Job summary
We have an exciting opportunity for an innovative and passionate Speech & Language Therapist (SLT) to join the Acute/Rehab Stroke Team at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Trust (LTHTR). We are a Comprehensive Stroke Centre, which means this post offers an interesting variety of work across the stroke pathway.
This role is a rotational post between HASU, acute stroke, and stroke rehabilitation. Clinically this entails complex acquired disorders of communication, cognition and dysphagia and the opportunity to work with an established and passionate MDT. Collaboratively we are part of an active regional stroke delivery network, which drives quality improvement initiative and provides training opportunities to ensure optimal patient care.
LTHTR have established VFS and FEES clinics and experience in these areas would be advantageous. However, for the right candidate training in VFS and refer competencies/expose to FEES could be provided in-house.
You will be expected to work within a 6-day therapy service with plans in future, for a 7-day service. This role also requires cross-site working. Excellent interpersonal skills are essential to build working relationships with multiple MDTs across sites.
CPD is actively supported, and you will have the opportunity to continue to develop your clinical portfolio. Part time and flexible working will be considered.
Main duties of the job
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Trust is a large acute organisation, delivering specialist services both locally and regionally. The Speech Therapy Department is situated at the Royal Preston Hospital site; however, we also deliver services to Chorley District Hospital and our new Community Healthcare Hub (intermediate care / step down facility).
The role involves providing specialist speech and language therapy services to adults with acquired communication, cognition, and dysphagia disorders. You will work across both acute and rehabilitation pathways, collaborating proactively with the multidisciplinary team. You'll support the clinical lead in the daily management of the stroke service, applying clinical knowledge, maintaining operational accountability, and assisting staff as needed.
We are a dedicated SLT service with excellent patient care at the core of our values, and our varied caseload provides complex presentations across dysphagia, communication and voice respectively. We have established VFS and FEES clinics, with in-service training to provide sustainability. We strive to continuously improve our SLT services through service development and innovation and are keen that audit / research are part of our clinical roles. We have strong clinical leadership within the department and structured clinical supervision and CPD is promoted.
About us
We have 10,000 fantastic people working hard to deliver quality services to our patients. Whatever your role, you help look after 370,000 people in our local area & give specialist care to 1.5 million people across Lancashire & Cumbria.
Working with us gives you the knowledge and sense of pride that every activity you do genuinely does make a difference to support our patients & staff, ensuring we keep thriving & delivering outstanding healthcare right across our local towns.
You'll have access to varied development opportunities, learn new skills, meet fab people & do things you'd never have done. You'll learn about working in a hospital, interacting with people from all different roles to build skills & enhance your career path.
You'll make an impact, be challenged to think differently, be bold & help innovate to keep improving things. Everything we do centres around patient care and enhancing their experience which means your role is pivotal and something really to be proud of.
You will join a large friendly team of speech and language therapists covering a range of specialist services. The department is rated 'GOLD' on the STAR quality assurance framework, with a strong commitment to evidence-based practice. CPD and training are well supported.
To find out more about us, look at our Twitter / X page @SLT_LTHTR
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the separate job description and person specification for full details:
- Actively promote high-quality service delivery at all times and promote SLT presence in MDT working.
- Build excellent relationships with the MDT and liaise effectively to ensure seamless care.
- Provide care across designated areas, prioritising and advising the clinical lead when shortfalls occur, or are likely to occur.
- Management of a specialist caseload within the acute/rehab setting.
- To contribute to the assessment, diagnosis and management of complex disorders with support from a senior specialist SLT
- To participate in instrumental assessment
- To demonstrate skills in motivating patients to engage in therapeutic processes.
- To support personal and staff CPD.
- To support clinical governance and quality agenda .
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the separate job description and person specification for full details:
- Actively promote high-quality service delivery at all times and promote SLT presence in MDT working.
- Build excellent relationships with the MDT and liaise effectively to ensure seamless care.
- Provide care across designated areas, prioritising and advising the clinical lead when shortfalls occur, or are likely to occur.
- Management of a specialist caseload within the acute/rehab setting.
- To contribute to the assessment, diagnosis and management of complex disorders with support from a senior specialist SLT
- To participate in instrumental assessment
- To demonstrate skills in motivating patients to engage in therapeutic processes.
- To support personal and staff CPD.
- To support clinical governance and quality agenda .
Person Specification
Qualifications & Education
Essential
- Recognised Degree / Masters in Speech and Language Pathology
- HCPC & RCSLT Registration
- Evidence of CPD in relevant areas
- RCSLT specialist dysphagia competencies
Desirable
- Post graduate courses in relevant clinical area of Speech and Language Therapy
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Specialist knowledge of acquired disorders of communication and dysphagia
- Experience of managing dysphagia and communication disorders in stroke, both in the acute and rehab setting
- Understanding of the roles of other health care professionals and working as a multidisciplinary team
- Experience of providing training / education to MDT and patients / carers
- Clinical educator
- Experience of using computer-based programmes within assessment and therapy
- Knowledge of high and low tech AAC
Desirable
- Training and clinical supervision of others
- Videoflouroscopy training or experience.
- FEES exposure
- Experience of running groups within related area
- Projects / audit
- Involvement in service development
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Ability to manage patients independently
- Analytical, problem solving abilities
- Highly developed auditory and perceptual skills
- Excellent communication and written skills
- Good prioritisation skills
- Works well in a team environment
- Ability to multitask and work flexibly
Desirable
- Ability to perform cervical auscultation
- Able to develop delegated project tasks
- Proficient IT skills
- Data collection and analysis
Values & Behaviours
Essential
- Alignment to Trust Values and Core Behaviours
- Self-motivated and able to motivate others
- Enthusiastic, positive attitude to change
- Take responsibility for obtaining the highest standards of care achievable which is empathetic in nature
- Good self-insight
- Commitment to CPD
Person Specification
Qualifications & Education
Essential
- Recognised Degree / Masters in Speech and Language Pathology
- HCPC & RCSLT Registration
- Evidence of CPD in relevant areas
- RCSLT specialist dysphagia competencies
Desirable
- Post graduate courses in relevant clinical area of Speech and Language Therapy
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Specialist knowledge of acquired disorders of communication and dysphagia
- Experience of managing dysphagia and communication disorders in stroke, both in the acute and rehab setting
- Understanding of the roles of other health care professionals and working as a multidisciplinary team
- Experience of providing training / education to MDT and patients / carers
- Clinical educator
- Experience of using computer-based programmes within assessment and therapy
- Knowledge of high and low tech AAC
Desirable
- Training and clinical supervision of others
- Videoflouroscopy training or experience.
- FEES exposure
- Experience of running groups within related area
- Projects / audit
- Involvement in service development
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Ability to manage patients independently
- Analytical, problem solving abilities
- Highly developed auditory and perceptual skills
- Excellent communication and written skills
- Good prioritisation skills
- Works well in a team environment
- Ability to multitask and work flexibly
Desirable
- Ability to perform cervical auscultation
- Able to develop delegated project tasks
- Proficient IT skills
- Data collection and analysis
Values & Behaviours
Essential
- Alignment to Trust Values and Core Behaviours
- Self-motivated and able to motivate others
- Enthusiastic, positive attitude to change
- Take responsibility for obtaining the highest standards of care achievable which is empathetic in nature
- Good self-insight
- Commitment to CPD
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).
