Job summary
We have an exciting opportunity for a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to join our acute medical team at Ashford and St Peters Hospital. We have a full time (1.0wte) vacancy available for a dynamic, innovative, and skilled Speech and Language Therapist.
We are looking for an individual with significant experience in the assessment, differential diagnosis and management of swallowing and communication disorders within the inpatient setting. As a senior clinician you would be involved in leading and supporting a team of band 5 and 6 therapists to manage the caseload of acute patients
We are committed to personal development through supervision and appraisal, as well as internal/external training. Staff involvement in research and development is encouraged, with opportunities for service evaluation, audit, and quality improvement initiatives.
Main duties of the job
A working knowledge and competence in instrumental assessments (including video fluoroscopy, FEES and tracheostomy) are highly desirable for this role.
The post holder must be able to demonstrate an ability to work under pressure, in a busy acute environment, as part of a team and as an autonomous practitioner.
The post holder will be responsible for aassessing, diagnosing and treating patients with a high level of clinical complexity. They will work within MDTs to provide specialist advice and support, as appropriate, to facilitate the effective management of patients whilst in hospital and on discharge.
The successful candidate will take an active role within the general functioning of the SLT wider team and be able to demonstrate leadership skills. They will be involved in contributing to student training, supervision of junior staff and training other health care professionals.
Flexibility, good organisational and prioritisation skills are essential to this role. The successful candidate should be able to demonstrate excellent team working skills and enthusiasm.
Governance is a key component of this role with the post holder expected to undertake regular audit, collate clinical outcomes and participate in quality forums within your assigned clinical areas and Speech & Language Therapy with a view to continually improving quality, safety and productivity. It is desirable to have previous experience in completion of quality improvement projects.
About us
Ashford and St. Peters Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust serves a population of more than 410,000 people living in North-West Surrey, parts of Hounslow and beyond.
Over 3,700 highly trained doctors, nurses, midwives, therapists, healthcare scientists and other support staff make up our workforce, providing a wide range of services across our two hospital sites, Ashford, Ashford, Surrey and St Peter's, Chertsey, Surrey.
We also run many specialist clinics in the community and local community hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
Our vision is to be one of the best healthcare Trusts in the country. There has never been a better time to join us in the NHS at Ashford & St Peters Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust with our strong commitment to staff health and wellbeing. We are committed to providing continuous professional development, staff benefits and flexibility to shape our workforce around our patient care.
Please see the supporting links which you can find on the right-hand side of this job advert. There is guidance on how to make an application on NHS Jobs as well as more information about joining the ASPH Team
Although it isn't the Trusts normal practice, adverts may close early, so applicants are encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible.
Job description
Job responsibilities
As a registered Speech and Language Therapist to provide assessment and therapy to adults with:
To assess, differentially diagnose and manage complex communication, swallowing, cognitive and emotional impairments related to a wide range of conditions in all acute medical pathways, including cover for critical care.
To develop and provide a highly specialist role and to support staff working in this area.
To use highly specialist knowledge to advise the SLT Team and the Service Lead regarding service delivery issues for your clinical area.
To work as an active member of the Adult Speech and Language Therapy team and to contribute to specialist clinical expertise to local clinical networks where appropriate.
To work independently to a highly specialist level and be accountable for own professional actions
Utilise highly specialist knowledge in line with local policies/protocols and professional guidelines to manage risk and improve function.
Build links with allied agencies across primary and secondary care improving local and regional care pathways across acute, outpatient and community settings.
Job description
Job responsibilities
As a registered Speech and Language Therapist to provide assessment and therapy to adults with:
To assess, differentially diagnose and manage complex communication, swallowing, cognitive and emotional impairments related to a wide range of conditions in all acute medical pathways, including cover for critical care.
To develop and provide a highly specialist role and to support staff working in this area.
To use highly specialist knowledge to advise the SLT Team and the Service Lead regarding service delivery issues for your clinical area.
To work as an active member of the Adult Speech and Language Therapy team and to contribute to specialist clinical expertise to local clinical networks where appropriate.
To work independently to a highly specialist level and be accountable for own professional actions
Utilise highly specialist knowledge in line with local policies/protocols and professional guidelines to manage risk and improve function.
Build links with allied agencies across primary and secondary care improving local and regional care pathways across acute, outpatient and community settings.
Person Specification
Other Requirements
Essential
- Ability to travel between various community sites.
Experience
Essential
- Relevant clinical experience at specialist level including RCSLT dysphagia competencies.
- Experience of multidisciplinary team working and effectively maintain working relationships within a team.
- Experience in teaching competencies to less experienced Speech and Language Therapists.
Desirable
- Competence in instrumental assessment e.g. VFS/FEES
- Established skills in the assessment and management of patients with tracheostomy.
- Line Management experience.
Knowledge
Essential
- Well established knowledge of RCSLT Professional and Clinical Guidelines/Policies both locally and nationally in the specialism as well as relevant national strategy and drivers.
- Able to develop and implement short term clinically based projects/ audits demonstrating knowledge of research approaches and an ability to critically appraise research.
Skills
Essential
- Excellent communication skills.
- Effective time management skills and ability to prioritise a busy caseload.
Person Specification
Other Requirements
Essential
- Ability to travel between various community sites.
Experience
Essential
- Relevant clinical experience at specialist level including RCSLT dysphagia competencies.
- Experience of multidisciplinary team working and effectively maintain working relationships within a team.
- Experience in teaching competencies to less experienced Speech and Language Therapists.
Desirable
- Competence in instrumental assessment e.g. VFS/FEES
- Established skills in the assessment and management of patients with tracheostomy.
- Line Management experience.
Knowledge
Essential
- Well established knowledge of RCSLT Professional and Clinical Guidelines/Policies both locally and nationally in the specialism as well as relevant national strategy and drivers.
- Able to develop and implement short term clinically based projects/ audits demonstrating knowledge of research approaches and an ability to critically appraise research.
Skills
Essential
- Excellent communication skills.
- Effective time management skills and ability to prioritise a busy caseload.
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).
