Job summary
We are looking for an energetic, self-motivated Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) to work within critical care and help us to establish a new service.If you are enthusiastic, dynamic and motivated, then we would love you to join our team at East Kent Hospitals University Foundation Trust.
Main duties of the job
This is an exciting opportunity to lead on evidence-based assessment and intervention for critically ill patients, including those who are mechanically ventilated. You will be required to support the MDT with the implementation of interventions such as cuff deflation for tracheostomy-ventilated patients and the use of above cuff vocalisation. In addition, the use of alternative and augmentative communication aids, FEES and videofluoroscopyare integral to the role.
We are a friendly, hard-working team who get together regularly for team meetings, clinical supervision and CPD. We provide a high quality SLT service across three busy acute hospital sites.
This is an excellent opportunity to join a motivated and progressive SLT service who are continuously striving towards best-practice care.We are passionate about providing high quality care for our patients.
About us
Our Therapies service is a dynamic and exciting team that works across our three main sites at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital in Margate and Kent and Canterbury Hospital in Canterbury, as well as supporting patients across our satellite sites.
We form part of close MDT working on ITU and the Therapies team are key team members in the rehabilitation of patients and discharge planning. We firmly believe that developing our staff is key to success; we have a dynamic and progressive training and development ethos, providing excellent opportunities to enhance your knowledge and competencies, nurturing your personal and professional development by encouraging and supporting you to reach your full potential.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Having the opportunity to establish a new SLT service within ITU
Working within a team that embraces new initiatives and ideas, who value and respect each other
Sharing and receiving support from other skilled, knowledgeable colleagues
Leading on evidence-based assessment and intervention for critically ill patients, including those who are mechanically ventilated.
This role has been identified as working in an area where there is a high likelihood of COVID encounters and will therefore be subject to additional pre-employment occupational health checks in the interest of health & safety. You will be given training and support in the appropriate use of Personal Protective Equipment and Infection Control Procedures.
If this sounds like the job for you and you wish to speak to someone about this exciting opportunity, please feel free to contact Brenna Fossey, Head of Service and Clinical Lead for Adult Speech and Language Therapy Service, for an informal chat on 01233 616623.
Please scroll down to access the full Job Description and Person Specification located in 'supporting documents'.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Having the opportunity to establish a new SLT service within ITU
Working within a team that embraces new initiatives and ideas, who value and respect each other
Sharing and receiving support from other skilled, knowledgeable colleagues
Leading on evidence-based assessment and intervention for critically ill patients, including those who are mechanically ventilated.
This role has been identified as working in an area where there is a high likelihood of COVID encounters and will therefore be subject to additional pre-employment occupational health checks in the interest of health & safety. You will be given training and support in the appropriate use of Personal Protective Equipment and Infection Control Procedures.
If this sounds like the job for you and you wish to speak to someone about this exciting opportunity, please feel free to contact Brenna Fossey, Head of Service and Clinical Lead for Adult Speech and Language Therapy Service, for an informal chat on 01233 616623.
