Speech and Language Therapist - Band 5-6 Developmental Post

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen to help shape a developing Speech and Language Therapy team within North Yorkshire Learning Disability services.

We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic person to join our growing service in a band 5 - 6 development post. This vacancy is open to either a newly qualified Speech and Language Therapist (Band 5) or an experienced Specialist Speech and Language Therapist (Band 6) wanting to further develop their skills working within adult learning disabilities (LD).

The part time post (30 hours) will be based within the friendly and experienced Harrogate and District Community LD team covering Harrogate, Knaresborough, Ripon and surrounding areas. The post holder will have access to a development programme (including post basic dysphagia training) which is expected to take around 12 months to develop from Band 5 to Band 6. You will be supported by a Band 7 Clinical Lead SLT and will work alongside a team of health care professionals including nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, allied health professionals and healthcare assistants.

Main duties of the job

The role will involve assessment and management of dysphagia and communication difficulties for adults with learning disabilities, providing relevant advice, resources, training and service development. This will include interventions to support risk management, positive behaviour support and inclusive communication. You will work collaboratively with professional colleagues and provide support and guidance on communication and dysphagia within the MDT and provider services.

The successful applicant will need:

• A degree in Speech & Language Therapy
• HCPC Registration
• Experience working as a Speech and Language Therapist with individuals with learning disabilities, mental health difficulties and complex needs (for B6 start)
• Knowledge of relevant local and national policy and directives.
• Experience and competent in the assessment and treatment of chewing/swallowing difficulties or committed to achieving this within a specified time frame.

The post holder will be part of a dynamic SLT Learning Disability and Mental Health service committed to collaborative working and focusing on the provision of high quality, evidence based services. You will receive well defined peer support, regular clinical and management supervision and substantial CPD opportunities.

There may be an occasional requirement to provide assessment, advice and intervention to other Trust areas.

About us

We are geographically one of the largest NHS Foundation Trusts in the country with an annual income of £423m and a workforce of over 7,500 staff operating from around 160 sites. Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust provides mental health and learning disability services for the people of County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby, serving a population of around 2 million people. We also provide additional specialist services to other parts of Northern England.

We deliver our services by working in partnership with 8 local authorities and clinical commissioning groups, a wide range of voluntary organisations, as well as service users, their carers and the public. The services are spread over a wide geographical area of around 3,600 square miles, which includes coastal, rural and industrial areas.

The most important way we will get there is by living our values all of the time. These are:

• Respect - listening, inclusive, working in partnership
• Compassion - kind, supporting, recognising and celebrating
• Responsibility - honest, learning, ambitious