Job summary
Are you looking for an exciting new challenge to develop your clinical and leaderships skills?
We have rare opportunity to join a dynamic, friendly team of speech and language therapists in Somerset.
This three year fixed term post is required to backfill the current postholder who has been awarded a three year Doctoral Fellowship.
The current postholder will be available in a super numeracy capacity to offer support and training for the successful candidate.
This position will suit an experienced speech and language therapist looking to build their portfolio of experience in carrying out instrumental swallowing assessments (FEES and Videofluoroscopy)
Our team has a well established supervision and support network in place. We have access to a wide variety of CPD opportunities and we encourage development of leadership skills alongside clinical skills.
We value the importance of staff well-being and have appointed a well-being lead in the service to ensure all staff have access to well-being support alongside their one to one sessions and clinical supervision.
We are looking for an enthusiastic Speech and Language Therapist who is passionate about delivering high quality evidence- based care.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will lead the development of the currently established videofluorscopy (VF) and Fibreoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) provision for the Adult Speech and Language Therapy in Somerset. This will include expanding the current provision of FEES in critical care to other caseloads such as stroke. The post is based in Musgrove Hospital but will involve some cross site working at Yeovil District Hospital.
The primary focus of the work is carrying out instrumental swallowing assessments (VF and FEES). Additionally, there will be a small caseload of complex acute in-patients.
The post will carry leadership expectations, for example line management duties and competency sign off.
About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
- Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
- NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
- Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
- A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential
Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main Duties (full job description attached):-
To be the Pathway Lead for Instrument Swallowing Assessments (FEES and Videofluorscopy) for the Service
To further support and develop the established FEES service across different clinical settings, including updating Standards Operating Procedures, supporting competencies and service development.
To further support and develop the established VF service across 2 acute sites (Yeovil Hospital and Musgrove Hospital, including updating Standard Operating Procedures, supporting competencies and service development)
Is professionally and legally responsible and accountable for managing a small, highly complex caseload of patients in the acute setting (critical care, head and neck, stroke and general medical wards) with swallowing and communication disorders.
To liaise closely with other Pathway Leads, to ensure a smooth transition of care from acute to community.
Has in-depth knowledge and experience working in dysphagia management especially with instrumental swallowing assessments.
Participates in Videofluoroscopy clinic Rota along with other trained staff and is responsible for the analysis and report writing.
Provides specialist training and presentations in area of clinical expertise.
Responsible for the teaching of other Speech and Language Therapists and other professional groups within the in-patient setting.
Provides mentoring and support for Speech and Language Therapists.
Supervises and facilitates Speech and Language Therapists, Apprentice Speech and Language Therapists, Speech and Language Therapy Associate Practitioners, Apprentice Support Workers.
Participates in and contributes to innovations and developments in areas of risk management, quality standards and clinical effectiveness to ensure service delivery is maintained and can be improved upon.
From time to time to carry out duties, appropriate to grade and experience, which may reasonably be requested by the Head or Deputy Head of Service.
To be an active member of the broader Senior Management Team which includes all Band 7 Pathway Leads.
Responsible for line management supervision of a specified member(s) of staff.
To be included in the SLT Bank Holiday working rota. Bank Holiday working only occurs in the acute settings; Yeovil District Hospital (YDH), Yeovil, and Musgrove Park Hospital (MPH), Taunton.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main Duties (full job description attached):-
To be the Pathway Lead for Instrument Swallowing Assessments (FEES and Videofluorscopy) for the Service
To further support and develop the established FEES service across different clinical settings, including updating Standards Operating Procedures, supporting competencies and service development.
To further support and develop the established VF service across 2 acute sites (Yeovil Hospital and Musgrove Hospital, including updating Standard Operating Procedures, supporting competencies and service development)
Is professionally and legally responsible and accountable for managing a small, highly complex caseload of patients in the acute setting (critical care, head and neck, stroke and general medical wards) with swallowing and communication disorders.
To liaise closely with other Pathway Leads, to ensure a smooth transition of care from acute to community.
Has in-depth knowledge and experience working in dysphagia management especially with instrumental swallowing assessments.
Participates in Videofluoroscopy clinic Rota along with other trained staff and is responsible for the analysis and report writing.
Provides specialist training and presentations in area of clinical expertise.
Responsible for the teaching of other Speech and Language Therapists and other professional groups within the in-patient setting.
Provides mentoring and support for Speech and Language Therapists.
Supervises and facilitates Speech and Language Therapists, Apprentice Speech and Language Therapists, Speech and Language Therapy Associate Practitioners, Apprentice Support Workers.
Participates in and contributes to innovations and developments in areas of risk management, quality standards and clinical effectiveness to ensure service delivery is maintained and can be improved upon.
From time to time to carry out duties, appropriate to grade and experience, which may reasonably be requested by the Head or Deputy Head of Service.
To be an active member of the broader Senior Management Team which includes all Band 7 Pathway Leads.
Responsible for line management supervision of a specified member(s) of staff.
To be included in the SLT Bank Holiday working rota. Bank Holiday working only occurs in the acute settings; Yeovil District Hospital (YDH), Yeovil, and Musgrove Park Hospital (MPH), Taunton.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- BSc in Speech and Language Therapy. Level 5 Dysphagia Competencies FEES Level 2Tracheostomy competenciesFull UK driving licence
Desirable
- Level 6 Dysphagia Competencies MBS Imp Trained for Videoflurosocopy FEES Level 3
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a multidisciplinary teamExperience of delivering dysphagia trainingExperience of working in critical careExperience of working in an acute hospital settingExperience of carrying out videofluorscopyExperience of carrying out FEESExperience of carrying out triage assessmentsExtensive leadership experience
Desirable
- Experience of working with head and neck cancer patientsExperience of carrying out triage assessments
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Access to a vehicle for work
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- BSc in Speech and Language Therapy. Level 5 Dysphagia Competencies FEES Level 2Tracheostomy competenciesFull UK driving licence
Desirable
- Level 6 Dysphagia Competencies MBS Imp Trained for Videoflurosocopy FEES Level 3
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a multidisciplinary teamExperience of delivering dysphagia trainingExperience of working in critical careExperience of working in an acute hospital settingExperience of carrying out videofluorscopyExperience of carrying out FEESExperience of carrying out triage assessmentsExtensive leadership experience
Desirable
- Experience of working with head and neck cancer patientsExperience of carrying out triage assessments
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Access to a vehicle for work
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).
