Specialist Speech & Language Therapist (Run-Through 5-6 post)

The post is a Band 6 position however we also encourage applications from Newly Qualified Therapists and Band 5 therapists with the view to develop to a Band 6 when competencies have been achieved. We are able to offer the opportunity for a motivated and enthusiastic Speech and Language Therapist to join our innovative and supportive team at the Whittington Hospital. This post is based at the Whittington Hospital, which is a teaching hospital, and will cover all medical wards.

The post holder is responsible for delivering a comprehensive therapy service to patients, families and carers of adults with neurological, respiratory or surgical conditions, rehabilitation and elderly referred to the speech and language therapy department at the Whittington Hospital, referred with communication and swallowing difficulties. They will need knowledge in the assessment, differential diagnosis, rehabilitation and treatment of communication difficulties.

• Opportunities to develop competencies bespoke to the level of the applicant (NQP, dysphagia, VFSS, tracheostomy, critical care)
• Excellent line management and peer support
• Opportunities for ongoing personal development
• The Whittington Hospital is a teaching hospital offering exciting learning opportunities and MDT working
• Flexible working and career development

Whittington Health serves a richly diverse population and works hard to ensure that all our services are fair and equally accessible to everyone. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the way we look after our staff. We aim to employ a workforce which is as representative as possible of this population, so we are open to the value of differences in age, disability, gender, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, race, sexual orientation, and religion or belief. The Trust believes that as a public sector organisation we have an obligation to have recruitment, training, promotion and other formal employment policies and procedures that are sensitive to these differences. We think that by doing so, we are better able to treat our patients as well as being a better place to work.

The post holder will be a developing clinician working towards gaining RCSLT dysphagia training competency level C or above, in a supported and bespoke trajectory. Opportunities for developing further competencies including VFSS, tracheostomy, critical care and FEES are available as part of this role. The post holder will be an autonomous practitioner and is responsible for organising and managing a defined caseload, within their professional boundaries, seeking advice where indicated. The post holder will be working closely with their clinical supervisor and members of the SLT adult team, to contribute towards optimum patient care and service delivery across the patient pathway. The post holder will gain experience working with various MDTs throughout the hospital. The post holder will have the opportunity to support SLT students and provide training across the MDT.

Refer to job description and person specification

• BSc. Speech and Language Science or equivalent (including Dip. CST)
• HCPC license to practice, and eligible for the full RCSLT register
• Successful completion of specialist short courses relevant to the field of adults with acquired speech, language, communication and/or eating and swallowing disorders

• Basic qualitative and quantitative research approaches

• Minimum of one year's post registration experience relevant to disorders seen in an acute adult caseload
• Experience of working in a team
• Of a specialist range of assessment tools and procedures to evaluate communication, speech & language skills relevant to an acute adult caseload
• Of the key characteristics leading to a specialist differential diagnosis relevant to the client group of acquired communication and swallowing disorders
• Of a range of specialist therapeutic interventions relevant to patients presenting with acquired communication disorders demonstrating the evidence base for these approaches
• Of specialist assessment and treatment options for dysphagia - both informal and formal techniques
• The application of specialist knowledge of local cultural, linguistic & demographic factors effecting client management
• Knowledge of multi-disciplinary team approaches
• Knowledge of approaches to mentoring less experienced SLTs and support staff
• Of basic understanding of clinical governance principles
• Advanced approaches to support clients & carers with challenging behaviour, mental health needs or in high levels of distress
• Basic approaches to delivering presentations and training, adapting style to a range of audiences

• Communicates complex, sensitive information
• Uses information from multiple sources to understand the wider picture and demonstrates holistic thinking

• Flexibility
• Ability to reflect on practice
• Negotiation and problem solving
• Organisational skills
• Effective self-management

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.

£45,953 to £54,254 a yearper annum inclusive of HCAs