Speech and Language Therapist

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 5 Speech and Language Therapist within Bedfordshire Community Health Services Adult Speech and Language Therapy Team.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated clinician to join the service and work closely with the wider MDT.

This is a full time post (37.5 hours).

Based in the community the successful candidate will cover outpatients and domiciliary visits across north, mid and south Bedfordshire to patients in their own homes and nursing and care homes.

The role will also involve participation in training sessions on communication and dysphagia to other professionals and attending multi-disciplinary team meetings.

Post graduate dysphagia training will be provided if required.

ELFT has a very strong culture of quality improvement and you will be encouraged to take an active role in service improvement projects.

The adult speech and language therapy service comprises of a small, friendly and very supportive team. There are regular team meetings, supervision and opportunities for further training and CPD.

We are currently expanding and developing the community service to work further on prevention and education and to build integrated pathways. So this is a great time to join us!

The post holder will:

Be responsible for delivering speech and language therapy input to appropriate adults with acquired communication, swallowing and voice problems (e.g. Parkinson's voice).

Identify, assess and diagnose communication/ impairments and select appropriate patients and therapy for effective treatment.

The post holder will be supported in developing dysphagia competencies and will ultimately see patients with acquired swallowing problems as part of their caseload.

Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive - so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.

1. To work with adults with a range of acquired communication and swallowing disorders, and their carers with support from experienced clinical staff.
2. To develop clear care plans based on best practice.
3. To use clinical skills to generate written reports reflecting knowledge
4. To provide appropriate intervention and evaluate outcomes.
5. To provide advice to others regarding the management and care of patients with communication difficulties.
6. To contribute to clinical teams, both multidisciplinary and uni disciplinary, by discussing own and others input around patients needs, ensuring a well coordinated care plan
7. To demonstrate clinical effectiveness by use of current evidence based practice and outcome measures.
8. To use clinical skills and knowledge of communication aids to provide appropriate Augmentative and Alternative Communication intervention

• Speech and Language Therapy Degree
• HCPC registration
• Member of Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists
• Post Graduate Dysphagia Training

• Must have UK driving license
• Must have own transport to travel throughout Bedfordshire independently
• Must be eligible to live and work in the UK

• Experience of working with adults with a range of medical conditions and acquired communication disorders
• Demonstrates experience in assessment and therapeutic interventions for a wide range of acquired communication disorders
• Experience of delivering training

• Demonstrates a well established knowledge of theoretical and clinical issues relating to adults with acquired communication disorders associated with a wide range of medical conditions
• Has good awareness of safe eating and drinking in order to recognise potential problems and escalations accordingly
• Knowledge of a range of high and low tech augmentative and alternative communication suitable for use with adults with communication disorders
• Awareness of legal requirements, RCSLT guidelines and national policies relevant to the client group
• Awareness of the principles of clinical governance and audit

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Able to work flexibly and meet conflicting demands
• Excellent organisational skills
• Able to impart potentially distressing information in a sensitive manner to adults with acquired communication disorders and their carers
• Demonstrates excellent presentation skills

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.

£32,073 to £39,043 a year, Dependent on experience