Job summary
Stockport NHS Foundation Trust has an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic, experienced Speech and Language Therapist to join their integrated multi-disciplinary therapy team. The caseload will include adults with a range of acquired communication and swallowing difficulties. You will carry out both outpatient clinics and domiciliary visits. This will include opportunities to work with a Head & Neck Cancer caseload. The management of dysphagia patients is supported by access to regular videofluoroscopy clinics.
Post-graduate training and experience in dysphagia is essential for this post. Competencies in videofluoroscopy are desirable. The successful applicant will assist in managing the outpatient caseload, prioritising referrals and ensuring that service delivery standards are met. There will also be opportunities to carry out training to local nursing homes. You will be required to support a junior speech and language therapist and able to work closely with a SLT Assistant.
As part of a supportive multidisciplinary team you will have access to regular clinical supervision with a Speech and Language Therapist; weekly team meetings and regular SLT training/CPD sessions to ensure you are well supported in the role.
This post will include five working days, flexible over a seven day working rota. Where weekend working is involved an enhanced rate of pay is received.
We look forward to welcoming the successful applicant to our friendly and supportive team.
Main duties of the job
To provide a safe, effective and consistently high quality Speech and Language Therapy service at Stockport Foundation Trust.
Manage a delegated caseload within specialist area. To assess, plan and implement patient centred, evidence-based interventions
To provide evidence-based care, education and information to patients, carers and health care professionals in an outpatient and community setting.
Contribute to the training and development of Speech and Language Therapy students, as well as supervising and supporting Speech and Language Therapists and Speech and Language Therapy Assistants.
To support and develop the Speech and Language Therapy service within specialist clinical areas
About us
We hold a unique position in the Stockport community as the provider of healthcare and we are one of its largest employers.
Our mission is to make a difference every day. Our values are that we care, we respect, and we listen.
We believe that the best organisations are those that reflect the communities they serve. We are therefore seeking to improve the diversity of our workforce to make it truly representative of our local population.
We actively encourage applications irrespective of race, age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage & civil partnership, or pregnancy or maternity. Recognising those communities that are underrepresented within our workforce, we would particularly welcome applications from you.
We recognise that flexible working is important. We take requests for flexible working seriously, consider any request we receive and try to work with you, so we can explore if your request may fit with the needs of the service.
The salary for the role is only one part of the excellent package of benefits we offer to you:
- Between 27-33 days of annual leave plus bank holidays
- NHS pension scheme membership
- Salary sacrifice schemes for lease cars, home electronics and more, to make your salary go further
- NHS Staff discounts
- Cycle to work scheme
- Salary finance - for loans, savings, budget planning and tips on managing debt
- Stockport Credit Union- for local financial advice
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main Duties and Responsibilities
- Provide specialist assessment and management of swallowing and communication disorders to delegated caseload of patients referred to the service, using evidence based, patient centred principles to assess, implement and evaluate interventions.
- Regularly evaluate treatment plans to ensure they are safe and effective.
- To support and develop the Speech and Language Therapy service and act as a clinical specialist alongside the MDT.
- To provide advice on communication strategies, swallowing and the use of modified diet and fluid consistencies as required.
- Act as an independent practitioner and be professionally accountable and responsible for aspects of own work. Decide priorities for own work, balanced patient related and professional demands in consultation with Team Leaders.
- To work alongside consultants, other Allied Health Professionals, specialist nurses and other health care professionals to provide specialist treatment plans as part of holistic patient care.
- To attend MDT meetings and best interest meetings as needed.
- Provide training to healthcare professionals regarding communication and swallowing problems and interventions, including presentations.
- Contribute to developing advice sheets and new teaching materials.
- Collect all data necessary to meet local requirements for service monitoring.
- Work in conjunction with colleagues on development and implementation of local policies based on national guidance.
- To identify and undertake clinical audit.
- Maintain professional competence and expertise, keeping up to date with current research, working practices and models of working.
- Participate in personal and professional development through objective setting and regular job review.
- Provide clinical supervision and support to Band 5 Speech and Language Therapists and Speech and Language Therapy Assistants.
- Work as a committed and effective member of the Speech and Language Therapy, Integrated Therapy and wider MDT Teams in order to maximise the potential of the service and profession
- Work towards gaining experience in a specialised area of Speech and Language Therapy if service demands require this, by shadowing and providing cover when appropriate.
- Support other specialist Speech and Language Therapists with caseloads in their absence. As required to offer support to other clinical areas to ensure all patients are seen in a timely manner.
- Observe the provisions of, and adhere to, all Trust policies and procedures.
- Comply with professional guidelines and Code of Conduct.
See job description for further details
The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and promote safeguarding by implementing the Trusts policies and procedures, acting promptly on concerns, communicating effectively and sharing information appropriately.
