Job summary
1 x Fixed Term contract/secondment opportunity for up to 12 months 22.5 hours of this post can be permanent
*Internal applicants who wish to be considered for a secondment opportunity should discuss with their line manager the suitability of a possible secondment*
Speech and Language Therapist experienced in Stroke Rehabilitation with a passion for delivering the high quality specialist intervention. The Specialist Stroke Rehabilitation Unit is based at the Vale Community Hospital in Dursley. Experience and skills in the assessment and management of swallowing disorders and a range of communication impairments following a Stroke are essential. Adopting national best practice this unit ensures that people suffering from a stroke will benefit from the clinical pathway, maximising the health outcomes of those people who are likely to improve with in-patient rehabilitation. We are a friendly and collaborative multi-disciplinary team who shares a philosophy of empowering patients to be more independent and active in their recovery. You will be committed to developing your own expertise but also support other colleagues to continually develop and grow their own skills.
Main duties of the job
To provide specialist Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) assessment, diagnosis and treatment to Stroke patients with communication and swallowing disorders in the community stroke unit.
To work as a key member of the multidisciplinary team contributing to the holistic management and rehabilitation of the Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) caseload.
We can offer training and development opportunities and well as encourage you to take on service development projects. Audit and research is an integral element of the service. Clinical, managerial and peer supervision are important part of personal development alongside appraisal. Our Speech and Language Therapists are included in the wider Speech and Language service within the Trust. The Stroke Unit prides itself on being a great place to work and is easily accessible by car from M5 motorway with ample free parking on site and within easy reach of the town centre.
About us
We have in excess of 5000 staff working over 50 sites, providing a diverse range of services. We strive to support an organisational culture that is welcoming, builds and celebrates inclusivity and diversity and provides a sense of belonging and trust.
The annual NHS Staff Survey gives our people the opportunity to tell us about their experience working at the Trust. For the 2023 survey just over 2800 colleagues gave us their views (58.5%). It was great to see from the results that colleagues are saying that:
- 89.7% believe they are making a positive difference to patients/service users;
- 73.3% would recommend the organisation as a place to work;
- 82.4% agree that care of patients and service users is the organisations priority;
- 76.7% would be happy with the standard of care for a friend or relative
Our results put us as 5th nationally as a Community, Mental Health and Learning Disabilities NHS Employer of Choice and 1st equal amongst all NHS Provider Trusts in the South West. However, we know we have more to do and will continue to drive forward our commitment to making GHC a Great Place to Work.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To provide specialist Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) assessment, diagnosis and treatment to Stroke patients with communication and swallowing disorders in the community stroke unit.
To work as a key member of the multidisciplinary team contributing to the holistic management and rehabilitation of the Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) caseload.
To support the Therapy Lead in service development, evaluation and quality initiatives in line with local and national drivers.
To support the Therapy Lead in adhering to national and local standards set out for Stroke and rehabilitation.
To provide professional support and advice to therapy, nursing and medical staff acting as a clinical resource for speech and language therapy in the specialist area of Stroke.
The community stroke unit provides Allied Health Professional (AHP) led specialist rehabilitation to people with difficulties following stroke. Therapy takes place on the community stroke unit and is supported by a team of experienced multi-disciplinary AHPs, nursing staff and rehabilitation assistants. The team works closely with the Acute Stroke Unit based in Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS foundation Trust and the Stroke Early Supported Discharge Team (ESDT), the Community Neurology Service (CNS) as well as AHPs based in the Integrated Community Teams (ICTs) and community hospitals.
The Speech and Language therapists contribute to the MDT rehabilitation of relevant patients and assist in the day to day running of the team, including training, referral management and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) of self and others.
The following responsibilities are associated with the role:
Involvement in the Speech and language therapy strategy development and implementation, practice development and quality improvement
Contribute to Speech and language therapy workforce development, education, students
Participation in Speech and language therapy research, audit and evaluation
Health promotion, Making Every Contact Count (MECC)
.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To provide specialist Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) assessment, diagnosis and treatment to Stroke patients with communication and swallowing disorders in the community stroke unit.
To work as a key member of the multidisciplinary team contributing to the holistic management and rehabilitation of the Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) caseload.
To support the Therapy Lead in service development, evaluation and quality initiatives in line with local and national drivers.
To support the Therapy Lead in adhering to national and local standards set out for Stroke and rehabilitation.
