Job summary
We
are seeking an experienced and innovative Speech and Language Therapist with a passion for excellence to provide leadership and a clinical service to patients within the Head and Neck pathway.
Your caseload will include patients with altered airways, complex
dysphagia and communication difficulties. You will be working with both inpatients and outpatients.
In addition to the wider SLT team, you will work closely with our friendly and supportive Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Team including CNS's, dietitians, and medical teams.
You will have access to instrumental assessment (both videofluoroscopy and FEES).
Research and innovation is very much supported and encouraged within the team and as part of your role.
Improving
Diversity and Inclusive Recruitment:
As
part of the Trust's aim to improve diversity across the Trust, positive action
is being taken and all applications for this post from BAME, Disabled and LGBT+
candidates can request to be considered under an expanded Guaranteed Interview
Scheme if they meet the minimum criteria as specified in the person
specification for this role.
Applicants
will be prompted in the application form to declare if they wish to be
considered under this expanded Guaranteed Interview Scheme, and their response
would be visible to the Shortlisting Panel.
If
you have any queries about expanded Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please contact
Rob Saunders (HR Manager - Recruitment) in confidence via email
robert.saunders1@nhs.net
Main duties of the job
The post holder will develop and deliver highly specialist SLT services to patients diagnosed with Head and Neck Cancer, working as an integral part of the Head and Neck MDT.
To lead the Head and Neck cancer SLT team, ensuring that principles of good governance are adhered to.
To provide training and line management for more junior SLTs within the Head and Neck service, and support within the wider SLT team as required.
To deputise for the Head of Dietetics and SLT as required.
About us
Our purpose is simple - Putting Patients First. We are looking for exceptional colleagues who can help us achieve this.
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is a large acute and specialised hospital trust that provides a range of local acute services to the residents of Worcestershire and more specialised services to a larger population in Herefordshire and beyond.
The Trust operates hospital-based services from three sites in Kidderminster, Redditch and Worcester
Our workforce is over 7,000 strong, and our caring staff are recognised as providing good and outstanding patient-centred care. You could be one of them.
We are committed to recruiting the best people to work with us to achieve our Vision - working in partnership to provide the best healthcare for our communities, leading and supporting our teams to move 4ward. Our 4ward behaviours, which we ask all staff to demonstrate, underpin our everyday work and remain firmly at the heart of all we do.
Our objectives are simple:
- Best services for local people
- Best experience of care and best outcomes for our patients
- Best use of resources
- Best people
Better never stops, and our Clinical Services Strategy provides a clear future vision for our Trust, our hospitals, our services and our role in the wider health and care system.
We are proud to have achieved Timewise accreditation - this means we are committed to embedding flexible working within our organisation as a flex positive employer.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The postholder will provide an integrated
in-patient and out-patient service to patients with head and neck cancer
To maintain a very high level of
clinical knowledge in the specialist field of head and neck cancer
providing advice, second opinions and joint management with colleagues in
the Trust. Areas of knowledge to
include voice rehabilitation following radiotherapy, surgical voice
restoration, dysphagia assessment and rehabilitation
To lead videofluoroscopy and and FEES service for
this patient group (support and training can be given as required).
To develop, attend and contribute
to combined clinics (joint oncology, maxillofacial and ENT)
Surgical voice restoration to manage
voice prostheses including measuring, fitting, maintaining and troubleshooting.
To use FEES (Fibreoptic Endoscopic
Evaluation of Swallowing) & therapeutic scoping
To implement training related to
specialist area to colleagues in the department/hospital/other Trusts
To liaise with and provide support
to therapists across the head and neck cancer pathway.
To maintain an up-to-date knowledge
of national policies, documents and trends related to this client group
and disseminate this to colleagues
To review literature and
disseminate relevant information
To take a lead role in research
projects relevant to this client group as and when required
To lead the planning of future
management of this client group
To devise, collate and disseminate statistical
information to demonstrate service performance, illustrate gaps and to
give quality assurance.
To provide information for national
data collection as required.
