Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

An incredibly exciting opportunity has arisen in Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) for an experienced Speech and Language Therapist to cover a maternity leave.

This role will provide inpatient swallow and communication assessment and intervention to adults.

The role reflects the changing and more complex health needs of our population, with opportunities to work with both acquired and developmental disorders, alongside complex mental health and physical health care needs.

The successful applicant will be able to work independently with the adult population, building on their previous skills and knowledge with opportunities to develop new skills.

It would be the perfect position for an experienced Speech and Language Therapist with adult experience, who is keen to further develop depth of knowledge across a broad range of presentations and experience working within mental health for a fixed term period. It may be a great opportunity to consider a secondment from your permanent role!

Part time hours may be considered.

For further information, please contact Natasha Gillan, Speech Therapy Professional Lead or Claire Leigh, .

To provide highly specialist Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) to service users across inpatient Mental Health Services at Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH). This will include communication and swallowing assessment and interventions.

Inpatient services cover organic (e.g. Dementia) and non organic (e.g. Bipolar and Schizophrenia) disorders. These services are delivered over Adults of Working Age, Older Adults and Psychiatric Intensive Care wards.

The population is diverse and service users will vary presenting with a wide variety of acquired and developmental communication and swallowing difficulties, alongside a variety of mental health conditions. This post is the perfect opportunity to utilise and further develop specialist skills across a broad range of presentations, responding to ever increasingly diverse and complex health needs of the adult population.

The postholder will be working as part of a wider SLT inpatient team but may be the only SLT in a hospital setting. You will be expected to maintain active clinical supervision (including peer supervision) with the wider Speech and Language Therapy team across Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) and nationally where appropriate.

The post will be based at Atherleigh park, Leigh, but will provide cover to several inpatient settings across the GMMH footprint.

There may be times when clinical need and risk dictates that the post holder may have to provide some cover to other parts of GMMH.

• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
• Cycle to work scheme
• Salary sacrifice car scheme
• Blue Light Card Discounts

• Degree in Speech and Language Therapy
• Relevant master's degree or equivalent experience and postgraduate training
• Evidence of successful completion of specialist short courses
• Member of RCSLT
• HCPC Registration - Licence to Practise
• Experience of working in the NHS
• Postgraduate experience of working autonomously with adults with communication and swallowing difficulties
• Evaluating different models of service delivery and implementing change that led to service improvements
• Experience of clinical audit
• Providing specialist training to the broader MDT in relation to communication and swallowing
• Specialist knowledge and application of current best practice for adults in both physical and mental health settings underpinned by theory and practical experience
• Demonstrate an understanding of the professional/legal issues e.g. confidentiality, consent, and best interests
• Knowledge of clinical governance and its application
• Deliver effective Speech and Language Therapy assessment and intervention in non traditional and sometimes challenging environments
• Be able to work autonomously to manage a complex caseload
• Developed auditory and perceptual skills
• Effective assessment and care planning skills
• Excellent decision making, problem solving and negotiating skills
• Ability to work flexibly and cooperatively as part of a team
• Commitment to promoting Speech and Language Therapy Service within inpatient settings
• Self aware and committed to professional and personal development
• Willingness to work flexibly in accordance with the service needs
• Member of relevant CEN
• Working with adults with social, emotional and mental health needs
• Working with adults with serious mental illnesses
• Contribution to clinical formulation and differential diagnosis
• Assessment and diagnosis of developmental communication difficulties (including neurodivergence)
• Assessment and intervention of acquired neurological conditions
• Knowledge of relevant policies and practice, for example providing physical healthcare in inpatient mental health settings
• Recognise, plan and carry out research/quality improvement projects
• Innovative and self directing

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.