If successful this vacancy will require an enhanced DBS check at a cost of £41.90. This cost will be deducted from your first Trust salary
In addition to this it will be a condition of your employment that you will join the DBS update service and pay the annual subscription fee of £13.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main Duties and Responsibilities
- Provide specialist assessment and management of swallowing and communication disorders to delegated caseload of patients referred to the service, using evidence based, patient centred principles to assess, implement and evaluate interventions.
- Regularly evaluate treatment plans to ensure they are safe and effective.
- To support and develop the Speech and Language Therapy service and act as a clinical specialist alongside the MDT.
- To provide advice on communication strategies, swallowing and the use of modified diet and fluid consistencies as required.
- Act as an independent practitioner and be professionally accountable and responsible for aspects of own work. Decide priorities for own work, balanced patient related and professional demands in consultation with Team Leaders.
- To work alongside consultants, other Allied Health Professionals, specialist nurses and other health care professionals to provide specialist treatment plans as part of holistic patient care.
- To attend MDT meetings and best interest meetings as needed.
- Provide training to healthcare professionals regarding communication and swallowing problems and interventions, including presentations.
- Contribute to developing advice sheets and new teaching materials.
- Collect all data necessary to meet local requirements for service monitoring.
- Work in conjunction with colleagues on development and implementation of local policies based on national guidance.
- To identify and undertake clinical audit.
- Maintain professional competence and expertise, keeping up to date with current research, working practices and models of working.
- Participate in personal and professional development through objective setting and regular job review.
- Provide clinical supervision and support to Band 5 Speech and Language Therapists and Speech and Language Therapy Assistants.
- Work as a committed and effective member of the Speech and Language Therapy, Integrated Therapy and wider MDT Teams in order to maximise the potential of the service and profession
- Work towards gaining experience in a specialised area of Speech and Language Therapy if service demands require this, by shadowing and providing cover when appropriate.
- Support other specialist Speech and Language Therapists with caseloads in their absence. As required to offer support to other clinical areas to ensure all patients are seen in a timely manner.
- Observe the provisions of, and adhere to, all Trust policies and procedures.
- Comply with professional guidelines and Code of Conduct.
See job description for further details
The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and promote safeguarding by implementing the Trusts policies and procedures, acting promptly on concerns, communicating effectively and sharing information appropriately.
If successful this vacancy will require an enhanced DBS check at a cost of £41.90. This cost will be deducted from your first Trust salary
In addition to this it will be a condition of your employment that you will join the DBS update service and pay the annual subscription fee of £13.
Person Specification
Education & Qualifications
Essential
- Degree level qualification in Speech and Language pathology/therapy.
- Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
- Post graduate training and experience in dysphagia.
Desirable
- Member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (R.C.S.L.T.).
- Post graduate training in specialist area.
- Attendance at courses, conferences or study days which support Speech and Language Therapy knowledge and/or practice.
Knowledge
Essential
- Highly specialised knowledge of the head, neck and thorax.
- Maintenance of clinical knowledge base/level of professional competency across the range of acquired communication and swallowing disorders to ensure evidence-based practice.
- Able to identify areas for own personal/ professional development.
- Specialist knowledge relevant to clinical area.
- Awareness of the potential uses of videofluoroscopy in dysphagia management and patient referral criteria
- Understanding of audit and its role in clinical practice/service development.
- Knowledge of policies and procedures and guidelines relevant to role.
- Understanding of NHS structure and systems.
Desirable
- Awareness of range of software available for therapeutic. purposes.
- Awareness of cultural diversity and equality issues.
- Good working knowledge of frailty and underlying health conditions.
Experience
Essential
- Post-graduate clinical experience working as a Speech and Language Therapist in a clinical setting.
- Working in a multi-professional environment.
- Working in a team.
- Ability to work autonomously.
- Managing a clinical caseload and prioritising tasks.
- Clinical audit.
Desirable
- Presenting training sessions/talks.
- Training student Speech and Language Therapists
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Competent in the assessment and management of a range of swallowing and communication disorders.
- Highly developed interpersonal skills to facilitate therapeutic relationships.
- High quality written communication skills
- High quality verbal communication skills.
- Ability to communicate complex and potentially distressing information to clients, carers and other professionals in a sensitive manner.
- Ability to communicate effectively with angry or distressed patients/relatives.
- Ability to adapt communication style to overcome barriers to understanding
- Able to communicate effectively with members of the MDT regarding patient care.
- Able to manage the emotional consequences of working with communication impaired clients and their relatives, in distressing situations, such as late stage terminal illness or coming to terms with disability.
- Able to carry out assessment in physically restricted situations e.g. at the bedside.
- Excellent observation skills.
- Able to analyse and evaluate results of formal/informal assessments of communication and swallowing, evaluate outcomes and modify approach to maximise outcome.
- Behaviour change skills.
- Ability to motivate or persuade others to facilitate change.
