Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity for a Dysphagia qualified Speech and Language Therapist, with experience of independently managing a mental health Dysphagia caseload to work within a Forensic setting.
East London NHS Foundation Trust provides the regional forensic mental health service covering the boroughs of Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Newham, City of London, Barking and Dagenham, Havering, Redbridge and Waltham Forest. The inpatient units consist of the John Howard Centre (medium secure) in Hackney, and Wolfson House (low secure) in the Finsbury Park area.
The service meets the specialist needs of mentally disordered offenders, the majority of whom are admitted via the criminal justice system. The Forensic Speech and Language Therapy team provides care for both the Dysphagia and Communication needs of this population.
Main duties of the job
Responsible for the assessment, differential diagnosis, development and implementation of specialist treatment plans for a caseload of adults with in a forensic setting, with swallowing / communication disorders.
To continually develop and evaluate clinical practices and achieve goals set for personal and professional development.
To identify, plan, deliver and evaluate specialist training.
To provide specialist clinical Dysphagia / communication support to other members of the clinical team, students and volunteers.
To work with wider clinical team to plan and facilitate provision of therapeutic groups / interventions on the ward.
To be involved in clinical governance / audit projects within the local service.
To independently manage and prioritise a specialist caseload of adults with learning disabilities and communication and / or dysphagia difficulties.
About us
Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive - so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.
Job description
Job responsibilities
This job description, summary/purpose is not exhaustive, but is intended to give an overall picture of the role and associated responsibilities.
To independently assess, diagnose and provide specialist treatment and advice to adults with mental health diagnoses with a range of swallowing / communication disorders within the Forensic Service.
To maintain appropriate records in line with Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists guidelines.
To continually develop and evaluate clinical practice, and achieve goals set for personal and professional development.
To identify, plan, deliver and evaluate specialist training.
To provide specialist clinical support to other Speech and Language Therapists, assistants, students and volunteers.
To be involved in clinical governance/audit projects within local service.
To act as clinical resource in issues relating to the specialist area of people with a mental illness / learning disability/ Autism in a forensic setting.
To hold a specialist dysphagia caseload of adults in a forensic setting.
To assess and manage a dysphagia caseload, or work towards these competencies if required by the service.
To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of professional and clinical work, working to agreed local, national, and professional standards.
In addition to this the post holder will provide specialist advice to the Trust and support the organisation through the provision of resources, training, and education.
Job description
Job responsibilities
This job description, summary/purpose is not exhaustive, but is intended to give an overall picture of the role and associated responsibilities.
To independently assess, diagnose and provide specialist treatment and advice to adults with mental health diagnoses with a range of swallowing / communication disorders within the Forensic Service.
To maintain appropriate records in line with Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists guidelines.
To continually develop and evaluate clinical practice, and achieve goals set for personal and professional development.
To identify, plan, deliver and evaluate specialist training.
To provide specialist clinical support to other Speech and Language Therapists, assistants, students and volunteers.
To be involved in clinical governance/audit projects within local service.
To act as clinical resource in issues relating to the specialist area of people with a mental illness / learning disability/ Autism in a forensic setting.
To hold a specialist dysphagia caseload of adults in a forensic setting.
To assess and manage a dysphagia caseload, or work towards these competencies if required by the service.
To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of professional and clinical work, working to agreed local, national, and professional standards.
In addition to this the post holder will provide specialist advice to the Trust and support the organisation through the provision of resources, training, and education.
Person Specification
Education/ Qualification/ Training
Essential
- oBSc in Speech and Language Therapy
- oRegistration with HCPC
- oMembership of RCSLT
- oPost Basic Dysphagia qualification
Desirable
- oRecognised qualifications in specialist areas relevant to the role
- oClinical Supervisory Skills training.
- oQuality improvement training
Experience
Essential
- o2 years post-qualification experience as a SaLT
- oExperience of holding an independent Dysphagia caseload
- oExperience in clinical governance activities
Desirable
- oPost qualification experience working with learning disabilities / ASD / mental health
- oParticipation in service / systems development
- oSupervision experience
- oSubstantial experience working within MDT teams
- oExperience working in forensic settings
- oExperience participating in Quality Improvement projects
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- oGood understanding of national strategy, guidance and key standards in own specialist area and their application in practice
- oSpecialist clinical knowledge in own area, particularly Communcation / dysphagia management
- oClinical Governance and its application in practice
- oSafeguarding and its application in practice.
Desirable
- oCare Programme Approach and its application in practice
- oResearch and Development Methodology
- oMental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act and their application in practice.
Person Specification
Education/ Qualification/ Training
Essential
- oBSc in Speech and Language Therapy
- oRegistration with HCPC
- oMembership of RCSLT
- oPost Basic Dysphagia qualification
Desirable
- oRecognised qualifications in specialist areas relevant to the role
- oClinical Supervisory Skills training.
- oQuality improvement training
Experience
Essential
- o2 years post-qualification experience as a SaLT
- oExperience of holding an independent Dysphagia caseload
- oExperience in clinical governance activities
Desirable
- oPost qualification experience working with learning disabilities / ASD / mental health
- oParticipation in service / systems development
- oSupervision experience
- oSubstantial experience working within MDT teams
- oExperience working in forensic settings
- oExperience participating in Quality Improvement projects
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- oGood understanding of national strategy, guidance and key standards in own specialist area and their application in practice
- oSpecialist clinical knowledge in own area, particularly Communcation / dysphagia management
- oClinical Governance and its application in practice
- oSafeguarding and its application in practice.
Desirable
- oCare Programme Approach and its application in practice
- oResearch and Development Methodology
- oMental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act and their application in practice.
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).
