Band 6 Specialist Speech and Language Therapist - Inpatient Rotation

Job responsibilities

Clinical

Provide SLT input across different specialities and settings: stroke, inpatient neurorehabilitation and older adults services.

Manage a complex caseload of patients with including those with profound neurological impairments, cognitive impairments, and patients in a Prolonged Disorder of Consciousness (PDoC) and/or with tracheostomy. Demonstrate an awareness of and ability to seek support and advice from senior members of the team when required.

Provide timely, thorough and robust assessment of patients communication and swallowing needs in a manner that is patient-centred and alongside other members of the MDT.

Form appropriate hypotheses about the nature of a patients condition and make differential diagnoses to support multidisciplinary management.

Support patients and families (where able) to set achievable and realistic goals, dealing sensitively with issues that may arise whilst doing so.

Structure clear, patient-based therapy plans based on best practice and adapted to individual clients goals and priorities.

Demonstrate awareness of, and an ability to manage, risks associated with complex dysphagia, including those dealing with issues of mortality, morbidity and involving ethical dilemma.

Deliver a range of therapeutic interventions with an awareness of current evidence-based practice, remaining sensitive to all patients personal, social and cultural wishes and needs.

Evaluate therapy outcomes independently, using specific outcome measures when appropriate.

Work independently with clients whose behaviour may challenge, with awareness of how to manage and diffuse difficult situations.

Plan, lead and evaluate group therapy in addition to 1:1 sessions.

Work alongside members of the MDT in assessment and management of capacity decisions.

Identify need for, and support referral to, specialist clinics including VFS and FEES.

To act as keyworker for patients and families on INRU, acting as single point of contact and coordinating interdisciplinary, patient-centred rehabilitation, being mindful of the opportunities and challenges presented in this role.

Deliver patient-specific training and education sessions to patients, families and carers.

Be aware of relevant external services for signposting and onward referral.

Contribute to safe, holistic and proactive discharge planning for all patients.

Professional

Establish positive working relationships with members of the MDT across services, wards and sites.

Record and maintain up to date clinical case notes in line with professional standards and trust, professional and departmental policies

Follow national guidelines and processes for specific patient groups (including SSNAP, UK ROC)

Adhere to Trust, departmental and professional policies and procedures.

Organisational / administrative

Provide cover for colleagues as required and support reallocation of caseload in the absence of any member of the team

Use IT skills to produce customised treatment plans and materials, including low tech AAC

Contribute to service development and audit

Identify need for, and plan/deliver/evaluate, specific training programmes contributing to staff development

Actively participate in team meetings, journal clubs, in-service teaching within SLT and MDT settings.

Participate in non-managerial clinical supervision

Participate in the appraisal system

Act as a student supervisor / assessor under the guidance of the student coordinator and provide observation sessions for others

Management and Leadership Responsibilities.

Offer specialist clinical support to less experienced SLTs

Supervise junior members of SLT staff, assistants and volunteers

Develop and empower all members of the team to perform to high standards and innovate.

Ensure supportive staff management arrangements are in place and carry out personal development reviews for direct reports. Ensure all staff have annual PDRs resulting in specific objectives and effective personal development plans in line with the Knowledge and Skills Outline Framework.

Develop staff knowledge and skills to promote equality and diversity and address inequalities both in employment and service delivery. Ensure specific equality objective are included in PDRs.

Develop a culture that ensure that the standards of Improving Working Lives and Investors in People are achieved and maintained for all staff and that staffs perception about their working lives are measured and improvements made.

Personal qualities

Essential

• Excellent prioritisation skills
• Is able to reflect on clinical practice and initiate appropriate changes
• Has insight into own coping strategies in stressful situations
• Able to work under pressure

Other job requirements

Essential

• Is able and willing to travel when required to various work locations e.g. for home visits and meetings

Desirable

• Is able to work a 7 day rota
• Is able to carry a variety of equipment between locations safely

Qualifications

Essential

• Has current registration
• HCPC Licence to Practice
• Registered with Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
• Dysphagia Post qualification training / qualification
• Evidence of recent relevant CPD activities
• Degree in SLT or equivalent

Desirable

• Masters post-graduate qualification relevant to SLT

Experience

Essential

• Significant experience in specialised clinical area
• Experience of assessing and treating complex neuro disability
• Experience in providing training to a range of qualified professionals in area of specialism
• Evidence of specialised management of a complex/diverse caseload
• Able to develop specialised programmes of care
• Is able to use alternative means of communication appropriately for care group
• Is IT literate
• Has highly developed empathy, negotiation and influencing skills and demonstrates clinical leadership within a team
• Has excellent communication and interpersonal skills and overcomes barriers to communication
• Have basic skills in the management of communication and swallowing needs in patients with tracheostomy

Desirable

• Has completed Dysphagia competencies.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).