To ensure your knowledge and skills are up to date.
For further information see the full job description attached
Job description
Job responsibilities
The postholder will provide an integrated
in-patient and out-patient service to patients with head and neck cancer
To maintain a very high level of
clinical knowledge in the specialist field of head and neck cancer
providing advice, second opinions and joint management with colleagues in
the Trust. Areas of knowledge to
include voice rehabilitation following radiotherapy, surgical voice
restoration, dysphagia assessment and rehabilitation
To lead videofluoroscopy and and FEES service for
this patient group (support and training can be given as required).
To develop, attend and contribute
to combined clinics (joint oncology, maxillofacial and ENT)
Surgical voice restoration to manage
voice prostheses including measuring, fitting, maintaining and troubleshooting.
To use FEES (Fibreoptic Endoscopic
Evaluation of Swallowing) & therapeutic scoping
To implement training related to
specialist area to colleagues in the department/hospital/other Trusts
To liaise with and provide support
to therapists across the head and neck cancer pathway.
To maintain an up-to-date knowledge
of national policies, documents and trends related to this client group
and disseminate this to colleagues
To review literature and
disseminate relevant information
To take a lead role in research
projects relevant to this client group as and when required
To lead the planning of future
management of this client group
To devise, collate and disseminate statistical
information to demonstrate service performance, illustrate gaps and to
give quality assurance.
To provide information for national
data collection as required.
To ensure your knowledge and skills are up to date.
For further information see the full job description attached
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Extensive experience working within adult SLT, a significant amount of which should be within head and neck
- Experience of managing and leading staff
- Experience of working in specialist areas as part of the head and neck SLT team.
- Extensive experience in H&N, which may include tracheostomy, laryngectomy, and SVR
- Experience of implementing evidence based practice for continuous service improvement.
- Experience of supervising staff including appraisal.
- Experience of teaching students and healthcare professionals.
- Experience in implementing clinical governance and change management.
- Clinical audit experience
- Supporting the development of others
Desirable
- Participation in clinical research.
- Experience of managing complaints
Knowledge and skills
Essential
- Knowledge of current issues and research relating to SLT.
- A clear understanding of clinical governance issues and controls assurance standards
- Knowledge of national drivers underpinning the H and N service
- High level of clinical expertise within speciality area of competence
- Excellent interpersonal skills including written and verbal communication, observation, listening and empathy skills.
- Evidence of excellent written skills.
- Evidence of clinical reasoning skills relating to working with complexities.
- Evidence of training professionals in formal and informal settings.
-
- Evidence of delivering a high quality patient-centred service.
- Excellent computer literacy skills: email, data input, internet, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel.
Planning & Organising Skills
Desirable
- Able to prioritise workload and meet clinical needs of patients.
- Able to demonstrate excellent personal organisational skills.
- Able to work to time schedules to meet deadlines.
- Able to work effectively in a multi-professional team.
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in Speech and Language Therapy or equivalent qualifications in Speech and Language Therapy
- HCPC Registration
- Wide range of CPD activities related to Head and Neck SLT
- SVR competencies
- Evidence of study at a masters degree level or equivalent short courses/experience
- Extensive experience working within adult SLT, a significant amount of which should be within the head and neck service
- Clinical Supervisory Skills training.
- Further training in areas of clinical speciality.
- Improving Diversity and Inclusive Recruitment
- As part of the Trust's aim to improve diversity across the Trust, positive action is being taken and all applications for this post from BAME, Disabled and LGBT+ candidates can request to be considered under an expanded Guaranteed Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum criteria as specified in the person specification for this role. Here you can declare if you wish to be considered under this expanded Guaranteed Interview Scheme and this response would be visible to the Shortlisting Panel.
Desirable
- Member of the RCSLT
- Attendance on relevant accredited courses.
- Member of appropriate specialist group
- Recognised management/leadership/coaching qualification obtained or pending.
