Job summary
Following confirmation of funding for substantial service development, we are delighted to be recruiting a Band 7 Upper Airways Clinical Lead Speech and Language Therapist for the UHP Severe Asthma Service.
This 0.6WTE post can be offered as a band 6 to band 7 progression. Starting as a band 6, the post would offer a 6 - 12-month progression period resulting in transition to a band 7 (subject to attaining the required level of competence which will be detailed in competency documentation).
As the post holder, you will be responsible for providing specialist assessment, differential diagnosis and therapeutic intervention for people with a range of upper airway, communication and swallowing disorders arising from severe asthma. This includes chronic cough, complex breathlessness, and Inducible Laryngeal Obstruction (ILO).
We are an innovative, experienced and supportive SLT service with excellent opportunities for professional and personal growth. Clinical supervision and line management will sit within the SLT service to ensure the post holder feels well supported and part of the wider team.
If you'd like to have an informal discussion about the role before applying, please don't hesitate to get in touch with Jo Brudenell (Professional Lead for Adult SLT) at joanna.brudenell@nhs.net.
Main duties of the job
***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.**
To deliver highly specialist clinical skills to identify, assess, diagnose and manage a specialist caseload of adults with upper airway disorders arising from severe asthma and the treatment thereof, in both inpatient and outpatient settings. This may include clinical assessment measures that fall outside the usual practice of SLT.
To act as a member of the Severe Asthma MDT and to develop the role of the Upper Airways Clinical Lead SLT at UHP. This includes the provision of training and supervision for others as appropriate.
To support the Severe Asthma MDT by contributing to the development of the wider service, including data collection and analysis, and completion of outcome measures.
About us
We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical
1. To assess, develop and implement highly specialist speech and language therapy treatments. To make appropriate clinical decisions following assessments, including differential diagnosis based on evidence from assessment. To develop specialist care plans and reports based in best practice and expert knowledge.
2. To provide appropriate specialist intervention and evaluate outcomes. To use skills and knowledge to generate appropriate strategies for caseload management for complex clinical issues.
3. To provide advice to others regarding the management and care of patients/clients with upper airway disorders including respiratory physiotherapists and the adult respiratory teams. To provide specialist advice in relation to the relevant care group.
4. To attend and contribute to the Severe Asthma MDT meetings, providing relevant information regarding upper airway, communication and swallowing disorders to support the development of specialist care plans.
5. To undertake and participate in a range of assessments, including Videofluoroscopy, nasendoscopy and Fibreoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES). To be able to interpret appropriate investigations, within agreed scope of practice.
6. To independently manage personal / shared clinical caseloads with reference to theory, published research and evidence, and agreed best practice. This includes following appropriate referral and discharge criteria.
7. To develop the Upper Airways SLT service in relation to severe asthma, including data collection and analysis, and the completion of outcome measures and service improvement projects.
8. To maintain up-to-date and accurate case notes in line with RCSLT and HCPC professional standards and local Trust policies. To share information with others, observing data protection guidelines.
9. To use highly developed communication and counselling skills such as reflective listening, open questioning, empathy, and reassurance when explaining highly complex and sensitive information to the full range of levels in understanding of patients and carers, where anxiety frequently acts as a barrier and cooperation is not guaranteed.
10. To demonstrate empathy and reassurance when providing patients and carers with unwelcome information that has long-term implications for lifestyle and employment.
11. To act as a resource to provide specialist & highly specialist advice to SLT colleagues working within other clinical areas, as well as other health professionals within the Trust & externally as required.
12. To recognise the need for onward referral for specialist intervention or request multidisciplinary advice. For example, patients requiring ENT assessment of their dysphonia.
13. To undertake regular clinical supervision with more experienced colleagues and to reflect on practice with peers to raise and maintain clinical competence.
14. To supervise, mentor & performance-manage students, both in SLT and other clinical areas, including the use of formal documentation.
15. To support service provision to other clinical areas if Trust critical incident occurs and inpatient caseload pressures demand.
