Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust

Highly specialist speech and language therapist

This job is now closed

Job summary

This is an exciting opportunity to join our friendly, supportive and innovative team for 12 months to cover maternity leave. You will share leadership of the acute team at UHL, carry a caseload of patients across the inpatient wards including critical care, and participate in the running of the videofluoroscopy clinic. There will be exposure to FEES, and opportunity to participate in FEES assessments depending on experience.

Main duties of the job

To use highly specialist skills to assess, differentially diagnose and manage complex patients with acquired swallowing and communication disorders from the acute and critical care wards at University Hospital Lewisham.
To take a lead role in the assessment, differential diagnosis and management of patients with tracheostomy who have swallowing and communication impairments and to provide specialist input to these patients where weaning from the tracheostomy is problematic.
To work independently to fulfil the core responsibilities identified below.
To ensure effective joint working with the Multi-Disciplinary Teams in the management and discharge planning of these patients.
To provide training and/or support to other professionals concerning swallowing or communication problems.
To contribute to the development of clinical guidelines which are based upon sound evidence.
To undertake audit and outcome projects with the supervision of the Head of SLT.
To comment on and adhere to service and team plans and policies.

About us

Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:

Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development
Widening access (anchor institution) and employability
Improving the experience of staff with disability
Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development
Making equalities mainstream

Date posted

15 January 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£43,742 to £50,056 a year per annum plus HCAS pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

197-UT4824

Job locations

University Hospital Lewisham

Lewisham High Street

London

SE13 6LH

Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB PURPOSE

To provide highly specialist SLT service to patients from acute (medical, surgical and care of the elderly) and Critical Care wards at University Hospital Lewisham.
To work with other members of the multidisciplinary team to develop services and standards of patient care.
To provide training and support to SLT colleagues or to colleagues from other professions.
To assist the Head of Speech and Language Therapy with service evaluation.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Head of adult SLT

Cross-site lead SLT

Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapists across LGT adult teams

LGT Acute & Critical Care consultants

All Therapists/Leads in Occupational Therapy / Physiotherapy / Dietetics

All LGT Speech and Language Therapy Staff

LGT nursing staff

Referring Hospitals

Social Services

Community Services

GPs

Voluntary Services

Academic Institutions

Acute & Stroke Specialists external to LGT

Job Functions/responsibilities

To use highly specialist skills to assess, differentially diagnose and manage complex patients with acquired swallowing and communication disorders from the acute and critical care wards at University Hospital Lewisham.
To take a lead role in the assessment, differential diagnosis and management of patients with tracheostomy who have swallowing and communication impairments and to provide specialist input to these patients where weaning from the tracheostomy is problematic.
To work independently to fulfil the core responsibilities identified below.
To ensure effective joint working with the Multi-Disciplinary Teams in the management and discharge planning of these patients.
To provide training and/or support to other professionals concerning swallowing or communication problems.
To contribute to the development of clinical guidelines which are based upon sound evidence.
To undertake audit and outcome projects with the supervision of the Head of SLT.
To comment on and adhere to service and team plans and policies.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1 Patient/client care

