Job summary
A unique & exciting opportunity has arisen for a passionate SLT to join a growing specialist team on the Northwest Regional Spinal Injuries Centre (NWRSIC) and additionally be part of the wider acute SLT services. The successful candidate will work predominantly on the spinal centre, but the role will also provide some input to the acute medical service, including contributing to weekend working. You will have the opportunity to further develop your skills in FEES (Fibre-optic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing) and videofluoroscopy as well as tracheostomy and mechanical ventilation. The successful post holder will work alongside and be managed by a Consultant SLT.
The NWRSIC is one of only 12 specialist centres in the UK & Ireland designated to receive and treat spinal cord injured patients. The NWRSIC houses the largest ventilatory bed base of any spinal centre. You will be part of the ventilation and weaning team and work with spinal cord injured patients who may require mechanical ventilation via tracheostomy. You will be joining an innovative and research active team with a strong commitment to supporting the CPD of our therapists.
Main duties of the job
The primary focus of this role will be within the spinal injury centre, but you will also provide input to the wider SLT team, specifically to our established FEES and VFS services and weekend working on the acute wards. Experience working with spinal injured patients and/or tracheostomy, ventilation in desirable but we would welcome applications from individuals who have worked with complex dysphagia in both a rehabilitation and acute setting. You will be working under the supervision of our consultant SLT.
The post holder will participate in team meetings, complex audit and research projects on a regular basis. They will plan, deliver and evaluate specialist training within the hospital setting to other professionals and patients/ carers on all aspects of swallowing, speech, language and communication.They will be expected to participate in instrumental assessments such as videofluoroscopy and FEES; managing patients with tracheostomies and who are ventilator dependent. Although, support from your line manager will be provided as required. In order to meet caseload demands and/or to cover sickness absence or other vacancies, you may be required, from time to time, to cover different caseloads or to work across other teams within the MWL Southport Hospital site. Permanent changes to posts will only be made after consultation with the post holder.
About us
The Secretary of State has approved the partnership between St Helens & Knowsley Teaching Hospitals and Southport & Ormskirk Hospitals.
From 1st July we have come together as a single organisation under the name Mersey & West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
The Trust delivers acute hospital care, intermediate care, community, and primary care services to a population of over 600,000 people with a combined workforce of around 9000 dedicated and skilled staff from 17 locations including Whiston, Southport & Formby, St Helens, Ormskirk and Newton hospitals.
The Trust provides regional services for burns, plastic surgery and spinal injuries to more than 4 million people across Mersey and West Lancashire, Cheshire, the Isle of Man and North Wales.
Our Vision is to deliver 5 Star Patient Care:
- CARE that is evidence based, high quality and compassionate
- SAFETY that is of the highest standards
- COMMUNICATION that is open, inclusive and respectful
- SYSTEMS that are efficient, patient centred and reliable
- PATHWAYS that are best practice and embedded, but also respect the individual needs of patients
Our achievements include:
- Trust rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018
- Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)
- Awarded National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for our Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme
Please see our Wellbeing & Benefits booklet for more information on our staff benefits
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be an integral member of the wider multidisciplinary team, which includes medical, nursing and therapy staff. You will also work as an essential and valued member of the Acute Medical and Surgical SLT Team. The successful applicant will be managed by the Clinical Therapy manager within General Medical and Surgical Therapies team but will receive clinical support and supervision from the wider SLT service.
This position presents an excellent opportunity to cultivate your clinical, service development and supervisory skills. The successful applicant will lead on the development and implementation of care pathways, departmental policies, and protocols, and provide training, direct, and indirect support to other professionals relating to communication and swallowing disorders. They will supervise and manage clinical practice as required, including SLTs, SLT students and other staff working in their clinical area.
At Southport Hospital we hold regular Videofluoroscopy clinics and are implementing the MBSImP protocol. We also have an established FEES service. For the right candidate there is potential for development opportunities in this area. Continuing Professional Development is essential and actively encouraged, and there are multiple opportunities to develop and acquire new skills, such as:
- Regular clinical supervision
- Regular in-service training
- Regular SLT team meetings
- Relevant external training
- Attendance at relevant CENs
- Access/ exposure to FEES and VF
See attached job description and personal specification.
We would welcome informal discussions and visits to further discuss this newly created post and the opportunities we can offer as a team. Please contact Heather Woodcock (Lead for Acute Medical and Surgical SLT Team) on 01704 704361 for more information.
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be an integral member of the wider multidisciplinary team, which includes medical, nursing and therapy staff. You will also work as an essential and valued member of the Acute Medical and Surgical SLT Team. The successful applicant will be managed by the Clinical Therapy manager within General Medical and Surgical Therapies team but will receive clinical support and supervision from the wider SLT service.
This position presents an excellent opportunity to cultivate your clinical, service development and supervisory skills. The successful applicant will lead on the development and implementation of care pathways, departmental policies, and protocols, and provide training, direct, and indirect support to other professionals relating to communication and swallowing disorders. They will supervise and manage clinical practice as required, including SLTs, SLT students and other staff working in their clinical area.
At Southport Hospital we hold regular Videofluoroscopy clinics and are implementing the MBSImP protocol. We also have an established FEES service. For the right candidate there is potential for development opportunities in this area. Continuing Professional Development is essential and actively encouraged, and there are multiple opportunities to develop and acquire new skills, such as:
- Regular clinical supervision
- Regular in-service training
- Regular SLT team meetings
- Relevant external training
- Attendance at relevant CENs
- Access/ exposure to FEES and VF
See attached job description and personal specification.
We would welcome informal discussions and visits to further discuss this newly created post and the opportunities we can offer as a team. Please contact Heather Woodcock (Lead for Acute Medical and Surgical SLT Team) on 01704 704361 for more information.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Diploma/Degree Speech & Language Therapy or equivalent
- Current HCPC registered
- Masters level clinical courses/or equivalent
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Extensive clinical post-graduation experience in specialist area
- Experience of working with multi professional groups involved in the care of patients
- Operational management, development and supervision of junior staff, students and therapy assistants
Desirable
- Experience of working with Videofluoroscopy and/or MBSImP qualified.
- Experience of developing services.
- Experience working with tracheostomy/ mechanical ventilation.
- FEES trained or working towards competency - as per RCSLT.
- Member of relevant clinical excellence networks.
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Able to work well with others and pass on skills and knowledge
- Initiate evidence based practice within the clinical setting and develop local care pathways
- Committed to personal and departmental development
Desirable
- Experience in research/ audit/ quality improvement initiatives.
Working conditions
Essential
- To manage working in a highly pressured work environment that is busy and maintain excellent working relationships with the MDT
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Diploma/Degree Speech & Language Therapy or equivalent
- Current HCPC registered
- Masters level clinical courses/or equivalent
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Extensive clinical post-graduation experience in specialist area
- Experience of working with multi professional groups involved in the care of patients
- Operational management, development and supervision of junior staff, students and therapy assistants
Desirable
- Experience of working with Videofluoroscopy and/or MBSImP qualified.
- Experience of developing services.
- Experience working with tracheostomy/ mechanical ventilation.
- FEES trained or working towards competency - as per RCSLT.
- Member of relevant clinical excellence networks.
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Able to work well with others and pass on skills and knowledge
- Initiate evidence based practice within the clinical setting and develop local care pathways
- Committed to personal and departmental development
Desirable
- Experience in research/ audit/ quality improvement initiatives.
Working conditions
Essential
- To manage working in a highly pressured work environment that is busy and maintain excellent working relationships with the MDT
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).
