Job summary
We have an exciting development opportunity for a Speech and Language Therapist currently working in an established Band 5 role.
This Band 5-6 development post will specialize in the field of Acute Medicine, including Respiratory Medicine, Care of the Elderly, Neurology, and Critical Care at The Luton and Dunstable Hospital.
The hospital is nearest to Leagrave station, which is 39 minutes from London via train.
You can look forward to:
- A well-established and growing team of SLTs who are dedicated to supporting staff and encouraging career development.
- An individualised two-week induction programme, including mandatory training.
- A supportive clinical supervision and appraisal structure.
- Friendly colleagues with a range of specialist knowledge and expertise, and open to new ideas or perspectives.
- Opportunities for external CPD.
- Regular internal CPD, for example, Neurovision and Dysphagia supervision.
- Access to Videofluoroscopy clinics and in-house training for competencies and MBSImp.
- Involvement in clinical trials such as PHEAST.
- Active encouragement to lead on quality improvement projects .
Previous colleagues have shared:
"This has honestly been the friendliest team I have worked in. I am grateful for the learning opportunities, such as the chance to develop my skills in video-fluoroscopy and tracheostomy. Not only that, I have had so much support on a personal level and social celebrations together. It really makes a difference. Thank you L&D SLT team!"
Main duties of the job
You will be offered a competency framework to support your progression into a Band 6 post, as well as competencies in Videofluoroscopy. This includes completion of the Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile (MBSImp). You will work alongside an experienced team of MBSImp-trained therapists who regularly rotate Videofluoroscopy clinics.
In this role, you will provide specialist Speech & Language Therapy case management. This will involve assessing the client's needs and providing care planning, therapy, advice and support for patients with communication or swallowing difficulties.
About us
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics.
You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high-quality training and development to help you grow your career.
We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting-edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. Please ensure that you make your application as soon as possible.
All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required.
Please review all documents attached to this advert to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see Job Description and Person Specification provided. If further information is required, please speak to our contact on advert.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see Job Description and Person Specification provided. If further information is required, please speak to our contact on advert.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree
- Basic post graduate training in dysphagia
- Relevant post registration training in specialist area
- HCPC registration
Desirable
- Post graduate study in appropriate clinical and non-clinical areas, Membership of relevant special interest group
- Registered member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
Experience
Essential
- Experience of complex assessment and intervention for adults with communication disorders and swallowing problems associated with a wide range of conditions
- Experience of working independently in an acute hospital environment
- Demonstrates knowledge of legislation and national policies and procedures which are relevant to clinical practice.
- Evidence of working in a multidisciplinary team
- Understanding of clinical governance and its implications for the service
Desirable
- Experience in tracheostomy management
- Involvement in service improvement/evaluation via clinical audit
- Involvement in service improvement and evaluation via project management or clinical audit
- Previous experience in Videofluoroscopy
Personal skills
Essential
- Excellent verbal and non-verbal communication
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Demonstrates good negotiation skills Able to disseminate complex information to others Able to pass on skills / knowledge to others in formal and informal environments Able to communicate where there may be barriers to understanding Well organised methods of working Good time management Good record keeping
- Able to disseminate complex information to others
- Able to pass on skills / knowledge to others in formal and informal environments
- Able to communicate where there may be barriers to understanding
- Well organised methods of working
- Good time management and record keeping
- Ability to facilitate projects and initiatives
- Ability to work within the Trusts policies or data protection, equal opportunities and health and safety
- Ability to keep accurate records and notes
- Seeks to develop an understanding of different groups and individuals and ensures equitable and appropriate treatment for all
- Able to cope with difficult situations, and communicate information sensitively
- Able to recognise potential breakdown and conflict and to seek advice and support as necessary to resolve it
- Demonstrates flexibility and the ability to adapt to the needs of a changing diverse environment
- Demonstrates self-awareness, and ability to seek appropriate support
- Able to respond appropriately to pressure
- Demonstrates a positive approach to problem solving
Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of the need for confidentiality at all times
- Well established knowledge of a range of assessment tools and therapeutic interventions in the areas of communication and dysphagia relevant to the specialist area
- In depth knowledge of RCSLT guidelines and national policies and procedures relevant to client group
- Demonstrates knowledge of legal requirements, national policies and procedures which may affect practice
- Clear understanding of the principles of clinical governance/audit to monitor and improve service
Desirable
- Awareness of the wider local and national agenda around SLT and NHS developments
- Knowledge of service improvement techniques e.g. change management
Other
Essential
- Competent IT skills
- Ability to cope working in a stressful and unpredictable environment requiring intense periods of concentration and with emotional or aggressive patients and carers
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree
- Basic post graduate training in dysphagia
- Relevant post registration training in specialist area
- HCPC registration
Desirable
- Post graduate study in appropriate clinical and non-clinical areas, Membership of relevant special interest group
- Registered member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
Experience
Essential
- Experience of complex assessment and intervention for adults with communication disorders and swallowing problems associated with a wide range of conditions
- Experience of working independently in an acute hospital environment
- Demonstrates knowledge of legislation and national policies and procedures which are relevant to clinical practice.
- Evidence of working in a multidisciplinary team
- Understanding of clinical governance and its implications for the service
Desirable
- Experience in tracheostomy management
- Involvement in service improvement/evaluation via clinical audit
- Involvement in service improvement and evaluation via project management or clinical audit
- Previous experience in Videofluoroscopy
Personal skills
Essential
- Excellent verbal and non-verbal communication
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Demonstrates good negotiation skills Able to disseminate complex information to others Able to pass on skills / knowledge to others in formal and informal environments Able to communicate where there may be barriers to understanding Well organised methods of working Good time management Good record keeping
- Able to disseminate complex information to others
- Able to pass on skills / knowledge to others in formal and informal environments
- Able to communicate where there may be barriers to understanding
- Well organised methods of working
- Good time management and record keeping
- Ability to facilitate projects and initiatives
- Ability to work within the Trusts policies or data protection, equal opportunities and health and safety
- Ability to keep accurate records and notes
- Seeks to develop an understanding of different groups and individuals and ensures equitable and appropriate treatment for all
- Able to cope with difficult situations, and communicate information sensitively
- Able to recognise potential breakdown and conflict and to seek advice and support as necessary to resolve it
- Demonstrates flexibility and the ability to adapt to the needs of a changing diverse environment
- Demonstrates self-awareness, and ability to seek appropriate support
- Able to respond appropriately to pressure
- Demonstrates a positive approach to problem solving
Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of the need for confidentiality at all times
- Well established knowledge of a range of assessment tools and therapeutic interventions in the areas of communication and dysphagia relevant to the specialist area
- In depth knowledge of RCSLT guidelines and national policies and procedures relevant to client group
- Demonstrates knowledge of legal requirements, national policies and procedures which may affect practice
- Clear understanding of the principles of clinical governance/audit to monitor and improve service
Desirable
- Awareness of the wider local and national agenda around SLT and NHS developments
- Knowledge of service improvement techniques e.g. change management
Other
Essential
- Competent IT skills
- Ability to cope working in a stressful and unpredictable environment requiring intense periods of concentration and with emotional or aggressive patients and carers
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).
