About this role
Job summary
We are delighted to offer an opportunity to join our supportive and friendly team, based at the QEH in Gateshead.
Working within the in-patient/stroke part of the service, the successful candidate will work as part of this small but dynamic team to further develop a high quality service. As part of a 7 day service, some weekend working will be required.
There will be opportunity to work with adultswith a range of neurological conditions who have dysphagia and/or communicaion difficulties, across in-patient and out-patient settings including the Jubilee Acute Stroke Rehabilitation Unit (JASRU) and the Community Stroke Rehabilitation Team.
There are opportunities to work in a number of acute settings including care of the elderly, general medicine, mental health, critical care and emergency care.The post holder will work closely within the stroke MDT and with other professionals within and outside of the Speech and Language team.
There are also opportunities to be involved in VFSS and FEES and to develop your skills in these areas.
Main duties of the job The successful candidate will work with other SLT colleagues in the team to provide a service to adults with dysphagia and communication disorders, resulting from a range of neurological conditions e.g Stroke, Parkinson's Disease, Dementia. You will be involved in the clinical supervision and development of speech and language therapists as well as other members of the MDT e.g ward staff in terms of dysphagia competency training. Attendance at clinical excellence networks and regional support groups are encouraged. We offer full professional support including an appraisal system, regular team meetings, and close liaison with experienced therapists. There are regular opportunities for informal supervision and case discussion. Involvement in professional development is actively encouraged.
About us
Based in the North East of England we provide a range of hospital and community health services from our leading facilities, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blaydon urgent care centre and Bensham Hospital, all within Gateshead.
Established in 2005, we were one of the first foundation trusts in the country and since then have consistently achieved the highest levels of care for patients.
We now employ around 4,800 staff and currently provide 444 hospital beds across the Gateshead region.
Our values should be the 'golden thread' which runs through everything we do - they are the core of who we are. Our five values can easily be remembered by the simple acronymICORE; Innovation, Care, Openness, Respect, Engagement.
We have a number of staff networks including the Global Ethnic Majority (GEM) network, D-Ability network, LGBTQ+ Network and the Women's Network, to challenge us and help us to constantly improve. Our Armed Forces network is one of our emerging networks.
The health and wellbeing of our staff is one of our highest priorities, and we offer a range of support and initiatives as part of our 'Balance' programme balancegateshead.com to cater for our diverse workforce, so that your individual needs can be supported, allowing you a happy and healthy working experience with us.
Job description Job responsibilities
Primarily this post will provide a specialist Speech and Language service to in-patients, including dysphagia and communication assessments and therapy.
To provide input to adults who present with a range of swallowing disorders including those who have complex and/or severe difficulties in an acute, in-patient setting.
To provide a flexible and timely service to the wards and people with dysphagia across the hospital.
To act as an autonomous practitioner providing, assessment, diagnosis, treatment, opinion and evaluation of a range of eating, drinking and swallowing disorders.
To work in close collaboration with the rest of the acute and stroke team and the wider Multidisciplinary Team in order to provide an integrated approach to care.
To participate in research in specialist area as required.
To provide excellence in clinical care and working to achieve the highest level of patient safety.
To continuously develop the service and constantly strive to improve.
To provide appropriate clinical supervision and in-service training for speech and language therapists, assistants and students.
See Job Description and Person Specification
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Speech and Language Therapy degree or equivalent HCPC registration Proficient level of dysphagia competency
Desirable
RCSLT Membership
Experience Essential
Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team Experience of managing a caseload in an acute setting Experience of carrying out triage Demonstrable CPD/training
Desirable
Experience in service development or quality improvement Involvement in instrumental assessment Involvement in ICU/trachea care
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship 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).
Employer details Employer name Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust
Address QE Hospital
Queen Elizabeth Avenue
Gateshead
NE9 6SX
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.qegateshead.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)