To provide professional support and advice to therapy, nursing and medical staff acting as a clinical resource for speech and language therapy in the specialist area of Stroke.
The community stroke unit provides Allied Health Professional (AHP) led specialist rehabilitation to people with difficulties following stroke. Therapy takes place on the community stroke unit and is supported by a team of experienced multi-disciplinary AHPs, nursing staff and rehabilitation assistants. The team works closely with the Acute Stroke Unit based in Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS foundation Trust and the Stroke Early Supported Discharge Team (ESDT), the Community Neurology Service (CNS) as well as AHPs based in the Integrated Community Teams (ICTs) and community hospitals.
The Speech and Language therapists contribute to the MDT rehabilitation of relevant patients and assist in the day to day running of the team, including training, referral management and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) of self and others.
The following responsibilities are associated with the role:
Involvement in the Speech and language therapy strategy development and implementation, practice development and quality improvement
Contribute to Speech and language therapy workforce development, education, students
Participation in Speech and language therapy research, audit and evaluation
Health promotion, Making Every Contact Count (MECC)
.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Recognised Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists degree level qualification
- Member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
- Member of the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC)
- Post Graduate Dysphagia Training
Length and Nature of experience
Essential
- Considerable experience in managing patients with acquired communication and swallowing difficulties post stroke
Professional, Managerial, Specialist Knowledge
Essential
- Ability to identify own professional development needs and develop a professional portfolio within the appraisal framework, including specific objectives
- Skill in selection of appropriate strategies for prioritisation and management of a complex caseload independently
- Specialist skills in differential diagnosis and targeting of clinical interventions
- Ability to demonstrate highly developed auditory and perceptual skills in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of clients
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including skilled and professional recognition of communication barriers/facilitation
- Experience in the education and supervision staff, including undergraduates in this clinical area
- Experience of collaboration working with other agencies including the voluntary sector
- Knowledge of a broad range of specialist formal and informal assessment methods and their interpretation
Desirable
- A baseline knowledge and understanding of the specific counselling required for the specialist area
- Demonstration of specialist knowledge in clinical specialism e.g. Stroke underpinned by current evidence-based practice
- Excellent presentation skills
Personal Skills and attributes
Essential
- Good communication skills (written and verbal)
- Be able to prioritise tasks and manage time effectively
- Ability to work under pressure
- Ability to assimilate new concepts and approaches to care
- Ability to engage positively with service users
- Ability to work effectively as a team member
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office packages e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
- Approachable and flexible
Other
Essential
- Ability to work flexibly across the Trust
- Able to attend and participate in all mandatory and statutory training events
Desirable
- Ability to travel around the locality as requested, independently and efficiently.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Recognised Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists degree level qualification
- Member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
- Member of the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC)
- Post Graduate Dysphagia Training
Length and Nature of experience
Essential
- Considerable experience in managing patients with acquired communication and swallowing difficulties post stroke
Professional, Managerial, Specialist Knowledge
Essential
- Ability to identify own professional development needs and develop a professional portfolio within the appraisal framework, including specific objectives
- Skill in selection of appropriate strategies for prioritisation and management of a complex caseload independently
- Specialist skills in differential diagnosis and targeting of clinical interventions
- Ability to demonstrate highly developed auditory and perceptual skills in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of clients
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including skilled and professional recognition of communication barriers/facilitation
- Experience in the education and supervision staff, including undergraduates in this clinical area
- Experience of collaboration working with other agencies including the voluntary sector
- Knowledge of a broad range of specialist formal and informal assessment methods and their interpretation
Desirable
- A baseline knowledge and understanding of the specific counselling required for the specialist area
- Demonstration of specialist knowledge in clinical specialism e.g. Stroke underpinned by current evidence-based practice
- Excellent presentation skills
Personal Skills and attributes
Essential
- Good communication skills (written and verbal)
- Be able to prioritise tasks and manage time effectively
- Ability to work under pressure
- Ability to assimilate new concepts and approaches to care
- Ability to engage positively with service users
- Ability to work effectively as a team member
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office packages e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
- Approachable and flexible
Other
Essential
- Ability to work flexibly across the Trust
- Able to attend and participate in all mandatory and statutory training events
Desirable
- Ability to travel around the locality as requested, independently and efficiently.
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).