For further details please see the attached JD & PS
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical
1. To assess, develop and implement highly specialist speech and language therapy treatments. To make appropriate clinical decisions following assessments, including differential diagnosis based on evidence from assessment. To develop specialist care plans and reports based in best practice and expert knowledge.
2. To provide appropriate specialist intervention and evaluate outcomes. To use skills and knowledge to generate appropriate strategies for caseload management for complex clinical issues.
3. To provide advice to others regarding the management and care of patients/clients with upper airway disorders including respiratory physiotherapists and the adult respiratory teams. To provide specialist advice in relation to the relevant care group.
4. To attend and contribute to the Severe Asthma MDT meetings, providing relevant information regarding upper airway, communication and swallowing disorders to support the development of specialist care plans.
5. To undertake and participate in a range of assessments, including Videofluoroscopy, nasendoscopy and Fibreoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES). To be able to interpret appropriate investigations, within agreed scope of practice.
6. To independently manage personal / shared clinical caseloads with reference to theory, published research and evidence, and agreed best practice. This includes following appropriate referral and discharge criteria.
7. To develop the Upper Airways SLT service in relation to severe asthma, including data collection and analysis, and the completion of outcome measures and service improvement projects.
8. To maintain up-to-date and accurate case notes in line with RCSLT and HCPC professional standards and local Trust policies. To share information with others, observing data protection guidelines.
9. To use highly developed communication and counselling skills such as reflective listening, open questioning, empathy, and reassurance when explaining highly complex and sensitive information to the full range of levels in understanding of patients and carers, where anxiety frequently acts as a barrier and cooperation is not guaranteed.
10. To demonstrate empathy and reassurance when providing patients and carers with unwelcome information that has long-term implications for lifestyle and employment.
11. To act as a resource to provide specialist & highly specialist advice to SLT colleagues working within other clinical areas, as well as other health professionals within the Trust & externally as required.
12. To recognise the need for onward referral for specialist intervention or request multidisciplinary advice. For example, patients requiring ENT assessment of their dysphonia.
13. To undertake regular clinical supervision with more experienced colleagues and to reflect on practice with peers to raise and maintain clinical competence.
14. To supervise, mentor & performance-manage students, both in SLT and other clinical areas, including the use of formal documentation.
15. To support service provision to other clinical areas if Trust critical incident occurs and inpatient caseload pressures demand.
For further details please see the attached JD & PS
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent.
- Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
- Registered Member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT).
Desirable
- MSc or other recognised long post graduate course linked to specialism.
- Proven evidence of training as clinical supervisor.
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Proven evidence of in-depth knowledge and demonstrable experience in upper airway disorders and related ENT, voice and swallow disorders.
- Proven evidence of experience and competencies to perform, interpret and report flexible fibreoptic nasendoscopy examinations.
- Proven evidence of high level of specialist knowledge/skills relating to upper airway disorders and severe asthma due to demonstrable experience/CPD.
Desirable
- Specialist clinical/technical skills in undertaking and interpreting videofluoroscopy.
- Specialist clinical/technical skills in undertaking and interpreting Fibreoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES).
Aptitude & Ablilities
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Able to listen well and counsel patients and carers.
- Able to demonstrate empathy with patients, carers, families and colleagues.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent.
- Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
- Registered Member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT).
Desirable
- MSc or other recognised long post graduate course linked to specialism.
- Proven evidence of training as clinical supervisor.
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Proven evidence of in-depth knowledge and demonstrable experience in upper airway disorders and related ENT, voice and swallow disorders.
- Proven evidence of experience and competencies to perform, interpret and report flexible fibreoptic nasendoscopy examinations.
- Proven evidence of high level of specialist knowledge/skills relating to upper airway disorders and severe asthma due to demonstrable experience/CPD.
Desirable
- Specialist clinical/technical skills in undertaking and interpreting videofluoroscopy.
- Specialist clinical/technical skills in undertaking and interpreting Fibreoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES).
Aptitude & Ablilities
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Able to listen well and counsel patients and carers.
- Able to demonstrate empathy with patients, carers, families and colleagues.
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).