Please scroll down to access the full Job Description and Person Specification located in 'supporting documents'.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Relevant post graduate experience in acute medical, acute neurology and critical care caseloads
- Working in an acute hospital setting
- Proven record of providing high quality intervention for high risk patients
- Experience in the use of instrumental assessment, management and treatment of swallowing impairments
- Delivering training
- Working in specialist areas (including acute, respiratory, neurology, critical care, stroke and frailty)
- Teaching and supervision
Desirable
- Clinical audit
- Team management
- Line management (e.g. sickness absence, annual leave, disciplinary processes etc)
- Registration and active involvement in relevant specialist clinical interest groups
Skills
Essential
- Advanced competencies (i.e. videofluoroscopy, FEES, tracheostomy or critical care)
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Highly developed negotiation and problem solving skills
- Excellent analytical and reflection skills
- Excellent presentation skills, both written and verbal
- Skills in specialist dysphagia management
- Prioritisation skills
- Highly developed clinical skills in assessment, therapy and management of patients with communication and swallowing impairments
- Proven skills in leadership
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent organisational skills
- Excellent time management skills
- Basic IT knowledge
- Effective and strong team player
Knowledge
Essential
- Awareness of professional issues and recent developments in the NHS and Primary Care including Clinical Governance, NICE and CQC
- Broad knowledge of a range of assessment tools relevant to the patient group (acquired communication and swallowing disorders)
- Evidence based knowledge of a wide variety of treatment techniques and strategies relevant to adult acquired communication and swallowing disorders
- Understanding of the roles of other professionals (relevant to role)
- Knowledge of standards of record keeping
- Awareness of Key Performance Indicators or service contracts
Qualification
Essential
- Hold a diploma/degree in Speech and Language Therapy
- HCPC/RCSLT registration
- Evidence of completion of post graduate RCSLT Dysphagia Competencies or equivalent
Desirable
- Leadership training
- Further higher or advanced education (e.g. Masters qualification)
Personal attributes
Essential
- Ability to motivate and organise others to ensure best practice.
- Ability to work under pressure
- Flexible and adaptable
Ability to manage
Essential
- Able to support the implementation of local and national agendas for health under the guidance of the service manager
- Ability to prioritise care delivery in a professional manner, taking into account Trust policies and procedures.
- Ability to organise own work
- Ability to cope with change and use initiative
Other
Essential
- To be aware of and adhere to the Trust's Vision, Mission and Values
- Ability to travel independently between sites as required by the service
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Relevant post graduate experience in acute medical, acute neurology and critical care caseloads
- Working in an acute hospital setting
- Proven record of providing high quality intervention for high risk patients
- Experience in the use of instrumental assessment, management and treatment of swallowing impairments
- Delivering training
- Working in specialist areas (including acute, respiratory, neurology, critical care, stroke and frailty)
- Teaching and supervision
Desirable
- Clinical audit
- Team management
- Line management (e.g. sickness absence, annual leave, disciplinary processes etc)
- Registration and active involvement in relevant specialist clinical interest groups
Skills
Essential
- Advanced competencies (i.e. videofluoroscopy, FEES, tracheostomy or critical care)
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Highly developed negotiation and problem solving skills
- Excellent analytical and reflection skills
- Excellent presentation skills, both written and verbal
- Skills in specialist dysphagia management
- Prioritisation skills
- Highly developed clinical skills in assessment, therapy and management of patients with communication and swallowing impairments
- Proven skills in leadership
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent organisational skills
- Excellent time management skills
- Basic IT knowledge
- Effective and strong team player
Knowledge
Essential
- Awareness of professional issues and recent developments in the NHS and Primary Care including Clinical Governance, NICE and CQC
- Broad knowledge of a range of assessment tools relevant to the patient group (acquired communication and swallowing disorders)
- Evidence based knowledge of a wide variety of treatment techniques and strategies relevant to adult acquired communication and swallowing disorders
- Understanding of the roles of other professionals (relevant to role)
- Knowledge of standards of record keeping
- Awareness of Key Performance Indicators or service contracts
Qualification
Essential
- Hold a diploma/degree in Speech and Language Therapy
- HCPC/RCSLT registration
- Evidence of completion of post graduate RCSLT Dysphagia Competencies or equivalent
Desirable
- Leadership training
- Further higher or advanced education (e.g. Masters qualification)
Personal attributes
Essential
- Ability to motivate and organise others to ensure best practice.
- Ability to work under pressure
- Flexible and adaptable
Ability to manage
Essential
- Able to support the implementation of local and national agendas for health under the guidance of the service manager
- Ability to prioritise care delivery in a professional manner, taking into account Trust policies and procedures.
- Ability to organise own work
- Ability to cope with change and use initiative
Other
Essential
- To be aware of and adhere to the Trust's Vision, Mission and Values
- Ability to travel independently between sites as required by the service
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
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).