To demonstrate highly specialist clinical skills and knowledge in the assessment, treatment and management of communication and swallowing problems in acutely and critically ill patients underpinned by current evidence-based practice.
To make appropriate differential diagnoses and specialist clinical decisions on evidence from assessment of complex cases.
To provide specialist advice and second opinions to non-specialists and other specialists/professionals within the field of adult acute care.
To take the speech and language therapy lead in tracheostomy management in the medical, surgical and Critical Care setting.
To demonstrate specialist clinical skills for interpretative assessment techniques and interventions in the care of patients with tracheostomies, including those requiring ventilation on the Intensive Care Unit.
Assist the multidisciplinary team in the weaning of complex patients from tracheostomies or ventilators and in situations where swallowing or communication problems are complex.
To participate in and provide specialist SLT input into multidisciplinary tracheostomy ward round, where appropriate.
To demonstrate specialist clinical skills for interpretative assessment techniques and interventions involving instrumental procedures including Videofluoroscopy and FEES
To apply specialist knowledge to inform sound clinical judgements/decision making for case management and to develop clear care plans based on best practice
To participate in MDT decision-making process around consent to treatment (e.g. PEG and non-oral feeding) when capacity is questionable, being aware of the legal and ethical considerations.
To adapt practice to meet individual patients circumstances, including due regard for cultural and linguistic differences.
To demonstrate clinical effectiveness reflecting on evidence-based practice and outcome measures
To employ counselling skills with patients, carers/ clients with highly complex needs including those related to terminal illness, death and severe disability or disfigurement.
To demonstrate expertise in the selection and use of Alternative and Augmentative Communication systems.
To manage a specialist clinical caseload of complex patients with the full responsibility for choosing from a wide range of evidence-based assessment and treatment techniques.
To be fully responsible for own time and caseload management.
To be accountable for own professional actions and recognise own professional boundaries, seeking and acting upon advice as appropriate.
To demonstrate the ability to reflect on practice with peers and mentors and identify own strengths and development need.
2 Physical skills
Bedside assessment:
- Manual assessment of patients swallow function;
- Monitoring of physiological parameters using appropriate equipment to complement assessment of critically ill and tracheostomised patients.
To demonstrate highly developed auditory and perceptual skills in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of communication disorders.

To demonstrate highly developed perceptual skills in the viewing and interpretation of Videofluoroscopy and FEES examinations.
To demonstrate knowledge of and competence in areas of routine tracheostomy management, including knowing how and when to:
- Change and clean tracheostomy inner tube;
- Site speaking valves (including Passy Muir Valves) and caps;
- Use the appropriate equipment to monitor tracheostomy cuff pressure and inflate/deflate the cuff appropriately;
- Selecting and carrying out the appropriate form of assessment for patients with tracheostomy
3 Communication and relationship skills
To provide written and verbal information to other professionals on the management and care of patients with complex communication and/or swallowing difficulties.
To convey information to health care professionals about the nature, extent and expected outcomes of communication, feeding and swallowing difficulties.
To provide patients with a high level of information about their care and involve patients in care decisions where possible (including the setting of goals for therapy).
To discuss, negotiate and agree with patients/carers and professionals specific care plans for adults with communication difficulties and swallowing problems.
To provide specialist advice and complex programmes of care to parents/carers, professionals on the impact and management of the clients communication needs on intellectual and social/emotional status, in order to enable the client to achieve his/her academic / social potential.
To write reports which reflect specialist knowledge and concern patient management and patients future needs, adapting the contents to the communication styles and diversity of the recipients.
To refer patients to other health professionals as appropriate, both within and outside the hospital.

To share specialist knowledge and skills with patients/carers demonstrating empathy, recognising potential communication breakdown in order to:
- Support them to develop their understanding of speech, language, communication difficulties and swallowing problems.

Enable them to facilitate communication development.

To attend case conferences and to contribute as appropriate to multidisciplinary/ multi-agency care plans for adults with communication and swallowing difficulties.
To demonstrate ability to be a good team member.
To act as an advocate for clients with communication difficulties where appropriate.
To employ excellent communication skills within a context where clients/carers are dealing with information regarding death and serious disability or loss of function.
To demonstrate the ability to manage adult clients with challenging behaviours including the application of appropriate management strategies.
To demonstrate highly-developed negotiation skills in the management of conflict across a range of issues and situations, recognising and resolving potential breakdown and conflict when it occurs.
To employ excellent presentation skills to promote multidisciplinary liaison and collaborative practice to a broad range of audiences, including other professionals and users.

To maintain up to date and accurate case notes and write reports reflecting highly specialist knowledge, ensuring that they meet departmental standards and are in line with local Trust Policy, and RCSLT professional standards.

Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB PURPOSE

To provide highly specialist SLT service to patients from acute (medical, surgical and care of the elderly) and Critical Care wards at University Hospital Lewisham.
To work with other members of the multidisciplinary team to develop services and standards of patient care.
To provide training and support to SLT colleagues or to colleagues from other professions.
To assist the Head of Speech and Language Therapy with service evaluation.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Head of adult SLT

Cross-site lead SLT

Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapists across LGT adult teams

LGT Acute & Critical Care consultants

All Therapists/Leads in Occupational Therapy / Physiotherapy / Dietetics

All LGT Speech and Language Therapy Staff

LGT nursing staff

Referring Hospitals

Social Services

Community Services

GPs

Voluntary Services

Academic Institutions

Acute & Stroke Specialists external to LGT

Job Functions/responsibilities

To use highly specialist skills to assess, differentially diagnose and manage complex patients with acquired swallowing and communication disorders from the acute and critical care wards at University Hospital Lewisham.
To take a lead role in the assessment, differential diagnosis and management of patients with tracheostomy who have swallowing and communication impairments and to provide specialist input to these patients where weaning from the tracheostomy is problematic.
To work independently to fulfil the core responsibilities identified below.
To ensure effective joint working with the Multi-Disciplinary Teams in the management and discharge planning of these patients.
To provide training and/or support to other professionals concerning swallowing or communication problems.
To contribute to the development of clinical guidelines which are based upon sound evidence.
To undertake audit and outcome projects with the supervision of the Head of SLT.
To comment on and adhere to service and team plans and policies.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1 Patient/client care

To demonstrate highly specialist clinical skills and knowledge in the assessment, treatment and management of communication and swallowing problems in acutely and critically ill patients underpinned by current evidence-based practice.
To make appropriate differential diagnoses and specialist clinical decisions on evidence from assessment of complex cases.
To provide specialist advice and second opinions to non-specialists and other specialists/professionals within the field of adult acute care.
To take the speech and language therapy lead in tracheostomy management in the medical, surgical and Critical Care setting.
To demonstrate specialist clinical skills for interpretative assessment techniques and interventions in the care of patients with tracheostomies, including those requiring ventilation on the Intensive Care Unit.
Assist the multidisciplinary team in the weaning of complex patients from tracheostomies or ventilators and in situations where swallowing or communication problems are complex.
To participate in and provide specialist SLT input into multidisciplinary tracheostomy ward round, where appropriate.
To demonstrate specialist clinical skills for interpretative assessment techniques and interventions involving instrumental procedures including Videofluoroscopy and FEES
To apply specialist knowledge to inform sound clinical judgements/decision making for case management and to develop clear care plans based on best practice
To participate in MDT decision-making process around consent to treatment (e.g. PEG and non-oral feeding) when capacity is questionable, being aware of the legal and ethical considerations.
To adapt practice to meet individual patients circumstances, including due regard for cultural and linguistic differences.
To demonstrate clinical effectiveness reflecting on evidence-based practice and outcome measures
To employ counselling skills with patients, carers/ clients with highly complex needs including those related to terminal illness, death and severe disability or disfigurement.
To demonstrate expertise in the selection and use of Alternative and Augmentative Communication systems.
To manage a specialist clinical caseload of complex patients with the full responsibility for choosing from a wide range of evidence-based assessment and treatment techniques.
To be fully responsible for own time and caseload management.
To be accountable for own professional actions and recognise own professional boundaries, seeking and acting upon advice as appropriate.
To demonstrate the ability to reflect on practice with peers and mentors and identify own strengths and development need.
2 Physical skills
Bedside assessment:
- Manual assessment of patients swallow function;
- Monitoring of physiological parameters using appropriate equipment to complement assessment of critically ill and tracheostomised patients.
To demonstrate highly developed auditory and perceptual skills in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of communication disorders.

To demonstrate highly developed perceptual skills in the viewing and interpretation of Videofluoroscopy and FEES examinations.
To demonstrate knowledge of and competence in areas of routine tracheostomy management, including knowing how and when to:
- Change and clean tracheostomy inner tube;
- Site speaking valves (including Passy Muir Valves) and caps;
- Use the appropriate equipment to monitor tracheostomy cuff pressure and inflate/deflate the cuff appropriately;
- Selecting and carrying out the appropriate form of assessment for patients with tracheostomy
3 Communication and relationship skills
To provide written and verbal information to other professionals on the management and care of patients with complex communication and/or swallowing difficulties.
To convey information to health care professionals about the nature, extent and expected outcomes of communication, feeding and swallowing difficulties.
To provide patients with a high level of information about their care and involve patients in care decisions where possible (including the setting of goals for therapy).
To discuss, negotiate and agree with patients/carers and professionals specific care plans for adults with communication difficulties and swallowing problems.
To provide specialist advice and complex programmes of care to parents/carers, professionals on the impact and management of the clients communication needs on intellectual and social/emotional status, in order to enable the client to achieve his/her academic / social potential.
To write reports which reflect specialist knowledge and concern patient management and patients future needs, adapting the contents to the communication styles and diversity of the recipients.
To refer patients to other health professionals as appropriate, both within and outside the hospital.

