Clinical Specialist Speech and Language Therapist (Critical Care)

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust

This job is now closed

Job summary

Due to restructuring, a part-time position for an experienced SLT, has become available within our dedicated Critical Care Speech and Language Therapy team.

We are a growing Critical Care SLT team comprising of a full time B8a Clinical Lead and 2 part time B7 Clinical Specialists covering the Critical Care units across the acute hospital trust. We work closely alongside the MDT which includes Advanced Care Practitioners in Physio, Dietetics and OT.

Although you will have regular support from the SLT team and MDT, the role has a level of practice characterised by a medium level of autonomy and complex decision-making. It is expected that you are working towards a portfolio that encompasses the ICS four pillars of clinical practice, management and leadership, education& research, with demonstration of specific core clinical competencies.

As we have a newly developed FEES service alongside a well- established VF service at each hospital site, FEES skills are desirable and VF skills are essential.

The postholder will be expected to participate in audit, research and education of staff and students. Due to the nature of the Clinical specialism, the post holder may be required to work alongside other teams (such as the brain injury team and the stroke unit, to offer second opinions regarding stepdown and tracheostomised patients from Critical Care, as well as offering support to the wards team inpatient Videofluoroscopy service.

Main duties of the job

To provide a highly specialist level of swallow and communication assessment and rehabilitation to patients with complex aetiologies, using advanced clinical reasoning skills, interpretation of test results and assessment techniques to provide accurate diagnosis and treatment plans. This will include instrumental swallow assessment.

To work collaboratively with the SLT critical care team and the whole MDT to optimise assessment and rehabilitation patients with swallow and communication needs.

To work with the SLT critical care team to contribute to service planning, including new evidenced based practice, policies, guidelines, audit and research.

To maintain and develop own SLT competencies in line with the ICS AHP critical care SLT pillars.

To contribute to education and training of others including the MDT, students and other SLTs.

To support the wider SLT team with instrumental assessment for patients outside of Critical Care.

To deputise for the Critical Care Clinical Lead SLT when required.

About us

Our new strategy, developed with the support and feedback of colleagues, patients, and partners, is our compass for the next seven years (2023-2030).

We have four primary goals:

high-quality care for all,
being a great place to work,
partnerships for impact, and
research and education excellence

And we will embed health equality in all we do - taking active steps to reduce the avoidable differences in healthcare that some people face, working in partnership with communities.

Our strategy is underpinned by new values and we will work to ensure they are an everyday reality for all:

we are compassionate,
we are proud,
we are inclusive, and
we are one team

This is an exciting moment as we look to the future with clarity on what we already do well and where we need to focus our energies to make an even bigger difference for the people we serve.

About the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust:

http://www.leicestershospitals.nhs.uk/aboutus/work-for-us/current-vacancies/

Date posted

14 March 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£46,148 to £52,809 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

358-7034618-CSI

Job locations

Leicester Royal Infirmary

Infirmary Square

Leicester

LE1 5WW

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical responsibilities

To perform highly specialist assessments of patients with diverse presentations and complex physical and psychological conditions, to provide a clinical diagnosis and develop and deliver an individualised treatment programme.

To undertake a comprehensive highly specialist assessment of patients including those with diverse or complex presentations/multi pathologies; use advanced clinical reasoning skills, interpretation of available test results and assessment techniques to provide an accurate diagnosis of their condition.

To offer advice and support in recommending and interpreting VFS and FEES of patients who experience swallowing difficulties.

To take responsibility for patients requiring complex rehabilitation within intensive care, and deputise for the SALT Clinical Lead in critica.

To formulate and deliver a highly specialist individual SLT programme based on a sound knowledge of evidence-based practise and treatment options using clinical assessment.

To provide and receive complex information relating to patients diagnosis, treatment and long term rehabilitation outcomes to patients, carers and the MDT.

To actively contribute to relevant clinical and management meetings such as MDT, Regional network groups, critical care core group.

To demonstrate empathy with patients, carers families and colleagues ensuring that effective communication is observed.

To plan, provide and monitor structured communication and swallowing programmes and strategies for carers, therapy support workers and other professionals.

