Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Main area Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist/Deputy Team Manager Grade Band 7 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 222-ICS-419-F

Site Armstrong Way Town Southall Salary £55,524 - £62,652 per annum inclusive Salary period Yearly Closing 21/06/:59

West London NHS Trust provides a full range of mental health, community and physical healthcare services for children, adults and older people living in the London boroughs of Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham and Hounslow, and regional specialist services.

An exciting opportunity for an experienced Band 6 or existing Band 7 Speech and Language Therapist to expand clinical and professional skills within the Physical Health AHP team in inpatient mental health settings.

The post holder will deliver high-quality, evidence-based and person-centred Speech and Language Therapy assessment, intervention and education for adults and older adults within inpatient mental health units. Clinical responsibilities include the management of dysphagia, speech, language and cognitive communication needs, working collaboratively with multidisciplinary colleagues to support holistic and integrated patient care.

Applicants must be HCPC registered and have substantial dysphagia experience equivalent to the RCSLT Level C/D competency framework and experience working with adults with complex needs.

Key Result Areas & Performance:

• Autonomously manage a complex caseload of adults and older adults with dysphagia and communication needs across Inpatient Mental Health service lines, from assessment through to discharge.
• Deliver highly specialist assessment and intervention for dysphagia, speech, language and cognitive communication needs using evidence-based practice and outcome measures.
• Advise managers and clinical leads of shortfalls/difficulties as they arise, identifying initiatives/plans to manage these shortfalls/difficulties whilst contributing to future service developments.
• Provide specialist advice to the multidisciplinary team regarding daily patient management, clinical risk and discharge planning.
• Support informed consent and contribute to Mental Capacity Act assessments, ensuring communication needs are fully considered.
• Communicate complex clinical information clearly and sensitively to patients, carers, families and professionals.
• Contribute specialist SLT input to MDT meetings, reviews and clinical decision-making processes.
• Lead and contribute to service development and Speech and Language Therapy quality improvement initiatives.

• Comprehensive staff wellbeing initiatives.
• Additional wellbeing day leave.

• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree qualification or equivalent.
• Postgraduate training in clinical areas relevant to the post e.g. Makaton, Clinical Supervision, Talking Mats.
• Intensive Interaction, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).
• Registered with Health and Care Professions Council & Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT).
• Experience with ASD diagnostic assessment tools (e.g. ADOS).

• Assessment, mealtime management and therapeutic intervention of acute and chronic dysphagia.
• Assessment and therapeutic intervention of speech, language and communication difficulties in an adult population, including geriatric population.
• Working independently with a dysphagia and communication caseload.
• Administration and analysis of formal and informal clinical assessments in various environments.
• Relevant post-qualification clinical experience with adult population.
• Development and implementation of programs of care.
• Communicating information clearly to patients, staff, carers and support network.
• Experience working collaboratively with MDT team members to support patients with dysphagia and communication needs.
• Implementation of robust therapy plans and monitoring and evaluating outcomes.
• Clinical supervision of SLT students and junior SLTs.
• Delivering training to professionals to upskill others in therapy approaches and service delivery, capturing effectiveness of the training.
• Experience delivering structured groups.
• Experience with complex communication and challenging behaviours.
• Experience with people with mental illness or personality disorder and/or challenging behaviour.
• Incorporation of Accessible Information Standard (AIS) criteria into clinical practice.

• Carrying out and analysing both formal and informal assessments for people with dysphagia, complex speech, language, social and communication needs.
• Knowledge of up to date assessment tools and therapeutic interventions related to specialist area.
• Knowledge of clinical governance and audit principles.
• Knowledge of the roles of other professionals such as social workers, community nurses, physiotherapists.
• Knowledge of national policies, legislation and procedures impacting SLT and future care for learning disabilities.
• Ability to record electronic notes and reports to a high standard.
• High standard of organisational, time management and prioritisation skills.
• Independently assess, diagnose and provide specialist input for dysphagia cases.
• Using visual systems to support communication in ADLs e.g. AAC, BSL, Makaton signs and symbols.
• Knowledge of a total communication approach.
• Awareness of relevant legislation e.g. Mental Health Act.
• Advanced knowledge of research and/or clinical audit skills.
• Skills in developing and delivering structured groups.
• Willingness and ability to develop a specialist area of expertise and clinical service.

• Ability to travel independently in accordance with Trust policies and service need.
• Ability to deputise for the Team Manager.
• Good organisational and problem-solving skills.
• Negotiation skills and resolution of conflict.
• Personal interest in working within mental health services.
• Excellent interpersonal skills - including observation, listening and empathy.

As an employee of West London NHS Trust, you have a responsibility to maintain a sound understanding of, and a commitment to uphold the National Health Service values and principles set out in the NHS Constitution.

West London NHS Trust is committed to safeguarding all children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.