To share specialist knowledge and skills with patients/carers demonstrating empathy, recognising potential communication breakdown in order to:
- Support them to develop their understanding of speech, language, communication difficulties and swallowing problems.

Enable them to facilitate communication development.

To attend case conferences and to contribute as appropriate to multidisciplinary/ multi-agency care plans for adults with communication and swallowing difficulties.
To demonstrate ability to be a good team member.
To act as an advocate for clients with communication difficulties where appropriate.
To employ excellent communication skills within a context where clients/carers are dealing with information regarding death and serious disability or loss of function.
To demonstrate the ability to manage adult clients with challenging behaviours including the application of appropriate management strategies.
To demonstrate highly-developed negotiation skills in the management of conflict across a range of issues and situations, recognising and resolving potential breakdown and conflict when it occurs.
To employ excellent presentation skills to promote multidisciplinary liaison and collaborative practice to a broad range of audiences, including other professionals and users.

To maintain up to date and accurate case notes and write reports reflecting highly specialist knowledge, ensuring that they meet departmental standards and are in line with local Trust Policy, and RCSLT professional standards.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Training

Essential

Recognised degree in Speech and Language Therapy
Health Professionals Council - Licence to Practice
Fully registered member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists

Desirable

Evidence of successful completion of specialist courses at a Masters degree equivalent (or an MSc if available in clinical specialism)
Membership of relevant Clinical Excellence Network

Experience

Essential

Significant specialist experience of working with adults with acquired neurological disorders post registration
Experience of performing and interpreting Videofluoroscopies (GGC Level 3)
Experience of supervising junior SLTs, assistants and students
Experience of rehabilitation and acute work with adults in therapeutic settings

Desirable

Experience of performing and interpreting FEES

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

Knowledge of the evidence base for effective treatment for adults with communication and swallowing disorders
In-depth knowledge of tracheostomy assessment and management
Demonstrates highly developed negotiation and problem solving skills
Good presentation skills, both written and verbal
Excellent organisational skills
Demonstrates ability to be a good team member & assume leadership responsibilities
In-depth knowledge of national policies and procedures (relevant to the client group)
Basic IT Skills
Knowledge of standards of record keeping

Person Specification

Qualifications & Training

Essential

Recognised degree in Speech and Language Therapy
Health Professionals Council - Licence to Practice
Fully registered member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists

Desirable

Evidence of successful completion of specialist courses at a Masters degree equivalent (or an MSc if available in clinical specialism)
Membership of relevant Clinical Excellence Network

Experience

Essential

Significant specialist experience of working with adults with acquired neurological disorders post registration
Experience of performing and interpreting Videofluoroscopies (GGC Level 3)
Experience of supervising junior SLTs, assistants and students
Experience of rehabilitation and acute work with adults in therapeutic settings

Desirable

Experience of performing and interpreting FEES

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

Knowledge of the evidence base for effective treatment for adults with communication and swallowing disorders
In-depth knowledge of tracheostomy assessment and management
Demonstrates highly developed negotiation and problem solving skills
Good presentation skills, both written and verbal
Excellent organisational skills
Demonstrates ability to be a good team member & assume leadership responsibilities
In-depth knowledge of national policies and procedures (relevant to the client group)
Basic IT Skills
Knowledge of standards of record keeping

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).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

Certificate of Sponsorship

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust

Address

University Hospital Lewisham

Lewisham High Street

London

SE13 6LH

Employer's website

https://www.lewishamandgreenwich.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust

Address

University Hospital Lewisham

Lewisham High Street

London

SE13 6LH

Employer's website

https://www.lewishamandgreenwich.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)