- Independent use and interpretation of advanced VFS and FEES skills relevant to service area
Analytical & Judgement Skills
Essential
- Ability to assess individuals with complex medical problems and to plan their SLT care.
- Ability to make decision regarding change of practice based on clinical evidence and disseminate same to other health professionals.
- Ability to set, monitor and evaluate standards of SLT care.
- Ability to interpret clinical statistics data results to plan future service needs.
- Ability to deal with staff capability and disciplinary issues.
Other Job Requirements
Essential
- Ability to work flexibly to cover service needs.
- Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends.
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Autonomous practitioner.
- Ability to recognise own professional limitations and when to seek advice from senior colleagues.
- Ability to remain calm & in control during busy phases
- Experience of leading change.
Desirable
- Ability to identify personal development needs
- Experience of handling difficult & sensitive situations well
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Extensive experience working within adult SLT, a significant amount of which should be within head and neck
- Experience of managing and leading staff
- Experience of working in specialist areas as part of the head and neck SLT team.
- Extensive experience in H&N, which may include tracheostomy, laryngectomy, and SVR
- Experience of implementing evidence based practice for continuous service improvement.
- Experience of supervising staff including appraisal.
- Experience of teaching students and healthcare professionals.
- Experience in implementing clinical governance and change management.
- Clinical audit experience
- Supporting the development of others
Desirable
- Participation in clinical research.
- Experience of managing complaints
Knowledge and skills
Essential
- Knowledge of current issues and research relating to SLT.
- A clear understanding of clinical governance issues and controls assurance standards
- Knowledge of national drivers underpinning the H and N service
- High level of clinical expertise within speciality area of competence
- Excellent interpersonal skills including written and verbal communication, observation, listening and empathy skills.
- Evidence of excellent written skills.
- Evidence of clinical reasoning skills relating to working with complexities.
- Evidence of training professionals in formal and informal settings.
-
- Evidence of delivering a high quality patient-centred service.
- Excellent computer literacy skills: email, data input, internet, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel.
Planning & Organising Skills
Desirable
- Able to prioritise workload and meet clinical needs of patients.
- Able to demonstrate excellent personal organisational skills.
- Able to work to time schedules to meet deadlines.
- Able to work effectively in a multi-professional team.
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in Speech and Language Therapy or equivalent qualifications in Speech and Language Therapy
- HCPC Registration
- Wide range of CPD activities related to Head and Neck SLT
- SVR competencies
- Evidence of study at a masters degree level or equivalent short courses/experience
- Extensive experience working within adult SLT, a significant amount of which should be within the head and neck service
- Clinical Supervisory Skills training.
- Further training in areas of clinical speciality.
- Improving Diversity and Inclusive Recruitment
- As part of the Trust's aim to improve diversity across the Trust, positive action is being taken and all applications for this post from BAME, Disabled and LGBT+ candidates can request to be considered under an expanded Guaranteed Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum criteria as specified in the person specification for this role. Here you can declare if you wish to be considered under this expanded Guaranteed Interview Scheme and this response would be visible to the Shortlisting Panel.
Desirable
- Member of the RCSLT
- Attendance on relevant accredited courses.
- Member of appropriate specialist group
- Recognised management/leadership/coaching qualification obtained or pending.
- Independent use and interpretation of advanced VFS and FEES skills relevant to service area
Analytical & Judgement Skills
Essential
- Ability to assess individuals with complex medical problems and to plan their SLT care.
- Ability to make decision regarding change of practice based on clinical evidence and disseminate same to other health professionals.
- Ability to set, monitor and evaluate standards of SLT care.
- Ability to interpret clinical statistics data results to plan future service needs.
- Ability to deal with staff capability and disciplinary issues.
Other Job Requirements
Essential
- Ability to work flexibly to cover service needs.
- Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends.
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Autonomous practitioner.
- Ability to recognise own professional limitations and when to seek advice from senior colleagues.
- Ability to remain calm & in control during busy phases
- Experience of leading change.
Desirable
- Ability to identify personal development needs
- Experience of handling difficult & sensitive situations well
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).