To assess the need for, and teach patients and carers in the safe and effective use and application of communication aids e.g Low tech eye gaze, partner assisted spelling.

To be available regularly for second opinions within the SLT team with reference to patients with complex presentation.

To advise, support and facilitate other professionals e.g with regards to Patient management issues relating to swallowing and communication difficulties e.g To work with patients and advise MDT of the impact of ventilator on weaning and, swallowing and communication.

To adhere to Trust and professional policies and procedures regarding own extended scope role, for example radiology IRMER regulations, PPE.

To advise and assist with complex ethical decisions e.g negotiating with consultants and team on suitability of nasogastric tube versus Peg insertion.

Be able to persuade, motivate, negotiate and problem solve with patients, SLT team members, MDT and other professionals on a daily basis.

To take responsibility of management and discharge of own caseload and refer on to other agencies if required.

Leadership and Management

Deputise for Clinical Lead which may include taking operational management of the team in the Clinical Lead absence.

Develop line management skills for Band 6/5 SLTs.

To participate in the recruitment and selection process when required.

To demonstrate highly developed negotiation, influencing and problem solving skills.

Demonstrate strong self motivation and motivation of others.

Supervise junior members of staff, students and support workers.

Service development

Work collaboratively with the SLT management team to evaluate activity, outcomes and effectiveness to ensure the service delivery is of the highest standard (audit, policies, guidelines, service development).

To contribute to issues of service delivery including shortfall, service pressures in the adult SLT service and attend relevant meetings.

Demonstrate and disseminate best practice.

Attend and contribute to regular SLT Critical Care team meetings.

Attend Regional and National meetings, CENS, conferences.

To contribute to implementation and change of policies/procedures, in line with up to date evidence based practice.

To contribute to and implement evidenced based emerging assessment and therapy techniques in swallowing and communication.

To contribute to research/clinical governance/audit projects within area of specialism.

To contribute to any research, audits, data collection being undertaken within the specialist areas- this could be locally or as part of the East Midlands critical care Network.

Use therapy outcome measures to evaluate service.

To assist Clinical lead in developing and implementing training needs for the SLT team and wider MDT, and work with the SLT management team to develop training needs analysis.

To contribute in the development, implementation and evaluation of multidisciplinary policies and procedures and integrated pathways.

To provide education and training to MDT, SLT team and students.

Achieve FEES competencies.

Professional

To work autonomously within the broad scope of national and local standards and guidelines relating to professional practice.

To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practise through CPD activities and maintain a portfolio which reflects personal development.

Maintain and develop current knowledge of evidence-based practice in the areas of specialty.

To engage in a structured programme of professional and personal development based on a system of performance review (i.e appraisal).

To adhere to the code of ethics and professional standards of RCSLT and HPC.

Participate in management and clinical supervision

Freedom to Act

To interpret and implement national policy relevant to adult SLT critical care service.

Manage highly complex caseload independently.

To monitor and evaluate own highly specialist service delivery and that of others in the team and ensure this is communicated as appropriate.

To be accountable for own and others professional actions and recognise professional boundaries through interpretation of clinical/professional policies.

To ensure that self and others within the SLT critical care service, act within defined national protocols/policies and professional code of conduct.

To maintain a working knowledge of relevant procedures/ statutory requirements including safe guarding and other legal frameworks.

To have responsibility for the implementation of health and safety policies ensuring regular audit and review of subsequent changes.

To negotiate with team/others around service issues and caseload management.

To lead the operational management of SLT team, ensuring appropriate referral pathways across teams are cohesive and interface to ensure smooth transition of clients between acute and community services.

To lead on the development and implementation of objectives or projects relating to the service, ensuring that these reflect local health and social care priorities, in conjunction with SLT team manager.

To support staff to implement team objectives and projects,

To monitor own and others service delivery and report to SLT manager/management team.

To advise SLT team manager on issues of service delivery including shortfall, service pressures, etc.

To assume delegated tasks as requested by SLT team manager, including leading working groups, policy development groups within area of clinical and or management expertise.

To contribute to inter agency/multi-disciplinary team building and policy development, assuming a lead where appropriate.

To adhere to and ensure that team plans and policies are implemented.

To use specialist knowledge to inform service/policy development as appropriate.