- Able to keep accurate records relating to patient care
- Ability to reflect on practice with peers/supervisor(s).
- Active team member.
- Able to train/teach students, other professionals and assistants.
- Flexibility/adaptability in handling work pressures, competing interests and busy caseload to meet service need.
- Prioritisation skills.
- Developed time management skills.
- Well-developed problem solving/analytical skills
- Able to recognise own clinical and experience boundaries and to seek support/advice when appropriate.
- Well-motivated, with a commitment to developing the service
- Strong commitment to personal development
- IT skills (word-processing, e-mail; internet, intranet searches, presentation skills)
Desirable
- Competencies in the interpretation of videofluoroscopies
Work Related Circumstances
Essential
- Exposure to potentially distressing or emotional situations pertaining to the clinical or social circumstances of patients.
- Able to apply policies to own work area and identify potential difficulties.
- Able to implement infection control guidelines on a daily basis when dealing with bodily fluids e.g. sputum and phlegm whilst engaged in swallowing assessments.
- Prepared to carry out lone working in community settings.
- To employ appropriate strategies to manage aggressive behaviour within the workplace.
- Must maintain patient confidentiality at all times.
- Able to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service.
- Able to travel around Stockport and surrounding areas.
Person Specification
Education & Qualifications
Essential
- Degree level qualification in Speech and Language pathology/therapy.
- Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
- Post graduate training and experience in dysphagia.
Desirable
- Member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (R.C.S.L.T.).
- Post graduate training in specialist area.
- Attendance at courses, conferences or study days which support Speech and Language Therapy knowledge and/or practice.
Knowledge
Essential
- Highly specialised knowledge of the head, neck and thorax.
- Maintenance of clinical knowledge base/level of professional competency across the range of acquired communication and swallowing disorders to ensure evidence-based practice.
- Able to identify areas for own personal/ professional development.
- Specialist knowledge relevant to clinical area.
- Awareness of the potential uses of videofluoroscopy in dysphagia management and patient referral criteria
- Understanding of audit and its role in clinical practice/service development.
- Knowledge of policies and procedures and guidelines relevant to role.
- Understanding of NHS structure and systems.
Desirable
- Awareness of range of software available for therapeutic. purposes.
- Awareness of cultural diversity and equality issues.
- Good working knowledge of frailty and underlying health conditions.
Experience
Essential
- Post-graduate clinical experience working as a Speech and Language Therapist in a clinical setting.
- Working in a multi-professional environment.
- Working in a team.
- Ability to work autonomously.
- Managing a clinical caseload and prioritising tasks.
- Clinical audit.
Desirable
- Presenting training sessions/talks.
- Training student Speech and Language Therapists
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Competent in the assessment and management of a range of swallowing and communication disorders.
- Highly developed interpersonal skills to facilitate therapeutic relationships.
- High quality written communication skills
- High quality verbal communication skills.
- Ability to communicate complex and potentially distressing information to clients, carers and other professionals in a sensitive manner.
- Ability to communicate effectively with angry or distressed patients/relatives.
- Ability to adapt communication style to overcome barriers to understanding
- Able to communicate effectively with members of the MDT regarding patient care.
- Able to manage the emotional consequences of working with communication impaired clients and their relatives, in distressing situations, such as late stage terminal illness or coming to terms with disability.
- Able to carry out assessment in physically restricted situations e.g. at the bedside.
- Excellent observation skills.
- Able to analyse and evaluate results of formal/informal assessments of communication and swallowing, evaluate outcomes and modify approach to maximise outcome.
- Behaviour change skills.
- Ability to motivate or persuade others to facilitate change.
- Able to keep accurate records relating to patient care
- Ability to reflect on practice with peers/supervisor(s).
- Active team member.
- Able to train/teach students, other professionals and assistants.
- Flexibility/adaptability in handling work pressures, competing interests and busy caseload to meet service need.
- Prioritisation skills.
- Developed time management skills.
- Well-developed problem solving/analytical skills
- Able to recognise own clinical and experience boundaries and to seek support/advice when appropriate.
- Well-motivated, with a commitment to developing the service
- Strong commitment to personal development
- IT skills (word-processing, e-mail; internet, intranet searches, presentation skills)
Desirable
- Competencies in the interpretation of videofluoroscopies
Work Related Circumstances
Essential
- Exposure to potentially distressing or emotional situations pertaining to the clinical or social circumstances of patients.
- Able to apply policies to own work area and identify potential difficulties.
- Able to implement infection control guidelines on a daily basis when dealing with bodily fluids e.g. sputum and phlegm whilst engaged in swallowing assessments.
- Prepared to carry out lone working in community settings.
- To employ appropriate strategies to manage aggressive behaviour within the workplace.
- Must maintain patient confidentiality at all times.
- Able to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service.
- Able to travel around Stockport and surrounding areas.
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).
