allocating and organising the work of junior and support staff to meet service priorities on a daily basis and to be responsible for the clinical work of the Team leader in their absence when appropriate.
Please see attached Job Description for further information about the Senior Speech and Language Therapist position available at WUTH.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- As a skilled clinician, assess, plan and deliver individualised programme of intervention evaluating the effectiveness for patients presenting with diverse and complex problems. Giving advice to patients and their carers when required.
- Prioritise and plan own caseload according to needs of the patient and resources available. Gain advice and support from a Senior Speech and Language Therapistwhen required, clinical work is not routinely monitored by others.
- Working with the Team Leader proactively contribute to the discussions on service.and policy development and implement in the workplace as directed.
- Be responsible for the effective manual and computer recording of patientinterventions accurately and appropriately, following Service/ Trust Policy.
- Be responsible for the collection/input of clinical information and statistics for patients.
- Be responsible for producing timely, accurate and informative clinical reports for other agencies as required.
- Identify the current and potential future needs of the patient and be responsible for initiating appropriate referrals to a variety of internal and external agencies.
- Undertake evidence based audit projects making recommendations and where appropriate implement agreed, specific changes to practice within the team.
- Responsible for own competency to practice through CPD maintaining a professional portfolio, including reflective practice and participating in the supervision and appraisal process.
- Deputise for senior staff in their absence, taking responsibility for operational management of the team, allocating and organising the work of junior and support staff to meet service priorities on a daily basis and to be responsible for the clinical work of the Team leader in their absence when appropriate.
Please see attached Job Description for further information about the Senior Speech and Language Therapist position available at WUTH.
Person Specification
Qualifications, Specific Experience & Training
Essential
- Recognised degree in Speech and Language Therapy
- Current HCPC registration
- Registered member of the College of Speech and Language Therapists
- Recognised study at post graduate level
- Appropriate level of Speech and Language therapy experience, in a range of relevant specialities
- Managing own caseload with minimum direction/ support
- Experience of a variety of assessment techniques suitable for adults
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Excellent time management and organisational skills
- Completion of dysphagia competencies
- IT literate
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Able to work in difficult, distracting environments, with challenging clients and where intense levels of concentration are required
Desirable
- Ability to work as an integral member of an MDT
Other Requirements
Desirable
- Membership of an appropriate clinical excellence network
Qualifications, Specific Experience & Training
Essential
- Has experience of working with complex cases alongside or with supervision from a highly specialist therapist
Desirable
- Experience in evidence based practice or audit.
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
- Knowledge of current trends in the management of communication and / or swallowing
- Knowledge of Total Communication
Desirable
- Good level of understanding of patient needs and customer care
- Knowledge of key NHS initiatives and goals
- Knowledge and experience of clinical governance/audit
- Knowledge of relevant national policies and procedures
Personal Attributes
Desirable
- Professional appearance and attitude
- Can convey ideas and information in a confident and easily understood manner, both written and verbal
Other Requirements
Desirable
- Ability to be flexible and meet the needs of the service.
Person Specification
Qualifications, Specific Experience & Training
Essential
- Recognised degree in Speech and Language Therapy
- Current HCPC registration
- Registered member of the College of Speech and Language Therapists
- Recognised study at post graduate level
- Appropriate level of Speech and Language therapy experience, in a range of relevant specialities
- Managing own caseload with minimum direction/ support
- Experience of a variety of assessment techniques suitable for adults
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Excellent time management and organisational skills
- Completion of dysphagia competencies
- IT literate
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Able to work in difficult, distracting environments, with challenging clients and where intense levels of concentration are required
Desirable
- Ability to work as an integral member of an MDT
Other Requirements
Desirable
- Membership of an appropriate clinical excellence network
Qualifications, Specific Experience & Training
Essential
- Has experience of working with complex cases alongside or with supervision from a highly specialist therapist
Desirable
- Experience in evidence based practice or audit.
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
- Knowledge of current trends in the management of communication and / or swallowing
- Knowledge of Total Communication
Desirable
- Good level of understanding of patient needs and customer care
- Knowledge of key NHS initiatives and goals
- Knowledge and experience of clinical governance/audit
- Knowledge of relevant national policies and procedures
Personal Attributes
Desirable
- Professional appearance and attitude
- Can convey ideas and information in a confident and easily understood manner, both written and verbal
Other Requirements
Desirable
- Ability to be flexible and meet the needs of the service.
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).
